Waterfalls, Islands and Valleys Near Quebec City
Quebec City sits close to waterfalls, farmland, a pilgrimage town and a national park, so a day out rarely means more than an hour on the road. The table gives the rough picture, with prices in Canadian dollars (CAD) before tax unless stated.
| Trip | From the city | What it costs | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montmorency Falls | About 15 minutes | Access per person, adults about 13.90 in high season | Views, bridge, cable car |
| Île d’Orléans | About 15 minutes | No entry fee; farm stops priced separately | Farms, cider, chocolate |
| Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré | 20 to 30 minutes | Free parking at the shrine | A quiet visit to a shrine |
| Canyon Sainte-Anne | About 6 km past the shrine | Entry fee, seasonal | Footbridges over a gorge |
| Wendake | About 20 minutes | Museum and site tours | Huron-Wendat culture |
| Jacques-Cartier park | 40 to 50 km | Daily access about 10.30 | Hiking, paddling |
Montmorency Falls
At 83 m the falls rise about 30 m above Niagara, according to the park. The park at 5300 boulevard Sainte-Anne stays open all year except 25 December. A suspension bridge crosses the crest, a cable car runs to the manor, a 300 m zip line crosses the plunge pool, and three via ferrata routes climb nearby. The staircase has 487 steps and is a summer route. In winter the park’s photo shows an ice cone at the base, which is a place to watch from behind the barriers. Public bus 800 stops at des Rapides, close to the park.
Île d’Orléans
A single road bridge, opened in 1935, links the island to the mainland. The 67 km loop passes six villages. Taste ice cider at Cidrerie Verger Bilodeau, 1868 chemin Royal, which opens daily, or buy chocolate at the Chocolaterie de l’Île d’Orléans, 8330 chemin Royal in Sainte-Pétronille. Cassis Monna & Filles is at 1225 chemin Royal. Opening hours shrink in winter, so check each stop.
Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and the canyon
The basilica at 10018 avenue Royale is a place of worship that draws pilgrims, and visitors should be quiet and modest in dress. The canyon, at 206 route 138 Est in Beaupré, has a 74 m waterfall and three suspension footbridges. Its 2026 season ran from 7 May to 25 October.
Wendake
The Huron-Wendat Nation lives in Wendake, a short drive from the city. The Musée huron-wendat, 15 place de la Rencontre, offers a guided tour of a longhouse. Onhoüa Chetek8e, 575 rue Chef Stanislas-Koska, gives one-hour guided visits. Treat the community with respect and use its own tourism offices for tickets.
What to skip as a day trip
Tadoussac, for whale watching, is 210 to 215 km away, so budget about three hours each way plus a free ferry crossing. It fits better as an overnight stay, and tours leave from Tadoussac, not from the shrine at Sainte-Anne.
Seasons and roads
Winter storms can close roads between November and April. In summer the falls and the island get busy around midday, so start early.
For details, see the Montmorency Falls page on Québec-Cité and the Wendake tourism site . Guided options appear on GetYourGuide .
Read more: family activities in Quebec City and sightseeing .