City: Downtown Quebec City
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What to do and see in Downtown Quebec City, Canada: The Best History Museums
Quebec City may be the only fortified city north of Mexico, but it welcomes visitors with open arms. Explore the Citadel, where you might catch Canadian troops staging a military ceremony. As for food, you could splurge on afternoon tea at the Chateau Frontenac, or do as the locals do and snack on poutine—french fries with gravy and cheese curds.
Restaurants in Quebec City
1. Musee national des beaux-arts du Quebec (MNBAQ)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 900 reviews
The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec is located on the Plains of Abraham. It's four pavilions house a collection of over 40,000 works dating from the 17th century to present day. On top of world-class exhibitions and cultural activities, visitors can also enjoy the restaurant, café and gift shop.
Reviewed By williamg548 - Schenectady, United States
In our recent trip to Quebec City, we had the pleasure of spending an afternoon at this great museum. We could have spent more time (for art lovers, you can easily spend 4 hours with a nice lunch in between). We were lucky that Manif D’Art 9 (La Biennale de Québec) was going on, taking over a big part of the Pavillon Pierr Lassonde, and we thoroughly explored that amazing collective show. The contemporary art and First Nation art sections of the permanent collection are very interesting and engaging. The pavilions with modern art and ancient art collections are also wonderful, and we hope to spend more time in those during our next trip. Top-notch museum. It was the best of the attractions during our visit.
2. La Citadelle de Quebec
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,792 reviews
National Historic Site and active military base, the Citadelle welcomes you with its guided tours and access to the Musée Royal 22e Régiment. Located on the highest natural point in Quebec City, the Citadelle allows you to enjoy spectacular views on the town and the Saint Lawrence River. Discover the fortress of Old Quebec, home of the Royal 22e Régiment, the only French-speaking regiment with in the Canadian Armed Forces. Tickets include an hour-long guided tour of the Citadelle, mostly outside, and the access to the Musée Royal 22e Régiment. In order to protect the health and safety of our visitors and employees, we have adopted the guidelines by the Québec Ministry of Public Health, including social distancing standards and applicable health measures.
Reviewed By Canary163 - Ottawa, Canada
We returned to the Citadelle with visitors from Chile! They were mesmerized by the outstanding( as always) Changing of the Guard ceremony presented daily at 10:30, weather permitting, during the spring-fall months. BatisseXII, regimental mascot, a goat from the Royal herd, joined his regiment on parade. The ceremony lasts about 35 min, is conducted in French, the language of the Royal22nd( VanDoo’s) Regiment, and is easy to follow due to bilingual commentary offered by a Commentator. The tickets may be bought on site or reserved on the Web. Site for this attraction. Free to active\ retired military with I.D. and immediate family. Suggest...go early to get a seat, better near the speaker’s podium. May remain for photos with the Mascot and his keeper. Very interesting tours and self guided tours of the area. Washrooms on premise, souvenir sales, some refreshments. Medals donated to the Regiment by former members are displayed in a special room and are most impressive for anyone with a knowledge of Canadian military history. Our S.American friends were most pleased with their visit to the Citadelle. Very limited parking in the area, suggest walking up to the area.
3. Pole Culturel du Monastere des Ursulines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
A must for art-lovers, kids and history addicts! Be amazed by this art and history museum about the work of the Ursulines of Québec, who established the first school for girls in New France and are reknown for their wonderful embroidery works. The Ursulines showed true openmindness through the centuries, adapting their teaching to their pupils and to what society needed. In the 17th Century, they gave classes to First Nations children in their own language. In the 19th Century, they were the first to include science and critical thinking in their teachings. For a complete, one-of-a-kind experience, follow a guide in the Chancel, a place usually accessible only by nuns and students.
Reviewed By kathybD5002UC
To me this is a museum and tour (you pay a small amount for the tour and we went on the English guided tour) that you should put on your list of things to do in Old Quebec city. You dont have to be Catholic or any other religion to enjoy a visit to the museum and to enjoy the tour. The history and artifacts and the way the museum is set up provides a fascinating look at the life of females living as a border in a school and the nuns who lived there and took care of them. It also provides a really great visual story of the process to become a nun. The photography in the exhibits are awesome. The actual tour takes you into the area the students and nuns sat in when they went to mass and the nuns were cloistered and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. This was a rare find and one we were so glad we spent time there.
4. Chevalier House (Maison Chevalier)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 50 reviews
This structure, built as a home to Jean-Baptiste Chevalier in 1752 from two 17th-century structures, has been restored as a museum focusing on Quebec's history.
5. Musee de l'Amerique Francophone
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 120 reviews
Just a few steps from the Holy Door, discover Muséee de l'Amérique francophone. Admire a chapel filled with history, precious relics, and other treasures of Québec's religious heritage from the séminaire de québec collection. Set in the heart of Old Québec, Musée de l'Amérique francophone is an essential cultural activity for history lovers. The Museum offers exhibitions on the colonial history of America, the evolution of Francophone culture in North America and abroad, and the effervescence of arts and crafts in Québec.
Reviewed By carleroo
We really enjoyed our visit here. We had expected a museum filled with a bunch of bits and pieceFrancophone culture of French culture. However, the exhibits were very well-done - highly interactive, greats selection of artifacts and above-average storytelling. The most enlightening aspect was learning how the Francophone culture permeated through all aspects of North American history and culture. I grew up in Quebec and while I knew all about some fo the major history and explorers, I had no idea about the cultural influence in the US, apart from Louisiana. Who knew that Los Angeles had 2 French-Canadian mayors? The stories, artifacts and other exhibits are incredibly well curated. The museum building itself has been extremely well-integrated into the older buildings. This place is well worth a visit!!
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