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Quebec City: Full of Surprises

Quebec City
Quebec City-Museum Entrance

Three things surprised me about Quebec City on a visit to this charming Canadian city.   First….yikes….the cruise ships. We headed to this charming French Canadian walled city the first weekend in October, thinking it might be a quiet time.  Wrong.

Queen Mary 2
Queen Mary 2
Cruise ships at night Quebec
Cruise ships at night Quebec

It was the busiest week of the year for CRUISE Ships. What a surprise! Six huge vessels were docked there one day, including the Queen Mary 2, a truly elegant vessel. I would have enjoyed touring her to see if she is as elegant on the inside as the outside.

 

quebec-9
Huge cruise ships dock at Quebec City
Quebec City
Cruise Ships dominate the skyline Quebec City

The other ships, not so much. Several  blocked the water view and released thousands of tourists, making the charming cobble stone streets and historic sights a big mash up of camera toting visitors.

Tourists in Quebec Old Town
Tourists in Quebec Old Town

Another surprise—a happy one—was all the abundance of outdoor and interesting art work. Evidently every year they are changed, to be enjoyed by all who live and visit there. It reminded me a bit of ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. Here are some of the eye catching  installations and creativity.

Street Art Quebec
Street Art Quebec
Street Art Quebec
Street Art Quebec
Quebec City
Quebec City Street Art
Quebec City
Quebec City painted underpasses
Quebec City
Quebec City Colorful Buildings
Quebec City
Quebec City-painted columns
Quebec City
Quebec City-creative approach to trash
Quebec City
Quebec City–covered bridge
Quebec City
Quebec City–Covered Bridge
Quebec City
Quebec City-creative approach to old city streets
Quebec City
Painted Kayaks near city square
Quebec City
Quebec City-huge mural depicting the city’s history
Quebec City
Quebec City-on top of an apartment building
Quebec City
Quebec City-hanging out in a park

The third and more subtle surprise is how the city used the pavement as a way of highlighting the city’s history. These lines indicate where the river once flowed. The circle marks the main well of this old town. This made history real.

Quebec City
Quebec City–pavement marks the historic shore line of the of the city
Quebec City
Quebec City

Obviously one needs to look in all directions when meandering the quaint streets of Old Quebec.

Post Author
Susan J. Smith
Susan's career includes writing for newspapers, lots of community work and a wonderful family life. Now she is enjoying traveling, photography and writing for DesignDestinations and Grand Rapids Magazine. She welcomes you on her journey and appreciates your comments.

Comments

2 Comments
  1. posted by
    Taking a Food Tour in Quebec City | DesignDestinations
    Feb 20, 2017 Reply

    […] it felt a bit like Disneyland, much of it re-created for tourists like us. (SEE blog post titled Quebec City Full of Surprises  for more about the historic part of the […]

  2. posted by
    Take a Food tour in Quebec City | DesignDestinations
    May 1, 2017 Reply

    […] it felt a bit like Disneyland, much of it re-created for tourists like us. (SEE blog post titled Quebec City Full of Surprises  for more about the historic part of the […]

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