Fun Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Québec City

Équipe édito
Editorial Team
Published on September 24, 2021
People walking under an umbrella
Canyon Sainte-Anne

Clouds overhead? Don’t let them spoil your day! There are so many fun things to do when it’s raining in Québec City, whether you want to stay warm and dry inside or go out and brave the elements. Just be sure to pack a rain jacket so you can explore the region, rain or shine. For recommendations on what to do when it’s raining, read on.

Indoor Activities with Kids

Aquarium du Québec

A mother and her son observe the fish in the Grand Ocean tunnel at the Aquarium du Québec.
Jeff Frenette Photography

Catch sight of over 10,000 marine animals at Aquarium du Québec. Caught in the rain? Not to worry! There’s plenty to see inside, like the captivating jellyfish in the fascinating deep sea pavilion, or the crowd-pleasing Awesome Ocean Tunnel.

Bora Parc

Valcartier indoor water park
Village Vacances Valcartier

It’s always warm and sunny when you’re in the Bora Parc at Village Vacances Valcartier! With 14 waterslides for the whole family, a wave pool, an adventure river, and a double surf wave, this indoor aquatic park is an amazing way to escape a grey day.

Méga Parc

Méga Parc amusement park
Gabriel Rancourt

With 18 attractions for all ages and a surrealist steampunk theme, the Méga Parc is a mad funhouse full of surprises, from rides and arcade games to an indoor skating path. A great hub of indoor family activities!

iSaute

Whether you’re a small frog or a big grasshopper, the iSaute trampoline centre is a great place to go bouncing and tumbling through the air without a care in the world. Kids even get to bounce off the walls!

Récréofun

Récréofun Centre d'amusement - children in the BalleOFUN
Récréofun Centre d'amusement

The giant labyrinth, foam ball room, trampolines, and multiple playgrounds make Récréofun a perfect rainy day activity for toddlers. It's the perfect spot for indoor games for kids.

Carie Factory

Centre d'amusement Carie Factory - Arcade skill game
Les Hôtels JARO

Carie Factory is a whole world of fun, with arcade games, games of skill, labyrinths, and more. A place where kids of all ages can play the day away.

Escape Rooms and Laser Tag

Laser Game Evolution - Sainte-Foy - team laser game
Laser Game Evolution - Sainte-Foy

Escape rooms and laser tag are beloved by teens and anyone who likes to solve puzzles, strategize, and go on fun-filled missions and quests as a team. Treat your family to an exciting challenge at Eliviascape, À Double Tour, Sauve qui peut, and Laser Game Evolution.

Indoor Climbing

Kids climbing up the walls? Take them to a climbing gym! The gyms in Québec City have safe climbing routes for all levels, plus introductory classes on boulders.

Indoor Pools

Grab your swimsuit! There are indoor pools throughout the city, and most have family swims every day (or almost). The PEPS centre at Université Laval even has a play pool with water games. Your kids won’t want to leave!

Skating

Indoor Ice Skating Centre in Québec City
Robert Greffard

Ever skated on an Olympic oval? Give it a try at the new Centre de glaces Intact Assurance, now open to the public. You can even rent speed skates and try racing for gold.

Indoor Activities for All Ages

Visit a Museum

A contemplative man in front of an exhibition window at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec.
Musée national des beauxs-arts du Québec, Jeff Frenette Photography

There’s always something fun to see at the museum. In Québec City, there are two world-class museums that always have stunning exhibitions: one for civilizations (Musée de la civilisation) and one for visual arts (Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec). If you’re looking for something a little more niche, there are tons of other museums in the region. Love reading? Stop in at Maison de la littérature, a stunning building with a permanent exhibition on Québec literature.

See the Sights in Old Québec

Le Salon Bleu at the National Assembly of Québec, at the Hôtel du Parlement in Québec.
Collection Assemblée nationale. Photographe : Claude Mathieu

Even if the weather is too crummy for a walk in Old Québec, there are plenty of indoor tourist attractions, like Observatoire de la Capitale, the Parliament building, and the Plains of Abraham Museum. Here are the must-see indoor attractions that we recommend in Old Québec.

Go Shopping at the Mall

Les Galeries de la Capitale
Les Galeries de la Capitale

Ready to shop ’til you drop? Québec City has great shopping malls where you can pick up the latest fashions. Laurier Québec connects to two other malls, for the largest selection of stores in Eastern Québec. And with an indoor amusement park and an IMAX movie theatre, Galeries de la Capitale is a shopping experience like no other.

Lear How to Ski

Families on the ski and snowboard simulator
Préski

Have you always dreamed of learning alpine skiing but haven't dared to do it yet? Learn the basics of this sport — without getting cold—at the first indoor ski school in Québec! Located a few minutes from Old Québec,  Préski also offers sessions for intermediate level skiers wishing to improve their technique. 

Go for Coffee

Deux femmes dans un café
Audet Photo

If you’re caught in the rain, duck into one of the city’s many quaint coffee shops, such as Maison Smith, Paillard, Café Krieghoff, Nektar, or Brûlerie Limoilou, and catch the city’s vibe as you warm up with a nice hot cup of something brewed just for you.

Play Board Games

Feel like playing a board game? Head to La Revanche or Randolph to play with family or friends in a fun setting with food and drinks. Bonus: If you want to try new games, there’s always someone on hand to explain the rules!

Go to the Movies

A classic activity that’s always enjoyable, whether you’re on your own or with family or friends. The giant IMAX screen at Galeries de la Capitale is great for blockbusters, while Cinéma Cartier and Cinéma Le Clap offer a nice mix of mainstream, indie, and international films.

Fun Outdoor Activities to Do in the Rain

Go Rafting down the Jacques-Cartier River

Nouvelle Vague Expeditions inc. - descent of La Traditionnelle on the Jacques-Cartier
Expéditions Nouvelle Vague inc.

Ready to go rafting? Rain or shine, you’re sure to get wet. It’s even more fun after a few days of rain, when the river rises and the rapids are faster. Not to worry: even if the water is cold, your thermal suit will keep you warm and comfortable.

Have Fun on the Water Slides at Village Vacances Valcartier

View of the outdoor water park of the Village Vacances Valcartier, from the top of the Turbo slide.
Village Vacances Valcartier

The outdoor water slides at Village Vacances Valcartier are fun even when it’s raining, making this gigantic water park a great rainy day activity for teens. Summer showers tend to keep the crowds at bay—and lines down to a minimum. You’ll get wet no matter when you go, and the water is heated.

See the Prettiest Waterfalls

Montmorency Waterfalls
François Gamache

Rain adds to the volume of water in rivers and streams, which means the prettiest waterfalls in the region are even more impressive after a big shower. All you need is a rain jacket and rain boots. You might even see a rainbow above the falls!

Relax at a Nordic Spa

Sibéria Spa- Relaxation spa
Sibéria Spa

Grey days are a good time to relax, and what better place to relax than a Nordic spa? Fall is the perfect time of year for a thermotherapy experience, since the weather is cooler.

Go Canyoning down a Waterfall

Canyoning-Québec - Chute Jean-Larose, Mont-Sainte-Anne
Canyoning-Québec

Want to try rappelling down a waterfall? Try canyoning. It’s even more thrilling when it’s raining! Besides, as with rafting, you’ll get wet no matter when you go.


Équipe édito
Editorial Team

As proud ambassadors of our beloved city, we’re delighted to be sharing the things and places we love most in the Québec City area. What a joy for us to help you discover everything this vibrant and welcoming city has to offer!

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