25 Epic Things to Do in Quebec City this Summer 2025
Looking for fun things to do in Quebec City this summer?
You’re in the right place. Quebec City is a very popular place to visit year round, but summer is one of the most fun times to visit.
The weather is perfect, there’s boating on the St. Lawrence River, lots of summer festivals, and you can spend hours exploring Old Town without needing to duck in from the cold.
As an Ontarian, I’ve been lucky to visit Quebec City during multiple seasons, and I can tell you that the summer has more fun things to do than any other.
I’m going to highlight the best things to do in Quebec City in summer. By the end of this article, you’ll be bursting with ideas of fun things to do during your trip.
So, allons-y – fun things to do in Quebec City this summer!
Fun Things to Do in Quebec City in the Summer
Here are the fun things to do in Quebec City in the summer
1. Join in on one of the many festivals
Quebec City is a city of festivals; special celebrations and events going on throughout the year.
Regardless of the time of year you visit, there will be something going on in Quebec City. But the summer is the busiest time for festivals.
Quebec City is PACKED with festivals in the summer time. There are music festivals, cultural festivals, and national holidays.
If you’re looking for a fun, unique Quebec City summer activity, then consider participating in some of the festivals they have going on at that time of year.
July has more festivals in Quebec City than any other month. Here are some of the festivals that will be going on Quebec City in July:
- Canada Day – July 1st, there are many celebrations on the Dufferin Terace
- Jean Baptiste Day (called Fête Nationale in Quebec) on June 24th. This is an even bigger deal than Canada Day in Quebec City, and there will be many parties on the street
- Quebec City Day (July 3rd) Quebec will be celebrating its 417th anniversary as a city in 2025!
- Festival d’Été (FEQ) – 2 weeks long summer music festival in July with live music and concerts. Passes for concerts and events can be bought on the FEQ website here.
Here are festivals held Quebec City in August:
- Festibière in August, a beer festival
- New France Festival (August 2054) celebrating the early French settlers in Quebec
In addition to the festivals celebrated in July and August, there are also:
The Jazz Festival (late June) which consists of jazz performances throughout the city
Quebec City Pride – usually held during the Labour Day weekend (first weekend of September)
To learn more about the Quebec City summer festivals, the dates and how to have fun participating, read my post on 21 Festivals in Quebec City.
2. Go on a food tour
Quebec City is a ‘foodie’ city with a wealth of French Canadian cuisine. Quebec cuisine is a mix of French and North American dishes.
Food tours allow you to try some of the best gourmet food in town, paired with wines.
Some of the food you can expect to find on a Quebec City food tour are pâté chinois (a Quebec meat pie, French Canadian pea soup, poutine, flambé and other dishes, as well as desserts.
There are a few different food tours and things to keep in mind before booking a Quebec City food tour.
Book your Quebec City food and drink experience tour here (3 hours long, $155 per person, includes all the food)
3. Ride a Cable Car at Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls is a waterfall that stands almost 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls, and is the largest waterfall in Quebec.
And best of all, its just a 15 minute drive from Old Town in Quebec City.
Montmorency Falls are located at Parc Montmorency, which is a provincial park where you can do plenty of fun outdoor activities. You can:
- walk around the grounds
- look over the suspension bridge that walks over the falls
- walk down the staircase that walks down the side of the falls
- admire the falls from multiple points of view.
- ride a caple car
- do zip-lining
In fact, I’ve never been to a waterfall that allowed for so many different points of view to look at it from. Montmorency Falls is one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever seen.
The views from all angles of the waterfalls are beautiful, and you can feel the force of the falls as they plummet down.
On a clear day, you can also see Quebec City from the look-outs at the falls.
There are several ways to get to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City, such as taxi, Uber, or the public bus. The easiest way is to book the coach bus, which is only available in Quebec City in summer.
A trip in the cable car can be booked upon arrival, or in advance on their website. Another option is to book a tour that gives you some free time to take the gondola.
Book your tour to Montmorency Falls here (3.5 hours, $195 per adult)
4. Get a bird’s eye view of the city
Head to the Observatoire de la Capitale, the tallest building in Quebec City, to get panoramic views of Old Town and the surrounding city.
The elevator will take you up to the 31st floor of the Édifice Marie-Guyart building where there is an observatory with large windows and so many interesting facts (in French and English.)
From there, you walk through the observatory allows you to see the city from a perspective that isn’t normally possible.
There are interesting tidbits, such as telling you how from different cities around the world you are, interactive panels and interesting facts on the walls.
In order to visit the Observatoire de la Capitale, you need to book tickets online in advanc on their website here. When you get to the Édifice Marie-Guyart building, there will be signs directing you to the elevator which you’ll take to floor # 31. Once you’re up there you’ll show your ticket and be able to enjoy the observatory.
5. See fireworks
In the summer 2025, for the 29th year in a row, there will be fireworks once a week in Quebec City and in the town of Levis, across the river.
The fireworks shows are once a week for the duration of the summer season (from late June to mid-August.) They begin at 9:20pm on the days they happen, since thats when it gets dark.
You can buy a seat for any of the fireworks shows or package which includes seating, parking, food and the fireworks show.
If you want to a seat for one of the weekly summer fireworks shows, you can book packages and seats for the 2025 season in advance on the website here.
6. Visit the only crypt in North America
In summer, you’ll undoubtedly spend time walking along the Dufferin Terrace. It’s right in front of the Chateau Frontenac, and it’s also where the funicular is located.
Not many people who visit Quebec City realize this, but the only crypt in North America is located just underneath the Dufferin Terrace!
The official name for the crypt is called the “Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site”, and it contains the remains of the Saint Louis Castle which was the residence of French and British politicians between 1620 to 1834.
During the summer, there are 1-hour tours of the crypt – both guided and self-guided- available at multiple time slots per day.
Because this attraction is owned by the Canadian Government, you can read more details about the tour times and ticket prices on the Parks Canada website here.
Good to Know: An additional fun Quebec City summer activity on the Dufferin Terrace (besides the crypt underneath) is to spend some time just walking around it. You have beautiful views of the river, and sometimes there is live music, plus you’re right in front of Le Château Frontenac. Spend some time walking around, and taking in the environment.
7. Eat the best poutine
Poutine is a Canadian dish that originated in Quebec in the 1950s. It consists of French fries with gravy and cheese curds. Its comforting, greasy and delicious.
While poutine is the perfect dish for winter weather, but summer is actually a good time to enjoy them because it tends to be a grab-and go snack, that you eat at picnic tables, and from food trucks.
Poutines can be either enjoyed while eating in or for take-out. Many restaurants in the city serve poutine, but I recommend finding one that uses real cheese curds, as its a very specific type of cheese.
To find the best places to get poutine in Quebec City, read my post on the best poutines in Quebec City.
8. Spend hours exploring ‘Old Town’
The best thing to do in Quebec City is to just spend some time exploring, and walking around the old town.
This Old Town is the only of its kind in North America, and one of the oldest European settlements on the continent.
There are narrow streets and cobbled grounds – it is on par with an old European city in terms of beauty. Almost everywhere you look is post-card perfect.
Old Town is full of cute stores where you can find good quality Canada souvenirs. Here are some fun things to do on an Old Quebec City walking tour:
- Take a leisurely stroll down Rue du Petit Champlain. Rue to Petit Champlain is the prettiest street in Quebec City, lined with restaurants, boutique stores and art galleries
- Visit Place Royale
- Ride the funicular
- Walk down Umbrella Lane, which always has colourful umbrellas in summer
- Visit the oldest stone churches in North America (Notre Dame de Basilica and Notre Dame des Victoires)
Are you a history buff, and want to learn more about the history behind medieval Quebec buildings? Book a 2-hour Old Quebec walking tour (2 hours long, around $50 per person) with a local guide.
9. Take a cruise through the St. Lawrence River
Quebec City is located right on the St. Lawrence River.
River cruises allow you beautiful views of Old Town from the water; you can also see Levis across the river and sometimes even Montmorency Falls from a distance.
This 90 minute cruise allows you to see Old Town Quebec City, from the river, passes Ile d’Orleans and then heads up to Montmorency Falls.
You will get spectacular views of these three locations from the boat, and be given some interesting narration from your cruise guide.
Book your Quebec City river cruise (1.5 hours and $65 per person) here
10. Visit Île d’Orléans
Summer is the perfect time to visit Île d’Orléans, which is an island near Quebec City!
Île d’Orléanss famous for its family-owned farms, old stone homes, apple orchards, boutique stores and even chocolatiers.
Île d’Orleans has its own traditional recipes and farming practices that have been passed down generations. So, its nice place to visit but also has particularly good food tour options, and also wine tours.
Both types of tours allow you to visit family-owned businesses that make their own artisan products.
Ile d’Orleans is about a 15 minute drive from Quebec City, so you can either use a rental car or take an Uber to get there; but as I mentioned there are also food and wine tours to Ile d’Orléans.
On this 4-hour wine tour in Ile d’Orléans, you’ll be brought to three different wineries on Île d’Orleans, and be able to sample their best wines, and have everything taken care of. Here are some of the wineries you can expect to visit:
- Isle de Bacchus Vinery, the pioneer in Quebec’s wine industry and started the first vineyard in Île d’Orléans.
- Vignoble du Mitan – beautiful terrace with pretty views , and a 17th-century ancestral home next to the vineyard.
Book your wine tasting tour on Ile d’Orléans (4 hours, $120 per person, includes all alcohol) here. You meet them in downtown Quebec City and they bring you to Ile d’Orléans
11. Take the ferry to Lévis
Taking the ferry to Lévis is a quicker, cheaper version of a St. Lawrence cruise and it allows you to see the skyline of Québec City as you sail across the river.
Sailing across the river only takes about 10 minutes; part of that time is the docking and boarding. Its super quick!
We took the ferry to Levis, but it was winter so we did only to see the picturesque Quebec City skyline, and then we turned around and went right back.
In the summer though, there are more ways to make taking the ferry a fun Quebec City summer activity. From the ferry port on the Levis side, you’re a short walk to:
- Maison Alphonse-Desjardins, a history museum in an old house – entrance is free!
- Terrasse du Chevalier-de-Lévis, a park with beautiful views of Quebec City, great for sunsets!
The ferry between Quebec City and Lévis runs very frequently – every 20-30 minutes during the day, and hourly in the evenings. I speak French, but I noticed that the staff working at the ferry terminals didn’t always speak English.
I would recommend booking your tickets on advance on their website here.
Pro Tip: You don’t have to book your ferry to Levis far in advance. You can book it 15 minutes before you want to leave, which is what I did! There is plenty of seating on the ferries, as well as washrooms and vending machines (not that you’re on them for very long.)
12. Walk across a Suspension Bridge at the Canyon Saint-Anne
Mont Saint Anne is a popular ski resort in the winter, but in the summer, its a beautiful place to spend time in nature and makes for a fun 1/2 day trip from Quebec City.
The canyon at Mont Saint Anne was formed by a rock that is 1.2 billion years old.
What makes Mont Saint Anne popular in summer is:
- three different suspension bridges at Canyon Saint-Anne.; the highest being 196 feet off the ground.
- the AirCANYON that allows you to fly 50 km (31 miles) per hour through the air in the forest.
Canyon Saine Anne is located 40 km (24 miles) northeast of Quebec City, so you’ll need to have rented a car or take an Uber. It’s about a 35-minute drive from Quebec City. You can buy your tickets to the Mont Saint Anne canyon online here. (Admission is $14.00 for adults and includes access to the suspension bridges. The AirCANYON is separate).
13. Go whale watching
You don’t have to travel far from Quebec City to come face-to-face with some of the world’s most beautiful and majestic creatures.
In the St. Lawrence Estuary (in the area located between the river and the Atlantic ocean where the salt and freshwater mix) there are:
- Whales: humpback, blue whales, beluga, minke, fin whales
- Propoises and seals
From Quebec City, you cruise along the St. Lawrence River to a town called Baie-Sainte-Catherine.
From there, you embark on a whale-watching tour where you hopefully see some of the animals above!
This full day (11 hour) tour includes pick up and drop off from your accommodation in Quebec City, as well as your transportation, a guide, and whale-watching tour.
Book your whale-watching day trip from Quebec City (11 hours long, $250 per adult) here
14. Watch a canon fire at the Citadel
The Citadelle is an old military fort in Quebec City that was built to protect the city from an American invasion.
It was built between 1820 and 1831, and is the only one of its kind in North America.
The only way to visit the Citadel is to do a 1-hour guided tour, which are offered in either French or English.
A real canon is fired at the end of the tour (it was loud, that I had to cover my ears so be prepared!) After that, you look around the museum, which is called the 22 regiment, and get the most iconoic view of Quebec City from Cap Diamant, which is also on their grounds.
Tours of this exciting museum and tour can be booked online on the Citadel website here.
Fun Fact: As mentioned above, you can get one of the best views of Old Quebec from the Citadel. From Cap Diamant, you can see the Chateau Frontenac with its surrounding buildings, and the St. Lawrence River as the backdrop. Be sure to grab this shot at the end of your tour!
15. Climb the St. Louis Gate
The most interesting thing about Quebec City is that its Old Town is confided by fortified walls, which were built for protection around the city.
The St. Louis Gate is one of the entry points in these fortified walls, dividing Old Town from the rest of the city.
In the summer months, you can climb the St. Louis Gate and get a beautiful photo of steps leading down to Old Town from above.
Its also possible to take a walk along the walls, getting photos of Old Town from different viewpoints. The entire walk along the walls would be 4.6 km (2.8 miles) as this is how long the wall is, but of course, you don’t have to walk the whole thing.
If you want to try to walk along the walls, here are a few places where you can do it:
- From the St.Jean gate at Place D’Youville. You can walk from this gate to the St.Louis gate., and it only takes about 15 mins.
- From Montmorency Park (not to be confused with Montmorency Falls) located at Côte de la Montagne in Old Town. Head to the Dufferin Terrace, near the Samuel de Champlain monument. From there, you’ll see a staircase. Walk down the staircase, and cross the street into Montmorency Park. You will then see an entrance to walking along the walls.
16. Visit the Aquarium
If you love to see polar bears, seals and other marine life, then the aquarium might be for you!
The aquarium is fun Quebec City summer activity whether you’re just a group of adults, or in Quebec City with kids.
Personally, I visited the Quebec City Aquarium with my kids, but I enjoyed seeing the wildlife and reading about them on my own. I loved meeting the stingrays and looking at the starfish, octopus, seals and polar bears.It would have been fun regardless of who I was with.
The Quebec City Aquarium has both indoor and outdoor exhibits, allowing you to enjoy a mix of both.
The Quebec City Aquarium has extended hours in the summertime, from June 1 to September 4th. You can book your tickets for the day and time you want to visit on the park website here.
Good to Know: Getting to the Quebec City aquarium isn’t simple unfortunately- from Old Town, you will need a car, or you’ll need to take an Uber. We rented a car, and drove there. There was free parking on-site.
17. Visit a Nordic Spa
Scandinavian-style spas have popped up all over Canada in recent years, and Quebec City is no exception.
There are two different Nordic spas right in Quebec City where you can soak in water of different temperatures while enjoying view of the city, go into saunas, and even get a massage.
This might be the perfect activity to finish off a trip Quebec City, or to unwind after a day of sightseeing. Here are your options for nordic spas in Quebec City:
- Strøm Spa Nordique – right by the St. Lawrence River, about a 20-30 minute walk from the centre of Old Town. (You can walk, or take an Uber.)
- Sky Spa– located in the upper part of Quebec City, and has amazing views of the city from its rooftop swimming pool. You would need a car (or Uber) to get here; its a 15-20 minute drive from Old Town
18. Enjoy a (hot or cold) coffee with some friendly cats
Quebec City is home to two different cat cafés where you can enjoy a coffee and light lunch in the company of adorable, furry feline friends who will keep you company.
Both of Quebec City’s cat cafés are family-owned by staff who will welcome you and want to be a part of making your trip to Quebec fun and memorable.
Visiting a cat café in Quebec City was something my family and I really enjoyed, because it allowed for a nice break from the outside, and a cozy atmosphere to meet the cats and chat with the owners.
Here are your two options for cat cafés in Quebec:
- Café Felin Ma Langue Aux Chats (open every day, and steps from Old Town)
- Café Felin Chats-Nous (this is the one we visited, but its a bit further from the downtown core.)
19. Shop at an outdoor summer market
One of the best Quebec City summer activities is being able to shop in outdoor markets and browse artisan crafts, food products and souvenirs.
Artisans de la Cathedrale is a summer market that has been running for the past 43 years in Quebec City.
Artisans are showcasing their crafts and food products.
Its a great place to grab unique souvenirs in Quebec City and a fun place to shop outdoors during the summer.
The market is usually open 10am to 6pm daily, from mid-June through to the end of September. You can find it by the Sainte Trinité Cathedral, at 31 rue Des Jardins. It’s just a short walk from old town.
20. Do a haunted walk
Quebec City is such a charming town that it can’t possibly have such a dark past, right?.. Wrong.
Doing a haunted walk in Quebec City allows you to see Old Town by night, and notice some things that may not have stuck out to you during the day.
In addition, you get to learn about the dark sides of Quebec City’s past, which includes executions, murders, and mysteries.
Ghost tours in Quebec City are offered in English and French, and last about 1 hour. They are guided by someone dressed in traditional costume.
My friend and I did the ghost tour and enjoyed listening to unique stories that you wouldn’t normally hear about from a panphlit or a textbook. We grew up in Canada, and let me tell you – these aren’t the types of stories they teach you in school!
Ghost tours in Quebec City can be booked on their website here.
21. Ride the Funicular
The Funicular in Quebec City is more than just a way to get down to the bottom of Old Town – its also an attraction in itself.
This 145-year old machine has been operating since 1879 and its the only one of its kind in North America.
From the funicular, you can see the views of Old Town and the St. Lawrence River, as you go up or down. The ride only takes about a minute.
To take the funicular, simply walk into the funicular building either at the bottom or at the top – pay $5 in cash to the attendant, and get in line. The funicular gondolas are big enough to hold up to about 10 people, so you may be sharing it with other people.
Important: The funicular attendants accept cash only, so be sure to have the change on you when you get there.
22. Walk along Cartier Avenue
Cartier Avenue is known for its artsy scene. All the street lights have 34 different lampshades designed with Quebecois art. Avenue Cartier is also known for its upper-scale dining, shopping and cafés.
Cartier Avenue is a particularly fun place to visit in Quebec City in summer because of the many street artists performing on the corners.
A fun summer activity in Quebec City would be to walk along Cartier Avenue to admire the artistic lampshades over the street lights, and grab a drink or bite to eat in a nice restaurant and watch some live music.
Fun fact: Cartier Avenue is very close to the Musée des Beaux Arts (Fine Art’s Museum) of Quebec, so a walk down this street can be planned in conjunction with a visit there if you want to see more art.
23. (Bonus) Visit a Museum
Not everyone has museum in their list of ideas of “fun “things to do, but I think museums are very fun.
Museums in Quebec City are especially interesting because it is one of the oldest cities in Canada and contains so much interesting natural history.
Aside from the Citadel which I mentioned above, I’d recommend checking out the Museum of Civilization (pictured above) for its fascinating exhibits. It’s right in Old Town by the river, and is a great way to spend an afternoon.
I could spend hours here walking around, learning about different things and could never get bored. I think it would be a fun Quebec City activity in summer or any other time of year.
Pro Tip: To visit the Museum of Civilization, you can save money by booking your tickets online in advance. It will ask you to create an account in order to do that, which is annoying, but you only have to do in once.
Where to Stay in Quebec City in Summer
Budget: Auberge International de Quebec Budget hostel in Old town, with both dorms and private rooms
Mid Range: Addresse sur Grande-Allee Lofts. Affordable apartments in a Victorian building, just a short walk from Old Town
Luxury: Chateau Frontenac, Canada’s most beautiful castle hotel overlooking Old Town and the St. Lawrence River
2 Things to Keep in Mind About Quebec City in Summer
Here are the things to keep in mind about a Quebec City summer vacation
1. Business closures
There may be some business closures on the following days for civic holidays. Be sure to plan your trip around that. Some tourist services will remain open, but many restaurants and stores will be closed on these days:
- June 24th (Jean Baptiste Day)
- July 1st (Canada Day)
2. Weather
The temperature during summer in Quebec City is much more mild compared to other cities around North America, (which is one of the reasons I like to spend time there in the summer, personally.) But it also means that you should bring more than just regular summer clothing with you.
Here’s the weather you can expect in Quebec City in summer:
| June | High: 22° C (71°F) Low: 12°C (53°F) |
| July | High: 25°C (77 °F) Low: 15°C (59°F) |
| August | High: 24°C (75°F) Low: 14°C (57°F) |
| September | High: 20°C (68 °F) Low: 10°C (50 °F) |
I would recommend bringing a sweatshirt or jacket to wear, incase of cooler nights in Quebec City in summer.
I didn’t personally feel that I needed mine (it was warm enough at night as well, even in July) but its good to have in case of a cooler day or night.
Quebec City in Summer: FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Quebec City in the summer months
Is Quebec City worth visiting in summer?
Quebec City is absolutely worth visiting in the summer; in fact, summer is probably one of the best times to visit. The weather is very mild, there are several special festivals, and you can enjoy boating on the river and exploring Old Town. Th
Is Quebec City busy in July?
Quebec City is busy in July, because July is a prime tourist season in many parts in the world. In addition, there are several festivals and events that take place in Quebec City in July, such as Canada Day, Jean Baptiste Day, Summer Festival, and more.
Is August a good time to visit Quebec City?
Yes, August is a good time to visit Quebec City. There are some fun things to do in Quebec City in August, such as a beer festival, the New France festival, fireworks and more. In addition, you can experience the beautiful old town in summer, and head out to Montmorency Falls.
Quebec City in summer: Conclusion
Quebec City is one of the most beautiful, and fun cities in North America. With an old town that is unique to Canada, and lots of celebrations and activities, a summer vacation in Quebec City is a great idea.
There are a many summer activities in Quebec City that can easily keep you occupied for days. Whether its boating on the Saint Lawrence River, exploring Old Town, taking a road trip out to Montmorency Falls or Mont Saint Anne, or celebrating in one of the many festivals, you’re sure to have fun in Quebec City in summer.
In terms of how long to spend in Quebec City in summer, I recommend at least 3 days to see the Old Town core. If you want to see attractions outside of the Old Town, then I would push it to 4-5 days in the area. I went to Quebec City at Christmas with my family; we spent 5 nights there and I could have easily spent more.
Amusez-vous, et bonne voyage!