Is it possible to enjoy Québec City without spending all your money in just one day? It’s true that you won’t have to spend any money for a walk on the Plains of Abraham, visit the Montmorency Falls or watch the beautiful scenery on the Dufferin Terrace. However, museums, guided tours and many events and shows will force you to pay out for sure. Unless… you can read this article on time!
Museums
It is now well-known that Québec City is a city of museums. However, you don’t always have to pay in order to enjoy your time in a museum. It is indeed possible to benefit from great exhibitions throughout the city free of charge. You only have to search a bit to find them!
Among those, the Naval museum of Québec tells the great naval history of the St. Lawrence River and the Naval Reserve. You will be able to witness the rich history of Canada’s maritime past scattered with fascinating stories. �
Source: Naval Museum of Québec, http://www.mnq-nmq.org
Let’s also mention that the most renowned museums of Québec city offer as well occasions of free visits. The Musée de la civilisation and Musée de l’Amérique française allow the free visit of ALL their exhibitions every Tuesdays between November 1st and May 31 all day and between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturdays of January and February. As for the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, you can make the free visit all year long of its collections (excluding exhibitions) which include the largest collection of Québec’s art.
Workshop Museums
There are more than only traditional museums that offer you free and interesting visits. Workshop museums are also an excellent way to discover the history behind the traditional making of a specific product. Among the numerous workshops museums around the city, let’s point out the one desired by us all, that is to say the workshop museum of chocolate! You will not only learn more about the history of chocolate and its transformation, but also discover the great know-how of the chocolate makers. �
Source: Le parcours gourmand, http://www.gourmetroute.com
Churches
The religious heritage has always been an important part of the history of Québec City since the city has been for a long time the ecclesiastical capital of the country. The visit often free of charge of some religious establishments or monuments makes you discover an historic richness seen nowhere else.
In Old Québec, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church is a good example. The church is one of the oldest one in Québec and was the first Anglican church to settle outside the United Kingdom. The church also holds one of the few eight-peals chimes in the world as well as a majestic organ.
Free guided tours are offered from May to October and it is possible to reserve a visit with a private guide.
Source: Jean-Olivier Frenette, Global Internet
As a World Heritage site, Québec City holds many historic homes. Most of them are free to visit and are definitely worth to see. Right down the Château Frontenac, Maison Chevalier is without a doubt one of the most interesting to visit. This house representing Québec’s architectural heritage holds a permanent exhibition A Sense of the Past that will make you learn about the way of life of the first inhabitants of the city.
Shows and Events
Québec City has numerous free or low cost festivals and events throughout the year. And one of the most appealing activity is the Changing of the Guard ceremony that is held every morning (except on rainy days) at 10 a.m. from June 24 to September 1 in front of Québec City’s Citadelle. You will hear the music of the Royal 22nd Regiment musical band and see the emblematic goat of the Regiment. This is an indispensable activity for tourists that will fascinate everyone.
You have free activities to suggest? Tell us about it on the comment section at the bottom.
