Quebec City in November: An Affordable American Thanksgiving Getaway
- Maria DiCicco
- 13 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Living in Florida, we rarely have to wear anything more than shorts and a short sleeve shirt on Thanksgiving Day. Don't get me wrong, it's great sweating out in the backyard picnic tables during the feast, because we MIGHT get weather in the low '70s where we can light up the chiminea fire around pumpkin pie time. Maybe.
But year after year I watch the Macy's Parade in New York and dream of cold, dreary, winter weather for the holiday. For some reason to me, holidays are just more magical when it's full of snow or rain and a snap in the air that makes your nose run. Paired with cozy fires, hearty meals and robust red wines, and that's the ideal holiday maker to me.
When Quebec City non-stop flights crossed my radar as an affordable (American) Thanksgiving getaway (Canadian Thanksgiving is in October) I gobbled it up like dad's stuffing. For less than $250 per person, flights were downright cheap, and lodging in Quebec City was surprisingly affordable and not over packed with tourists.
In other words, Quebec City in November is the perfect affordable Thanksgiving getaway for Americans! Here's why:
Flights are inexpensive
Lodging isn't off the wall pricey or full of tourists
The weather hasn't quite settled into harsh winter mode yet
Magical Christmas decor starts to come out!
Things will be open because they don't celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time as Americans!
Below, we'll explore the best things to put on your calendar for a great getaway in Quebec City in November to inspire your planning efforts!
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Quebec Flights and Lodging
Cheap Flights to Quebec City in November
Air Canada operates in and out of Quebec City with non-stop flights to many US destinations. Montreal is another great hub with additional flights from Air Transat and the typical US carriers.
Getting from Montreal to Quebec City you can drive or take the train, but you have to consider one way fees for car rentals if you don't plan to make your Montreal journey a round trip one.
There's plenty for a few days in Montreal, like wineries and sugar Shacks, as well as colorful Montreal markets. You can learn more about the Montreal market tours and other foodie destinations here.
Meanwhile, a round trip flight to and from Quebec City maximizes fun time and reduces potential road hazards during the slushy winter weather changes.
Use these resources to book your flights:
Affordable Quebec City Lodging
In my opinion, the best way to really dig your heels into the holiday spirit during a Thanksgiving in Quebec is to get an apartment. Imagine, you can still have a home cooked holiday meal, but with a French-Canadian twist!
Waffles with pure maple syrup can greet your morning, with stinky French cheeses and ice wine for your aperitifs later on. Coq au Vin or perhaps a stuffed duck will fill the air of the apartment, while your fireplace roars with anticipation.
Yea, that's a pretty good picture.
So here's some places you can get those vibes, at a totally affordable price for the holiday:
With an idyllic location and cozy decor, this apartment is a steal at around $114/night during Thanksgiving week.
A charming and colorful brick walled home, around $129/night during Thanksgiving week.
This modern and quirky 2BR apartment with sweeping balcony views, around $170/night during Thanksgiving week.
This compact and cozy apartment full of charm and an ideal location, around $114/night during Thanksgiving week.
This budget cutie with historic features and inviting home interiors, around $84/night during Thanksgiving week.
For a holiday splurge, consider this historic 2BR facing parliament, for around $297/night during Thanksgiving week.
Things to Do in Quebec City in November
Stroll Quartier Petit Champlain
Do some Christmas shopping and take lots of photos of the adorable historic (and pedestrian friendly!) streets.
Boutiques and bistros line the lanes, perfect for a mid day or evening meal. I recommend Le Lapin Saute.
For a kitschy Italian meal, consider Parmesan - complete with candlelit tables and roving accordion players!
Have a Drink at Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
Cozy up to the 1608 Bar at Chateau Frontenac and enjoyed fall inspired cocktails like the scotch, calvados and sherry based "Apple Pie" or sample local Quebecois liqueurs. Snag a seat overlooking the St. Lawrence River for the perfect view.
And if you are wondering, children are permitted and there are some tables available for families (instead of at the bar counter). The bar opens at 2pm daily.
Not into cocktails? Chateau Frontenac also offers tea time Tuesday to Saturday from 2pm for $89 per adult at Place Dufferin restaurant. Tea time of course includes a boat load of tea offerings, sandwiches, scones, sweets and the typical tea time fare. A live piano performance is part of the opulence!
Anticipate perfectly picturesque Christmas decor in the lobby when you visit, amplifying your Thanksgiving in Quebec.
Pro Tip: If your plans have you back to the Chateau Frontenac between January and March, they also offer a dining excursion to the Hotel de Glace (Ice Hotel) that can't be missed.
Take the Funiculaire du Vieux-Québec
Taking the Quebec City funicular is a good way to go up and down from the upper (Dufferin Terrace) and lower areas near Petit Champlain. It's convenient, fun, and costs less than $5 for a journey. You'll need cash for the ride! Learn about getting foreign currency here.
Click here for tickets to a walking tour of the old town with an included funicular ticket.
Take the Quebec City Ferry to Lévis
The Quebec City Ferry offers a 10 minute one-way trip operating daily, and it can be a load of fun. In the summer months people make the trip for ice cream at Chocolats Favoris up the hill in Lévis, but in the winter you may wish to find a cozy spot to dine for lunch before returning.
Views from the ferry are worth a round-trip fare, even if you don't wish to get off in Lévis. Ferries depart Quebec City on the half hour and tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth at the Quebec City Ferry Terminal.
If traveling with a vehicle, you may want to book in advance at their official website here. With a car, you can also visit places like Chutes de la Chaudière (Chaudiere Falls), a free site open year round. Explore the waterfalls and enjoy some nature!
Enjoy a Traditional Sugar Shack Meal (Even Though It's Off Season)
Sugar Shacks are traditionally open during March and April. I wrote a bit about these in my Montreal Foodie Article, but they are basically adorable cabins for all things maple, with giant accompanying feasts. There might be live music, bonfires, maple taffy on the snow, and they are a very community-driven experience.
In Quebec City in November, expect openings for these places to be slim, but I found a few that may have openings. Be sure to call and make a reservation and note that these are brunchy places, meaning they typically close around 2:30pm.
Get the total vibe (without the authentic cabane experience) at Restaurant La Buche, conveniently located in the old town. La Buche is also included as part of this culinary adventure walking tour.
Érablière Du Cap is a super choice if you plan to take the ferry over to Levis. Paired with a visit to the Chaudiere Falls, this makes for a really nice day away from the city.
Located about 30 minutes north of the city, Érablière du Lac-Beauport is an excellent option for the family to enjoy a sugar shack meal year round. They also have an onsite museum, and all sugar shack meals include maple taffy on snow. Érablière le Chemin du Roy, 20 minutes west of the city, is another good option.
Enjoy a no fuss sugar shack experience on a day trip to Ile D'Orleans at Les Relais des Pins.
If none of those work out, you can still visit La Petite cabane à Sucre de Québec, a maple sugar shack in the Petit Champlain quarter for maple products and samples. Le Grande Marche is another good option for sampling products in a modern market hall setting.
Pro tip: If you have kiddos, go check out the adorably kitschy maple syrup museum at Jean Castor - complete with animatronic beavers!
Visit the Christmas Markets in Quebec City
Beside the typical market hall experience, Le Grande Marche (above) also offers the Grand Christmas Market, starting November 22 until Christmas Eve. With nearly 200 vendors of indoor shopping, it's a festive way to do some shopping away from the elements.
Be sure to stock up on any needed supplies here for your Thanksgiving meal (if you decide to cook), and add Épicerie Européenne, Épicerie J.A. Moisan and La Place Boutique Gourmande to your list of stops for Gourmet Market foods too.
The German Christmas Market in Quebec runs Thursday to Sunday and lets travelers indulge in the sights, sounds and flavors of a classic European Christmas Market. Enjoy mulled wine, market crafts and more.
The German Christmas Market in Quebec is free and is dotted around the city in five separate sites. Find the central market near the City Hall. Hours are 11am-9pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and open until 6pm on Sunday. Here is the map to the market locations including:
Place D'Youville on Rou St. Jean (Find ice skating here too!)
Hotel De Ville (or City Hall Gardens) between Rou de Jardins and Rue Sainte Anne
Continue down Sainte-Anne to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Go on to Place D'Armes to see Santa's house and his sleigh (fun fact: Santa is called Père Noël in French)
Lastly, the Marketplatz ends by the Chateau Frontenac
Visit them all in this order, or tackle in little bits day by day!
These are some of the popular locations for the Christmas markets (summer photos, sorry!):
If you are up for a 40 minute drive, then head over to Cap-Santé, where for the final weekend in November the whole village turns in a winter wonderland with the Marché du Noël d'Antan de Cap-Santé.
Warm Up at a Cozy Fireside Pub
Pub L'Oncle Antoine is a hidden gem nestled in the Petit Champlain area. With brick interiors and a fireplace to boot, you can't beat a cup of French onion soup and a pint to duck away from the wintry wet weather.
Or, Have Fondue at La Grolla! I'm a sucker for kitschy meals, checkered tablecloths, etc. There's no shortage of them here as you may be able to tell looking at photos of the Sugar Shacks and places like Parmesan (mentioned earlier). Well, at La Grolla a few minutes away from the main old town, find a Swiss Restaurant perfect for fireside meals with flair.
Take a Day Trip
Visit Montmorency Falls, Ile D'Orleans and their wineries, or go for some snow time in nearby ski towns of Stoneham Mountain Resort and Mont-Sainte-Anne, 20-30 minutes away each. Obviously check their snow totals before you go!
Snow season activities don't really begin in Quebec until mid-December, but it is possible to go dog sledding in some cases. You'll just have to call certain outfitters to be sure, like Adventure Inukshuk or Secret Nordiques, which also offer other snowy activities.
What to Expect: Weather in Quebec in November
Sometimes I forget that I'm not planning a trip for France, I'm planning a trip for Canada! That said, it's going to be cold. But that's the charm of it!
Plan for wet and cold conditions with a potential for snow flurries if you're lucky!
Consult my article about what to pack for European Christmas Markets and even what to pack for Alaska, and you may have the right idea on what to expect in your suitcase.
Pro tip: Consider buying a VinGardeValise wine suitcase for this trip - I bring mine for all the trips where I might bring wine to or from a destination. In this case, bring your wine suitcase full of wines for enjoying your Thanksgiving meal! (And then bring some ice wine back for the heck of it). Use my code ALWAYS20 for a discount.
Thanksgiving in Quebec
Overall, time spent in Quebec City in November is undoubtedly going to be full of holiday delights, charming establishments, and French-inspired loveliness around every turn. Soak in the history, the cuisine, and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday.
