Day Trips from Quebec

Quebec is a city that combines modernity and history, as contemporary culture coexists with the traditions of the original peoples. If you have already spent several days in the city and know everything there is to see and do in Quebec, but you still want to stay longer in this cosmopolitan city, you will be happy to know that there are many wonders to discover in the surroundings.

High altitude waterfalls, trails surrounded by forests, villages with history, whale watching cruises... These are just some of the excursions you can do from Quebec to enjoy your stay in this Canadian city to the fullest.

One of the most recommended places to visit near Quebec is the town of Beaupré, where you can find the famous Montmorency Falls of about 83 meters high. To visit them, you can join a half-day guided tour with transfer included, which will also take you to other sites of interest in the town, such as the basilica of Sainte-Anne, an architectural icon of the city.

Undoubtedly, the jewel of these tours are the Montmorency Falls, located in the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. There are trails that take you to the waterfalls so you can admire them up close and to the cable car, from where you can contemplate the panoramic view of the waterfalls and the surrounding nature. The tours usually include free time for you to enjoy this natural treasure.

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is considered the second oldest pilgrimage center in North America and, along with it, the guided tour usually also includes a visit to the Albert Gilles Museum, a famous copper embossing artist who made the doors of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and other pieces of art in churches in Quebec.

Throughout the tour, you will be accompanied by an expert local guide who will enrich the experience with his insights into the culture and history of Beaupré and its natural treasures.

Details of interest

• Price: from 61 € per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours and a half.
• Means of transport: bus.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include lunch or drinks.

The Ile d'Orleans is one of the most recommended places to take a gastronomic tour and discover the culinary specialties of the Quebec area. All of them are made with fresh ingredients and traditional techniques, reflecting the island's link to the land. The experience takes place on half-day tours, with a local gastronomy expert.

Among the dishes you can't miss are Tourtière, a meat pie, Charlevoix cheese, which is made from cow's milk, and Fiddleheads, delicate ferns that are only available in the spring. You can also try the cider, a popular local drink made from apples grown on the island, and maple syrup sweets, typical of the region.

These gastronomic tours also usually include a visit to vineyards and a chocolate factory, where you can sample all the delicacies on offer. You are usually accompanied by an expert guide, who provides you with lots of information about the best dishes of the region and their link to Canadian history and culture.

Details of interest

• Price: from 45 € per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours and a half.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.

Near Quebec is the Saguenay-Saint Lawrence National Marine Park, one of the best places in the world for whale watching due to the large number of aquatic animals that inhabit its waters. The tours are usually done on a cruise ship, with which you get close to the sighting area. You also have the option of going on a speedboat to get close to the whales and see them up close without disturbing them.

Usually, these tours are done with a specialized guide who can tell you all about each species and the marine ecosystem. For this, you should reserve a whole day, since the experience usually lasts about 11 hours.

Among the whales you can see are the blue whale, which is about 31 meters long and has a blue tail, the fin whale, characterized by its enormous jaw, and the beluga whale, which stands out for its fantastic song.

Keep in mind that the best time to see whales is in summer, between the months of May and October, although the beluga whale and numerous species of birds and other fish can be seen throughout the year. There is no doubt that this tour is one of the best boat tours in Quebec, as it is an experience enjoyed by people of all ages.

Details of interest

• Price: about 180 ¤ for adults and about 160 ¤ for children under 13 years old.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Means of transportation: 3-story boat and speedboat to get close to the whales.
• Disadvantages of this option: most cruise excursions do not include lunch and drinks, but there are bars and restaurants on board.

If you like sports you can join this trekking and skiing experience in Jacques-Cartier National Park, a protected area located 45 minutes from downtown Quebec. There you can discover the wonderful views from its viewpoints, learn about its flora and fauna, and walk its trails with an expert guide who will show you the snowy forests in a walk with a small group of people.

The best time to do this excursion is in winter, which extends from December to March in Quebec. Usually, the tour companies provide you with all the necessary equipment for skiing and the snowshoes and poles so that you can trek without any inconvenience. In addition, these excursions are usually done in small groups of people accompanied by an expert guide, which ensures the safety of the experience.

While hiking the trails of the Jacques-Cartier Park you will have many opportunities to appreciate the views of the Jacques Cartier glacial valley and the Jacques Cartier River. In addition, from the trails you will be able to observe native animals such as deer, queen elk, beavers and deer, among many, many more.

Many of these experiences include, in addition to round-trip transportation, lunch and a comforting beverage such as hot chocolate. Keep in mind that, to enjoy this activity, you must be in average physical condition, since the trails will be covered with snow. On the other hand, as the park receives a limited number of people per day, don't forget to book the tour in advance.

Details of interest

• Price: about 95 € for adults and about 65 € for children under 17 years old.
• Duration: about 3 to 4 hours.
• Means of transport: minibus.
• Disadvantages of this option: may be cancelled due to bad weather. It is required to have an average physical condition to enjoy the experience.

If you prefer a more adventurous experience to get to know the Montmorency waterfalls, you can join a bike tour to the Chute-Montmorency National Park, where the famous waterfalls of the same name are located. The Montmorency waterfalls, at 83 meters high, are the highest in the region and are located in a natural environment of great beauty. The tour from Quebec is about 10 km one way and 10 km return.

Usually these tours use the bike paths along the St. Lawrence River, which is already a very nice ride. Once in the Park you can leave the bikes aside, as there are pedestrian paths that take you to the base of the waterfall, and a cable car and a suspension bridge from where you can see the waterfalls from above. You can also climb the stairs, if you prefer. And if you want to add more excitement to the experience, you can zip-line across the falls.

These tours are usually done in small groups with a professional local guide who can tell you a lot about the National Park, the falls and its flora and fauna. They also usually provide you with all the necessary equipment to participate in the activity, such as a helmet and a bottle of water. Most of them also include the entrance fee to the park and the ticket for the cable car.

Details of interest

• Price: from 118 € per person approximately.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: bicycle and cable car.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need to be in average physical condition to enjoy the experience, as the total distance is about 20 km. There are usually age restrictions to participate.

If you are a lover of wine and gastronomy, you will be happy to know that very close to Quebec, on Orleans Island, you can also take a tasting tour to sample the most exquisite local wines from its vineyards. The tours are usually conducted with an expert guide who can enrich the visit with interesting information about the wines, wineries and vineyards.

As for Orleans Island, it has a long tradition in wine production thanks to its microclimate and the composition of its soils, which make it perfect for the production of high quality wines. Some of these include the Sainte-Pétronille vineyard, which grows about 12 different grape varieties and specializes in white wine, and Cassis Monna & Filles, a family vineyard now in its fifth generation.

These tours usually include transportation to the island from Quebec and all transfers from one vineyard to the other. They also usually include wine tastings and a gourmet snack, as the island is known for its diverse culinary specialties.

Details of interest

• Price: about 80 EUR per person.
• Duration: 4 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: includes tastings.

One of the best excursions you can do from Quebec is to sail to the Isle Aux-Grues archipelago, a site recognized for being the largest unspoiled wetland in northeastern North America. These tours are usually accompanied by professional guides who can provide you with a wealth of information about the region and its history, as well as its marine flora and fauna.

The cruises, which depart from Quebec's docks along the St. Lawrence River, offer you the best panoramic views of the city and the lively coastline from the very beginning. The archipelago is made up of some 21 islands, each with its own particular history, which the guides will surely tell you about. The l'Isle-aux-Grues is the only one that is populated and is known to be the birthplace of the prominent Canadian painter and sculptor Jean-Paul Riopelle.

These excursions usually take place around noon, especially in spring and summer, except when weather conditions do not permit. It is best to plan ahead for these tours, as they tend to be in high demand, especially in high season. On the other hand, many of these excursions do not usually include meals and drinks.

Details of interest

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: 2 hours and a half approximately.
• Means of transport: boat.

Another interesting excursion you can do from Quebec is to visit the island of Grosse Île, to learn about its history and cultural importance. Grosse Île had great relevance in the 19th century, during the time of Irish immigration to Canada, when it became a quarantine station and hospital for thousands of immigrants.

The guides who lead these tours usually play historical characters and tell the story in an original and entertaining way, allowing you to follow in the footsteps of the immigrants and learn more about the significance of the place. You can also visit sites of historical importance on Grosse Île, such as the old quarantine station and the immigrant monument.

It is a tour that not only teaches you about history, but also allows you to admire the surrounding landscapes, since to reach the island you must board a cruise ship at the docks of Quebec. It usually takes place in summer, from May to the first days of October, due to weather conditions. Please note that there are no restaurants on the island and that these excursions do not usually include lunch, so you must bring your own food and drinks.

Details of interest

• Price: from 71 € per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: boat.
• Disadvantages of this option: this activity can only be done in the spring/summer season.