We’ve checked off where to stay and where to eat and drink in Quebec, today I’m sharing what to do in Quebec City and Montreal.
The uniquely Parisian feel of the streets and buildings, while still in North America, is what draws visitors year after year to these two cities.
One of my favorite things to do in any big city is just walk and explore. I’m not a huge sightseer or museum goer unless they’re major can’t miss spots. I prefer to just see where the day takes me. I love stumbling upon a cute, trendy boutique, a tasty candy shop or a hidden courtyard with gorgeous hanging flowers.
With squares and squares of cozy sidewalk cafes and bars pouring out of old houses, Montreal and Quebec City are ideal places to just go and walk.
What to Do in Quebec City
Wander the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec
Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America, founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. Bring your walking shoes. If you couldn’t tell by the picture below, this city has some hills!
Stroll through Quartier Petit Champlain
This is the place to be in”the Old City,” and it’s North America’s oldest shopping district. It’s filled with all sorts of darling pubs, boutiques and restaurants.
While you’re there, try some ice wine or ice cider
Canada is well known for its ice wine and Quebec, increasingly so, for its ice cider. I was totally unaware of this until our visit, but ice cider has become a signature export product for the region. The frigid winters make it so the sugars can concentrate enough to produce the deliciously sweet cider.
We popped into Cidrerie Verger Pedaneault along Petit Champlain to sample a number of apple and pear ice ciders. They offer plenty of other apple products to taste as well.
Cider seemed to be used in a ton of dishes around the city as well. Our hotel, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, even offers an Ice Cider body wrap.
Pop into a pub and play a board game
I loved that just about every pub we walked into had a fireplace and a ton of board games. We had a blast relaxing inside with a bottle of champagne and some Jenga. Check out a few of our favorite pubs/ bars here.
Visit the library of your dreams aka Morrin Centre
Book lovers rejoice! No better place to sink into a couch and pick up your favorite book than this charming Victorian library, located just outside of Old Quebec. We spent a great afternoon browsing the shelves here, in what actually was the city’s first jail.
Drink LOTS of Chocolat Chaud in bowls
Even in April, the air was quite frigid in Quebec City, so we found ourselves drinking a lot of hot chocolate. And if you’re feeling frisky, add some whiskey…the one below had maple whiskey in it. Yummm.
The French/ French Canadians seem to love their hot beverages in bowls, as our coffee, hot chocolate and tea were almost always served in one.
There’s also a chocolate museum!
A Shop I Loved
Lili & Olivia: 49 Rue du Sault-au-Matelot
Women’s boutique with gorgeous, feminine pieces and fun pieces for the house.
What to Do in Montreal
Visit the Montreal Botanical Gardens
The gardens are about a 25 minute drive outside downtown Montreal, right across the street from Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. It has 75 acres of various gardens and greenhouses. Unfortunately, many of the outdoor gardens were closed when we were there due to it being the offseason. I can’t imagine how beautiful those would be!
We caught the “Butterflies Go Free” exhibit when we were there, where more than 1500 butterflies fly free around you.
Spend an afternoon at a Nordic bath like Bota Bota
Hydrotherapy while literally floating in the Old Port of Montreal. Bota Bota terms itself “river ferry turned floating spa.” While they offer all the traditional therapies, Jake and I opted to just do the hydro circuit when we were there last May.
You start with 15 minutes in the dry sauna or steam room to open your pores and flush out toxins. This is followed by a dip in a cold bath or shower to close those pores and rinse the toxins away. The final step is relaxation in one of the many hammocks or hot tubs with gorgeous views of the city. This was a wonderful way to spend a day in Montreal. We loved it so much that we ended up finding a Scandanavian spa back in Portland.
Prices range from $40-$55 depending on how long you want to stay.
Explore the streets of Vieux-Montreal (Rue St-Paul)
No surprise, “Old Montreal” is the oldest area of Montreal and is a major tourist area. Souvenir shops overflowing with plaid meets bustling sidewalk cafes.
While it gets packed in the summer, it’s really fun just to wander the streets and pop into Parisian style cafes and shops .
Speaking of souvenirs, buy a plaid onesie:
Pop a bottle with a sword at La Champagnerie
Since we were celebrating a friend’s birthday, this spot in Old Montreal was a must.
La Champagnerie is a “bar à sabrage,” which means you use a saber to cut off the cork and tip of the bottle in one swoop.
More on our visit here.
A Shop I Loved
Le Magasin Général du Vieux-Montréal: 34 Rue Saint-Paul O B
Montreal meets general store, which is literally the name of the store. Shabby chic items for the home as well as cute accessories and handbags in the $30-$100 range.
