This post and website may contain affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through them we may earn a commission and receive compensation. This also helps us run our blog free for you to enjoy! Please read our Disclaimers page for more information.
Quebec City is an incredible place to explore, full of history and beauty! We list places and free things to do in Quebec City we enjoyed, followed by lower cost experiences, for adults as well as families!
Old Quebec is a magical place to visit when the city is adorned with Christmas and holiday decor! The city is great for couples, groups, and families at this time of year. Although it was cold, Old Quebec exceeded our expectations!
We visited the city to ring in the New Year one snowy winter! The celebration was a spectacular night of fireworks and festivities! Therefore, not only is the city a beautiful place to visit, we also highly recommend celebrating the New Year there!
Free Things To Do in Quebec City
Explore Old Quebec
The district of Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in the 17th century, the area is well-preserved and wonderful to explore.
There are historic landmarks, beautiful architecture, delicious restaurants and charming shops in this great walking town!
The historic neighbourhood is made up of two areas: The Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and Lower Town (Basse-Ville). Both parts have places of interest and are next to each other.
Upper Town includes places like the Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica Cathedral and Chateau Frontenac hotel. And Lower Town includes Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Catholic Church.
Strolling this picturesque district is one of the best free things to do in Quebec City! Also, be sure to explore Old Quebec both in the day and night! The shops and narrow streets are beautifully lit in the evenings. We did stay in the main tourist areas and always felt safe.
In particular, explore Quartier Petit Champlain and Place Royale in Old Quebec! Walking through these areas in the winter with beautiful snow around us was so enchanting!
TIP: With so much to see, notably, we do love guided tours as well, although they are not free! We usually do at least one tour when we travel to hear about the culture and history from a knowledgeable guide. Explore Viator Quebec City Walking Tours and two popular walking tours in the links below with reviews. Read our article on our guided half-day group Quebec tour we enjoyed during this trip.
Old Quebec: Explore Quartier Petit Champlain
Explore the many boutiques and restaurants in the Petit Champlain district. It really did feel magical strolling through this area!
We loved the decorations and visiting unique stores. We did some window shopping and I did buy a new winter toque in one of the shops as well!
Also, for us, a must do in Quebec City was having maple syrup taffy on a stick! Enjoying maple syrup taffy is a Canadian tradition, particularly in Quebec.
TIP: If you are not able to visit a maple syrup “Sugar Shack” during your trip to Quebec City, be sure to try maple syrup taffy like we did in Petit Champlain! There is a small store called “La Petit Cabane a Sucre” in Petit Champlain that sells different maple products!
The boutiques and shops were open late during the holiday season when we visited. So take your time and savour this winter wonderland!
Old Quebec: Explore Place Royale
The Place Royale is a lovely area of shops and cobblestone streets in Lower Town! Definitely make time to stroll around the place where Samuel de Champlain founded the City of Quebec.
The area is really beautiful and we took a lot of photos here! You really do feel like you are visiting a European city when here.
Also, the beautiful Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Catholic Church (Our Lady of Victories) is located in this charming square. Built in 1688, it is one of the oldest churches in North America, designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Visit The Basilica-Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Quebec
Built in 1647, the Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral is the oldest church in Canada. Located in Old Quebec, the cathedral is open daily and free to visit.
The Basilica-Cathedral of Notre Dame de Quebec is also classified as a National Historic Monument of Canada. Definitely worthwhile to visit.
During our short visit to Quebec City, we planned to visit the historic site. The interior is quiet and beautiful to experience. Also, during this time, the Holy Door was open for the Jubilee Year!
Notre-Dame de Quebec’s Holy Door is the only Holy Door in the Americas. We were able to experience, and pass through the Holy Door, from the outside to the inside.
Many people make a pilgrimage to the site. Please check the website directly to confirm hours and mass times.
Website: https://portesaintequebec.ca/en/cathedral/
Stroll Along Grande-Allee
After the grand outdoor party, New Year’s countdown, and fireworks by the St. Lawrence River, we went to Grande Allee to celebrate more!
The lively street is lined with bars and restaurants worth visiting during the day and night all year round.
To date, the New Year festivities in Grande Allee is still one of the most fun, memorable NYE parties we’ve been to! The outdoor street party is huge with music, ice sculptures and more! Definitely fun and one of the best free things to do in Quebec City!
Visit Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac
The Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is a historic, grand hotel. It is free to enter and explore the famous landmark.
During our visit there was a display of various Christmas trees decorated differently. There were many people in the lobby, both guests and visitors, enjoying the festive atmosphere!
For more history of the Chateau, there is a popular tour of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac by a local guide, dressed as a historical character. The small-group tour has hundreds of positive reviews!
Low Cost Things to Do in Quebec City
The following experiences are not free, but lower cost activities to explore:
- Toboggan Slide at the Dufferin Terrace
- Old Quebec Funicular (cable car ride)
- Quebec City-Levis Ferry
- Waterfalls: Montmorency Falls & Chaudière Falls
1. Dufferin Terrace & Toboggan Slide
Named in honour of Lord Dufferin, this terrace is a long boardwalk, great for sightseeing, popular with tourists and residents.
Located by the world-famous Chateau Frontenac, there are great views from here of the St. Lawrence River and area.
There is a lot to explore in the area all year round. For example, in the summer, there are musicians, street artists and performers.
In the winter, from December to mid-March, the popular toboggan ride, built in 1884, is open daily. At the time of writing, a single ride ticket price was less than CAD$4
For the Quebec City Toboggan Slide, confirm dates, hours, and pricing directly, which are subject to change.
Website for Quebec City Toboggan Slide: https://au1884.ca/toboggan-slide-tickets/
2. Old Quebec Funicular
Although we did not ride the cable car, we went by to take a look at the often photographed funicular!
At the time of writing, the cost is $5 per person for one way (up or down). Cash only.
It is a short ride that can save you time walking to or from Lower Town and Upper Town.
The lift is open all year round from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. – the schedule may be different during the holidays.
Website: https://www.funiculaire.ca/copie-de-accueil
3. Quebec City-Levis Ferry
We wanted to experience the ferry crossing, particularly to see views of Quebec City from the water!
For age 16 to 64, the cost (at the time of writing) is less than CAD$4 per person. Seniors and children cost less.
Since we traveled in January, unfortunately, it was a very windy and cold day for our ferry ride! Nonetheless, we always make the best of situations especially on our travels! My husband and I took pictures outside on the ferry as well as landscape pictures (see above, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac).
It was a memorable experience we were happy to have done! Surely, a warm, sunny day would be even more enjoyable!
Please check directly to confirm pricing of fares and schedule.
Website: https://www.traversiers.com/en/our-ferries/quebec-city-levis-ferry/fares
4. Visit Waterfalls: Montmorency Falls & Chaudière Falls
Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls is a popular attraction not too far from Quebec City that we enjoyed!
We visited Montmorency Falls with a great group tour that included other sites such as Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre – read our tour review and article here! We recommend this half-day tour from Quebec City!
However, we can also recommend visiting on your own if you prefer to have more time to explore. The park is very large with several activities to enjoy all year such as the following and more:
- gardens
- walking trails
- cable car (extra cost)
- zip line (extra cost)
At the time of writing, children (0-17 years) are FREE. Adults are less than CAD$8 and parking less than CAD$4 per vehicle. Prices for residents of the province of Quebec are less. Please confirm prices directly which are subject to change:
Website for Montmorency Falls – Pricing: https://www.sepaq.com/destinations/parc-chute-montmorency/planifier/tarifs.dot
For Montmorency Falls guided tours from Viator, explore popular tours below from Montreal and from Quebec City:
Chaudière Falls Park
It is FREE to visit Chaudière Falls Park. Although approximately only twenty minutes drive from Old Quebec, we were not able to visit given our short stay. However, there is a lot to do year round at this tourist attraction!
In addition to the 35 meter high waterfall and footbridge, there are hiking trails, a cycle path, and more at this park.
Website for Chaudière Falls Park: https://chaudiereappalaches.com/fr/voyage-quebec/levis/levis/parc-des-chutes-de-la-chaudiere/parc/
Location: 3300 Falls Park Street, Levis, Quebec City
Visit the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre is approximately 30 km east of Quebec City. For free things to do in Quebec City, it is worth the time to visit this beautiful pilgrimage site.
The stunning basilica honours Saint Anne, the mother of Mary, and the Grandmother of Jesus. It is also one of the national shrines of Canada and Saint Anne is the patron saint of the province of Quebec.
The official website of the basilica indicates it is “the oldest pilgrimage site in North America.” Many Roman Catholics and believers go on a pilgrimage to the site as many miracles have been reported curing illnesses and disabilities!
Again, if visiting the basilica on your own, it is free to enter.
We visited the stunning basilica with a great tour group. Although the guided tour from Old Quebec is not free, it was enjoyable and convenient since transportation is included.
Website for Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre: https://sanctuairesainteanne.org/en
Things To Do in Quebec City, Free or Low Cost: Conclusion
There are a variety of free things to do in Quebec City, and lower cost experiences, that are fun and worth checking out!
Also, we highly recommend a visit during the Christmas and New Year season to see the spectacular holiday ambiance! Despite the cold and snow, we loved the beautifully decorated winter wonderland! Just dress warmly! Enjoy!
We hope our article on free things to do in Quebec City provided useful and helpful information! Be sure to check out Nurture Happiness Today TRAVEL for more travel tips, adventures, and resort recommendations! And follow us on Instagram or Facebook for more inspiration!
Have fun in Quebec City and happy travels!
Quebec City: Accommodations
Explore reviews and Quebec City hotels on Booking.com:
For our vacation to Quebec City, my husband and I had a great stay at the Hotel Le Germain Quebec (4-star hotel) – we recommend this hotel and would return! Must try their croissants! Read our Hotel Le Germain review here which includes pictures from our Quebec City stay!
Quebec City: Popular Tours
Explore other popular Quebec City tours on Viator and read hundreds of reviews:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are from personal experience(s). Our content and this article is informational only, not facts, and cannot be construed as professional advice. We always give our honest opinions on topics, experiences or products, made in good faith. Any product or service claims, made by the product or service, should be verified with the manufacturer or provider in question. There may be potential errors on our website, for example due to changes and unintentional mistakes. Thank you.
For more articles, be sure to take a look at Nurture Happiness Today‘s other features on travel, food, and inspiration for happiness:
- Nurture Happiness Today TRAVEL and RESORTS & HOTELS
- Nurture Happiness Today FOODIE
- Nurture Happiness Today – inspiration for happiness such as quotes, speeches and lifestyle posts.
