re: Anyone here been to Quebec City?

Actually just got back from Quebec City. Was going to write a trip review, but I haven't had a chance yet.

I absolutely loved it, but the post Zappas Stache made about the crowds is not untrue, especially in the upper part of the Old Town.

We stayed in the Lower Town at Hotel 71. It's close to the river and about a block or so away from the pedestrian area. The pedestrian area is filled with shops, bars, restaurants, cheap bullshite souvenir shops, etc. It's a ton of fun to walk around in. Not crowded at all in the morning, but gets pretty packed in the afternoon.

There's a funicular ($3.50CDN) that will take you up the hill and drops off on a big boardwalk right in front of Chateau Frontenac. Everything seems very walkable. It was super crowded on top of the hill every time we rode up, though.

We did a half day to see Montmorency Falls and Isle d'Orleans. They have a zipline you can ride past the waterfall that looked cool, but my wife is scared of heights so we passed on that. Isle d'Orleans has some pretty fun wineries. We did tastings at Vineyard St Petronille (lunch on site was good) and Isle de Bacchus. It's not Napa or Bordeaux, but it was fun and the wine was pretty good. There's a chocolate shop on the island that is good as well.

We did the Citadel for changing of the guards (10AM). It was enjoyable, but it dragged on a little bit long. They have a regimental goat that they let you take pictures with, though. If you walk towards it from the boardwalk and climb up the hill, there is a great view of the landscape and Chateau Frontenac for some pics. The basilica near Frontenac is under construction and you can barely even see the Holy Door at the moment.

Our two big dinners were at Chez Boulay and Aux Anciens Canadiens. Would recommend both.