Things to Do in Canada: Travel Guide with Montreal, Quebec City and Tips

Canada welcomed us twice, both times in the middle of winter: snow, sub-zero temperatures and a light that turns Montreal and Quebec City into postcards. This guide to things to do in Canada brings together everything we explored in the province of Quebec —Montreal, Quebec City, Montmorency Falls and the train ride between the two cities— along with the practical information we checked against official sources and links to each of our articles. It is the starting point for planning your first trip to Eastern Canada, in winter or at any other time of year.

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Things to do in Canada: summary

Montreal: the most French city in America

Montreal was our gateway to Canada, and we explored it twice, always in the snow. From the airport, the STM bus 747 runs 24 hours a day and costs CAD 11.25, including a 24-hour metro and bus pass. After that, metro and walking: no car needed.

Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica

The historic center, with its cobblestone streets and Place Jacques-Cartier, is the first stop as soon as you arrive. The neo-Gothic Notre-Dame Basilica, with its two towers, an interior full of wood carvings and an 1891 Casavant organ, has one of the most striking interiors in America. At night, the AURA show is projected inside it.

Mount Royal and Saint Joseph’s Oratory

The mountain that gives the city its name is a 10 km² park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same man behind Central Park, and opened on May 24, 1876. At the top, the Kondiaronk Belvedere has the best view of downtown and the St. Lawrence River; we got a sunny, freezing day, and it was spectacular. On the other side of the mountain, Saint Joseph’s Oratory is the highest point in Montreal and the largest shrine in the world dedicated to Saint Joseph.

In winter: the underground city

Montreal is built for the cold: RÉSO, the network of tunnels and passageways connecting hotels, shopping centers and metro stations, saved us on the harshest days. If you travel in December, the Christmas markets and outdoor skating are part of the plan.

➜ More Info: 15 must-see things to do in Montreal

➜ More Info: Montreal in 3 days: day-by-day itinerary

➜ More Info: Where to stay in Montreal: 4 areas and 9 hotels

➜ More Info: Things to do in Montreal at Christmas

From Montreal to Quebec City: the train we chose

It is 270 km, and the VIA Rail train covers it in 3 h 11 to 3 h 39, with several departures a day. We chose it and it was one of the best moments of the trip: snowy scenery out the window and arrival straight into the Gare du Palais, a few minutes’ walk from the old town. There is also a bus (Orléans Express), driving on highways 20 or 40, and day trips from Montreal that combine Old Quebec with Montmorency Falls.

➜ More Info: From Montreal to Quebec City: train, bus, car or day trip

Quebec City: the only walled city in North America

Quebec City struck us as the most European city in America. We arrived in December, in the snow, and Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, looked like a film set: city walls, stone houses and the silhouette of the Château Frontenac, opened in 1893 with 170 rooms, with its central tower of almost 80 meters and a reputation as the most photographed hotel in the world. At its feet, Dufferin Terrace is the best lookout over the St. Lawrence River.

Petit-Champlain and Place Royale

In the Lower Town, Rue du Petit-Champlain is a narrow pedestrian street full of shops and cafés between little stone houses; Place Royale is the heart of the city Samuel de Champlain founded in 1608. A historic funicular runs between the Lower and Upper Town (heads up: when we went, it only took cash).

Quebec City in winter

This is the season when the city shines: Christmas markets in the old town, the Quebec Winter Carnival in February and the Hôtel de Glace, the only ice hotel in North America, rebuilt every year with a different theme. Be warned, though, it gets really cold: in January temperatures range from -8 to -18 °C.

➜ More Info: 15 must-see things to do in Quebec City

➜ More Info: Where to stay in Quebec City: best areas and 12 hotels

➜ More Info: Christmas in Quebec City: things to see and do + market map

➜ More Info: Europe’s Christmas markets, if your trip continues

Montmorency Falls, 15 minutes from Quebec City

The easiest day trip from the city: an 83-meter drop, 30 meters higher than Niagara Falls, about 12 km from downtown. There is a suspension bridge crossing right above the falls, a cable car, a 487-step panoramic staircase and, in the warmer months, a zipline and via ferrata. In winter, the spray from the falls forms the sugar loaf, an ice cone more than 30 meters high: that is how we saw them, in December.

➜ More Info: Montmorency Falls: how to visit them from Quebec City

Other places to visit in Canada (the ones still on our list)

Canada is huge and, so far, we have only explored the province of Quebec. This is what we checked with the official tourism offices and what is still on our list:

• Toronto and Niagara Falls: the 553-meter CN Tower, completed in 1976, and less than two hours away by car, the most famous falls in the country.
• The Rockies (Banff and Lake Louise): glaciers, forests and the turquoise water of Lake Louise facing Victoria Glacier.
• Vancouver: nine beaches within the city, between the sea and the mountains.
• Northern lights: in the Northwest Territories they can be seen about 240 nights a year, and in Churchill (Manitoba) up to 300. The season runs from late August to early April.

For Toronto and Vancouver, Civitatis has free walking tours in English.

Food: what to eat in Quebec

• Poutine: fries, cheese curds and gravy. Have your first one in Old Montreal.
• Tourtière: the spiced meat pie typical of Quebec, a must at Christmas dinner.
• Maple syrup: Quebec produces 73% of the world’s maple syrup, and the cabanes à sucre (sugar shacks) are a true tradition.
• Montreal bagels: an institution in the Mile End neighborhood.

Practical tips for traveling to Canada

Entry: the eTA

If your passport is visa-exempt and you arrive by air, you need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): you apply online at canada.ca, it costs CAD 7, most are approved within minutes, and it is valid for up to 5 years or until your passport expires, for stays of up to 6 months.

Currency

The Canadian dollar (CAD): polymer bills of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100, and $1 (the loonie) and $2 (the toonie) coins. We paid for almost everything by card; the exception was the Quebec City funicular, cash only.

Taxes

Prices are shown before tax. In Quebec, the 5% federal (GST) and 9.975% provincial (QST) taxes are added at the register: 14.975% in total. Keep it in mind when reading a menu or a price tag.

Language

Canada has two official languages, English and French, since the Official Languages Act of 1969. In the province of Quebec, daily life happens in French, but in the tourist areas we had no problem at all speaking English.

The cold

In December, Montreal hovers between -1 and -7 °C, and with the wind the wind chill drops much lower. Dressing in layers (thermal base layer, fleece, parka, waterproof gloves and snow boots) is what worked for us.

Travel insurance

Always travel with medical coverage. We use IATI Seguros, and with our link you get a 5% discount.

Stories, photos, guides, places, tips and advice for traveling to Canada

Things to do in Canada (Videos)

Quebec City

Montreal

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Canada

How many days do you recommend for Montreal and Quebec City?

Between 5 and 7 days: 3 in Montreal, 2 or 3 in Quebec City and one for Montmorency Falls. The VIA Rail train connects the two cities in just over 3 hours.

Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?

If your passport is visa-exempt and you arrive by air, you need an eTA, which you apply for online at canada.ca for CAD 7 and is valid for up to 5 years. If your country is not visa-exempt, you need a visitor visa.

What is the best time to travel to Canada?

Summer for the outdoors, and mid-September to mid-October for the fall colors. Winter (December-February) means snow, Christmas markets and the Quebec Winter Carnival, with sub-zero temperatures: we have always gone in winter and would go back.

Is Canada expensive to travel?

It is an expensive destination, and prices are also shown before tax: in Quebec, almost 15% is added at the register. It is offset by plenty of free things: Old Montreal, Mount Royal, Old Quebec and Petit-Champlain.

What currency is used in Canada?

The Canadian dollar (CAD). You can pay by card almost everywhere; it is worth carrying some cash for exceptions such as the Quebec City funicular or bus 800 to Montmorency.

Can you do a day trip from Montreal to Quebec City?

Yes. By VIA Rail train it takes 3 h 11 to 3 h 39 each way, and there are also day trips from Montreal that combine Old Quebec with Montmorency Falls. We preferred to spend the night in Quebec City.

Our conclusion on things to do in Canada

Canada in winter won us over: Montreal with its mix of Europe and America, the snowy train ride to Quebec City, a walled city that looks like something out of a fairy tale, and Montmorency Falls frozen at its feet. It is an expensive destination and the cold is real, but with good clothing and good planning you enjoy every day.

If you are planning your route, start with things to do in Montreal and Montreal in 3 days, continue with things to do in Quebec City and come back to this page to connect the dots. We hope this travel guide to things to do in Canada helps you enjoy the country as much as we did.

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