9 Best Museums in Quebec City

La Citadelle de Québec is an active military installation that doubles as a historical site and museum where you can learn all about military history. Construction was completed in the mid-19th century, and you can see its historic design as you tour the area that has been well-maintained over the centuries.

The Royal 22nd Regiment Museum located within the installation is actually older than the fortress itself, with its building dating back to the mid-18th century. Inside, you'll find a collection of military artifacts like uniforms and weapons used by this iconic Canadian regiment. You'll find it along the western bank of the St. Lawrence River just north of Cap-Blanc.

Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec, or the National Museum of Fine Arts, is a museum complex with 4 buildings that are home to over 40,000 works. The works on display here date from the 16th century to the modern era, with many of them being produced in Quebec or by someone from Quebec.

Quebec is the focus of this museum, but you'll still be able to enjoy works that are associated with greater Canada, with some pieces from more exotic locations around the world. You can see it for yourself on the east side of Montcalm.

The Museum of Civilization strives to showcase the entire history of human activity in what is considered today to be Quebec through various art and artifacts. Many of the exhibits are interactive and designed to let visitors see the clear line from past to present.

Several of the exhibits at this museum are specialized, focusing on topics such as what life was like in Quebec City in the past as well as the culinary heritage of Quebec in general. The museum is fairly small, but you'll still find plenty inside to entertain both adults and kids. It's located near the Old Port on the east side of town.

Musée du Fort is a military history museum that's much better known for its stunning multimedia presentation than it is for an extensive collection of artifacts. This multimedia presentation is about half an hour long and offers a fascinating glimpse into the military history of Quebec City.

The presentation is set on a screen above a model of Old Quebec. The seats vibrate during certain moments of action in the presentation, making it a notably immersive experience. You can experience it for yourself by visiting the museum that's located downtown just a short distance from the St. Lawrence River and the Old Port.

Musée Huron-Wendat is a museum and institution that showcases and preserves the heritage of the Wendat people. The collection houses artifacts of the Wendat history and culture, as well as arts from First Nations peoples.

The permanent exhibits include Territories, Memories, and Knowledge, which teach about the history, culture, and art of the Wendat people. The museum also hosts learning activities, themed workshops, and aboriginal tours. You can book a guided discovery tour to see the Ekionkiestha Longhouse, the Kabir Kouba Falls, and the Tsawenhohi House, along with other heritage sites. Before you leave, stop in the Awen shop to explore the museum’s merchandise and exhibition catalogs.

Pôle Culturel du Monastère des Ursulines is a fascinating museum located inside a picturesque monastery where you'll find 3 floors of galleries showing off art. Both permanent and temporary exhibitions are shown here, and they all work to showcase the Ursulines' cultural legacy.

The building dates back to 1836 when it first opened, and it was later expanded in 1868 to its current size. You can take it all in for yourself when you visit it downtown less than a mile west of the western riverbank.

The Morrin Centre is a cultural center and museum that shows off the influence of English speakers on the city and the province historically and in the modern day. The library here is packed full of fascinating historical documents that cover just about anything you can imagine including trade, history, literature, and science dating back to the 19th century.

When you visit this cultural center, you may want to check the calendar beforehand. It frequently hosts events among its heritage spaces along with special exhibitions you won't want to miss out on. You can explore it all in Old Quebec south of Basse-Ville.

The Plains of Abraham Museum is a fascinating museum with immersive exhibits about the historical battles that took place in this now idyllic park in 1759 and 1760. Among the collection, you'll be able to find historic uniforms alongside scale models and period replicas. Even large maps are on display.

When you visit this museum, you can immerse yourself in military history, exploring the intricate details of skirmishes and tactics along with camp life and regiment activity. It's located at the entrance of the titular park just south of Old Quebec.

The Naval Museum of Québec offers a fascinating collection of naval history that lets you dive into the past of the Royal Canadian Navy. The collection features objects such as war memorabilia, uniforms, and navigational instruments. You'll even find model ships on display.

The archives at this museum are home to a variety of historical documents including historical maps of the area showing off what Quebec City was like in times past. You'll find the Naval Museum of Québec in the Old Port district on the far northeastern side of town.