If You Have 1 Day

Take the walking tour of the Upper Town described in chapter 15, visiting the Citadel or the Musée du Québec or both. Walk down from the Terrasse Dufferin to explore the Lower Town.

If You Have 2 Days

On the second day, take the funicular or descend the Breakneck Stairs from the Terrasse Dufferin to wander through the Lower Town, using the other walk described in chapter 15. Allow at least an hour or two for the Musée de la Civilisation.

If You Have 3 Days

On the third day, make a short excursion north of the city to circle bucolic Ile d'Orléans, isolated from the mainland until a bridge was built in 1935. The island is home to five tranquil hamlets with several middling to good restaurants. It's preferable to drive rather than take a bus tour, or, with more time and the inclination, rent a bike. Afterward, visit Montmorency Falls and the shrine of Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré, or enjoy the outdoor recreational facilities of Mont Ste-Anne.

If You Have 4 Days or More

Spend your last day driving along the northern bank of the St. Lawrence River and exploring the small villages along the way. Take a whale-watching cruise out of La Malbaie or the ferry from Baie-St-Paul, returning to Québec City via the southern bank.