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I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel and I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world. My specialty is Disney travel!
Want to work together? Please check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!
“Bonjour! Hello!” That’s the delightful way I was greeted during my visit to the province of Québec, Canada! On this four-night trip, I visited historic Québec City and metropolitan Montréal, both distinctly French Canadian cities but with their own unique atmospheres. While the primary language in Québec is French, the population is bilingual so English is very readily spoken and included on most signage. An example of this is the greeting “Bonjour! Hello!” which invites you to answer “Bonjour! Hello!” and then continue in the language you are most comfortable with. Couple this with the fact that Québec is just a short flight from much of eastern U.S. and you have an easy international destination for U.S. travelers to visit.
DAY 1:
To get this trip started, my husband and I flew on Air Canada from Washington, DC (DCA) to Montréal (YUL) where we had a brief layover, went through Canadian customs and immigration, then grabbed our connecting flight to Québec City (YQB). We took a taxi to the hotel which was located on the edge of old Québec City. All told we departed Washington, D.C. at 5:50am and arrived at our hotel at 10:45am.
The Hilton Québec was lovely with a stylish inviting lobby and common areas. Upon arrival, we were offered the option to pay for early check-in and we took them up on it, getting into our room right around 11:00am. I loved how this room blended bright modern touches with artwork of Québec City, including a full wall mural. The star of the show here was the huge picture window overlooking the river and the historic area of the city. The view was gorgeous! Turning up the AC and closing the blackout curtains, while we were out, did a great job of keeping the room a comfortable temperature, even with the unseasonably hot summer weather and a large window. The room was on the smaller side but perfectly fine for two guests and the bathroom did not feel cramp. There was plenty of storage space, a k-cup coffee maker, and a mini-fridge. Everything felt fresh, clean, and well-kept. This room style was a “1 King River View”.
If you’re vacationing in Québec City, you’re likely to spend most of your time in the historic old city area, Vieux-Québec, enjoying the European atmosphere. This area runs from the river banks up a steep hill toward the newer parts of the city and lies within the bounds of the historic city walls, Fortifications of Québec. Outside of the walls is the modern city center. The Hilton Québec is located about two blocks from the city walls, across the street from the convention center, and right in middle of the mix from historic to modern buildings. The walk into the old city is short but very hilly, downhill on the way in and uphill on the way back. If you have concerns about the walk, I suggest planning to use ride shares or taxis to get around or perhaps stay within the old city area itself. I found the hotel amenities, the views, ability to earn Hilton points, and price to be worth the walk for me, personally, on this trip.
The Hilton Québec has three dining options, all located in the lobby: a coffee shop which offers a selection of pre-packaged and made-to-order salads, sandwiches, omelets, soups, and the like; a bar with a lounge; a sit-down restaurant with a full menu for lunch and dinner plus a breakfast buffet. I opted to book a room rate that included the breakfast buffet and that turned out to be a good choice because the buffet was impressive with plenty of french pastry, hot and cold items, and a great overall variety of offerings. Additionally, this hotel has a fitness center and a heated outdoor pool with bar service.
I fully enjoyed my stay at the Hilton Québec with breakfast, the room decor, and views being the highlights. I would definitely stay there again. While the location was adequate for our itinerary, it would’ve been nice to be based inside the historic district and closer to the river to cut down on the commute. However, the price point and amenities offered at the Hilton Québec outweighed the downside of walking the hills for me.
After settling into the room and having a quick lunch, we set out on our way, by foot, to the Plaines of Abraham site. This is a historic battlefield which is now a park and, I have to say, was underwhelming so I wouldn’t go out of your way to see it unless you’re deeply invested in military history. Perhaps visit the Plaines of Abraham Museum first to get context as there was precious little signage around the battlefield. The park itself is rather large so maybe we missed the most scenic areas but I wouldn’t suggest devoting time here as a tourist.
What was enjoyable was a visit to La Citadelle de Quebec, a historic and currently operating military fort located right next to the Plaines of Abraham. Built in the early 1800’s, the fort has had many lives and purposes. Today it’s still an active military installation but you can explore most of it on guided one-hour tours which are offered in both English and French. Much of what we saw had roots in the WWII era when the fort was expanded and updated. Our tour guide took us through the history of the city and the fort as well as how the fort operates today. We even got to see a marching band rehearsing and a changing of the guard at the entrance, in full military dress. The tour took us through several of the historic buildings and had great views of the city and the river. There’s also a museum exhibit you can explore at the end of the tour. I do recommend this for travelers interested in history or the military but I’d skip it if you’re traveling with kids because there is lots of quiet time listening to the tour guide. Don’t miss the option to walk along the hills and fortifications around the Citadelle as well.
After La Citadelle, we took a break at our hotel then went back into the old city for dinner. There are streets and streets of restaurants and shops in the old city! We wandered the shops on Rue Saint-Jean near the St. Jean Gate and enjoyed the charming old world European vibes and the opportunity to purchase maple-flavored everything, because this is Canada after all. For dinner we dined at a cute french-styled bistro L’Entrecôte Saint-Jean and had a lovely meal. We opted for some basic salmon and chicken salads and both were delicious. The menu offered many heavier French options as well. Our server was very helpful in answering food allergy questions and making sure I was able to make adjustments as needed. After dinner, we walked back to our hotel and called it a night.
DAY 2:
After starting our morning with the hotel’s delightful buffet breakfast, it was back into the old city with a full list of things we wanted to see. The entire old city feels as though it came right out of a European storybook and a few times I felt like I might turn a corner and see a Disney Princess running her morning errands. The vibes are authentically French Canadian with historic buildings, artwork, shops, and French bistros on every street.
First stop was the Fortifications of Québec National Historic Site which houses a small museum about the fortifications that surround the city and gives you the opportunity to climb to the top of the walls (about 3 stories worth of stairs) and stand on top of the St. Jean Gate. There was some construction here during our visit but it appeared that normally you can walk the length of the walls over a mixture of stone and hilled earth along the perimeter of the old city. I think a visit here is a must-do!
Next we were off to the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral. The ornate Catholic church has beautiful works of art with an intricate ceiling and altar and a notable carved door found around the side entrance. I’d recommend a stop for architecture and art fans no matter your religious affiliations. Across the street was a fabulous Christmas shop as well! La Boutique de Noël de Québec was absolutely worthy of a stop if you’re visiting the cathedral. Nearby was the Rue du Tresor, an alleyway overflowing with artists and their displayed works. The entire old city really lends itself to wandering around and exploring but keep in mind that you’ll find a lot of hills and stairs as you do.
After perusing the Christmas ornaments our next stop was a big one! The Dufferin Terrace and Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. The Dufferin Terrace is a wide boardwalk overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Across the boardwalk is the massive castle-like structure of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a historic hotel and a Québec City landmark. We walked the Dufferin Terrace and took in the views of the river and the historic cannons that line the inland side of the terrace. In the summer, there are often musical performances here and, in the winter, a toboggan run. You’ll also find a funicular to take you up and down the hill. After some photos with the most iconic building in Québec City and admiring the exterior, we went inside to see the opulent lobby of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Everyone is welcome to visit the main level, which includes the lobby and several gift shops, as well as the lower levels which have a sit-down restaurant, a Starbucks, and museum exhibits outlining the storied history of the hotel. The museum highlights the hotel’s early years during the formation of the city and its more recent years hosting famous guests, from Hollywood celebrities to European royalty and American Presidents.
For lunch we dined at an all vegan establishment named Don Vegan. The atmosphere was all over the place with a bistro styled patio outside then a small interior with modern artsy vibes including plush seats, faux greenery on the ceiling, and a brightly colored mural of cartoon characters. So, not exactly the vibe of the old city but the food was delicious! I had a deliciously creamy mushroom risotto and my husband had kefta tacos which were more of a Mediterranean pita trio, hearty and full of flavor.
We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the old city, the highlight being the absolutely adorable Place Royale, a square that looked like it was pulled directly out of a fairytale. I highly recommend shopping your way down Petit-Champlain Street! After a busy day, we had a simple dinner at the hotel and got ready to leave Québec City the next morning.
Top Three Quebec City Tips
- Give yourself time to just wander & explore the old city.
- Be prepared for hills and stairs galore.
- Don’t miss the Dufferin Terrace and Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.
DAY 3:
On Day 3, we traveled from Québec City to Montréal by train with Via Rail Canada. After another lovely buffet breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and took a short ride share trip to the Gare du Palais train station. The station building itself clearly has a long history as it’s full of interesting features that were fun to explore while we waited. The main lobby had several seating areas, a small newsstand, and a very basic cafe. Having not traveled much by train in the past, I wasn’t sure what to expect regarding lines and security so we arrived about an hour early for our 12:30pm train. As it turned out, there was no security screening or any lines we had to contend with so arriving thirty minutes early would have been sufficient. The boarding process was efficient and we easily found our assigned coach seats and stored our carry-on luggage with us. The seats were more comfortable and spacious than an airplane seat and had large windows including a sunshade. There were plugs and USB ports as well as a large tray table next to our seats. Our train car included a paid beverage and snack service, a bathroom, and a water bottle refill station. Our three-and-a-half hour journey was comfortable and overall the experience was hassle-free. The scenery was mostly neighborhoods, industrial, or fields but there were a few scenic spots and a great view of the city coming into Montréal. We arrived at the Gare Centrale which was much larger than the station in Québec City. We chose to walk from the train station to our hotel which was about 3/4 of a mile away but I recommend grabbing a ride share because rolling suitcases on the sidewalk was a real pain.
We arrived at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Montréal Downtown around 4:45pm and were able to head right to our room. This hotel experience was just OK. The hotel was clean, the room was spacious for being in the middle of a city, and it had a full kitchen plus a washer and dryer. The hotel stay included a very basic continental breakfast and even had a light evening buffet on some weeknights. There was a salad bar the night we arrived. The bed, however, was not comfortable and there were some minor wear-and-tear maintenance issues with the room. I also had to request several of the included kitchen items like cooking sheets and pots be brought to the room. The immediate location around the hotel (Chinatown) seemed to be undergoing a lot of transition with municipal construction, many boarded-up storefronts, and not much foot traffic. I felt OK walking the area during the day but it wasn’t an ideal neighborhood. We were able to safely walk from our hotel to the attractions we were interested in visiting and, after getting a few blocks away, it was a much more tourist-friendly city center and I felt fine about all of our walks on day four. Our stay was perfectly fine and we were relatively comfortable but all of the cons add-up on this one so I wouldn’t stay again or recommend it for my travel clients. I love Homewood Suites as a brand but, with all large brands, there are hits and misses. This one was a miss.
After settling into our room we walked to the closest grocery store to make use of our full kitchen. In retrospect, I should have just had groceries delivered as it was a bit of a challenge to actually find a decent store and everything we were looking for. After a long travel day we made dinner and got ready to explore Montréal the next day.
DAY 4:
Our final full day of this trip was dedicated to exploring Montréal. After breakfast at the hotel, we walked to Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal with pre-purchased and timed entry tickets for 9:00am which saved us from waiting in line upon arrival. From the outside the basilica is huge and impressive and surrounded by a mix of historic and modern city buildings. Once inside, this church is absolutely stunning! There is not a single surface without a work of art. The stained glass windows told the story of Montréal and the chandeliers are massive and beautiful. The altar is simply overwhelming with carvings, statues, paintings, and elaborate detail. There was an organ demonstration going on during our visit so we even got to hear the organ play for a bit, which was great. In the back hallway there is an easy-to-miss modern, smaller chapel made entirely of stunning carved wood. In the evenings, they offer a light & music show with projections on the ceiling. As an active church, there is also daily Catholic mass here which is conducted in French and all are welcome to attend. Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal is an absolute must-visit, particularly for art fans!
Our next stop, about a ten-minute walk from the basilica, was the Château Ramezay, a historic colonial house with a museum on the history of Montréal. The upper level was a mix of museum exhibits and furnished rooms of the historic house itself with time-period furniture and artwork. The basement of the house holds many hands-on exhibits perfect for kids, including live demonstrations. I would say this is a museum more suited for age 6+. Outside the house is a large French colonial style garden. This was a shorter experience and we spent about a hour here but did skip the garden due to the extreme heat of the day. If you like history and have the time, I think this is a good stop to add to your day but not a must-see.
We were also able to admire the Montréal City Hall across the street from Château Ramezay which is located right next to the Place Jacques-Cartier, an area full of gift shops and restaurants catering to travelers. We explored this area for a while and stopped in at the coffee shop Cafe Olimpico which was both adorable and had stellar coffee. I had the cold brew which had a Slurpee-like consistency, lightly sweetened, and very strong! My husband had an equally great oat milk latte. I highly recommend a stop here for coffee drinkers; there are three locations around the city. The location we visited at 419 R. Saint-Vincent was all cobblestone with cozy vibes.
Right around the corner from Café Olimpico is the famous Bonsecours Market, where you’ll find a mix of traditional travel gift shops and higher-end stores all aimed at tourists. There are also several dining options, including a brewery/distillery named Pub BreWskey’s. Right next door was the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, a lovely historic church built by the original French settlers. I found it an interesting contrast to the elaborate basilica from earlier in the day. Entry to the chapel is free and worth a quick stop if you’re going to visit the market. They also had a museum that you could pay to visit, which we did not. Very close to Bonsecours Market is the Old Pier which has many activities geared toward families including a ropes course, a zip-line, paddle boats, an observation ferris wheel, and is home to festivals and celebrations.
Next up we took a ten minute walk to the Pointe-a-Calliere, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex. This is a sprawling museum complex built on top of the ruins of colonial Montreal. It is truly a labyrinth but worth the exploration. I really enjoyed this museum and was impressed by the mix of ruins with the modern buildings. You also got to get very up-close to the historic remnants often walking right on top of them. The museum covered the history of Montréal with modern exhibits and interactive elements designed for the whole family. Your visit starts with a 4D film walking you through the history of the city and is not to be missed. I’d highly recommend a visit to this museum and suggest you plan to devote several hours here.
Unfortunately, our day was cut short because I wasn’t feeling well, so we had to head back to the hotel. It happens, but it’s never fun when you don’t get to see all your vacation plans through. Our intention had also been to visit the Montréal Museum of Fine Art and grab some popular Montréal bagels.
Top Three Montréal City Tips
- It’s a great city for history and art lovers to visit.
- Shoppers will want to devote a few hours exploring the Place Jacques-Cartier area and Bonsecours Market.
- Don’t miss the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal.
DAY 5:
It was time for us to head home this day so we took a thirty-minute ride share to the airport where we had a non-stop flight back home to D.C. I loved being able to pre-clear U.S. customs in Montréal but be sure to factor that into your airport arrival time.
Overall Thoughts:
Every time I visit Canada I grow to enjoy the country even more and this time was no exception. I adored Québec City and exploring Montréal as well. I think U.S. travelers often overlook Canada as an international destination and focus on European travels but Canada is far closer making the flights often much more affordable and short trips a more viable option. It’s also a great stepping stone for travelers who might be apprehensive about their first international adventures. Québec City, particularly, is teaming with those European vibes so be sure not to sleep on Canada, travelers! It really has a lot to offer much closer to home.
I think both Québec City and Montréal are easily fully enjoyed with a short stay. Québec City is the perfect destination for a couples’ long weekend getaway from the U.S. East Coast. That’s also what makes these cities fabulous cruise ports on a Canadian cruise which I think is a great way to visit these cities.
That was our Québec City and Montréal trip! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Québec City or Montréal?
I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you!
Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions.
I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!
Katie Vassalotti - Travel Advisor - Travel Blog 