Hey, I was going to visit QC or Montreal with my wife for a three day weekend. I can't figure out which one to visit. Any suggestions?
2006-08-14 06:01:41 · 8 answers · asked by jude255 1 in Travel ➔ Canada ➔ Quebec
OK, I live in Quebec City, and although I am obviously much more partial to my own city I highly recommend it from an objective point of view also. I worked in tourism for four years, and I'd say 80% of the tourists said they preferred Quebec City to Montreal. Here's why I think that's so:
1- Quebec City is much more historic. The city will be 400 years old in 2008, I think the oldest city in North America. It is the only fortified city North of Mexico (which means there are stone walls around the old City), the buildings are old and historically significant. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage
2- Being such an old city, it has a bit of a European feel to it. More interesting than Montreal, which is more modern. It is often considered more beautiful in Quebec City, but I suppose that's a question of taste, so it's up to you to decide.
3- You can do exactly everything in Quebec City that you would do in Montreal. There are bars, great restaurants, lots of shopping (outside the old city, in one of the suburbs is the largest shopping centre in Eastern Canada). There's a great nightlife, if that's what you want, but you can also just spend quiet time, walking around the parks, or the city. You can take a cruise on the river, etc. We have museums and everything that could interest anyone.
4- You can do all that with much less trouble. There's a LOT less traffic here than in Montreal. Quebec City is also much safer than Montreal.
Some people complain about the language (the official language is French, but in Montreal too, though) but most people, especially in the tourist business (i.e. hotels, restaurants, shops, museums, etc.) will speak English pretty well.
Do come and visit us, you won't regret it.
2006-08-15 11:58:05 · answer #1 · answered by nellierslmm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A 3 day weekend? I would say come to Montreal for the Fri evening/night and go out for a nice dinner and stroll along ste catherine or st laurent or crescent... then sat morning or early afternoon (after wrapping up the shopping in mtl) drive over to QC- its only about 3 hrs- and spend the rest of sat and sunday exploring the beautiful history and seeing the sites. I think you can do both. i live in montreal, so think it is a great place to shop and hit cafes and what have you, but i think QC is really interesting and beautiful.. come to think of it you should also hit the old port and old montreal... hmmm maybe you dont need QC. Oh AND you can get by with english in mtl- not so sure if you'll have the same ease in QC. both are beautiful- you'll be happy with either.
bonne chance!!
2006-08-17 07:46:29 · answer #2 · answered by qwerty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely, Quebec City. It's a little farther away, but much more authentic feeling than Montreal, which is just like any other big city, and is marred by old Olympic architecture from the 1970s. QC feels like you're in France, and that's all they speak. The architecture is very French, too. Check out the Hotel Frontenac.
2006-08-14 06:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by wcivils 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
QC. It is smaller and more quaint. It is less likely that you will hear English in QC. The old town is wonderful. Take the time to go to see the cathedral in St. Anne de Beaupre and the ski area at Mt. St. Anne. Also, visit the Isle d' Orleans. So much to do up there without the crowds in the big city of Montreal.
2006-08-16 14:18:58 · answer #4 · answered by gtoacp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
QC is a historic, smaller city in a beautiful location. If history appeals to you, then I'd recommend it. Montreal is more of a thriving, modern city known for its shopping, jazz clubs and strip joints. Both are very cool places, though. If nightlife is more important to you, then Montreal is the place to go.
Bon voyage!
2006-08-14 06:09:08 · answer #5 · answered by Mama Gretch 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, my wife and I hated Quebec, Montreal is a more interesting city.
Quebec , you have seen every thing in a Day.
Also , it was 3 to 5 degrees colder in Quebec.
In Montreal, you have the old city, but you have great restaurants, and great parks, plus good shops and Museums.
2006-08-14 12:24:31 · answer #6 · answered by nonconformiststraightguy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well if you MUST go to Quebec instead of some other province (lol), I would recommend Quebec City. It's much more interesting!
I don't know any french but I did not have a problem with anyone when I went there.
2006-08-14 09:43:48 · answer #7 · answered by sherry001fun 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Quebec City is nicer and more tourist friendly. Cooler sites too. Have a croissant at Le Cafe Krieghoff (our impressions below)
2006-08-14 06:36:53 · answer #8 · answered by seetheglobey 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋