Quebec City may sound like a bizarre travel destination, yet there are so many adventures awaiting. There are many things to do in the summer time in the beautiful old city, but the winter months bring snow and many more things to do. The history and culture radiate throughout the city, as there is much to see and much to learn.
1. Carnaval de Quebec
Every winter, Quebec City gathers together from the end of January to mid-February to celebrate before Lent. Carnaval includes great food, lots of drinking, and activities to entertain families all day. Some of the activities include tubing, toboggan sledding, bumper cars on ice, ice fishing, and even hot tubs. The International Snow Sculpture Competition is on display and you can watch the sculptors work all night. The carnival’s snowman mascot, known as Bonhomme, (“good man” in French) even has his own palace made completely from ice.
2. Winter Sports Village
During the summer it serves as a water park but in the winter it is changed into a thrilling tubing experience. The tubes come in all sizes, some for one person and some tubes large enough to fit about five people. It is easy to spend all day sliding down the slopes on different hills including the Tornado, Everest, Avalanche, and snow rafting. Everest is the tallest and definitely the scariest attraction at the park, but my personal favorite was the Tornado as it spit us riders right out of the huge sized tube. The winter sports village also offers a children’s playground and ice skating.
3. Dogsledding
There is nothing more thrilling than having your own team of six adorable huskies pulling you and a friend through the beautiful snow covered trails. The dogs can be hard to control, even when shouting commands and stomping on the sled’s break, but that is only because they are so excited to take you racing down the trails. The best part of this adventure is visiting the puppy shed where you are able to hold and play with some of the most adorable (and very sleepy) husky puppies I have ever encountered.
4. Trying Beaver Tail and Poutine
A huge part of traveling is trying new foods. Quebec is famous for its poutine, which can be described as french fries covered with cheese and brown gravy. Upon trying this interesting dish, I was not a fan. Yet I am glad that I tried a traditional dish that most people really enjoy. My favorite Canadian treat is a called a Beaver Tail, or Queues de Castor, in French. It is a fried pastry covered in an assortment of toppings. One can order theirs covered in Oreos, topped with fruit, or my personal favorite; coated in Nutella and powdered sugar.
5. Snowshoeing and hiking
Canada is beautiful. The air is clean, the forests are thick, and the weather is stunning. In the summer, hiking is always a great way to see the natural beauty of any new place you have come to visit. If you enjoy hiking during the summer and as long as you bundle up, snowshoeing through the forest trails can be riveting. The sun shines through the trees, the air is crisp, and the snow covered trails are silent. Snowshoeing can be a bit awkward at first but it becomes easier as one trudges on through the paths. Complete your hike with a coffee or hot chocolate to warm your insides too.
6. Local art and shopping
In the spring and summer time, Quebec City’s streets are bustling. People shopping, eating, and walking around the beautiful old city. The streets are lined with shops and unique restaurants. My favorite stores are the Christmas store and the Roots store (a Canadian clothing brand). The alleyways are lined with local artist presenting their work to those who pass by their booths. Beautiful watercolor and oil paintings are sold in what is known as Rue Du Tresor or Artist Alley. There are also many entertaining street performers and acts going on all around the city.
7. Hotel de Glace: Quebec's ice hotel
Yes. The hotel is really made out of ice. And people actually stay in it. I am not sure if I could spend one whole night without up and leaving for the closest Holiday Inn, but this hotel is truly stunning. The ice is carved into the most beautiful shapes and designs all around the hotel. Each bedroom has a different theme and a bed made from solid ice. The hotel even has a chapel for ice weddings, an ice bar and an ice slide. Sounds like the work of Elsa to me.
8. Sugar Shacks
One way to make sure you get the full Canada experience is to have a huge family dinner at a sugar shack. Enjoy a huge traditional Canadian meal, complete with maple syrup, traditional music and dancing. The meal consists of pea-soup, ham, beans, meat-pies, potatoes, bread and lots of maple syrup. To top it all off, you go outside and pour maple syrup onto the snow, then scoop it up with a popsicle stick and enjoy a taffy-like maple syrup frozen on a stick.
