ITINERARY: Québec’s Cultural Getaway

This blog post was written before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing and other COVID health and safety protocols were not in effect. The businesses and communities featured in this article may be once again welcoming visitors but please double check as some are only open with limited operations and others have not yet reopened.

Explore the hospitality of the Indigenous peoples of Québec on this cultural getaway. Immerse yourself in Montréal’s diverse cultural offerings before you head to Québec City, North America’s only walled city. Only a few minutes away, the Huron-Wendat Nation invites guests to experience guided tours, storytelling, dance performances, craft workshops and more.

Province: Québec
Length: 4 Nights / 5 Days
Dates: Year-round
Route: Montréal – Québec City – Wendake

Day 1: Arrive Montréal

Enjoy exploring the European flavours of Montréal, a diverse city offering many cultural attractions, from ritzy nightclubs to fascinating art galleries. If you happen to be visiting Montréal in August, join Montréal’s First Peoples Festival, a multidisciplinary event that celebrates Indigenous cultures from throughout the three Americas. You may also wish to visit the L’Espace Culture Ashukan Gallery which showcases the Indigenous arts and cultures of both Québec and Canada.

Overnight in Montréal

2017 Montreal First Peoples Festival

Day 2: Montréal to Québec City

Located en route to Québec City in Odenak, visit Musée des Abenakis. This museum is Québec’s first Indigenous museum, featuring the culture and history of the Abenaki First Nation. From here, follow the shores of the St. Lawrence River until you arrive in Québec City, the only walled city in North America. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this charming and historical city.

Overnight in Québec City

Hanging Innu artist Anatole St-Onge’s work at Espace Culturel Ashukan

Day 3 – 4: Québec City to Wendake

Just 14 minutes from downtown Québec City you’ll discover Wendake. Here, you’ll be immersed in the Huron-Wendat culture with guided tours, storytelling, dance performances, craft workshops and more. Your home for the next two nights is The Hôtel-Musée. This is a four-star attraction of Wendake, where history and Indigenous traditions blend with contemporary hotel luxury and convenience.

Drumming on the terrace of La Traite Restaurant at Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations

Day 5: Wendake to Québec City

Today your cultural getaway ends in Québec City. You may wish to continue your journey north to explore more of Québec or south to discover First Nations culture in Ontario.

Culture & Heritage

April 26, 2018

Dené Sinclair

Dené Sinclair was ITAC's Director of Marketing. She lives and works in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. She acknowledges her traditional homeland around Selkirk, Manitoba (St. Peter’s Band) as a member of Peguis First Nation and a proud Anishinaabekwe.