Quebec CityQuebec City (French: ''Québec'') is the capital of the province of Quebec in Canada. Located at a commanding position on cliffs overlooking the St. Lawrence Seaway, Quebec City's Old Town is a United Nations World Heritage Site and the only city north of Mexico with its original city walls. ==Understand== Quebec City fashions itself the "national capital" of Quebec. Much of the business here is of the administrative and bureaucratic nature, which would normally make the city quite dull. Fortunately, the city has a remarkable history, as the fortress '''capital of New France''' since the 16th century. Although the town's day-to-day life leaves things a little yawn-y at times, the vibrant historical center makes for an incredible visit. ==Get in== ===By car=== Quebec City is 2.5 hours by car from Montreal, taking either Highway 40 or 20 (north and south side of the St. Lawrence, respectively). Both drives are beautiful tours of Quebec's heartland. ==Get around== If you stay in the Old Town, there's not much reason to do anything except travel on foot. There is a [http://www.stcuq.qc.ca/ public transportation system], of course. Driving in the Old Town can be tricky, since the cobblestone streets were designed for narrow 17th-century horsecarts rather than 21st-century SUVs. Other parts of the city have the same heinous road state as other cities in Quebec. If your feet fail you, use the funicular to go between the upper and lower parts of the Old Town. 1.50 CDN will get you from near the base of the Breakneck Stairs back up to the front of the Chateau Frontenac. This is well worth it if you have small children or large packages. ==See== *'''Old Town'''. *'''Chateau Frontenac'''. *'''Dufferin Terrace'''. *'''Musée de la civilisation''', http://www.mcq.org/english/index.html, 418 643-2158. *'''Musée de l'Amérique française'''. *'''Place-Royale''', historical site, http://www.mcq.org/place_royale/aaindex.html. *'''Plains of Abraham Battlefield Park''', 649-6157. http://www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca/_en/ *'''The Citadel''', this fortification at the juncture of the Old City wall and Grand Allée holds a changing of the guard ceremony mornings at 10 am, weather permitting. *'''Chute Montmorency''', http://www.chutemontmorency.qc.ca ==Do== *'''Ferry to Lévis'''. *'''Festival of New France''', first weekend in August. http://www.nouvellefrance.qc.ca *'''Winter Carnival''', city-wide, first week of February. A truly spectacular event, the Winter Carnival is a 100-year tradition in Quebec City. Each year, a giant ice palace is built in the Place Jacques-Cartier as the headquarters of the festivities, but there's activities all during the week. The '''International Ice Sculpture Competition''' sees teams from around the world build monumental sculptures. There are parades each night in different quarters of the city, and other winter-defying competitions including a canoe race across the St. Lawrence and a group snow bath. The festival's mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval, a sashed snowman, is the city's most famous logo. http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/ *'''Festival d'été'''. Beginning to mid-July, a lot of almost free music shows (you buy a button for $12 or $15 and it gives you access to all the shows, for the 10 days of the festival) in and around the Old Town, with international and local artists (for example in 2004, The Nits, Wyclef Jean, Bérurier Noir). http://www.infofestival.com/ ==Buy== Quebec City's Old Town is riddled with shops for tourists. Watch for leather goods and various handmade crafts made by Canada's First Peoples. Check the lower level of Verrerrie La Mailloche by the Breakneck Stairs in the lower part of the Old City. They often have glass blowing demonstrations and will explain the craft to you. ==Eat== All restaurants will post menus out front in French and in English. Look for the ''table d'hote'' specials for a full course fixed price meal. On the cheaper (but very satisfying) side, have a traditional ''quebecois'' meat pie. ==Get Out== *Visit a sugar shack (''cabane a sucre'') on the nearby Ile d'Orleans in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. *The Basilica of Saint Anne de Beaupré is an enormous church which is reputed to have healing powers similar to those of Lourdes. *Montmorency Falls is a nice spot to visit if you are driving outside the city. ==Drink== Quebec city main street for a drink is ''La Grande Allee'' situated in the old town. You can find many bars and clubs with many happy quebecers trying to have fun. *'''Le Dagobert''' on ''Grande Allee'' is one of Quebec biggest club and presents many local and international musicians. *'''Le Vogue''' and '''L'Ozone''' both on ''Grande Allee'' offers great music and atmosphere with pint at ~$5 CAN. For a quieter atmosphere, go on '''St-Jean''' street where you can find some brewpubs. Try '''Le Sacrilege''' for a relaxed atmosphere and good friends. ==Stay Safe== This small town does not suffer from high criminality. Do not worry about getting attacked anywhere in town in the middle of the day, unless you get really unlucky. Some petty crimes may happen during night, especially at bar closure, but do not expect high criminality. ==External links== *[http://www.quebecregion.com/e/ Quebec City and Region Tourism Board] {{stub}} First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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