Start at Porte Saint-Jean, one of the most atmospheric entrances into Old Quebec. Arrive around 9:00 a.m., when the streets are still pleasantly quiet, and spend about 30 minutes walking through the gate and along Rue Saint-Jean. From here, it is an easy 10-minute walk to the Parliament Building of Quebec. The grounds and gardens are free to explore; guided interior tours are typically available seasonally and usually require advance booking, so check the National Assembly schedule before leaving. Allow roughly an hour, and bring a light jacket—the open hilltop can feel cool even in September.
Continue across to the Plains of Abraham for a relaxed battlefield walk of about 90 minutes. Follow the broad paths toward the river viewpoints rather than trying to cover every corner. Comfortable walking shoes are important, and this is a good place to use the rain jacket or packable layer if the forecast is unsettled. The park is open throughout the day and free, with plenty of room to slow down for photographs.
Walk back into Upper Town for lunch at Le Chic Shack, near Dufferin Terrace. Expect approximately C$20–35 per person for a burger, fries, or poutine and a drink; it is casual counter service, so it works well without a reservation. After lunch, make your way through the historic lanes to the Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral, about a 10-minute walk away. Set aside 45 minutes to appreciate the ornate interior and quiet chapels. Admission is generally free for worship, though donations are welcome; sightseeing hours can change around services, so check the day’s schedule before visiting.
Finish at Dufferin Terrace, beside Château Frontenac, where the broad promenade opens onto the St. Lawrence River. Spend an hour strolling the boardwalk, watching the river traffic, and looking down toward Petit-Champlain and the lower town. It is especially pleasant in the late afternoon light, but the river breeze can be sharp—keep the fleece or light down jacket handy. From Le Chic Shack, allow roughly 10 minutes on foot; no car is useful today, and Old Quebec’s steep, historic streets are best explored by walking.
Leave Quebec City around 8:30 a.m. for Montmorency Falls Park, about a 20-minute drive east via Autoroute 440 and Avenue Royale; buses and taxis take longer, so a car is easiest today. Park near the main entrance—day parking is typically around C$10–15, with park admission generally in the C$8–15 range depending on the season and access selected. Spend roughly two hours following the paths to the base of the 83-meter falls, then cross the suspension bridge for the best close-up view and a fine spray of mist. Wear waterproof walking shoes and keep your rain jacket handy, even in dry weather.
Walk up to Manoir Montmorency for a late-morning pause beside the falls. Allow about 45 minutes for coffee, a light snack, or a casual meal; budget approximately C$15–30 per person. Afterward, continue east along Avenue Royale for about 15 minutes to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica. Set aside an hour to look at the mosaics, stained glass, and carved details—the interior is especially rewarding when the weather is unsettled. Admission is usually free, though donations are appreciated; check the basilica’s current visiting hours before setting out, as religious services can affect access.
From Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, drive back toward Québec and cross to Île d’Orléans via the island bridge, then continue to Vignoble Ste-Pétronille near Sainte-Pétronille. The drive is about 35–40 minutes, depending on traffic. Plan for a 1½-hour tasting, generally C$20–40 per person, with views back toward Montmorency Falls and the river; September is a pleasant time to sit outdoors, but bring a light jacket. Continue about 15 minutes to Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent, where an hour is enough to explore the riverside boatbuilding displays and historic maritime setting. Finish with dinner at La Monnaguette in Sainte-Famille, roughly 15 minutes farther along the island. Reserve ahead if possible, especially for a weekend evening, and expect about C$35–60 per person for its relaxed farm-to-table cooking. Allow 35–45 minutes to drive back to Quebec City afterward; rural island roads are easy but dimmer after sunset, so take the return trip slowly.
Allow roughly 1½ hours for the drive from Quebec City to Le Massif de Charlevoix, leaving around 7:30–8:00 a.m. Take Route 138 east and plan a short coffee or fuel stop before reaching Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. At Le Massif de Charlevoix, spend about 90 minutes at the viewpoints and trail areas for sweeping views over the St. Lawrence River and the forested Charlevoix hills. The mountain facilities and lifts can have seasonal hours in September, so treat this as a panorama stop rather than assuming every attraction is operating; wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a rain jacket, as the exposed viewpoints can be windy.
Continue about 20 minutes to Baie-Saint-Paul and park near the centre-ville—street parking is often metered or time-limited, while municipal lots are more convenient for a longer visit. Walk along Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, taking your time with the galleries, small boutiques, and colorful heritage buildings; most shops generally open around 10:00 a.m. and may keep shorter hours outside peak season. For lunch, settle in at Le Mouton Noir, a relaxed riverside restaurant known for Charlevoix-focused ingredients. Allow about an hour and budget approximately C$25–45 per person; reservations are sensible on a Friday or Saturday, particularly if you want a patio or river-facing table.
From Le Mouton Noir, it is an easy walk back through the centre to the Musée d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul, a compact stop that usually takes about 90 minutes. Check the September opening schedule before setting out, as museum hours can vary by exhibition and weekday; admission is typically in the low-teens Canadian dollars. Later, follow local paths toward the Rivière du Gouffre for an unhurried hour beside the water, with open farmland and hills forming the backdrop—this is a good place to use the comfortable walking shoes and packable layer from your list. Finish at Le Café Charlevoix for coffee and a light supper, budgeting C$15–30 per person; hours can be limited in the evening, so arrive before the dinner rush or confirm closing time earlier in the day.
Leave Baie-Saint-Paul around 6:30–7:00 a.m. for Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie; the drive to the park sector near Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs takes roughly 1–1¼ hours, followed by park-road and shuttle logistics. Reserve your Sépaq day access and any required shuttle in advance, and bring breakfast, at least two litres of water per person, lunch, rain gear, and sturdy waterproof shoes. Begin at the Le Draveur Visitor Centre for about 30 minutes: it is the useful place to confirm trail conditions, shuttle timing, and weather before committing to the climb. Note that the Belvédère de l’Acropole des Draveurs is a strenuous outing—allow 4–6 hours including rests—and park access can be restricted when conditions are poor.
Spend the main part of the day on the Belvédère de l’Acropole des Draveurs trail, climbing through forest to a series of exposed viewpoints over the Malbaie River and the dramatic valley walls. Pace yourself rather than racing the ascent; the upper sections can be windy and considerably cooler than the trailhead, so keep your fleece, rain jacket, and a light insulated layer in your daypack. After returning by shuttle and car, drive to Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu in Pointe-au-Pic, roughly 35–45 minutes away depending on park access and traffic. Give yourself an hour to stroll the resort’s riverside grounds and lawns—no need to dress formally for the grounds, but change into your smart-casual outfit for dinner at Le Saint-Laurent, where a river-facing table is worth requesting. Expect about C$45–80 per person before drinks; reserve ahead, as September evenings can still be busy.
From La Malbaie, leave around 7:00 a.m. via Route 138 toward Tadoussac, allowing 2¼–2¾ hours including the Baie-Sainte-Catherine–Tadoussac ferry. The ferry is generally free for vehicles, but check Société des traversiers du Québec before setting out. Once in Tadoussac, park near the harbour—arriving early makes this much easier—and walk the easy, roughly one-hour Sentier de la Pointe-de-l’Islet loop. It winds through spruce forest and exposed shoreline, with excellent views across the Saguenay Fjord and the St. Lawrence; bring the waterproof shoes and a windproof layer, since the point can feel chilly even in September. Continue into the village for the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, where an hour is enough to understand the local whale species, research, and ecology before the cruise.
Have lunch at Café Bohème, a relaxed harbour-area spot known for casual plates and coffee; allow about an hour and budget C$20–35 per person. Keep the rest of the morning unhurried, but check in for your afternoon whale-watching cruise from Tadoussac at least 30 minutes before departure—boarding locations and exact times vary by operator, and September sailings can fill quickly. The cruise lasts about three hours, with the best chances of seeing minke and fin whales and a possibility of humpbacks. Dress warmer than you expect, wear your rain jacket, and keep your phone or camera protected from spray; if you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding rather than waiting until you are offshore.
After returning to shore, drive about 15 minutes to Dunes-de-Tadoussac and follow the short paths down to the sandy shoreline. Give yourself an hour to watch the sunset over the open coast—this is a simple, spacious finish after the boat trip, and a flashlight or phone light helps for the walk back if dusk comes quickly. Return to Tadoussac village for dinner at Restaurant La Galouïne, reserving ahead if possible; expect C$30–55 per person for regional seafood and Quebec comfort food. Keep the evening relaxed, since Route 138 and the ferry are best tackled in daylight if you are continuing onward the next morning.
After arriving in Baie-Saint-Paul, begin at Jardin de François, allowing about 1½ hours to wander its distinctive private garden and artistic landscape. Confirm opening hours and reservation requirements before setting out, since this is a smaller seasonal attraction rather than a conventional public park. Wear your waterproof walking shoes—the paths can be uneven or damp—and keep a light jacket handy for the cooler Charlevoix morning. From the garden, drive back toward central Baie-Saint-Paul and park once near the gallery district; most downtown stops are easily reached on foot.
Continue to Galerie d’art Iris, one of the town’s leading contemporary galleries, for roughly an hour. The gallery is typically open during daytime business hours in season, but check the September schedule before visiting. A short walk through the surrounding streets brings you to Le Diapason for lunch. Allow about an hour and C$15–30 per person for a café-style meal; it is a good place to slow down rather than force in another major attraction, and the nearby galleries make for an easy post-lunch browse.
After lunch, spend about 45 minutes at Galerie René Richard, whose collection connects naturally with the landscape-art tradition of Charlevoix. Then drive approximately 20–25 minutes along Route 362 toward Les Éboulements for Économusée du papier — Moulin de la Rémy. Plan around 1½ hours here to see the historic mill setting and traditional papermaking demonstrations; seasonal hours can be limited, so verify the final admission time before leaving Baie-Saint-Paul. Bring your rain jacket or umbrella, as the mill visit is best enjoyed even if the weather turns unsettled.
Return toward Baie-Saint-Paul for a late-afternoon stop at Laiterie Charlevoix, allowing about 45 minutes and roughly C$10–25 per person for local cheese and dairy tastings. Check closing time carefully—this should be your last fixed stop. If you still have energy, spend the evening walking the quieter residential streets around the town center or settle into a relaxed dinner nearby, keeping the pace easy after several days of driving and hiking.
Start in Quartier Petit Champlain around 8:45–9:00 a.m., before the Lower Town lanes become busy with tour groups. Wander along Rue du Petit-Champlain, Rue Sous-le-Fort, and the narrow stairways around Place Royale, allowing about 1½ hours for boutiques, stone façades, and river glimpses. From the quarter, it is only a few minutes on foot to Place Royale, where you can spend another 45 minutes around the church and historic square. Wear your waterproof walking shoes—the cobblestones can be slick after rain—and use the funicular only if you prefer to avoid the steep climb back toward Upper Town; a one-way ride is generally around C$5.
Walk roughly 10 minutes along the Old Port toward the Musée de la civilisation, allowing about two hours for its rotating exhibitions and Quebec-focused galleries. It usually opens around 10:00 a.m.; admission is commonly in the C$15–25 range, with reduced pricing sometimes available online, so check the September exhibition schedule before going. For lunch, return to Le Lapin Sauté in Petit-Champlain—a short walk back through the Lower Town—for a relaxed meal in a historic setting. Reserve if possible, especially for a weekend; budget approximately C$30–50 per person. Afterward, browse the Old Port Market, where vendors sell local apples, cider, maple products, cheeses, and prepared foods. Give yourself an hour and pick up something portable for the evening or the next morning.
Finish at Parc du Bastion-de-la-Reine, reached by walking uphill from the Lower Town in about 15–20 minutes; the climb is worthwhile, and a taxi is sensible if your legs are tired. The park is a quieter place to sit above the river and Lower Town, particularly in the late-afternoon light. Bring your light jacket or scarf—Cape Diamond can feel windy even when the streets below are warm. If you still have the rental car, return it downtown before settling into the walking portion of the day; otherwise, use the nearby paid garages and avoid trying to drive through the narrow Lower Town lanes.