Over 400 year in the making, Québec City is a place where old meets new. As the oldest city in Canada, its heritage holds a richness that can’t be experienced anywhere else, as can be seen as you walk down the cobbled streets of Old Québec. Past meets present as you leave the old town and experience the deep and varied culture that lives in this great city. There is no end to the wonderful things to see and do in Québec City.

Old Québec is where it all began. A lot has changed since the first settlers arrived in 1608, and now this once bustling harbour town is the site of some extraordinary arts and culture.  Artisans fill streets lined with specialty shops and performers clamour for attention. The modern is muted by battlements that once kept the French community safe, but now act as a historic site that draws the attention of thousands.  Art lovers will rejoice at the site of the open-air art gallery, Rue du Trésor, where one can enjoy the local talents at a leisurely pace.

Old Québec is where it all began. A lot has changed since the first settlers arrived in 1608, and now this once bustling harbour town is the site of some extraordinary arts and culture.  Artisans fill streets lined with specialty shops and performers clamour for attention. The modern is muted by battlements that once kept the French community safe, but now act as a historic site that draws the attention of thousands.  Art lovers will rejoice at the site of the open-air art gallery, Rue du Trésor, where one can enjoy the local talents at a leisurely pace.

Take a stroll down to Québec’s parliament buildings. The fountain in front will fill you with whimsy while the members of parliament tackle the tough issues inside. The Fontaine de Tourny, awarded a gold medal at the Paris World Fair, stands as a monument to the beauty of this place. It has rested at its home by parliament since 2007, when it was given as a present to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the old city.

Once you’re done with the old, watch Québec City transform as you walk through the archway that separates Old Québec from the newer area of the city, and be transported into the heart of all the action. Day or night the city is alive with energy. Days can be spent wandering the streets, visiting the multitudes of shops that line every avenue, but the fun is just beginning.

As the sun sets over Québec City, the place transforms into a playground for night owls. Fine dining is rampant in Québec, with bistros and restaurants dotted like shining beacons across the city. If that’s not for you, then check out the thriving local pub scene. Bars open up their patios for the thirsty traveller, and after grabbing a quick sip with your friends on the bustling sidewalk, it’s time to jump right into the clubs at Grande Allée or Nouvo Saint-Roch.

The city centre offers so much, require months to take it all in; but to taste that discovery and enjoy some of the many things that Québec City has to offer is worth the adventure.

It’s also important to check out the events going on in and around the city. There are constantly festivals happening that will excite and entice you with great sights and sounds. Coming up is the 44th Québec Summer Festival. Happening between July 7 and 17, filling the city with 11 days of rock, hip hop, jazz, classical and techno, to name a few. Previous performers to grace the stages at the festival include greats such as Carlos Santana, RUSH, Black Eyed Peas, Van Halen and Sting. This year will be no different, with acts such as superstars the Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, Florence K, Metallica and Elton John, just as some shining examples. Eleven days of music pulse through this living city.

The city is a cup overflowing with things to see and do, but if you want to escape the bustle of the area, there are a variety of different activities available around the city and its surrounding regions to keep you occupied.

A must for any history buff is the Plains of Abraham Park. This urban park is beautiful, overlooking the St. Lawrence River and filled with lush greenery. In the summer, it is a beautiful place to go for a walk or have a picnic with the family. Though it is still inside the city limits, this idyllic place offers respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. You can also go and visit Île d’Orleans, just steps from downtown. The island offers many different artisans and farmers selling their wares. The quietness of the village is a great contrast from downtown Québec City. You won’t believe that they could be so close to one another.

If you feel like going for a trek, go visit Montmorency falls, just outside the city. The falls hold both historical and natural significance. See where history was made by visiting the forts built by General Wolfe’s forces in 1759, or just enjoy the beauty that is the falls, standing 83 metres tall. Enjoy the cable cars or go for a hike. Either one will produce a rewarding and memorable experience.

The summer festivals offered are the perfect opportunity to take in some of the city life and culture. The huron-wendat First Nation will be performing a French version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest from July 1 to 31. If you are able to get to the city at the end of the month, you have the opportunity to enjoy the International Pow-Wow of Wendake, taking place July 29,30 and 31. It is a great opportunity for people of all ages to learn a little more about the cultures that formed here in North America.

For the musician, make sure to check out the Québec City Military Tattoo. Happening between Aug. 23 to 28, the concert will contain over 800 musicians and bands from countries such as the United States, France, Britain and Switzerland, including the world renowned Top Secret Drum Corps. Pipes, drums and brass will fill the air with their sound for five great days of creativity and talent.

Another festival that might catch your eye is the New France Festival, taking place Aug. 3 to 7. The festival, which is in its 15th year, depicts life in New France during the 17th and 18th centuries.  Young ladies and gentlemen in period costumes will take you through a day in the life of the Québeçois during one of the most demanding times in early Canadian History.

Once you’re done touring all of the different festivals in Québec City, you still have thousands of things left on the list. There’s the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, the Musée de la Civilisation and the Image mill 3D just to name a few. Places like this are spotted all around Québec City, and are just waiting to be explored by the active minds of its visitors.

No matter what your interests are, whether it be taking a stroll by the St. Lawrence waterfront or hitting all the popular night clubs; shopping in the fashionable boutiques or checking out the local museums and historic sites, there is something for everyone in Québec City. Enshrined in culture of all types, it is the perfect place for a summer getaway.