2 Days in Quebec City: LGBTQ Family Trip Itinerary
Planning a trip to Quebec City? This guide covers how to spend 2 days in Quebec City, from exploring the historic streets of Old Quebec to visiting nearby attractions. The best part is everything on this list is both family-friendly and LGBTQ-friendly.
Quebec City is a beautiful city with a European feel. The narrow cobblestone streets are packed with arts galleries, French-Canadian restaurants, and bakeries with really good croissants. In day one of this 2 day itinerary, you’ll explore the Old City highlights. Day two gets you outside of the city center to some incredible parks and kid-friendly adventures.
Even if you only have a weekend to spare, two days in Quebec City is enough time to get a test of what the city has to offer families. After exploring these highlights, you might be ready to plan your next trip to Quebec!
This post covers the best things to do in Quebec City in 2 days, including family-friendly attractions, parks and playgrounds, and tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Day One: Best of Old Quebec and Petit Champlain
Day one of this 2 days in Quebec City itinerary takes you to the top spots in Quebec, with a focus on family-friendly things to do.
If you’ve only got 2 days in Quebec, you can do all of these activities in a single day.
If you are visiting in summer, which I did, you will want to book tours and tickets ahead of time because they will sell out.
If you are visiting in a different season, it’s up to you. Reserve your spot ahead of time or go with the flow. In either case, you’ll see the best of Quebec City in one day, leaving your second day free for some of my favorite things to do in Quebec.
Quebec Citadel | Citadelle du Quebec
The Quebec Citadel sits on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, offering incredible views of the river and surrounding area.
Quebec Citadel was built in the 17th century to defend against a possible US invasion of Canada. The invasion never came, and so the citadel’s military defenses were never tested.
Today, the Citadelle du Quebec is both a national historic site and a working military base for the Royal 22e Regiment. For this reason, you can only visit the citadel on a guided tour.
Tours run for 60 minutes. They cover the citadel’s history, its importance in Canada’s military past and present, and include admission to the onsite museum.
Before you visit:
- Parking: Free, onsite
- Tickets: Strongly recommend to reserve online in advance, especially during the peak summer season
- Hours: 9 am -5: 30 pm summer, 10 am – 5:30 pm year round
- Need to Know: Kids under 10 are free and youth 11 -17 receive reduced admission. There’s also a family admission package good for two adults and three youth.
Plains of Abraham
A short walk from the citadel are the Plains of Abraham, which was the site of a large battle between the British and French.
Visiting the site of the Battle of Québec is thrilling if you’re really into military history.
But even if that’s not your thing, there are reasons to add the Plains of Abraham to your 2 days in Quebec – especially if you’re traveling with kids.
The Plains of Abraham has walking paths, jogging paths, and play areas for children.
In the winter, an ice rink opens up on the Plains of Abraham.
And in summer, you’ll find people picnicking on the grassy lawns. That’s actually where I had a picnic lunch after my tour of the Citadel!
Before you visit:
- Parking: Typically $3/hour in nearby lots or metered street parking
- Admission: Free, though some activities (like the skating rink or Plains or Abraham Museum) charge admission
Old Québec Walking Tour
I love starting trips with a walking tour. That way, I learn my way around the area while getting tips from a local guide!
Old Québec is no exception.
Walking tours of Vieux Quebec cover the history of Quebec with a visit to the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac – a massive castle hotel kids will love exploring!
You’ll also see Dufferin Terrace right outside the hotel.
In the winter, Dufferin Terrace plays host to the famous Winter Carnival, with ice sculptures, a skating rink, and winter lights.
In the summer, street performers set up on the terrace and perform magic tricks for the crowd.
Cicerone Tours hosts guided walking tours of Old Quebec, in French and English. Guides were historical costumes while they bring the story of this UNESCO World Heritage district to life!
I took one of their tours and had a great time!
Tours Voir Quebec is another popular option for Old Quebec walking tours. They have guided and self-guided options, as well as an immersive virtual reality tour perfect for families!
Before you go:
- Parking: Metered street parking or private lots available
- Cost: Tours start at $30 per person
Day Two: Family-Friendly Activities in Quebec City
Day two of your Quebec City vacation is all about exploring. You’ll find three kid-friendly things to do, with activities that are perfect for all ages: kids, teens, and adults. And since Canada is one of the most LGBTQ friendly countries to visit, you can confidently explore as an LGBTQ family without bracing for questions or stares.
Canyon Sainte-Anne
Canyon Sainte-Anne is a popular day trip for outdoor adventurers, located forty minutes from downtown Quebec.
Canyon-Sainte-Anne has a longer walking trail that runs 2.2 kilometers and a shorter 1-kilometer adventure trial with family-friendly activities.
The main trail is the canyon trail (2.2 kilometers) with three suspension bridges offering different viewpoints. You’ll see the waterfall, down into the gorge, and get close-up views of the rocks and water. There are also pullouts at different points along the way.
The hike is relatively easy, but there are stairs up and down. The suspension bridges wobble slightly.
For a shorter, family-friendly pick do the 1 kilometer Pétraminis Trail, which is built around a 14-station obstacle course. The kids will learn about the canyon and Quebec’s geology while solving puzzles and challenges.
This is a new activity, and a great addition to the park!
Traveling with older kids? The Aircanyon is Canyon Sainte Anne’s version of a zipline. Sit in the motorized chair and soar over the forest and across the gorge!
Montmorency Falls is on the way to Canyon Sainte-Anne, so you can stop there before continuing on if you want to see both, like I did.
Before you go:
- Parking: Free onsite
- Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily; 9 am – 5 pm from late June – early September
- Admission: $15 for adults, $10 for children 6-17 years old, free for kids under 6
- Need to know: You must be 42 inches tall to ride the Aircanyon. The Aircanyon is not included in general admission. It costs $11 per person.
Montmorency Falls
Fifteen minutes from downtown Quebec is Montmorency Falls, a 272-foot waterfall.
Montmorency Falls is taller than Niagara Falls. That alone makes it worth a spot on your Quebec City 2 days itinerary. But the main reason I recommend it for families is for the activities.
Montmorency Falls has a via ferrata course – kind of like a ropes corse plus climbing route.
And it has a zipline.
Plus there’s a cable car connecting the bottom and the top of the falls. At the top, you can cross a suspension bridge to get an up-close look at the water flowing.
And a walking trail around the site. The trail is mostly level but there are stairs – 487 of them in fact – so I don’t recommend that if you have a stroller.
As well as a grassy picnic area.
When I visited Montmorency Falls on a gorgeous summer day, there were tons of families enjoying the Falls. I love my chance to get out in nature, and having a beautiful site like Montmorency Falls so close to downtown is incredible.
In the summer, it’s a great way to be outside. In the winter, the water freezes creating beautiful natural ice sculptures.
Before you go:
- Parking: Included with admission
- Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily
- Admission: Costs vary based on the activity package you choose: general admission, admission plus cable car, or via ferret. General admission for children is free, while adult general admission starts at #10.42 in low season. Full rates available at the park’s website.
- Need to know: Montmorency Falls is popular. To avoid the crowds, go in the morning.
Aquarium
The Aquarium du Québec is home to 10,000 animals with indoor and outdoor exhibits.
I think an aquarium is great at any age. I always love visiting, especially when I know my visit supports marine conservation.
The Aquarium of Quebec offers tons of kid-friendly things to do all year round.
There are treasure hunts, touch tanks (here I am petting the sting rays below), and even a ropes course. In the summer, you can cool down with a splash pad; in the fall, there are even Halloween activities.
Their website lists all special activities so you can plan your trip.
Indoor tanks showcase jellyfish, seahorses, and marine life from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. You’ll also find exhibits on conservation, recycling, and other environmental topics.
The main reason this aquarium belongs on your Quebec City 2-day itinerary is the outdoor exhibits. There are polar bears, arctic foxes, walruses, sea otters, and harbor seals. The habitats are large and the animals get enrichment activities.
Access to all of these comes with your admission.
Before you go:
- Parking: Free onsite parking
- Hours: 9am – 6pm daily
- Admission: $33.50 per adult, $16.75 per child (3-17 years), free for children 2 and under. Residents of Quebec enjoy a discounted rate. There are also family passes for discount access.
- Need to know: The aquarium recommends at least two hours for a visit – and that’s around how much time I spent there! There are meals and snacks sold onsite, or you can bring your own food and picnic.
2 Days in Quebec City FAQ
Is 2 days in Quebec City enough?
If you have more time to spend, a longer stay will let you explore Quebec City at a relaxed pace. But if you only have a weekend, 2 days in Quebec City is a good amount of time to visit!
Is it safe to walk around Quebec City at night?
Quebec City is very safe. In fact, it ranked number one on Numbeo’s safety ranking of North American cities. That’s great news for families – you can explore after dark without worrying about safety.
How LGBTQ friendly is Quebec?
Very LGBTQ friendly! In Quebec City and the surrounding areas, I always felt totally comfortable to be myself. If you want to know how the laws affect LGBTQ families visiting Quebec, this gay guide to Quebec covers everything you need to know.
How easy is it to park in Old Québec?
Old Quebec has metered parking, which costs around $3.50 an hour.
When I visited in the summer, I was easily able to find parking spots all around Old Quebec. Usually these were a short walk away from Quebec City things to see.
How easy is it to walk around Old Québec?
Old Québec is a very walkable city. The sidewalks are in good condition.
In some sections of Old Quebec, there are staircases between streets. There are steep hills as well.
What else can I do with kids in 2 days in Quebec City?
There are loads of other kid-friendly activities in Quebec, from indoor museums for rainy days to amusement parks and outdoor adventures for older teens, so take your pick!
If you only have two days to spend in Quebec City, this itinerary will help you explore some of the city’s best sights. If you have more time in the area, I recommend getting outside the city into the surrounding countryside.
My favorite day trip from Quebec is to the agricultural island of Ile d’Orleans. The island’s wineries, cheese shops, and small farms are super family friendly. This post rounds up my top things to see in a day trip to Ile d’Orleans. Or, you can think bigger and use this post on LGBTQ family vacations in Canada to create a road trip itinerary to some of Canada’s most popular family vacation spots – knowing that every place you choose to visit fully supports your family.
