How to plan a trip to explore Quebec City like a local?
Top 5 of my best tips to plan the perfect stay in Quebec City next summer
1-Look at the more local areas for your accommodation options (including the South Shore)
When looking for a hotel, apartment, B&B… There are many options just outside the touristy areas that will provide you with cheaper prices and a more authentic vibe of our city’s lifestyle. Many of these neighbourhoods can be reached by foot from the main attractions or with a short taxi/Uber drive. In Montcalm and Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhoods, you will get in touch with a very authentic side of Quebec City along with the proximity to the fortified town, many beautiful parks and events. In Saint-Roch and Limoilou, you will find there a young bustling vibe and some of the best restaurants and pubs in town. One often forgotten option is Levis, just on the other side of the Saint-Lawrence river. It is reachable by ferry (the most beautiful view!), which terminal is located in the Petit-Champlain area on the Quebec City side. Once across the river, you can easily walk to the Old Levis area or take a taxi/Uber ride to your place from the ferry terminal. Prices are going to be cheaper on the South Shore and they will include the most beautiful cruise around. By the way, the ferry ride is truly not expensive and runs frequently until quite late at night.
The Petit-Champlain, the oldest area with many quaint streets to explore
2-Plan an extra day without plans (go with the flow)
Too many times I have heard people on my tours saying that they should have spent more days here or that they have planned too much and would like to come back just to soak in the local vibe a bit more. My answer to these people: come back and plan a day with nothing on the agenda. Just walk around, get lost in the small streets, stop at a local coffee shop, have a picnic in a park somewhere, watch the street performers, just relax… The best way to appreciate Quebec City at its best is to slow down, look around, and contemplate its beauty. I never get tired of it.
The famous Cunard Queen Mary II, one of 5 boats in town that day
3-Avoid September
Ever visited Europe during the high season and got stock most of the time in massive lines everywhere you went? This is how it feels like in Quebec City during this month. Yes, the weather is perfect. Yes, there are still many events to enjoy. Yes, sometimes, foliage might start to turn at the end of the month. But you have to know that everybody thinks the same and will come to town exactly for these reasons. If you have the patience to wait in lines, then come, you will love it! If you hate to book everything in advance and spend hours waiting everywhere you go, forget September. Why so busy? We have many cruise ships in town - many big boats at the same time! - in addition to all the visitors coming for the reasons mentioned above. As a local, I find September to be a little overwhelming sometimes. I repeat, if this doesn’t bother you and you like action, this would be the perfect time for you! If you are looking for just as good weather, August is a great month. Another time I would reccommend is either May or early June, which can be a bit cool sometimes, but not so busy as it is just before the high season. You will find the locals in a very good mood as the snow will be gone and the flower will be blooming by then.
Look for a licensed guide, which is mandatory here. This means that the guide is well trained and well informed.
4-Hire a local licensed guide
I know, I am a bit biased. But of all the cities you can visit in the country, I believe Quebec City takes a little more background knowledge to fully appreciate it. Without a guide, I believe there is so much one can miss just by Googling your way around. A guide will not only give you a deeper understanding of why Quebec City has always played a key role in North America, but you will learn about things to do, places to visit, our customs, the most interesting activities to do off the beaten tracks, and so on. If you are not so much into history, or on the contrary, if you love to learn about a new place, a private tour guide (like me!) will adapt the pace of the tour and its content to make sure you have the best experience ever. I too hire a guide when I travel and I find it’s always worth every penny.
Cassis Mona & Filles, on Orleans island, where tastings are great and the sceneries amazing
5-Learn key words in French (nothing complicated)
Just using a few key words in French is a great way to acknowledge that people have a different culture here and that you respect it. Bonjour is classic but merci will get you anywhere. Oui and non are no-brainers so this part should be fine. Another more difficult one is s’il vous plait, which means please. Now if you combine s’il vous plait and merci, this will certainly please the locals. We have been working hard to protect this French culture in North America. We always appreciate visitors using a few key words in our local language to show that you recognize our cultural identity. Merci beaucoup!
