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Old Quebec City square

2 Days In Quebec City and Quebec

I have been promising my Mother that I would take her to Quebec City for the last 2 summers.  Something always came up every time we made plans.  My Mother and I have had some fun times traveling together on our Mother-Daughter trip to Vancouver, Mother-Daughter trip through the Canadian Rockies and even our stay in Ireland’s Dromoland Castle.  Well, finally we were able to make the trip and spend a weekend in Quebec and Quebec City Canada.  Taking off from my Mothers home in Rochester, New York, my Mother, cousin Cathy and myself headed north for a fun 2 day trip to Quebec City.  Of course, no road trip would be complete or feel rewarding without obtaining a speeding ticket. Yes, one hour into the drive and I get pulled over. I have to say he was a very nice police officer and he reiterated how he just wanted us to be safe on the road.  I felt like I just received a scolding from my Dad! Needless to say, I didn’t speed the rest of the trip 🙂

Speeding ticket on way to Quebec
Speeding ticket on way to Quebec
Road trip to Quebec, passing the Thousand Islands
Road trip to Quebec, passing the Thousand Islands
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Where is Quebec City?

Quebec City is located on the St. Lawrence river and for us it was an 8 hour drive. The drive was long, but we passed beautiful areas and interesting little towns.  Especially, Thousand Islands.  How have I never ventured here?  Crossing the bridge into Canada I was surprised on the view but there was no safe place to pull over.  No worries, I figure it out on the way home.  We finally entered Canada driving up the ON-401 and noticed right away all the signs are now in French.  There was a lot of construction on the road but it kept on moving.  Soon we began to see the signs for Quebec and we were getting excited for our city weekend.

Quebec City is a very unique and different kind of city.   You feel like you are in a village somewhere in France.  The food, the people and the architecture are reminiscent of France.  There is a lot of things to do in Quebec Canada,  but if you only have a short or long weekend to explore Quebec City like we had, then you need to pack in the sights and quick.

Map fo Quebec City

Fairmont Hotel in Quebec
Fairmont Hotel in Quebec

We did not arrive in Quebec City until after 6:00 pm on a Friday there was not very much daylight to explore.  By the time we checked into our hotel, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, we decided that a quick walk on the boardwalk was a good idea tp begin our 48 hours in Quebec City.  The boardwalk area is a perfect place to have a leisurely stroll while taking in the views along the St. Lawrence River.  You will see cruise ships, interesting street artists performing front of the statue of Samuel de Champlain.  Directly below is Old Quebec town.

Fairmont Quebec
Fairmont Quebec
Inside Fairmont Quebec
Inside Fairmont Quebec
Quebec at night
Quebec at night

We decided to look for a local restaurant and we found a nice one called  D’Orsay (my favorite museum in Paris).  The food, atmosphere and service was very good.  French onion soup…yum!

Where to stay In Quebec

Here are some other hotels in the same vicinity of Old Quebec Town

Best Places to Visit In Quebec City and Quebec in 2 Days

  • Montmorency Falls
  • Old Town Quebec City
  • La Citadelle de Québec
  • Quartier Petit Champlain
  • Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
  • Ghost Tour
Quebec Citadel
Quebec Citadel
Guard at Citadel Quebec City
Guard at Citadel Quebec

Montmorency Falls of Quebec

The next day we have planned to drive out to Montmorency Falls and the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.  After our very filling breakfast buffet at the hotel we headed out.  It took us approximately 20 minutes on a Saturday morning drive. Following Google maps it led us to the upper falls parking lot.  You have to pay for parking but the park itself is free.  It was around $11.00 for our car.  We also purchased for $14.06 each a round trip cable car ride, that brings you to the bottom of the falls and back up.  If you want, you can also Zipline across the falls for $25.00. After exiting our car we went straight to the pathway that leads to the falls.  There is a restaurant here, The Manoir Montmorency,  however this trip we unfortunately did not have the time to take a leisurely lunch.

The walk along the path to the falls is high up of course and looking down is not for anyone who has a fear of heights.  There are great photo opportunities from all different angles!  You will also see the cables for the daring ones who Zipline the falls and across the way you view the stairs that lead down the falls.

Montmorency Falls entrance
Montmorency Falls entrance
Quebec Canada Montmorency Falls
Quebec Canada Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls view from top
Montmorency Falls view from top
Montmorency Falls bridge
Montmorency Falls bridge

The first time I came to the falls, six year sago, I was too chicken to cross the suspension bridge.  So it went on the bucket list.  I am happy to say I was able to make a nice big fat check mark on my bucket list!  I’m not a fan of heights but this time with more people around it did not seem so intimidating.  Of course as usual my Mother did it without any hesitation.

Falls In Motion        Falls Video      videos of this spectacular falls!  These are short videos because my legs were shaking and I couldn’t really concentrate on what I was doing!   I felt like I accomplished enough as far as heights goes for the day, so the climb down the staircase on the other side, skipped it and I’m okay with that!  Next we used our tickets to take the cable ride down to see the views from the front of the falls.

Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls

I love this photograph I took, it captures the rainbow affect the water has and you can see how magnificent the falls really are.   Definitely one of the most beautiful places in all of Canada.  Montmorency Falls are 272 feet tall and believe it or not that is one and half times taller than Niagara Falls!  At the bottom of the falls you will find rest rooms, snack bar and additional parking.  Next, we headed back up in the cable car to take one last photo op before our next stop.

The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Next up, the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.  Pulling up by car you get this overwhelming feeling that is is a very special place.  I could not wait to cross the courtyard area to photograph this architectural piece of art in full!  The day was beautiful, sun shining and blue skies.  The details are best told by going directly to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré web site.  Here you will read in detail the healings that have taken place, the meaning of all the details in the architecture exterior and interior.    I hope you enjoy some of my photographs of this extraordinary and special Basilica.

Front entry of The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Front entry of The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Entry doors at The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré entry doors
Inside The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Inside The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Inside The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Inside The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Crutches hanging from column at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Crutches hanging from column at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Alter at he Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Alter at the Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
View of Old Quebec
View of Old Quebec

Time to Shop in Old Quebec City

Last but certainly not least, is a visit below to Old Quebec City and we get to ride in the funicular! The funicular brings you from the boardwalk area outside the Fairmont down to Old Quebec City area.  You can choose to take stairs but from the looks of people coming back up it’s quite a hike!

This is where you really get to see some old buildings that have been transformed into the most unique little shops.  So much fun to take a peak and stroll through these shops.  Fur, cooking items, toys, touristy items, clothes, hats, and pretty much anything else will be found here.

Funicular to Old Quebec City
Funicular to Old Quebec City
Store in Old Quebec
Store in Old Quebec
Shop in Old Quebec City
Shop in Old Quebec City
Old Quebec City square
Old Quebec City square
Walking Old Quebec City
Walking Old Quebec City

Weekend in Quebec is all to Soon Over

We decided to get up early Sunday morning and head back before the traffic gets heavy.  We had a nice girls trip, lots of talks in the car, great food, beautiful views, spiritual moments and of course a speeding ticket….

P.S.:  I did not forget to get my photograph of the Thousand Islands.  It was a little more of a dangerous and scary photo to capture then I was anticipating, but I got it!  Even with the 18 wheelers zooming by me on the bridge!  It has been added to my bucket list for hopefully a get away next summer!

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