Hotels near Terrasse Dufferin and the Old Quebec Funicular

Terrasse Dufferin is a wooden boardwalk on the cliff edge with the river 60 m below and Levis on the far bank, and it is free and open at all hours. Beneath it sits the Saint-Louis Forts and Chateaux National Historic Site, an archaeological crypt of the vice-regal residences that stood here from 1620, open 16 May to 12 October 2026, daily 09:30 to 17:00, then Wednesday to Sunday until 25 October and closed for the winter.

The Old Quebec Funicular drops you from the terrace to rue du Petit-Champlain for 7 dollars one way, about 4.35 EUR, free for children under 117 cm and for wheelchair users. It runs 09:00 to 21:00, extended to 22:00 from 24 June to Labour Day, and operates year round including in deep winter. Note that it sells at the kiosk only, with no online tickets and no advance booking, so expect a queue in July. The free alternative is the Escalier Casse-Cou, the Breakneck Steps, which is exactly as steep as it sounds. Crypt admission is free from 19 June to 7 September 2026 under the Canada Strong Pass, and free year round for anyone 17 or under.

Pro Tip: Walk down the Breakneck Steps and ride the funicular back up, not the other way round. Gravity is free, and the 7 dollars buys you the climb you would otherwise regret. Go at 07:00 for the terrace to yourself and the light coming up the river.