190 Best Sights in Quebec, Canada

Make sure you bring along a designated driver for this Wine Route, which includes 22 wineries. Map out your chosen stops, and then travel from one to the next to learn about their history and local products and, best of all, sample the wine. Most wineries have an area outdoors where you can enjoy a picnic.  Call for hours as they may change seasonally.

Rue du Petit-Champlain, the oldest street in the city, was once the main thoroughfare of a harbor village, with trading posts and the homes of rich merchants. Today it has pleasant boutiques, art galleries, and cafés, and on summer days the street is packed with tourists. Natural-fiber weaving, Inuit carvings, hand-painted silks, local designers, and enameled copper crafts are among local specialties for sale here. If you're coming from Upper Town, take the Escalier Casse-Cou (Breakneck Steps) down, and the funicular back up (or round-trip): both deliver you to the start of this busy, unique street.

Built in 1847, this is one of the purest examples of the Gothic Revival style in Canada, with a high vaulted ceiling glowing with green and gold mosaics. The tall, slender columns are actually pine logs lashed together and decorated to look like marble, so that if you stand in one of the back corners and look toward the altar you really do feel as if you're peering at the sacred through a grove of trees. St. Pat's—as most of its parishioners call it—is to Montréal's anglophone Catholics what the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal is to their French-speaking brethren—the mother church and a monument to faith and courage. One of the joys of visiting the place is that you'll probably be the only tourist there, so you'll have plenty of time to check out the old pulpit and the huge lamp decorated with six angels two meters (six feet) tall hanging over the main altar. And if you're named after some relatively obscure saint like Scholastica or Aeden of Fleury, you can search for your namesake's portrait among the 170 painted panels on the walls of the nave. For a solemn experience, visit on the third Sunday of the month (September through June), when the mass is sung completely in Latin.

At the very heart of Old Québec City's Upper Town, a wide boardwalk with an intricate wrought-iron guardrail encircles the iconic Château Frontenac. This promenade is lined with cannons brought by the British for defense in the late 18th century, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River's narrowest point, Île d'Orléans, and the distant Laurentian and Appalachian mountains. This enchanting spot shines year-round. Summers burst with lively street performers, while winters transform it into a thrilling, 70 km/h (43.5 mph) wooden toboggan run. From its western end, the Promenade des Gouverneurs extends towards Cap Diamant and La Citadelle. You can also board the funicular here, descending to Rue du Petit-Champlain. It truly is the ideal starting or ending point for any Old Québec discovery walk.

Powerful Ouiatchouan Falls, higher than Niagara Falls, overlook and long ago powered this once thriving mill town. Ultramodern in its day, the village had electricity and running water 25 years before the rest of Québec, but administrative and production pitfalls closed the mill and by 1927 all the residents had departed. Today, you can see the beautifully restored mill, post office, general store, and butcher shop, then hike to the top of the falls, where a glass platform puts you directly over the center of the cascade. Modern accommodations are available within the general store and some restored period houses, and campgrounds and rustic cottages to rent are other options.

Cougars, polar bears, grizzly bears, Canadian lynx, American bison, and Japanese macaques are among the 75 species that roam open environments here. Between June and October, guides lead overnight tours in the Land of the Caribou, including hiking, a campfire meal, and canoeing on Lac Montagnais, where caribou may swim right by your boat.

In this small park just south of the Château Frontenac stands the Wolfe-Montcalm Monument, a 50-foot-tall obelisk that pays tribute to both a winning (English) and a losing (French) general. The monument recalls the 1759 battle on the Plains of Abraham, which essentially ended French rule here. British general James Wolfe lived only long enough to hear of his victory; French general Louis-Joseph Montcalm died shortly after Wolfe, with the knowledge that the city was lost. On the south side of the park is avenue Ste-Geneviève, lined with well-preserved Victorian houses dating from 1850 to 1900. Many have been converted to inns, B&Bs, and hotels.

This urban park, bright with colorful flowers in summer, is lined with stunning 19th-century mansions on one side and offers sweeping river views over the Plains of Abraham on the other. It's often adorned with seasonal decorations, making it a lovely place to rest between museum visits. At its heart stands an equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, a symbol of military courage and France itself. The statue pays tribute to the heroes of 1759, near the very spot where New France fell to the British. The park also holds a special place in Canadian history: it's where the national anthem, "O Canada," was first played on June 24, 1880.

Each year some 2 million people from all over North America and beyond visit St. Joseph's Oratory. The most devout Catholics climb the 99 steps to its front door on their knees. It is the world's largest and most popular shrine dedicated to the earthly father of Jesus (Canada's patron saint), and it's all the work of a man named Brother André Besette (1845–1937).

By worldly standards Brother André didn't have much going for him, but he had a deep devotion to St. Joseph and an iron will. In 1870 he joined the Holy Cross religious order and was assigned to work as a doorkeeper at the college the order operated just north of Mont-Royal. In 1904 he began building a chapel on the mountainside across the road to honor his favorite saint, and the rest is history. Thanks to reports of miraculous cures attributed to St. Joseph's intercession, donations started to pour in, and Brother André was able to start work replacing his modest shrine with something more substantial. The result, which wasn't completed until after his death, is one of the most triumphal pieces of church architecture in North America.

The oratory and its gardens dominate Mont-Royal's northwestern slope. Its copper dome—one of the largest in the world—can be seen from miles away. The interior of the main church is equally grand, although it's also quite austere. The best time to visit it is on Sunday for the 11 am solemn mass, when the sanctuary is brightly lit and the sweet voices of Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal—the city's best boys' choir—fill the nave with music.

The crypt is shabbier than its big brother upstairs but more welcoming. In a long, narrow room behind the crypt, 10,000 votive candles glitter before a dozen carved murals extolling the virtues of St. Joseph; the walls are hung with crutches discarded by those said to have been cured. Just beyond is the simple tomb of Brother André, who was canonized a saint in 2010. His preserved heart is displayed in a glass case in one of several galleries between the crypt and the main church.

High on the mountain, east of the main church, is a garden commemorating the Passion of Christ, with life-size representations of the 14 stations of the cross. On the west side of the church is Brother André's original chapel, with pressed-tin ceilings and plaster saints that is, in many ways, more moving than the church that overshadows it.

As of February 2025, visitors enter the oratory from the parking lot via a new, ultra-modern four-story reception pavilion boasting a boutique, meeting rooms, and a glass-walled cafeteria with views of the city. The new building, most of it hidden underground, links the welcome center to the the religious site via escalators and elevators.

Aluminum is big business in Canada, where the metal has been processed for a century. With 1,000 workers, Aluminerie Alouette is Sept-Îles’ largest employer and North America’s major aluminum smelter. See the smelting process from start to finish in a two-hour tour that begins with a video presentation. This is an active work zone, and safety restrictions apply—long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes must be worn. Kids younger than age 12, pregnant women, and people with pacemakers are not allowed.

Have breakfast with the walruses, lunch (carefully) with the polar bears, and spend the afternoon watching the seals do their tricks at this cliff-top aquarium overlooking the St. Lawrence and Québec City's two main bridges. When you tire of the mammals, check out the thousands of species of fresh and saltwater fish in the aquarium's massive, three-level aquatic gallery, or have some hands-on experiences with mollusks, starfish, and stingrays. Don't miss the jellyfish ballet or seahorse tanks. This is the only aquarium in North America with examples of all five species of cold-water seals. Experience the Arctic with the brand-new immersive projections of polar bear, narwhal, whale, polar fox, and more in their natural habitat. For an even more immersive experience, there is a re-creation of the feeling of cold, even in summer. Chill factor guaranteed!

Housed in a repurposed shipyard boasting 80,000 square feet of exhibition space, Arsenal Art Contemporain dedicates itself to the support, promotion, and development of contemporary art and has been credited with helping revitalize the old industrial area of Griffintown. The largest private art center in Canada, it was originally founded in Montréal in 2011 but also has locations in Toronto and New York City.

Both amateur stargazers and serious astronomers head to this observatory, located in a beautifully wild and mountainous area that in 2007 became the first-ever International Dark Sky Reserve. The observatory is at the summit of the Townships' second-highest mountain (3,601 feet above sea level and 1,890 feet above the surrounding landscape), whose northern face records annual snowfalls rivaling any in North America. A joint venture of the University of Montréal and Laval University, the observatory has a powerful telescope, the largest on the East Coast. In the Astrolab's welcome center at the mountain's base, there is an exhibition and multimedia display to provide visitors with information about the night sky. Hours vary depending on the season, so check the website for updated information.

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.

Fairy-tale characters such as Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, and Alice in Wonderland wander the grounds, playing games with children. Small fry may also enjoy the petting zoo, amusement rides, wading pool, and puppet show. A ride called Le Petit Train des Merveilles (the Little Train of Wonders) is a nod to the historic train that launched the tourism industry in the Laurentians. There are 45 activities, enough to occupy those aged two to eight for about half a day. Check the website for discount coupons. The theme park is completely accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.

Just minutes from Old Québec, Baie de Beauport offers a vibrant escape on the St. Lawrence River, also easily accessible by car via the Corridor du Littoral waterfront bike path. Its expansive sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, enjoying stunning city views, and a variety of water sports, including kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle. On land, visitors can enjoy volleyball and an outdoor climbing wall. Food is readily available on site, including a lively beach bar. The summer buzz peaks with La Cigale festival in early August. This multi-day, California-vibe beach festival hosts not only the best of Québec musicians but also a slew of indie international acts like Half Moon Run and Foster the People, making it especially appealing to English speakers.

Fourteen massive buttresses and 13 gigantic arches line the 702-foot-tall, 4,311-foot-long dam on Manicouagan River. Built between 1959 and 1970, this multiple arch-and-buttress dam is the largest in the world has been a tourist attraction since shortly after construction began. Previously named Manic-5, it contains enough concrete to build a sidewalk from the North Pole to the South Pole. Stand at the foot of the dam or walk the crest. A two-hour guided tour, for ages 18 and older (photo ID required), journeys deep into the belly of operations; email for a reservation.

François de Laval, the first bishop of New France and founder of Canada's Catholic Church, once ruled a diocese that stretched to the Gulf of Mexico. Videos and pictures astutely illustrate his life throughout the visit.

Laval's original cathedral burned down and has been rebuilt several times, but the current basilica still has a chancel lamp that was a gift from Louis XIV, the Sun King. The church's interior includes a canopy dais over the Episcopal throne, a ceiling of painted clouds decorated with gold leaf, and richly colored stained-glass windows. A "holy door" was added to the church in 2014. The large crypt was Québec City's first cemetery; more than 900 bodies are interred here, including, perhaps, Samuel de Champlain's; archaeologists have been searching for his tomb since 1950. Guided tours of the cathedral and crypt are available (by appointment only).

Once the city hall of the former municipality of Maisonneuve before it was annexed by the City of Montréal, the Beaux-Arts building became the home of the public library for the Montréal borough of Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in 1981. The growth of the borough and the changing needs of the community prompted a C$42.6 million restoration and expansion project begun in 2020. The heritage building's stone facade, stained glass windows and skylight, mosaic floors, grand central staircase, among other architectural features worth preserving, were all meticulously restored to their former glory. With the addition of two light-filled glass wings, which adjoin either side of the main stone building, the library's surface area was tripled. The result of the project, completed in 2023, is nothing short of magnificent, and well worth a visit.

Nothing captures the exuberance of Expo '67 better than the geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) as the U.S. Pavilion. It's only a skeleton now—the polymer panels that protected the U.S. exhibits from the elements were burned out in a fire long ago—but it's still an eye-catching sight, like something plucked from a science-fiction movie.

Science of a nonfictional kind, however, is explored in the special environmental center the federal government built in the middle of the dome. It focuses on the challenges of preserving the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River system, but it has lively and interactive exhibits on climate change, sustainable energy, and air pollution. Kids and others can use games and interactive displays arranged around a large model of the waterway to explore how shipping, tourism, water supplies, and hydroelectric power are affected.  The Biosphère forms part of Espace pour la Vie, which is based in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and endeavors to bring together art, science, and citizen action.

Natural beauty and artistic sensibilities mark 432 acres of groomed and wild acres in the middle of the city. Listen for harbor seals and see blue herons along hiking trails to the shore. Birds abound here, and this is an important wintering area for the threatened Icelandic Barrow's Goldeneye duck. Balsam fir, white birch, and many other trees fill the forest as do a wide variety of flowers, fungi, shrubs, and whimsical wooden sculptures like giant mushrooms by local artists. Overlooks provide vast wilderness, mountain, and river views.

Back when Trois-Rivières was a lumber, paper, and pulp industry leader, this plant’s machinery whizzed and whirled. Built in the early 1920s, it pumped, filtered, and stored water for the paper mill. By the mid-1950s, the plant filtered more than 20 million gallons of water a day that was used to produce 1,000 tons of newsprint. Today, it is eerily quiet, especially the long-abandoned underground vaults, which are part of the original architecture and machinery that's on display.

A walk here is a walk through Montréal's multicultural history. The shops, restaurants, synagogues, and churches that line the 10-block stretch north of rue Sherbrooke reflect the various waves of immigrants that have called it home. Keep your eyes open and you'll see see Jewish delis, Hungarian charcuterie shops, Greek restaurants and bakeries, Portuguese rotisseries, Italian cafés, Vietnamese sandwich shops, Spanish tapas bars, and Peruvian eateries. You'll also spot some of the city's trendiest restaurants, cafés, and galleries, as well as the dernier cri in skateboard fashion. The first immigrants to move into the area in the 1880s were Jews escaping pogroms in Eastern Europe. It was they who called the street "the Main," as in Main Street—a moniker that endures to this day. Even francophone Montrealers often call it "La Main."

Formerly known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, this superb institution officially changed its name in 2013 when it received C$25 million in funding from the Canadian government in order to renovate and expand. More than 50,000 square feet of the existing museum has been renovated, and a Canadian History Hall showcasing the people and events that have shaped Canada over the last 15,000 years. Other highlights include the First Peoples Hall, which has some 2,000 objects on display, and the Children's Museum.

The casino is one of four gaming halls in Québec (the others are in Montréal, Gatineau, and Mont-Tremblant) owned and operated by Loto-Québec. Charlevoix's, the smallest of the lot, still draws around 800,000 visitors a year—some of whom stay at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, which is connected to the casino by a tunnel. Largely renovated in 2016, it offers 21 gaming tables and more than 800 slot machines. The minimum gambling age is 18, and a photo ID is required to enter the casino.

You have to be at least 18 to visit Montréal's government-owned casino, but you don't have to be a gambler. The casino is currently home to four bars, a summer restaurant/bar, and three restaurants, ranging from casual deli style to gourmet. You can even come just to look at the architecture—the main building was the French pavilion at Expo '67. But if you do want to risk the family fortune, there are more than 3,000 slot machines, a keno lounge, a high-stakes gaming area, and 120 tables for playing blackjack, baccarat, roulette, craps, and various types of poker. There is also music, including cabaret.

This family farm has won international awards for its crème de cassis, a liqueur made from black currants. In its vast and attractive tasting room and shop, you can taste free samples of the strong, sweet cassis or black currant wines; the tour explains how they are made. In summer, you can sample foods made with cassis at La Monnaguette, the house bistro featuring a terrace overlooking the river.

The first Anglican cathedral outside the British Isles was erected in the heart of Québec City's Upper Town between 1800 and 1804. Its simple, dignified façade is reminiscent of London's St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and the pediment, archway, and Ionic pilasters introduced Palladian architecture to Canada. The land on which the cathedral was built was originally given to the Récollets (Franciscan monks from France) in 1681 by the king of France for a church and monastery. When Québec came under British rule, the Récollets made the church available to the Anglicans for services. Later, King George III ordered construction of the present cathedral, with an area set aside for members of the royal family. A portion of the north balcony is still reserved for the use of the reigning sovereign or his or her representative. The cathedral's impressive rear organ has 3,058 pipes. Even more impressive is the smaller English chamber organ, built in 1790, which was donated to the cathedral for the bicentennial celebrations in 2004.

The best reason to visit this cathedral is that it's a quarter-scale replica of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome—complete with a magnificent reproduction of Bernini's ornate baldachin (canopy) over the main altar and an ornately coffered ceiling. When Bishop Ignace Bourget (1799–1885) decided to build his cathedral in the heart of the city's Protestant-dominated commercial quarter, many fellow Catholics thought he was crazy. But the bishop was determined to assert the Church's authority—and its loyalty to Rome—in the British-ruled city. Bourget didn't live to see the cathedral dedicated in 1894, but his tomb holds a place of honor among those of his successors in the burial chapel on the east side of the nave.

The Montréal Canadiens haven't won the Stanley Cup since 1993, though they came very close in June 2021, ultimately losing the finals against Tampa Bay. Most of the team's fans can't remember the golden 1960s and '70s, when Les Glorieux virtually owned the trophy. The superstitious blame the team's fallen fortunes on its 1996 move from the hallowed Forum to the brown-brick Centre Bell arena. Still, Montréal is a hockey-mad city and the Habs, as locals call the team, are still demigods here, and there are even university courses based on this superstar team. (When it celebrated its 100th season in 2009–10, the city changed the name of the strip of rue de la Gauchetière in front of the Centre Bell to avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.) Centre Bell is also a venue for blockbuster acts like Coldplay, Drake, Trevor Noah, and Cirque du Soleil.