Best attractions In Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City is the capital of the Province of Quebec and it's second largest city. The city is said to have gotten it's name from the narrowing of the St. Lawrence River, at the promontory "Cap Diaman - an Algonquin word kebec it means "where the river narrows".

This is one of the oldest cities in North America, dating from 1608, when it was founded by Samuel de Champlain. It also has the only remaining fortified city walls in the Americas - north of Mexico. The Vieux-Quebec (Old Quebec), and the ramparts surrounding it, were declared a World Heritiage Site in 1985.

The Upper Town lies at the top of the Cap-Diamant promontory, with a high stone wall surrounding it;the Lower Town lies below the promontory at shore level; and the Plains of Abraham - also known as the Battle of Quebec - are located at the edge of the promontory.

This is the "old town" and the "historic town" and it refers to the part of the city that lies within the city walls, and the most popular place to visit in Quebec City. Most of the buildings date from the 19th century while a few are from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Walking is the recommended way to see the Old Town, and wearing comfortable shoes that can take the uneven, narrow, cobbled streets, the number one recommendation. These are the places of interest -

1. Chateau Frontenac, this is a hotel and city icon, and is said to be the most photographed buildings in North America. It is one of the best hotels, but also the most expensive to stay at.. Be sure to visit Dufferin Terrace, the boardwalk alongside it, from where one can have a great view of the St Lawrence River.
2. Place-Royale this is where Champlain landed and founded the city - the first French settlement in North America - which has developed over the centuries into a lively square filled with restaurants and cafes. One of the many attractions here, is the Maison Chevalier House filled with the architectural history of the 18th and 19th century.
3. The Citadel (La Citadelle) is a fortification at the juncture of the old city wall and Grandee Allee. Every morning the "changing of the guard" ceremony is held at 10:00am - depending on the weather - it is the usual traditional ceremony found in many European capitals, except this one comes with the traditional bearskin hats.
4. Place d'Yountville. This popular square is located at the St. Jean Gate to the Old City. There is always something happening in this busy square, with concerts and performing street musicians in the summer; open-air markets on weekends; and an ice skating rinks in the winter. This is the transportation hub of the city from where all the major city arteries lead. Nearby are two major attractions, the Parliament Building and the Artillery Park National Historic Site, and is usually the starting point for all tours.
5. Observatoire de la Capitale, 725 feet above sea level, on top of the Marie-Guyart Building, this is the best place to learn about the history of Quebec City, from the guides who escort the daily tours and are schooled in it's history.
6. The Plains of Abraham is famous as the site where the war between the French and English armies took place, and is now one of Quebec's most prestigious parks due to its location, historical role and natural beauty. It is part of the National Battlefields Park, which commissioned in 1908 to preserve the area, and which also includes Des Braves Park. Apart from it's history, residents and vistors can enjoy the grassy knolls - decked with flowers, or if visiting in winter, covered with snow.
7. It is possible to walk the 2.9 mile Rampart which encircles the Old Town. From the top of the fortification there are sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and the city; near the Citadel - at Porte St-Louis - is one of the four surviving city gates, "the Centre d'interpretation des Fortifications-de-Quebec" with displays of the cities history and a restored powder magazine.

In a city that is both ancient and modern there are a multitude of places to visit, it all depends on what one is interested in, here are many more to choose from.

a. Notre-Dame de Québec Cathedral dating back to 1647,
b. Aquarium du Québec with over 10,000 marine animals including Polar Bears & walruses.
c. Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the foremost cultural institution and a fine arts museum.
d. Île d’Orléans, one of the first settlements in the area.
e. Carnaval de Québec, the best and most comprehensive winter carnival, it takes place every January and includes a "ice hotel, sled dog races and maple taffy buffets".
f. Parc Lineaire de la Riviere Saint Charles is along the St Charles river - which flows from the old port of Quebec, upstream to Lac St Charles - it opened in 2008 and incorporates several parks and historic sites along the river. One can either walk the 32-kilometers, or take one of the 3-hour trams that shuttle visitors around the park.
g. Festivals, It seems there is always some kind of festival in the city, one of the oldest and best is the "Summer Festival" which showcases the artistic, economic and touristic potential of the city, lasting 11 days it takes place the first week in July,

h. Shopping is one of the major pastimes of any trip, in "Upper Town" the streets of St. Jean and St. Louis have all the name brand stores, high end boutiques, and specialty shops, including a popular year-round Christmas shop. This is the most visited shopping area in Quebec.

Whether one is a history buff or casual visitor, Quebec City has a bit of everything for everyone. Regardless of the time of year, there is always something of interest, as the city caters to both cold or hot weather Visitors. While it is a modern city it still has a lot of the charm and sights of "Old World Europe" to be found right here in North America.