{"id":616,"date":"2025-07-17T17:02:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T17:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/demo.8grids.com\/ink\/?p=45"},"modified":"2026-02-24T04:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T04:39:07","slug":"visit-quebec-city-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theme.visualmodo.com\/traveler\/visit-quebec-city-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Visit Qu\u00e9bec City on a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve visited\u00a0Canada<\/a>\u00a0many times but have always missed is Qu\u00e9bec City. I\u2019ve only heard great things from everyone who has ever been there. Luckily, my friend Pamela is an expert on the city. She runs walking tours there and even recently published\u00a0a guidebook to the city<\/a>. Given that fall is supposed to be one of the most beautiful times to visit, I thought now was a perfect time to have her share her expertise!<\/em><\/p>\n

I fell in love with Qu\u00e9bec City the moment I stepped off the overnight train from\u00a0Halifax<\/a>. The cobblestone streets, outdoor patios, European architecture, and delicious poutine (and French men!) tugged at my heartstrings.<\/p>\n

A French colony founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Qu\u00e9bec City was then known as New France. Over the course of its over four hundred years, the city went from being French then British, and then French again, creating a delightful mix of architectural styles.<\/p>\n

While most are initially drawn to Qu\u00e9bec City by its history and European charm, the people, food, and culture are why they inevitably fall in love with the city. The locals are a community very passionate about all things Qu\u00e9bec and wants visitors to experience that same passion,\u00a0regardless of one\u2019s travel budget<\/a>. I can\u2019t preach the gospel of this city enough. It\u2019s like a big little village and one of my favorite places in the entire country.<\/p>\n

Though Qu\u00e9bec City can be expensive, there are plenty of ways to visit this city on a budget and still enjoy everything this place has to offer!<\/p>\n

Things to See and Do<\/h3>\n

\"exploring<\/p>\n

Qu\u00e9bec City has things to see and do for pretty much every type of visitor; it doesn\u2019t matter what time of year you visit. There are, of course, a few things everyone should see and do:<\/p>\n

Explore Vieux-Qu\u00e9bec (Old Qu\u00e9bec):<\/strong>\u00a0While doing it on your own can be fun, make time to take a walking tour. If you\u2019re on a tight budget, there is a\u00a0free walking tour with Samuel Dubois<\/a>, a funny local guide who lives off the tips he receives from travellers. His tour takes you through the Old City and is filled with humorous facts and stories. Samuel is also a craft beer connoisseur, so if you\u2019re looking for recommendations, he is your man!\u00a0<\/strong>If you have a little money to spend and want a historical walking tour with a costumed guide,\u00a0Cicerone\u2019s walking tours<\/a>\u00a0are highly recommended!<\/p>\n

Visit La Citadelle & city fortifications:<\/strong>\u00a0Qu\u00e9bec City is one of the oldest fortified city in North America. Spend some time at the Citadelle (which is still operational and home to the Royal 22e R\u00e9giment). Admission is $16 CAD and includes entrance to the Citadelle, a museum tour, the changing of the guard (in summer), and the Beating of the Retreat.<\/p>\n

Dufferin Terrace:<\/strong>\u00a0The terrace is the oldest boardwalk in the city and runs along the front of Fairmont Ch\u00e2teau Frontenac. In summer, you can relax on the boardwalk, watch street performers, and buy chocolate-dipped ice cream cones from Au 1884. In winter, toboggan down the slope of the Dufferin Slide, one of the first tourists attractions in the city.<\/p>\n

Climb to the top of Terrasse Pierre-Dugua-de-Mons:<\/strong>\u00a0Capture a postcard-perfect shot of Ch\u00e2teau Frontenac and the Saint Lawrence River. There is a wooden staircase after the gazebo on Dufferin Terrace.<\/p>\n

Ride the funiculaire:<\/strong>\u00a0From Dufferin Terrace, take the funicular (inclined railway) down the cap (promontory) to Petit-Champlain (one of the oldest shopping streets) and Place Royale (site of the first colony). Rides are $3 CAD one-way.\u00a0Tip:<\/strong>\u00a0If you hate hills like I do, walk down the steep hill (C\u00f4te de la Montague) and take the funicular back up to the top of the cap.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mus\u00e9e de la Civilization:<\/strong>\u00a0Qu\u00e9bec has many museums, but this is probably the best one for learning about the history of Qu\u00e9bec. Regular admission is $16 CAD but if you are 18-30 years of age, it is only $10 (not including special exhibits).<\/p>\n

Cathedral of the Holy Trinity:<\/strong>\u00a0This cathedral was the first Anglican church built outside Britain, and it houses a silver communion set given by King George III. Be sure to take the guided tour for $6 CAD; it is offered by one of the best English historians in Qu\u00e9bec City.<\/p>\n

The Morrin Centre & Maison de la Litt\u00e9rature:<\/strong>\u00a0Located across the street from each other, both of these buildings turned libraries are some of the funkiest attractions in town. The Morrin Centre started as an army barracks, then changed to a jail (where many public hangings occurred), then a college, and now a beautiful Victorian (English) library. La Maison de la Litt\u00e9rature is a French library housed in a converted church (which was once English). Both libraries are FREE.<\/p>\n

Take a bus to Montmorency Falls:<\/strong>\u00a0Skip the tours and take public transportation to Chute Montmorency (Montmorency Falls). While they are not as wide as Niagara Falls, they are 30m taller and are stunning, especially in fall when the surrounding leaves change color. From Place d\u2019Youville, take bus #800 to the falls. A round-trip will cost $7 CAD.<\/p>\n

Walk the stairs of Sous-le-Cap:<\/strong>\u00a0Walk along rue Saint-Paul in Vieux-Port. When you get to the Savonnerie you\u2019ll see a very small path between the buildings; follow it to rue Sous-le-Cap, one of the oldest streets in the city. The street is tiny, with layers of wooden stairs that stretch across the alley. This was once a busy shopping street back when the houses had a front-row view of the Saint-Lawrence River.<\/p>\n

Amusement Park at M\u00e9ga Parc:<\/strong>\u00a0This is Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s version of Mall of America. M\u00e9ga Parc has 19 attractions\/rides, including a skating rink, an arcade with 60 or so games, mini-golf, and a rock-climbing wall. Unlimited access is $30 CAD per person. To get here, take buses #801 and #803.<\/p>\n

The Plains of Abraham:<\/strong>\u00a0Head into the neighborhood of Montcalm and walk around the Plains of Abraham, the site of the famous battle of 1759, which lasted 15 minutes and resulted in the British gaining control of the city. Today the Plains of Abraham is a large park with running and walking tracks, Martello Towers (small defensive forts built during the 19th century), busts of historic figures, gardens, and pretty views of the Saint Lawrence River.<\/p>\n

Relax at Place des Canotiers:<\/strong>\u00a0A new public space beside the Saint Lawrence River, this urban square has places to sit and relax, as well as fountains and mist you can walk through. A go-to spot on hot summer days, this is also where the cruise ships and tall ships dock.<\/p>\n

Leave the tourists behind:<\/strong>\u00a0In the middle of summer, when the Old City is bursting at the seams with tourists, you\u2019ll find me in along rue Saint-Joseph Est in Saint-Roch, rue Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, and 3e (Troisi\u00e8me) Avenue in Limoilou, where I can enjoy the quiet, local side of life. Prices are generally a little cheaper in these areas, and there are plenty of\u00a0fabulous restaurants<\/a>, microbreweries, caf\u00e9s, and boutiques to keep me happy.<\/p>\n

Where to Eat<\/h3>\n

\"smoked<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a foodie<\/a>, staying on budget in Qu\u00e9bec City can be a bit hard. But to save money, it is always a good idea to venture away from the Old City; by doing so you will find more chef-run restaurants and usually cheaper prices. There are also plenty of options for cheap eats like poutine, burgers, shawarma, etc. Here are some of my favorite restaurants:<\/p>\n