10 Reasons Why Every New Englander Needs to Visit Quebec City

With so many things to do and see close to home in New England, we forget about the adventures that await us north of the border. Our French friends have a lot to offer in Quebec City, the capital of the Province of Quebec. Read on for reasons why every New Englander should visit this charming destination.

1. It Feels Like France

When walking in dowtown, or centre ville, of Quebec City, you’ll feel as if you’re walking in France. The colonial buildings, cobblestone roads, historic churches and squares are longstanding testimonials to a time when this area of Canada was quite literally part France. Quebec City is the closest you’ll get to Europe in North America. So if you never got around to going to Paris or Nice, just drive up to Quebec.

2. It’s close.

When we usually think of international travel, expensive airfares come to mind. However, most of us New Englanders don’t have to drive more than a few hours to reach Quebec City. A road trip to Quebec from Boston is about 7 hours (and of course, you get the added bonus of visiting New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine on the way, depending on your route). In the grand scheme of international travel, Quebec is pretty much in our backyard, which makes it the perfect international destination for an extended weekend.

3. Less Expensive Than Europe

Not only is Quebec easier to get to than Paris, but also a trip to La Capitale is much friendlier on the wallet. The USD to CAD (United States dollar to Canadian dollar) exchange rate is often in our favor. Even during the rare times when the Canadian dollar is worth more than ours, it’s usually not by much. The opposite is true for the Euro. Why get less bang for your buck in Europe when you can go to Quebec?

4. Quebecors are friendly.

Quebecors are more than happy to welcome you into their city. They’re proud of their history, culture, and of course, language, and love sharing their knowledge about their homeland. Many Quebecors, especially in the tourist areas, are bilingual, so there’s no need to worry about a language barrier. Of course, saying “Bonjour” or “Merci” will go a long way, even if those are the only two French words you know. The Quebecor culture, and their demeanors, resemble our own more closely than you might think.

 

5. Nature is all around

While Quebec City is a bustling area, you don’t have to go far to enjoy the great outdoors. The city is cyclist and walker friendly. If you enjoy strolling in a beautiful park, you can stay in the city and enjoy the Plains of Abraham, a national park overlooking the majestic St. Lawrence River. Or perhaps you’d like to take a short, 8-mile drive and explore Montmorency Falls, which are almost 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls. Perhaps a nice, leisurely drive around the nearby pastoral Island of Orleans (Île d’Orléans), is more your speed. Either way, there’s plently to do outside.

6. Another Perspective on History

We share one very important trait with our French neighbors: We’re proud of our history. We take credit for the American Revolution which eventually led to our independence from Great Britain. Something different happened in Quebec, however. They were part of France until 1763 when they lost the French and Indian War, and then they became part of Great Britain. So while we were ridding ourselves of the British crown, they had just become subjects. English-speaking, Protestant Great Britain wasn’t thrilled that Quebec was full of French-speaking Catholics. Did the Quebecois stop speaking French and being Catholic? Do we stop cheering for the Patriots and dropping our Rs because the rest of the country hates us and thinks it’s ridiculous? I think not.

It wasn’t until 1774, with the passing of the Quebec Acts, that tensions started to loosen. Of course, how effective the Acts were, along with if there’s still tension today, is cause for debate.

7. The Winter Carnival

We New Englanders are no strangers to long, hard winters. In Quebec, they embrace the winter season with their annual Winter Carnival. All sorts of outdoor, winter-related activities take place, such as an ice canoe race across the St. Lawrence River, sledding on toboggans, tasting the frozen Quebec delicacy of maple syrup on a stick, and even visiting or staying in a castle made entirely of ice. Bring your warmest jackets and get out there to enjoy winter!

8. Milder Summers

This isn’t to say that it doesn’t get warm in Quebec; it does. The summer heat and humidity just isn’t as brutal as it is for us New Englanders, especially for those of us who live in Southern New England. If New England’s July and August are too hot for you to handle, drive up north for a cooler, more manageable summer environment.

9. The Food

You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Province of Quebec’s delicacy: poutine. This dish of French fries topped with cheese and gravy won’t help your arteries, but it sure is good. Another thing to try to is authentic Tourtière, which most of us know simply as French meat pie. Make sure you try authentic crepes topped with maple syrup. If you visit during early summer, make sure you stop at one of the numerous strawberry stands on the way to the city – you’ll never taste anything fresher.

10. Tim Hortons

If you’re a true New Englander, I know what you’re thinking. “This sounds fun and all, but are there any Dunkins up there?” I hope you’re sitting down when you read the answer: No. There aren’t any. Dunkin tried to get a foothold in Quebec, but it just didn’t work out. But hold on, not all is lost! If you need your Dunkin fix, Tim Hortons is the next best thing. In fact, some may argue that it’s even better, but that would be another discussion. Tim Hortons’ menu is similar to Dunkin’s, including iced coffee, so you’ll be all set.

What reasons did I miss? Let me know!

Check out our map of places we’ve been in New England!