Even with just a few days, it’s possible to get a good sense of what the countryside surrounding Québec City has to offer. Île d’Orléans and Côte-de-Beaupré are easy day trips. Visitors with a bit more time can head north to Charlevoix and Tadoussac.
If You Have 2 Days
Aim to cover the Côte-de-Beaupré and the island. Visit Montmorency Falls, then take historic avenue Royale along the coast. Stop at the Beaupré Coast interpretation center, now known as Aux Trois Couvents, in the parish of Château-Richer to get a feel for the area’s culture and history. Try Auberge Baker for traditional dishes with a contemporary touch.
From there, stop at the Halte Miel. A trip up above the cliff gives a magnificent view of the St. Lawrence and a visual understanding of the old seigneurial system. Continue along to Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré to visit the shrine. Head back along boulevard Ste-Anne to Île d’Orléans for the night in a B&B on the river’s edge. In the morning, begin exploring the island’s farms, boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, where you can taste local produce.
If You Have 4 to 6 Days
Spend the first two days following the above. With more time, you can drive farther north in Charlevoix, all the way up to Tadoussac, which sits on the Saguenay River. There you can spend a day whale-watching, as small, white beluga whales breed in the lower part of the river in summer. After a night at the impressive, white Victorian Hôtel Tadoussac, stop in the town of La Malbaie for lunch or for some time at the casino or the Musée de Charlevoix before returning to Québec City.
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If you have a bit more time, it’s also worth taking a day trip heading east on route 132 in Bellechasse and the Côte-du-Sud, along the south shore of the St Lawrence River. In May and October, on top of the stunning views and historic villages, you’ll also see endless flights of migrating snow geese.