2 Best Sights in Side Trips from Quebec City, Quebec

Québec legends are the theme for the wood sculptures showcased at this "economuseum," a workshop, gallery, garden, and boutique. Visitors may watch and interact with artisans at work and spend anywhere from a few hours to a full day enjoying the unique experience provided here. The grounds are ideal for strolling, picnicking, and discovering the fascinating characters of Québec's history and culture that have inspired the artists at this charming atelier, off the beaten path but well worth the quick trip from Québec City.

This museum, housed in an old shipyard, commemorates the days of the St. Lawrence goélettes, the feisty little wooden freighters that were the chief means of transporting goods along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River well into the 1960s. Very large families lived in cramped conditions aboard the boats, some of which are part of the exhibits. To modern eyes, it doesn't look like a comfortable existence, but the folklore of the goélettes, celebrated in poetry, paintings, and song, is part of the region's strong cultural identity.