The province of Quebec is full of unique places to visit. Whether it is historic buildings, the Saint-Lawrence River shores, or its natural wonders, you will surely find something nice to discover. Quebec City and Montreal remain popular travel destinations, but did you know about other regions of Quebec Province? Let us give you a few suggestions of things to do in Chaudière-Appalaches.
A Few Words on the Chaudière-Appalaches Region
You may not be familiar with Chaudière-Appalaches. In sum, it is a region north of the US border, south of Quebec City, and follows the Saint-Lawrence River. It has many rivers, and its main cities are Lévis, Saint-Georges, Montmagny, and Thetford Mines. Its name comes from the Chaudière River, which is at the heart of this area and the Appalaches mountains.
How to Get to Chaudière-Appalaches?
If you travel from Montreal, the easiest way to get to Chaudière-Appalaches is by car, following the Highway 20 route, which passes through the region. It is also possible to get there by train. You only need to stop at the Charny-Lévis station.
Bigger cities like Lévis will have a public bus service, but in more rural areas, you will have to drive to get from one place to another.
What Can I Visit in Chaudière-Appalaches?
Are there any exciting things to visit in Chaudière-Appalaches? The answer is yes! Whether you are looking for entertainment or something more educational, we have compiled a list of the best activity ideas in this region.
Lotbinière
Lotbinière is likely the first Chaudière-Appalaches region you will discover if you travel from Montreal. There are multiple things to do among its various farms and lovely views of the Saint-Lawrence River. Here are our favourites.
Domaine Joly-de-Lotbinière
Located in Sainte-Croix, the Domaine Joly-de-Lotbinière is a national historic site built in the 19th century. Famous for its gardens and many events, it is the perfect place to walk in nature or picnic with family and friends.
Domaine du Radar
Between Sainte-Marie and Thetford Mines, you can find the Domaine du Radar, an old converted military base. There is no need to go to Valcartier to enjoy outdoor activities. Indeed, the Domaine du Radar offers you the opportunity to go hiking, sliding, skiing, and snowshoeing on Sainte-Marguerite Mountain.
Lévis
Lévis is the most populated city in Chaudière-Appalaches. Located south of beautiful Quebec City, this town offers various activities. Let me give you some interesting suggestions.
Note that you can also just go over to the Lévis boardwalk and restaurants for a few hours and enjoy an amazing view of Quebec City and the Château Frontenac by taking the ferry across!
Parc des Chutes de la Chaudière
Did you know there is more than one waterfall to visit in the Quebec City area? You likely already know about the famous Montmorency Falls, but the Parc des Chutes de la Chaudière also deserves a visit! It is a great place to go for a hike, especially if you want to see fall colours.
Les Forts de Lévis
Among the best things to do in Chaudière-Appalaches, we strongly recommend Les Forts de Lévis if you are passionate about history. It is a British fortification close to Lévis’ downtown. Guided tours are available, and it is also a great place to have a picnic.
Beauce
Along the Chaudière River, you will find the Beauce region. Mostly made up of valleys, farms, and proud people, it is known for producing maple syrup. Is there anything to do there?
Woodooliparc
One of the most exciting things to do in Chaudière-Appalaches with kids is the Woodooliparc. Located in Scott and less than 30 minutes from Quebec City, Woodooliparc is a themed park with many attractions. Indeed, they have an extensive collection of dinosaurs to meet and organize special events for Christmas and Halloween.
Miller Zoo
Did you know that there is a zoo in Chaudière-Appalaches? The Miller Zoo, located in Frampton, is also a great activity your kids will love! Besides being a popular zoo (it has its own television show!), it is also a wildlife rehabilitation centre where you can meet bears, lions, wolves, and much more!
Bellechasse and Montmagny
If you pass Lévis on Highway 20, you will arrive in the Bellechasse and Montmagny region. Since these places are near the Saint-Lawrence River, they offer several activities related to the maritime world. Let us examine this more closely.
Grosse-Île
Another great activity in Chaudière-Appalaches, if you are a history lover, is the Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site. For decades, this small island has served as a quarantine station for hundreds of people, mostly Irish immigrants. To get there, you will need to take a cruise from Berthier-sur-Mer.
L’Isle-aux-Grues
The last activity idea on our list is to visit L’Isle-aux-Grues. It is a small bucolic island in the Saint-Lawrence River known for its incredible scenery and cheeses. You can also explore the island by bicycle. To get there, you must take a free ferry from Montmagny.
In conclusion, there are plenty of great things to do in Chaudière-Appalaches. Whether you want to go hiking in nature, visit historic sites, or have fun with your kids, this region has everything you need to have a great time! And, as we said earlier, Chaudière-Appalaches is also known for its many maple syrup farms, so take the time to stop by!
Are you looking for other activity recommendations while visiting the province of Quebec? These articles might interest you:
- Whale Watching in Tadoussac
- 15 Things to Do With Kids in Laval
- My Quebec City-Levis Ferry Guide!
- Top 6 Gaspé Snowmobile Trails
- 6 Best Bike Tours in Quebec City
- Best Resorts in Quebec Province
- Best Dog Sledding in Quebec
What to Do in the Chaudière-Appalaches region and How to Organize Your Trip
Curious about how to spend your day in Chaudière-Appalaches region? Here’s a list of the top activities to consider adding to your plans:
- Go on a boat tour in the Isle-aux-Grues Archipelago
- Stay in a family chalet in the heart of the Beauce region.
- Discover the old Lévis on a walking tour and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Château Frontenac and Quebec City.
- Learn about the past of Grosse-Île with this cruise through the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
- Enjoy a pleasant stay in a comfortable hotel located on a golf course in Beauceville.
Preparing For Your Trip
When I look for things to do in my destination, I always have a look at Viator, GetYourGuide, Manawa, Civitatis and sometimes even Expedia.
It’s first off a great way to find out what there is to do, but always a quick and easy method to book cheaply and efficiently with these renowned platforms.
Need a place to sleep? I find most of my accommodations on Booking.com but I also use Hotels.com for their rewards program (11th free night) as well as Expedia. When booking smaller places in Quebec, you might not find them here and need to contact them directly.
Looking for a cheap flight to Chaudière-Appalaches region through Montreal or Quebec City? Have a look on Cheapoair or Skyscanner I use regularly.
Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with DiscoverCars, AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Gatineau, Montreal, Quebec, and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Do you want to learn more about visiting the beautiful province of Quebec and its most loved attractions? Take a look at our other pins!
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