a Croisières AML boat tour on the St. Lawrence River
Parliament Hill and the Plains
the Glissades de la Terrasse Dufferin.
Québec City is blessed with huge green spaces, a waterfront, and a cliff face perfect for scaling. Even in its most populated areas, citizens and visitors will feel close to nature and all the outdoor activities it offers—even a trip to the local store can sometimes feel like a hike. The city offers intense inclines with unbeatable views, the promise of mountains looming to the north, and the beauty of one of the world’s largest rivers. Quebeckers embrace this proximity to nature, taking up summer and winter sports like canoeing and skiing in their urban environment. The whole family gets involved and the emphasis is on enjoying the sun and snow—there’s no need to be a pro, and it’s a great place to try out a new sport you’ve always been curious about.
In the winter, when the ground is buried under four feet of snow, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing become part of getting around in the city. What better way to see the historical sights than skiing from one place to the next? There’s no shortage of outdoor skating rinks, many of which are frozen rivers and ponds. Ice-skating is an idyllic and truly Canadian pastime. Not far from the city center are mountains perfect for exploring with snowboards and downhill skis. For the less sporty, ice slides and tubing are a great way to enjoy the snow.
The city is on one of the largest waterways in North America, so boating is a popular sport, and in summer the St. Lawrence is dotted with white sails and even the occasional sea kayak.
Though it’s quite hilly, Québec City is also home to two of the longest bike paths in the country, both fairly flat and fairly picturesque, as they run alongside the river; a trip down the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain, which runs 4.3 kilometers eastward from the Aquarium du Québec, is like a mini-break from the city. And, of course, come winter the bike path becomes one of the best ski trails.
Look for S to find recommended activities
S Best Winter Sledding: At 250 meters high, the biggest (and only) winter slide in Québec City is the Glissades de la Terrasse Dufferin; speeding from the top down to the terrasse at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour has been a tradition since 1884 (click here).
S Best Bike Path: Running alongside the St. Lawrence River and through Cap-Blanc and various parks, Corridor du Littoral is a great path for exercise and to see some of the lesser-known parts of the city (click here).
Parc des Plaines d’Abraham
S Best Place for Snow Sports: With everything from cross-country skiing to ice-skating and snowshoeing available, Parc des Plaines d’Abraham is your outdoor sports paradise (click here).
S Best Place to Have a Picnic: Once the grounds of the governor-general’s residence, Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge boasts groomed gardens and amazing views of the St. Lawrence that are still worthy of royalty (click here).
S Best Summer Activity: Nothing says summer like a game of baseball. Les Capitales de Québec are among the best in the Can-Am league (click here).
| Vieux-Québec’s Upper Town | Map 1 (tap here) |
Directly in front of the Palais de Montcalm, this outdoor skating rink is a veritable winter wonderland once the snow has settled. A great place to bring the kids, it is frequented by tourists and locals alike who want to go for a skate in the shadow of the old city walls. Skate rental and sharpening are available during opening hours, as is a warm changing room fitted out with lockers, but visitors have to bring their own padlock.
MAP 1: 995 Place d’Youville, 418/641-6256; noon-10pm Mon.-Thurs., 10am-10pm Fri.-Sat. Nov.-early Mar.; free
This entertainment of sliding down a steep 250-meter run at speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour has been around since 1884. The Glissades de la Terrasse Dufferin (les glissades) are a Québec tradition. In front of the Château Frontenac, with great views of the St. Lawrence, families line up in full winter regalia to ride a toboggan down to the base of the wooden structure. Up to four people can ride down on a single toboggan, though you’re also allowed to try it solo and in pairs. A mini sugar shack full of refreshments is available on the spot—pick up a slide and hot chocolate combo for $6. Lines can be long, especially on weekends, so be prepared to wait.
MAP 1: Terrasse Dufferin, at rue des Carrières and Place d’Armes, 418/528-1884, www.au1884.ca; 11am-11pm daily mid-Dec.-mid-Mar.; $3 pp per ride
| Vieux-Québec’s Lower Town | Map 2 (tap here) |
This 48-kilometer bike path stretches all the way from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures west of Québec City way to Chute Montmorency to the east. Running alongside the St. Lawrence, the path includes the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain; redone for the city’s 400th anniversary in 2008, this section of the path is below the Plains of Abraham and includes various parks and rest stops. It takes you along Cap-Blanc, a charming working-class area built directly against the cliff.
Though it’s mainly a bike path, runners, walkers, in-line skaters, and those in wheelchairs are free to use the path for both recreation and mobility. Open throughout the year, it becomes an ideal place to snowshoe and cross-country ski in winter.
MAP 2: St-Augustin-de-Desmaures to Chute Montmorency, 418/641-6290, www.routeverte.com; free
Offering both rentals and tours, Cyclo Services has different types of bikes on offer, including hybrids, road bikes, tandem, and children’s bikes. All rentals come with a helmet, lock, and map. Located across the street from the Corridor du Littoral, it couldn’t be easier to jump on your bike and go. Six bike tours are available throughout the summer season; some, like the one through Lower Town and the Vieux-Port, stay closer to home, while others, like Huron-Wendake, take you farther afield. Prices vary and times change often, so call or email ahead. For those with their own wheels, an on-site mechanic is available seven days a week.
MAP 2: 289 rue St-Paul, 418/692-4052, www.cycloservices.net; 8am-6pm daily; tours May-Oct.; rentals $38 per day and up
Near the Vieux-Port, Echo Sports is perfectly situated right next to the Corridor du Littoral, the longest bike path in the city. They rent hybrid bikes and road bikes, ideal for getting around the hilly city, and they also offer electric bikes to help give your pedaling a bit of a push, as well as tandems and kids’ bikes. You can rent by the hour, half day, or full day—renting a hybrid costs $15 for two hours, $35 for the first full day, and $20 for each subsequent day. They also offer six guided tours, such as a full-day bike and cruise tour that includes a hearty Italian lunch.
MAP 2: 39 rue Dalhousie, 418/692-3643, www.locationechosports.ca; 9am-5pm daily May-Oct.; rentals $15-25 for 2 hours, $35-65 per day; tours $60-125
Cruises are available on the Louis Jolliet, a restaurant boat; zodiac tours and combination bus-boat whale-watching packages are also available. The largest boat tour operation in town, Croisières AML offers a wide range of experiences based on the season. Options include the brunch cruise with activities for kids, a tour of Île d’Orléans, a fireworks cruise, and a five-course dinner cruise. The captain’s lounge, three dining rooms, and terraces are on board, as well as a gift shop and a bistro. Entertainment is part of every cruise, and guide Louis Jolliet—an early Canadian explorer—will reveal all the area’s secrets. An orchestra plays in the evenings; passengers can dance the night away.
MAP 2: Quai Chouinard, 10 rue Dalhousie, 866/856-6668, www.croisieresaml.com; cruises $35-200 adults, $20-100 children under 13 (some cruises are suitable only for ages 13 and up)
| Parliament Hill and the Plains | Map 3 (tap here) |
Come winter, this historic site becomes an outdoor sport paradise. For beginners and pros, the 13.9 kilometers of cross-county trails and the 3.8-kilometer (round-trip) trail for snowshoers are the best place to experience winter in the city’s own backyard. Five classic ski trails, made up of one easy trail, three intermediate trails, and one expert trail, are open, as well as one snowshoe trail. Those without their own equipment—boots, poles, skis, and snowshoes—can rent them from the Information and Reception Centre. A waxing room and two heated rest areas are available around the plains, and they also offer tours and events involving snowshoes.
MAP 3: Information and Reception Centre, 835 rue Wilfrid-Laurier (equipment rental), 418/649-6157, www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca; 8:30am-4pm daily late Dec.-mid-Mar.; free
This outdoor skating rink, directly in front of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts and right on the Plains of Abraham, is a great place to bring the kids. Easily accessible and popular with locals, it was completely renovated in 2011 and can accommodate up to 350 skaters at a time. Rental equipment and hot chocolate are available at the on-site skaters’ chalet. Access to the ice is free; skates cost $8 for the first hour and $4 for each additional hour.
MAP 3: Parc des Champs-de-Bataille, 418/641-6100; 10am-10pm daily mid-Dec.-mid-Mar.; free
Located on the Plains of Abraham, this public pool and wading pool were renovated in 2011, giving them a brand-new look. Conveniently located right on La Grande-Allée, it’s easily accessible from all points in the city. A haven for locals, this is a great place to bring the kids, especially to let them go a little wild after an afternoon at the museum.
MAP 3: Parc des Champs-de-Bataille; noon-7pm daily mid-June-mid-Aug., 2pm-5pm daily mid-Aug.-early Sept.; free
Visitors disembark the Louis Jolliet after a sightseeing tour with Croisières AML.
This L-shaped pool a little off the beaten path is 25 meters long—larger than the Piscine Parc du Musée, and suitable for older children and adults as well as younger children. A trip to this pool is worth it if the whole family is looking to cool off on a hot summer’s day.
MAP 3: Parc Bassin-Brown; noon-7pm daily mid-June-mid-Aug., 2pm-5pm daily mid-Aug.-early Sept.; free
| Greater Québec City | Map 5 (tap here) |
Across the St. Charles River, Domaine Maizerets is both a public park and a historical site. Bought by the church in 1705, the land served as a farm, and some of the church’s old buildings are still standing. Tours of the beautifully landscaped gardens and arboretum are available, and concerts are often held on the park grounds. Four bike paths cut through the park, and in the winter it’s a popular place for skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tobogganing.
MAP 5: 2000 blvd. Montmorency, 418/666-3331, www.domainemaizerets.com; dawn-dusk daily; free
South of Saint-Roch, this national historic site commemorates both the winter of 1535, when Jacques Cartier and his shipmates spent the season near the Iroquoian village of Stadacona, and the site of the Jesuit missionaries’ first home in Québec. Commemorative monuments are set up around the park, which is divided into east and west by a small river. With 6.8 hectares, it’s a popular place for outdoor sport, and a bike path cuts through most of it. An interpretation center is open on-site from late June to early September, offering guided tours and various family activities.
MAP 5: 175 rue l’Espinay, 888/773-8888, www.pc.gc.ca; park dawn-dusk daily, interpretation center 1pm-5pm daily late June-early Sept.; free
Located outside of the city, just on the other side of the Québec Bridge, this waterfront park gives visitors direct access to the St. Lawrence River. The winding paths and roads that take you to the shore, coupled with the boulders and pebbles that line the beach, make you feel as though you’re somewhere else entirely. Since swimming is prohibited, boating is the summer’s most popular sport, along with the 2.5 kilometers of hiking trails.
MAP 5: 3636 chemin du Pavillon, Ste-Foy, 418/654-4443; dawn-dusk daily; free
biking on the Corridor des Cheminots
Piscine Parc du Musée.
The former home of the governor-general of United Canada, Spencer Wood was bought by the Québec government in 1870 and was home to the province’s lieutenant-governors until 1966. Though a fire destroyed the main residence, the splendid gardens remain, including a park that runs along the St. Lawrence, offering great views of the city. The park is a favorite for picnicking, self-guided tours, and hiking. There’s also a children’s playground and sledding in winter. From late June to early September, Café 47 is open to serve coffee, tea, and snacks (11am-6pm daily).
MAP 5: 1215 La Grande-Allée W., 800/442-0773; 7am-11pm daily; free
Starting at the Vieux-Port and running on for a total of 32 kilometers, this park follows the banks of the St. Charles River, covering both urban and natural environments. Open year-round, it has seven kilometers of bike and rollerblade paths, ice-skating, snowshoeing, and over 10 kilometers of cross-country skiing in winter. An interpretation center is in the middle of the park.
MAP 5: 332 rue Domagaya, 418/691-4710, www.societerivierestcharles.qc.ca; dawn-dusk daily; free
Situated along the northwestern edge of Saint-Roch on the banks of the St. Charles River, Parc Victoria has been one of the few green spaces in the area since 1897. Almost completely surrounded by water, the small park was named after Britain’s Queen Victoria. It provides excellent views of the river and it’s here that you’ll catch a baseball game by Les Capitales de Québec.
MAP 5: Rue Robert-Rumilly, 418/641-6654; dawn-dusk daily; free
A child’s paradise, this amusement park in the middle of a mall is designed for toddlers through tweens. Nineteen different rides are waiting for kids to take them for a whirl, from physical fun like the Magic Castle’s ball pit, slides, and rope games and the Baby Jungle’s plush obstacle course to more traditional fairway staples like mini-bumper cars, a miniature train, a merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, and a rollercoaster. For kids wanting a bit more sport, there’s also a climbing wall, an ice rink, and mini-putt. Each ride requires a varying number of tokens, anywhere from two to five, with each token costing 85 cents.
MAP 5: 5401 blvd. des Galeries, 418/627-5800, www.mega-parc.com; noon-5pm Mon.-Wed., noon-9pm Thurs.-Fri., 9:30am-5pm Sat., 11am-5pm Sun. Sept.-mid-June; 10am-5pm Sun.-Mon., 10am-9pm Wed.-Fri., 9am-5pm Sat. mid-June-Aug.
Intersecting with the Corridor du Littoral just outside Saint-Roch, the Corridor des Cheminots is 22 kilometers long and takes riders from the city to Haute Saint-Charles in the north. Since it passes through various areas, including the St. Charles River and Wendake Village, riders can view a diverse landscape. Open to cyclists, walkers, runners, and inline skaters, it becomes a popular place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
MAP 5: North of Estuaire de la Rivière St-Charles to Haute St-Charles, 418/641-6412, www.routeverte.com; free
This natural climbing wall can be accessed from rue Champlain. Just outside of the city, near the Pont de Québec, this outdoor climbing area is a popular place with local climbers and caters to both learners and intermediate climbers. Le Pylône, known as the “School of Rock,” features 30 routes ranging in difficulty from 5.3 to 5.11. Daily site access through the FQME (Fédération Québécoise de la Montagne et de l’Escalade) is $10; an annual FQME membership is $22 for adults, $11 for ages 19 and under. Visit the FQME website for more details about area regulations and climbing preparation.
MAP 5: Near Pont de Québec, www.fqme.qc.ca; dawn-dusk daily; $10 daily site access
Opened in 1993, Roc Gyms is a climbing school that offers indoor climbing lessons. Dozens of routes are available in their large main room, while three bouldering rooms are also available on-site, as are indoor aerial courses. Experienced climbers can sign up for courses in outdoor and ice-climbing. Located in Limoilou, it’s easily accessible from downtown and Vieux-Port.
MAP 5: 2350 ave. du Colisée, 418/647-4422, www.rocgyms.com; 9am-10pm daily; $18.50 day rental with equipment
Situated across the water in the city of Lévis, La Tempête is one of the top courses in the metropolitan area (of course, the greens fees reflect this). It hosted the World Skins tournament in 2009 and has been called the first 18-hole golf course of international caliber in the area. Designed by golf architect Darrell J. Huxham, the 7,203-yard course is topped with a luxurious clubhouse and high-class restaurant.
MAP 5: 51 rue des Trois Manoirs, Lévis, 418/832-8111, www.golflatempete.com; dawn-10pm daily May-Nov.; $105-165 for 18 holes
When the St. Charles River, which separates Saint-Roch from Limoilou, freezes over, it becomes a natural skating rink, measuring 1.5 kilometers long. You’ll find people playing pickup hockey and families teaching the youngest members how to skate. If you want a real Canadian experience, there’s nothing like plopping your bum on a cold park bench to lace up your skates. Of course, a warm changing room and heated pavilion with hot chocolate and skate rental ($7 per hour) are also available. Bonus: You can also rent inner tubes ($4 per hour) to slide down the toboggan hill, as well as cross-country skis ($10 for 2 hours).
MAP 5: 25 rue de la Pointe-aux-Lièvres, 418/641-6345; noon-10pm Mon.-Thurs., 10am-10pm Fri.-Sun. mid-Dec.-mid-Mar.; free
Members of the Can-Am Baseball League, Les Capitales are one of the most successful teams in the league. Making the playoffs almost every year since they entered the league in 1999, they garnered league titles in 2006, 2009, and 2010-2013. They play at the Stade Canac, which seats approximately 5,000 and is in Parc Victoria. The stadium opened in 1938 and has a long history within local baseball legend. This rich history and the affordable tickets give you the feeling that you’re still in touch with what sports used to be and should be.
MAP 5: Stade Canac, 100 rue de Cardinal-Maurice-Roy, Parc Victoria, 418/521-2255, www.capitalesdequebec.com; tickets $12 general admission, $19 box seats
This university football team has amassed a strong following in a city craving more spectator sports. Rouge et Or (Red and Gold, which are Université Laval’s school colors) won the Vanier Cup, the highest distinction for a Canadian university football team, an amazing eight times between 2003 and 2016. They also hold the record for the longest winning streak in Canadian Interuniversity Sport football with 25 consecutive wins. If you happen to be visiting in the fall, a trip to Sainte-Foy to see a game is worth it; the bleachers are always packed and the energy is palpable.
Université Laval’s outdoor stadium can hold up to 10,000 spectators but fit double that in 2005 with standing room only. The team’s loyal fan base has also mastered the art of tailgating, getting to the stadium parking lot early on game day mornings.
MAP 5: PEPS de l’Université Laval, 2300 rue de la Terrasse, 418/656-7377, www.rougeetor.ulaval.ca; tickets $12-52 adults, $6-52 students, children under 12 free for general admission
Ever since they won the Memorial Cup (the Canadian Junior Championships) in 2006, the Remparts, Québec’s Major Junior Hockey team, have become the hottest show in town. And things will probably stay that way so long as this crazy-about-hockey city doesn’t have an NHL team. Their home rink is the Centre Vidéotron. Famous Remparts alumni include legendary player Guy Lafleur, ex-NHL Québec Nordiques Michel Goulet, left-winger Simon Gagné, center Mike Ribeiro, and right-winger Alexander Radulov.
MAP 5: Centre Vidéotron, 250 blvd. Wilfrid-Hamel, 418/525-1212, www.remparts.qc.ca; tickets $17-19 adults, $14-16 seniors, $11-13 students, $8-10 children 6-12, under 6 free
A world of boating fun is only a five-minute drive from downtown Québec City. This beach is the only one in the city where swimming is permitted in the river. In addition, paddle board, canoe, kayak, sailboard, dinghy, and catamaran rentals are offered at various rates and lengths, and those looking to learn how to sail can sign up for classes. Beach soccer and volleyball courts are free for all to use, and the large children’s park keeps the kids busy.
MAP 5: Eastern end of blvd. Henri-Bourassa, 418/266-0722, www.baiedebeauport.com; 10am-9pm daily mid-June-mid-Aug.; $2 adults, free age 17 and under, parking $10/day
