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Must See
Les Chemins Invisibles: Cirque du Soleil’s birthday present was to create a totally unique street event, Les Chemins Invisibles, exclusively for Quebec City. Performances are generously offered free of charge.
The Image Mill:Talk about recycling…huge abandoned grain silos(about the size of 25 Imax screens) .jpg)
were transformed into the world’s largest sound and light projection show. This creation by local artist Robert Lepage and his team, visually unleashes four centuries of Québec City’s history in a really BIG fashion. Another freebie with shows nightly.
The Ice Hotel: Personally, I’m down for a drink at the Ice Bar- but not so sure about doing a sleep-over..jpg)
Recreated every year, North America's only ice hotel, the Hôtel de Glace offers 36 rooms and theme suites, an Ice Café, an Ice Bar, a magnificent chandelier, a Grande Ice slide and an Ice Bar where cocktails are served in an ice glass.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, January 4 to April 4, 2010, the Hôtel de Glace promises that this year’s artistic creations will be the coolest yet. Located in the village of Ste. Catherine-de-la- Jacques-Cartier.
Must Shop
For great shopping loaded with atmosphere, take a stroll through Lower Town’s Quartier Petit Champlain, the oldest shopping street in North America, where the cobblestone lanes are lined with boutiques and shops selling a variety of artisanal wares. Check out the glassblowing studio at Verrerie La Mailloche located in a charming old home.
Other interesting stores can be found along rue Saint-Louis, rue Saint-Jean, and you can score some great deals on original art at the Artists' Alley stalls. In Upper Town, peek into Harricana Par Mariouche which offers distinctive clothing and home fashions made from recycled furs. The talented designer’s motto is “made from your mother’s old coat.”
A new boutique featuring original designers from Belgium and Germany called Lilly, 169, rue Saint-Paul, had some unique looks. For more traditional Italian designers, stop in a few doors down at the sister store, Schwartz.
Trendy new nabe: .JPG)
The St. Roch district in Lower Town, used to be a rather grubby industrial area until it was recently reclaimed by a group of avant-garde artists, designers and restaurateurs. Now it’s the hottest locale in town and with hundreds of artist workshops, sleek restaurants and sizzling club scene.
My best find was when I spied a model-type girl on the street- sporting a gorgeous wrap reminiscent of Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Coat- which she said was from an amazing store down the street, Myco Anna. The shop features one-of-a kind eco-chic Québec designer creations styled in a fun mishmash of colors and fabrics.
Comments
I am planning to go to Quebec with my girlfriend. We've not been
there in ages. Do we need a car to do most things and do we
need more than 2 nites (3 days) in order to enjoyably see enough?
Thank you!
Hi Muffin,
Cute name! You could probably cover all the main parts of Q.C. in three days, but there are also lots of great museums, which could take a whole day by themselves,so you girls will have to move it.
The good news is that you won't need a car at all for the city proper, however, if you have the time, I would definitely suggest exploring Île d'Orléans, about 15 minutes out of town, which reminds me of Napa except it's an island--loaded with fantastic farms, specialty food manufacturers, artisan cheese makers, delish wines and lots of cozy B & B's to choose from.
Also, you'll need a car if you want to indulge in a country spa break,(which,trust me,you'll want to do.) I mention a good one in part 4. Stay tuned.
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