What to see, what to do Quebec?

A distinction must be made here between urban centers and regions. In cities, points of interest are generally open all year round, with limited opening hours outside the summer season (e.g.: closed on Mondays). In the regions, they are often seasonal, open from May to October. While they are generally open every day in summer, opening hours are often reduced from Patriotes Day (Monday preceding May 25) to June 24, and from Labor Day (^1st Monday in September) to Thanksgiving (^2nd Monday in October).

Reservations are rarely necessary, except for guided tours, workshops, special activities or immersive shows. However, following the pandemic, many attractions recommend, or even require, advance reservations. It should also be noted that some points of interest also offer on-site accommodation, often experiential. In this case, it is strongly recommended to reserve your package in advance.

Admission is usually between CAN$10 and CAN$30 for adults. Children, students and senior citizens are almost always offered discounts or even free admission. For example, access to national parks and historic sites is always free for under-18s. Many points of interest are also completely free, although some require a voluntary contribution. In cities like Montreal, passes combining various museums and attractions can save you a lot of money, provided you're there for at least 2-3 days.

Hundreds of festivals take place each year in Quebec, with themes as varied as western, beer, music, humour or hot air balloons. Among the main and most famous are the Quebec Winter Carnival (in Quebec City), which is one of the largest winter carnivals in February. In summer, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Quebec City Summer Festival and Osheaga attract the world's greatest singers and musicians. Quebec is also a mecca for film festivals, not only in Montreal but also in the regions (Saguenay, Gaspé, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, etc.). The Formula 1 race held at the Gilles-Villeneuve racetrack in Montreal is also a must.

All kinds of guided tours are available in Quebec, from traditional city bus tours to whale-watching zodiac excursions. Themed tours for all tastes are also part of the offering: microbrewery tours, gourmet stops in emerging neighborhoods, mural and graffiti discoveries, lantern-lit "haunted" walks, historical tours with characters dressed in period costumes, trapper hikes with wildlife interpretation, etc. A number of Quebec towns are also members of the international Stroll Buddy (formerly Greeter) network, including Gaspé, Montreal and Mont-Tremblant (strollbuddy.com).

Whether on a guided tour or in a museum, smoking is prohibited. For outdoor points of interest, such as interpretive sites and national parks, smoking areas are often provided.

If you are taking a guided tour in Montreal or Quebec City, make sure your guide is accredited and has a city permit (which must be visible at all times while on duty). For both cities, the guides have completed a mandatory training program recognized by the Ministère du Tourisme and the Ministère de l'Éducation du Québec. This ensures the quality and veracity of the information provided during the tours.