Date Nights and Weekends in Quebec City
Couples can spend one evening or a full weekend in Quebec City, and the plans below are built that way. Prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD), tax is 14.975%, and a tip of 15% to 20% on the pre-tax bill is usual in restaurants.
One evening
Start with a walk on Dufferin Terrace at dusk, when the Château Frontenac lights up, and then descend by the funicular, which costs 7 one way for adults and takes cash only. Dinner in the Lower Town or the Old Port follows. The Québec-Lévis ferry takes about 12 minutes each way with no reservation, which gives a view of the old town from the river after dark.
In winter the terrace also holds the ice slides, which cost about 5 per slide last season.
A weekend plan
Friday. Check in at the Auberge Saint-Antoine, a Relais & Châteaux hotel at 8 rue Saint-Antoine built over an archaeological site, with about 700 artifacts displayed through its rooms and public spaces. Its restaurant, Coteau, serves dinner Tuesday to Saturday in a former maritime warehouse that dates to 1822, with produce from a family farm on Île d’Orléans.
Saturday. Spend the morning in the Upper Town, then book a session at Strøm Spa Nordique Vieux-Québec, at 515 boulevard Champlain. Its thermal circuit has hot and cold baths, Finnish saunas, a eucalyptus steam room, whirlpools and views toward the river. Reserve ahead, since sessions are mostly for guests 16 and over, and check the price on the spa’s own page. Dinner at Le Saint-Amour, at 48 rue Sainte-Ursule, where the glass-roofed courtyard has a large tree at its centre and the Michelin Guide recommended the restaurant in spring 2026. It serves dinner only, on certain days, so confirm.
Sunday. Take a slow lunch at Aux Anciens Canadiens, at 34 rue Saint-Louis, which has served in the Maison Jacquet since 1966, or at Chez Boulay, at 1110 rue Saint-Jean, for Boreal cooking. In summer, finish with a drive to Île d’Orléans for a stop at the terrace of Cassis Monna & Filles, at 1225 chemin Royal.
Drinks and tea
The Château Frontenac’s 1608 Bar opens from 14:00 to midnight and does not take reservations, while the Champlain restaurant serves dinner from 17:30 and is recommended by the Michelin Guide for 2026. Afternoon tea is served in the hotel, too, and Bistro Le SAM is the casual option.
Saint-Roch for a quieter night
L’Affaire est Ketchup, at 46 rue Saint-Joseph Est, is a small, evening-only restaurant that works by reservation, so call ahead for current days.
Winter romance
Skating at the free Place D’Youville rink is simple and cheap, and Carnaval from 5 to 14 February 2027 brings night parades. Dress in layers and keep to the rinks, since the St. Lawrence ice is not safe.
Safety
Do not swim from river shores. The currents are strong, and the only supervised swim area is at Baie de Beauport in summer.
Menus and hours change, so look at the Fairmont dining page , Le Saint-Amour’s site and the Relais & Châteaux restaurant page . Hotels can be searched on Booking.com .
Read more: sightseeing in Quebec City and the 2-day itinerary .