Explore one of North America's oldest cities

The Observatiore de la Capitale is a good place to start your stay. Located on the 31st floor of the Marie-Guyart building, the observatory offers 360-degree views of the city from its highest point, so you can take in all the sights from one place and get yourself oriented. It also includes multimedia exhibits that introduce you to the very long and storied history of Quebec City.

If a grand railway hotel is out of your budget, the Auberge Saint-Antoine is another elegant option. Its location overlooks the St. Lawrence River and is within walking distance of some of the city’s biggest attractions, like the Musee de la Civilisation and Palace Royale. Dining options include Chez Muffy, a French-Canadian farmhouse-inspired restaurant; The Bar Artefact, a casual spot with a great cocktail menu that's decorated with historical artifacts; and the Panache Mobile, a gourmet food truck that’s open from late spring to early fall. The hotel also offers unique amenities, including an archaeological tour of artifacts uncovered during the hotel’s construction, a children’s program and a private movie screening room.

The Musee de la Civilisation is a modern museum that presents visitors with a wide range of information. It provides "a fresh and often unexpected look at the human experience" and includes exhibitions on the history of Québec and indigenous peoples, and an interactive section called “Observe: More than Meets the Eye” that’s geared toward kids. The museum also hosts a lot of various travelling and temporary exhibits. Come back time and time again to see what new displays they have on. And, all in all, their collections contain a quarter million objects to display, so you can take your time soaking all of the rich history here.

More than 10,000 animals from more than 300 species call this aquarium home. The insanely massive 40-acre facility includes both indoor and outdoor areas with attractions on the oceans, Canada’s coastlines, wetlands, the Arctic and local wildlife. In the summer, kids can play on a tree-to-tree ropes course and enjoy water games. In the winter, the outdoor areas are lit up with more than 500,000 LED lights for its annual Festi Lumiere. Try to time your visit to see the polar bear, walruses, and seals being fed, or just enjoy petting the stingrays in the touch tanks.

If you need a way to work off that plate of French fries, cheese curds and gravy (or whatever your indulgence was), a walk along the Terasse Dufferin will hit the spot. The wooden plank walkway wraps around the Chateau Frontenac and heads toward the Citadelle of Québec. Benches and gazebos line the way if you need a break or just want to stop and enjoy the view. If you happen to be visiting during the Québec Winter Carnival (which takes place between late January and mid-February), you’ll see a ramp on the west end of the terrace being used as a toboggan run.