This is How You Do the Ultimate Girls’ Weekend in Québec City

Sometimes there’s no better trip than an inside-joke-filled girls’ weekend.

Thankfully, we have no shortage of exciting year-round road trip options in our home and native land.

You’ll find the best of all worlds in Québec City as you eat, drink, and treat yourself to all the offerings of this stunning, historic gem of a destination.

Here’s how to have the ultimate girls’ weekend in Québec City.

For Breakfast:
A jam-packed ladies trip means you need to keep your energy levels high to last the day. That’s why breakfast is essential. At Le Cochon Dingue, you’ll find a menu full of quality comfort grub – dig into their duck confit omelette or indulge in a breakfast poutine. You may also want to hit Le Cosmos Café if satisfying dietary restrictions is necessary, where you’ll find 40 different breakfast dishes. For breakfast with a view, head to Ciel! Bistro-Bar, where an eclectic range of breakfast dishes come complete with a rotating bird’s eye view of the city. An added bonus: you can see both Grande Allée, one of the most famous streets in Quebec and popular historic site the Plains of Abraham from the comfort of your table.

Photo: LMGCOM

To Shop:
Shopping in a new city is not only more exciting, but you also feel less guilty about dropping the dollars when you can justify a splurge with the simple justification of “I’m on vacation.” You’ll find stores filled with both beloved brands and unique finds throughout the city. Some of the best shopping can be found on a walk down Rue Saint-Paul, Rue Saint-Jean, Rue St-Joseph or Avenue Cartier.

Rue Saint-Paul is well-known for its antique shops and art galleries. Head to Saint-Jean if you’re looking to pick up a new outfit, or find a one-of-a-kind souvenir to bring home. Rue St-Joseph is filled with gourmet stores and restaurants, as well as modern and urban clothing stores. Last but not least, Avenue Cartier, with its speciality shops and delicatessens, is the perfect destination for any foodie.

Quartier Petit Champlain is a great option if you’re looking for a slower paced shopping trip. You can visit one-of-a-kind boutiques and bistros in one of the most beautiful parts of Québec City. If the mall is more your thing, you can also put your credit card to good use at Les Galeries de la Capitale or Place Ste-Foy.

Photo: Louis Vézina

To Explore:

If you want to embrace your adventurous side, there are plenty of fun activities to do both in and around Québec City. For instance, you can take a sightseeing cruise along the St. Lawrence River. If you want to step it up a notch, a hike through the Canyon Sainte-Anne is perfect for nature lovers. Lastly, if you’re not afraid of heights, ziplining over the magnificent Montmorency Falls with your favourite gals will be the kind of thrilling bonding experience you’ll never forget.

Photo: Fokus Productions_Sepaq

To Relax:
For all the wining, dining, shopping and exploring, every good girls’ trip also requires a little pampering time. You’ll be happy to know, then, that Québec City specializes in Nordic spas. Surrounded by nature but just a few minutes from Québec City, Sibéria Station Spa comes with a strong reputation for offering one of the most relaxing and well-serviced spas in Québec. Another reliable option is Le Nordique – Spa Stoneham. For a memorable massage, SkySpa offers a more casual, urban experience when it comes to thermal therapy. You can soak your stress away in their Californian hot baths, located on an outdoor terrace on the 17^th floor.

Image: Nordique Spa

For a Drink:
Girls’ trips and clinking glasses are pretty much synonymous – and Québec City is full of places to cheers to your individual accomplishments and milestones. The sidewalk terraces on Grand Allée is the place to be in the summer. From the people to the Victorian architecture, there is no shortage of stunning sights to take in. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail and good tartare, that’s exactly what you’ll find at Bistro l’Atelier – that, and a sophisticated crowd and bustling vibe. And of course, a trip to Québec City isn’t complete without a visit to the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, and its Bisto le Sam offers even more incentive. Here, your cocktail session is complete with a stunning view of the St. Lawrence River.

Image: Tourism Media

For Dinner:
It would be pretty tragic to visit Québec City and not experience all of its glorious culinary offerings. The inhabitants of this city are real foodies, and this passion is reflected in the diverse range of cuisines you can find. If you want to go all out, get done up, and see and be seen, hit Savini Resto-Bar. The standout Italian restaurant offers an extensive, well-curated wine list and occasional live entertainment. To satisfy a seafood craving, make a reservation at Versa Restaurant. The only oyster bar in the city, Versa is both a local favourite and a spot tourists will remember for next time. For Instagram-worthy eats, you’ll find no shortage of creative culinary offerings at Bistro B – grab a seat next to the open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work. Another go-to is Clocher Penché, offering locally sourced food to pair with fantastic wines.

Image: Versa Restaurant

To Party:
No ladies trip is complete without at least one night that leads to contagious laughs and stories to recap over brunch the next day. You’ll find the best of all worlds on Grande Allée with its selection of terraces, bars, restaurants, and vibrant nightclubs, all nestled among photo-worthy architecture. For an energetic, classic nightclub experience, hit Maurice Salon-Bar. Known as the nightclub experience of Québec City, this century-old building offers two dance floors and a large terrace– girls’ weekends don’t happen all the time, after all. If you’re looking to slow things down a little bit, head to the Charlotte Lounge. This elegant and sophisticated bar is filled with private alcoves where you can grab a drink and recharge those batteries. Another no-fail option is District Saint Roch, a unique spot that’s both restaurant, bar and theatre. Le Cercle is a hipster favourite, offering a busy bar, DJ shows and an art gallery.