6 best day trips from Quebec City

Day trips compared

The day trips

15 km · About 20 minutes by car

1.Île d'Orléans

A rural island in the St. Lawrence with six historic villages, old stone churches, orchards, strawberry fields, cideries and cheese makers along a 67-km ring road. It is especially popular at harvest time and in the autumn colours.

Getting there

Car or organised tour (no regular public transport on the island)

Best for

Food lovers, Couples, Quiet stays

35 km · About 35–45 minutes by car

2.Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and Canyon Sainte-Anne

The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is one of the main Catholic pilgrimage sites in North America, with large mosaics and votive offerings. A little further east, Canyon Sainte-Anne has a 74-metre waterfall crossed by suspension bridges.

Getting there

Car along Route 138 or the Côte-de-Beaupré road

Best for

Culture, Families

15 km · About 20–25 minutes by car or bus

3.Wendake

The Huron-Wendat Nation's community on the city's northern edge has the Huron-Wendat Museum, a reconstructed longhouse, the Kabir Kouba waterfall and a hotel and restaurant that showcase First Nations cooking.

Getting there

Car or RTC bus

Best for

Culture, Families

50 km · About 45 minutes by car

4.Jacques-Cartier National Park

A glacial valley with steep forested walls and a river used for canoeing, rafting and fishing. The trails to the valley lookouts are popular in summer and during autumn colour; the park is run by Sépaq.

Getting there

Car via Route 175

Best for

Quiet stays, Families

95 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by car

5.Baie-Saint-Paul and Charlevoix

Charlevoix is a hilly region of farms and villages overlooking the St. Lawrence. Baie-Saint-Paul has galleries and restaurants using local produce, and the coast road on to La Malbaie passes some of Quebec's most scenic viewpoints.

Getting there

Car via Route 138

Best for

Couples, Food lovers, Culture

215 km · About 3 hours by car

6.Tadoussac

Where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St. Lawrence, Tadoussac is the main base for whale-watching cruises from roughly June to October. It is a long day from Quebec City, so many visitors stay overnight.

Getting there

Car via Route 138 and the free Saguenay ferry

Best for

Families, Couples

Day-trip tips

• Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
• Buy fares with the RTC's app or carry exact change, as drivers do not give change.
• For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.

Questions travellers ask