Brush up on your French or take a French/English dictionary or translation app for your smartphone. Most road signs in Quebec are in French only. The majority of people working in Quebec City's tourism industry are fluent in English, but if you stop in a restaurant or shop outside the tourist areas, you might encounter people who speak just a smattering of English and menus solely in French. In such a case, it may help to be able to look up words such as rognons before you order a plate of kidneys.
Arrive by plane, train, automobile or ship. Visitors have a variety of options for traveling to Quebec City. Those traveling by air to the city can arrive at the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. Those who enjoy train travel can arrive at the train station located on the rue de la Gare du Palais. Drivers can take advantage of Canada's excellent highway system as a means of traveling to Quebec City. Finally, a number of cruise lines sail the St. Lawrence River, stopping in Quebec City.
Obtain Canadian currency. The currency in Quebec City and the rest of Canada is the Canadian dollar. The dollar is divided into 100 cents, like the American dollar. Currency can be exchanged at the airport and at banks. Visitors can also use automated teller machines in the city to withdraw money from their banks.
Stroll around Old Quebec. Quebec City was founded more than 400 years ago, and nowhere is its long history more evident than in Old Quebec. Tour the upper section and then descend to lower section to continue your explorations. Walk along the quaint cobblestone streets, admiring the charming stone homes and popping into the shops, museums and galleries. Be sure to stop at the Chateau Frontenac, the majestic Victorian era hotel that has become a symbol of Quebec City.
Explore Quebec City's military history. Visit the Musee du Fort to learn about six sieges of Quebec, including the battle of the Plains of Abraham, in which the English forces were victorious, gaining control of Quebec City and eventually the entire region. Visit the Citadelle, which was built during the early 19th century and is still a functioning military garrison, and see Battlefield Park, located on the Plains of Abraham.
Check out the Ice Hotel if you're visiting from January to March. The hotel is constructed anew each winter and is made entirely of ice. Guests are given a room at the nearby Four Points Sheraton for the day and then spend the night in the ice hotel, sleeping snugly in an arctic sleeping bag spread over a mattress on a bed of ice. You can dine in the ice cafe, hang out at the ice bar, and soak in steaming hot tubs during your stay. The hotel is also open for tours during the day. Dress warmly, because the rooms are kept below freezing at all times.
