“Winter is not a season, it’s a celebration.” — Anamika Mishra
Just because the weather is getting cold, doesn’t mean you need to always run from it and travel somewhere warm. I have gone to Canada a handful of times. This time around, I really wanted that classic Hallmark movie vibe complete with Christmas joy and holiday markets. After doing some research, I found Quebec City was everything we were looking for ⛄️. If you’re looking for the ultimate Quebec City winter itinerary, look no further—I got you!
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What We Packed
Staying warm is key when exploring a winter wonderland! Here are the essential items we brought along:
- A solid winter coat and thermal leggings.
- Boots with good traction (my pink Lugs were perfect).
- A hat, gloves, and a neck gaiter (way better than a scarf!).
For the full packing checklist and printable PDF, click the button below!
Day 1: Hello, Quebec City!
The Drive and Crossing the Border
My husband and I left the day after Thanksgiving, and we couldn’t wait to get up there! Coming from the Boston, MA area, it took us approximately 6 hours to reach Quebec. The drive was very straightforward taking 93 North, and we did not hit any tolls. Customs was also quick process once we reached the border. They ask for your ID and your passport, along with simple questions like where you are staying, how long, etc. Make sure you have a copy of your hotel or Airbnb reservation printed out in case they ask for it.
After we made it to the border, snow started falling very heavily! I guess it may depend on where you are in Canada, but we did not see a single plow truck on the road. Just drive the speed limit and take your time—especially if the road conditions appear slick.
Our Cozy Loft in Old Quebec
Once we arrived in Quebec City, we headed to our home for the next 3 days—a cute Airbnb right in the center of it all! We stayed in a charming yet modern loft right in Old Quebec off Rue Saint Paul. It was exceptionally clean with a cozy bed, large living room, full kitchen, glass shower and a large bathtub right in the bedroom. You can’t get any more romantic than that!
It was also within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, Christmas markets, and happenings. We paid ~$480 total for the weekend. In our opinion, this was a fair price for the privacy and location compared to the high costs of hotels in the area during the holiday season. If you’d like to view and/or book that same Airbnb you can click the link here.
🚗Travel Tip: When it comes to parking in Old Quebec, try to arrive a little early to find a spot, always check the street signs, and use the local parking app if available. It’s usually around $16 for the day and saves you the stress!
First Stop: Poutine and Architecture
After checking into our Airbnb at 3:00 PM, we were ready to explore and—most importantly—eat 🍟. Since I’m completely obsessed with poutine, we headed straight up the hill into Old Quebec. (A quick word to the wise: definitely wear your sturdy winter boots, because those hills and historic cobblestone streets are no place for heels or cheap footwear!)
We made our first stop at Poutineville. While it is a chain, it hit the spot when we were too hungry to hunt down a hidden hole-in-the-wall. My husband ordered the General Tao poutine, and I went with the mac and cheese poutine. Both were $23 for a regular portion. It was absolute comfort food perfection! You can browse their full menu here to check out all their delicious options.
After eating, we made it back to our Airbnb to warm up a bit and plan our next move. Our Airbnb host was fantastic, providing a detailed binder of things to do nearby. You can view that list below which includes ice skating, Christmas markets, the famous toboggan slide, and more!
Magical Ornaments and Festive Lights
Our first major outing was to check out La Boutique de Noël de Québec. Located at 47 Rue De Buade, this famous year-round Christmas shop is an absolute wonderland. Spanning two magical floors, it is packed wall-to-wall with an expansive selection of Christmas ornaments, delicate glass globes, nutcrackers, music boxes, and holiday villages. Many sections are meticulously categorized by color or theme, making it feel like you’ve stepped straight into a holiday movie set.
While it gets busy during peak holiday season, it’s the ultimate spot for a special souvenir. I grabbed some beautiful ornaments for family and spent around $45. Yes, some things are very pricey in there. But if you take your time and look around, you can find something at a decent price for your special someone!
Next, we walked down to City Hall, where the area was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays. As the sun went down and it got chilly, we headed off to the Christmas market for a hot drink!
The German Christmas Market and Glühwein
Lucky for us, there was a market right near City Hall—part of the famous Québec City German Christmas Market (Marché de Noël Allemand de Québec), located right in the Jardins and Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville. This event typically runs from November 19th to December 23rd. It’s a wonderful family-friendly event that you absolutely cannot miss!
They had a band playing, several wooden chalet stalls set up with various gifts, and incredible food. One major highlight was the popular food vendor 1001 Fondues, which serves up an ultimate winter comfort food: a warm, crusty baguette stuffed with hot, gooey melted cheese fondue. You can even add a savory sausage if you’d like! (Note: This line can get quite long and take a little while because everyone wants one, but it is 100% worth the wait!)
Another absolute staple at the market was the outdoor beverage kiosks serving Glühwein (hot mulled red wine). My first thought was—gross!—because I love my red wine chilled with an ice cube or two, but this hot spiced wine infused with spices was THE BEST thing I ever had in my life! I had a few! lol. I believe these were $8 each, and I even got to keep the adorable, holiday-themed souvenir cup.
We stayed in this vibrant area for a while to soak it all in. The market setup outside Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville was so cool—they had funhouse mirrors, festive photo cutouts, and plenty of places to sit. Later in the evening, we decided it was time for dinner. We walked to a nearby grocery store and bought some steak, then headed back to the Airbnb where my husband prepared a beautiful candlelit dinner. After that, we enjoyed soaking in the huge bathtub (with more wine, of course!) to warm up before ending the night with a movie 🩷
Day 2: Exploring Old Quebec, Historic Sites, and Lower Town✨
We started the day at 7:30 AM with a quick coffee, then headed out to snap a few pictures by the big ‘Quebec’ sign next to Kent Gate (which was a lovely sight!). Artillery Park then followed. Tucked right inside the historic fortifications, this old military complex dates back centuries when it served as a major defense hub with troop barracks, an ammunition factory, and an iron foundry. Walking the scenic grounds and exploring the old defensive walls is completely free year-round. While indoor exhibits are free during peak summer months, just wandering the historic outdoor spaces in the crisp morning air was a super cool, budget-friendly way to dive into the city’s past.
Taking the Funicular to Lower Town
Next up, we headed toward the historic Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec for a lift. Operating since 1879, this iconic cliffside cable car drops passengers straight down from Upper Town into the heart of Lower Town for CA$7 per person one-way. Walking down via the nearby breakneck steps is free, but taking the cable car is a fun historical experience that saves the legs.
Charming historic buildings, vibrant restaurants, and endless boutique shops surrounded us once the lower district came into view. Cobblestone roads dominate this area, so comfortable winter boots remain an absolute must!
After walking around for a bit, we came across Beauchamp Art Gallery which offered a chance to admire wonderful collections of paintings and regional works completely free of charge. EXMURO Arts Publics down by Place Royale also caught our eye. Housed in a striking historic stone building featuring a modern glass interior, their indoor creative space (Aire publique) showcases rotating, thought-provoking contemporary art across multiple floors. Admission is totally free (though donations are appreciated), and the organization is famous for creating temporary outdoor public art installations across the city streets, too.
Appetites grew quickly from all the walking, making La Pizz Place Royale the ideal spot to grab some casual, delicious slices in the neighborhood. Their food was excellent and the staff was very attentive and friendly — highly recommend!
A Snowy Afternoon and a Stunning Sushi Dinner
Bitter cold and heavy snow moved in by afternoon. Deciding enough chill had been endured for the day, a quick trip back to the cozy Airbnb provided shelter, warmth, and a nap until dinnertime.
Visitors to Quebec City should take note: restaurants fill up fast, making reservations essential when the weather turns cold and dark (especially around the holidays). Walking from place to place only revealed fully booked dining rooms until Niji Sushi near Place d’Youville offered a welcoming doorway. Finding a table there turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Cascading pink Chinese cherry blossoms hang from the ceiling, the staff provides wonderfully attentive service, and the fresh sushi and wine made for a gorgeous dinner atmosphere 🩷
After a wonderful dinner, thoughts of skating at the outdoor rink across the street (Place d’Youville) crossed our minds but we were so full at this point, and the night was very cold! Back to the Airbnb it was…. 🥶😴
Day 3: Final Market Strolls and the Snowy Drive Home❄️
Our last day we woke up around 9:00 AM and began packing up and tidying the Airbnb before our 11:00 AM checkout time. We then began up the hill one last time to enjoy the German Christmas Market.
I mean come on… we couldn’t resist grabbing another one of those incredible cheese-filled baguettes, checking out the outdoor manger display, and soaking in the festive holiday decorations!
Weather forecasts predicted snow for the afternoon, prompting a departure around 1:00 PM to handle the 6-hour drive back toward Boston. Driving conditions turned intense quickly as heavy snow transformed into a full-on blizzard right in the square. Heavy traffic combined with a lack of active plow trucks inside the city forced speeds way down. It continued to get worse from there….
Hitting the highway brought a complete whiteout, and because Canadian roads aren’t salted or plowed quite as aggressively as back home in the States, taking it slow was the only option.
🚗Traveler’s Tip: If you’re not comfortable driving in winter weather or lacking a capable car, you should always check forecasts beforehand. Snow comes heavily up there, making it a gamble worth considering. Growing up in New England means familiarity with snow, but driving across the border presents a different challenge when roads aren’t salted or plowed like they are in the US.
A quick weekend getaway to Quebec City delivered magic in every single minute, leaving strong intentions to return—likely in February for the famous Winter Carnival that locals recommended so highly!
To make planning your own Quebec City winter itinerary a breeze, I’ve put together a complete interactive map below with all the exact spots, restaurants, and sights we visited. Feel free to click around and save it for your trip!
Until then, thanks for reading, and stay tuned for another post covering the Winter Carnival 🎡
Trip Cost Breakdown (Boston, MA to Quebec City, Canada)
- Lodging (Airbnb): $480.00
- Transportation (Gas, Round Trip): $50.00
- Parking: $16.00
- Food & Dining: $130.00
- Drinks: $40.00
- Souvenirs & Shopping: $60.00
- Activities & Attractions (Donation): $10.00
Total Estimated Weekend Cost: $786.00
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