Whatever your reason for being in Québec City this summer, you’ll find tons of reasons to love your stay with us! Québec City has the perfect blend of nature and culture, luxury and entertainment—there’s no shortage of things to do here in the summer. You don’t need to spend hours on the road stuck in traffic to enjoy the best of the season. These suggestions from the Hotel Château Laurier Québec team should provide plenty of inspiration to help you make the most of your stay!
Freewheelin’
Cyclists will be delighted by all the options for exploring Québec City by bike. Leaving from the city center, there’s Corridor de la Rivière-Saint-Charles, a 9 km circuit along the banks of the Saint Charles River, Corridor des Cheminots, with its 22 km path from Domaine Maizerets to Wendake (a Huron-Wendat village), or Corridor du Littoral, a 50 km path that follows the St. Lawrence River.
You can also bike the 66.5 km loop around Île d’Orléans and afterwards—if your legs can handle it—head west on Véloroute Portneuvoise or east to Cap Tourmente on Véloroute Marie-Hélène Prémont. Île d’Orléans is the perfect place to take in some incredible views, stop and try delicious gourmet treats, and meet some of our local farmers.
If you’re short on time, the famous Plains of Abraham are right next to Hôtel Château Laurier Québec. There’s so much to do in this huge urban park—go cycling, take a walk, go rollerblading, or just sit back and enjoy the scenery with a picnic full of local goodies. Feel free to ask your concierge for recommendations.
Splash it up
With so many lakes and rivers in the Québec City region, it’s no wonder water sports and swimming are so popular. You can go canoeing or whitewater rafting just a few kilometers outside town in Jacques Cartier Valley National Park or head to Lac Saint-Joseph Beach and go for a swim in the lake or send the kids off to play in the inflatable playground, featuring a giant trampoline and a floating pyramid. Plus, the lake water received an A rating from Québec’s environment ministry, Ministère de l’environnement.
Valcartier Vacation Village on the outskirts of Québec City has everything you need for a fun and refreshing day—water slides, a wave pool, relaxation areas, kayaking, and restaurants. Weather not cooperating? No problem! Duck into the indoor waterpark, Bora Park, and keep the good times rolling, no matter what the weather!
One regional attraction you won’t want to miss is Montmorency Falls Park. The park’s dizzyingly tall waterfall is 30 m higher than Niagara Falls! You can get breathtaking views of this natural attraction from every angle via hiking trails, a cable car, a panoramic staircase, a double zip line, and a suspension bridge. And the refreshing mist that comes off the falls will cool you down on those hot July days.
A midsummer night’s dream
There’s no shortage of art and music to enjoy in Québec City all summer long. What with touring musicians, summer theatres, and comedy shows, there’s something for everyone!
The can’t-miss Québec City Summer Festival has an incredible line‑up of concerts in venues across the city from July 5 to 15. There’s also the city’s 8th annual opera festival, Festival d’opéra de Québec, which promises to sweep everyone up in the beauty and glamour of opera from July 24 to August 6, 2018. In addition to the large-scale productions presented in concert halls, a friendly Brigade Lyrique will perform arias and arpeggios in public parks, to the delight of spectators of all ages.
Even without doing any research, you’ll find plenty to do in Québec City. Just stroll down Rue Saint-Jean or elsewhere in Old Québec and you’re sure to stumble upon some live jazz, folk, or contemporary music.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Quebecers can’t get enough of the city’s terraces and outdoor patios when the weather is nice. Couples and families alike will enjoy a stroll along Dufferin Terrace in front of the Château Frontenac, with its breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River, Île d’Orléans, and the South Shore. You can follow up your stroll with some gourmet French cuisine on the patio of Le Lapin Sauté, or try a new craft beer at Cour arrière du Festibière, located at Agora du Vieux Port. If you want to experience the local scene and do some people watching on a bustling street, try one of the many restaurants on Rue Cartier, Boulevard René-Lévesque, or Rue Maguire.
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The Hôtel Château Laurier Québec concierges are always available to answer your questions and provide you with recommendations. Let us know what you’re in the mood for and we’ll be happy to suggest something suitable. For now, it’s time to shut off your computer, tablet, or phone and head out to enjoy our beautiful city and its many attractions!