Lower Town (Basse-Ville), Quebec City

Quebec City's Lower Town (Basse-Ville) is the charming 'old quarter' of the city, full of narrow, winding streets, historical stone buildings, and an overwhelming array of trendy cafés, bars, and boutique stores. The oldest urban district in Canada, Lower Town has a distinctly European feel to it, and recent efforts to gentrify the area have been undertaken with appropriate sensitivity and class - resulting in postcard-perfect photo opportunities lying in wait on every street corner. Lower Town is also home to many of Quebec City's most celebrated sights and attractions - including the Place Royale, and Petit Chamblain, with its must-see Funicular. Lower Town, the heart and soul of Old Quebec, is a beguiling, enchanting neighbourhood - and all visitors to Quebec City should anticipate spending a lot of time walking its streets, and soaking up its unique atmosphere.

L'Île d'Orléans, Quebec City

The little island in the St Lawrence River, just 15 minutes from downtown Québec City, is an historical treasure trove containing 600 heritage buildings. Algonquin natives called the island 'windigo', meaning 'bewitched corner', before French colonists arrived in 1535 and named it for the Duke of Orleans. The island is the ancestral home of more than 300 Quebecois families and still has more than 7,000 inhabitants. A perimeter road called The Royal Way, which extends across the Taschereau Bridge to the mainland, connects all the six villages on the island. Visitors enjoy cycling or driving around the island to marvel at panoramic views of the river and explore sites like the oldest church in 'new France'.

Montreal Botanical Garden, Montreal

In close proximity to the Olympic Park, the Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the largest of its kind, home to over 22,000 plant species and roughly 30 exquisitely mapped out gardens, making it well worth a visit any time of year. Begun in 1931 in the midst of a financial crisis in the city, the Garden provided work for thousands of unemployed Montrealers and has since developed into a popular tourist attraction, with its astounding array of plants and trees. An array of interesting sights and sounds await the visitor, including the Tree House (highlighting the important role of trees in our lives), a First Nations Garden (illustrating the interaction of Inuit and Amerindians with nature), a Chinese Garden, the Quebec Butterfly House, a Medicinal Plant Garden, Planetarium and so much more.

Getting There:
Metro to Pie-IX station

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 5pm (1 November to 14 May); Open daily, from 9am to 6pm (15 May to 8 September)

Admission:
1 November to 14 May: C$14 (adults); C$7 (youths). 15 May to 31 October: C$16.50 (adults); C$8.25 (youths). Concessions are available

Parliament Buildings, Quebec City

Just outside the old city walls stands the imposing 19th-century Parliament Building, inspired by the Louvre in Paris and designed by the architect, Eugene Etienne Taché. Although it is the working home of the 125-strong National Assembly, the buildings are open to visitors for guided tours, offered in English or French, which highlight the historic value of the unique building as well as informing visitors about the organisation and proceedings of the Québec National Assembly.

Opening Times:
Open on weekdays, from 9am to 4.30pm (September to June)

Admission:
Free guided tours may be reserved in advance

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal

During the past 140 years the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has assembled one of North America's finest encyclopaedic collections, totalling more than 30,000 objects. The collections include Canadian art, contemporary art, Inuit and Amerindian Art, European Masters, prints and drawings and decorative arts. The museum also regularly features special exhibitions and activity programmes for adults, students and children.

Getting There:
Bus #24, or metro to Guy-Concordia station

Opening Times:
Open Tuesday to Friday, from 11am to 5pm (main exhibitions open until 9pm on Wednesdays), and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Closed on Mondays.

Admission:
General admission is free, though there are fees for temporary exhibitions (usually in the vicinity of C$20)

Montmorency Falls Park, Quebec City

Just to the east of Québec City lies the spectacular Montmorency Falls, plunging 272 feet (83m), one and a half times higher than Niagara Falls. Besides a beautiful setting, the park also boasts historic buildings and a variety of fun activities. A cable car runs up to the historic Manoir Montmorency manor house, dating from 1781, where there is a restaurant, view terrace, interpretation centre, reception rooms and boutiques. A suspension bridge hangs directly across the falls, providing a breathtaking view, and a second bridge gives access to the east side of the falls where there are numerous viewpoints and trails.

Opening Times:
Open daily, all year round

Admission:
Free entry to the park. Cable car (return journey): C$9.75 (adults), C$4.45 (children)

St Joseph's Oratory, Montreal

St Joseph's Oratory is a landmark in Montreal, its imposing dome on the northwest flank of Mont Royal visible for miles. This Oratory is a famous pilgrimage site, despite only being completed in 1967, attracting over two million visitors and pilgrims each year. It was founded by Brother Andre, a beloved monk who was known as the miracle-worker of Mount Royal because of his healing abilities. Work began on the basilica after his death in 1937. Its dome is the second largest in the world, being 318 feet (97m) high; it is second only to St Peter's in Rome. The Oratory's carillon is made up of 56 bells that were originally cast for the Eiffel Tower in Paris; the Oratory acquired them in 1956. Visitors can climb the 283 steps from street level to the basilica's portico for beautiful vistas over the city.

Getting There:
Metro to Cote-des-Neige

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 7.30am to 9pm

Olympic Park, Montreal

Montreal's futuristic Olympic Park was built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games and still serves as a showpiece today. Designed by French architect, Roger Tallibert, it is impressive in both size and shape, able to hold up to 80,000 spectators who now gather here for concerts and baseball games. The landmark tower on the main stadium, standing at 575 feet (175m), is the world's tallest inclined tower. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Montreal and its surroundings from the observation floors, accessible by a funicular-type elevator. Pop over to view the wonderful Botanical Gardens opposite the park, which are the second largest in the world.

Getting There:
Olympic stadium: Pie-IX metro station. Sports Centre and Montréal Tower: Viau metro station

Opening Times:
Daily guided tours of the Olympic Park run half-hourly from 10am (low season tours are less frequent, and start at 11am)

Admission:
Guided tours: C$8 (adults), C$4 (children 5-17)

Old Port of Montreal, Quebec City

Montreal's Old Port (Vieux Port de Montreal) is actually fairly new, having had a major face-lift to make it the most popular site for visitors to the city, drawing five million of them each year to throng the bustling wharves. In the 19th century the port of Québec on the St Lawrence was one of the most important in the world, with thousands of ships and sailors passing through. There are still plenty of boats in evidence but nowadays they are mainly tour boats, ferries and even amphibious buses, which offer sailings along the St Lawrence or around the port. Ferries cross to the Parc des Iles, site of the Expo 67 world's fair, which lies in the St Lawrence and offers family outdoor activities like picnic facilities, swimming, skating or skiing in winter. The Old Port itself is a thriving arts and entertainment venue where something is always happening. It also offers a huge open-air skating rink, Imax cinema, and a Science and Technology Center with interactive displays. The port also has a vibey cafe culture. The clock tower offers excellent views across the city and contains an exhibition that traces Montreal's history. Around the port are the city's original 17th-century fortifications, while characters in period costume conduct guided tours through the streets and alleys pointing out the points of historic significance.

Getting There:
Square-Victoria, Place d'Armes and Champ-de-Mars metro stations are a short walk away

Opening Times:
Interpretation Centre: open daily from 10am to 5pm (8 May to 3 September)

Admission:
C$4 (adults), C$2 (children 6-16). Guided walks: C$8 (adults), C$7 (children 6-16)

Fortifications, Quebec City

Guided walking tours of the three-mile (5km) long city wall that surrounds the old city of Québec trace the evolution of the city's defence system across three centuries. The walls are set with interpretation panels. Quebec is the only fortified city in North America and this fact contributed to its being named a World Heritage City. Visitors can also view the Esplanade Powder Magazine.

Opening Times:
Daily from 10am to 6pm (16 May to 5 September); Daily from 10am to 5pm (6 September to 10 October); Open by reservation between October 12 to May 7

Admission:
C$3.90 (adults), C$1.90 (youths). Guided walk plus access to the Learning Center: C$9.80 (adults), C$4.90 (youths)

Funicular, Quebec City

A panoramic bird's eye view of historic Québec City can be had from the cabin of the Funicular that travels at an angle of 45º from Louis Jolliet House in the heart of the old city to Dufferin Terrace. The funicular has been an attraction in the city since the original steam driven version was erected in 1879.

Opening Times:
Open daily, from 7.30am to 11.30pm (until midnight from June through to Labour Day)

Admission:
C$2

Place Royale, Quebec City

The site of the historical Place-Royale complex was used in ancient times by the First Nations for trading, until the leader of the first Quebec French settlement, Samuel de Champlain, constructed a formal fortified fur trading post in 1608. The trading post flourished and grew into a thriving town, constructed largely of wood, until in 1682 it was destroyed by fire. Reconstruction was in fire-resistant stone, the buildings that still stand today. Known as the market square, the site once again became a hub of activity, until the end of the 19th century when its importance declined. By 1950 the Place-Royale was a neglected, decaying area. The Government then initiated a restoration programme that has turned this historic site, known as the 'birthplace of French America', into one of the city's main attractions. It features a clutch of interesting museums, living history demonstrations and tours of historic buildings.

Getting There:
Bus #1, or the Écolobus service

Admission:
C$7 (adults), C$2 (children 12-16)

Battlefields Park (Plains of Abraham), Quebec City

Once the setting for bloody battles between the British and French, the Plains of Abraham today serves as Quebec City's 'green lung', a playground and peaceful arboreal retreat, and venue for a variety of fairs and events. The park is to Québec what Central Park is to New York, covering 108 hectares and planted with 6,000 trees. It also features monuments and interpretive centres. In winter locals and visitors alike, as well as several ski-trails enjoy a giant skating rink. Summertime is ideal for strolling the fragrant gardens, jogging or rollerblading, and picnicking.

Opening Times:
Daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm (24 June to 4 September); Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm (5 September to 23 June)

Musée de la Civilisation, Quebec City

Billed as 'the museum of human adventure' this very popular contemporary institution in the heart of the Québec historic district is characterised by its innovative and daring outlook. Using interactive technology its thematic exhibits cover all aspects of the human experience, from fundamental issues to major social problems of our times and various aspects of daily life.

Getting There:
Bus #1

Opening Times:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; in summer daily 9:30am to 6:30pm (24 June to 1 September) and 10am to 5pm (2 September to 13 October)

Admission:
C$13 (adults), C$4 (children 12-16), Free for children under 12. Free admission on Tuesdays (1 November to 31 May), and from 10am to 12pm on Saturdays in January and February