A Snowy Anniversary in Quebec City | Markets, Memories, and Magic ❄️
December in Quebec City feels like stepping into a snow globe—especially when you’re there celebrating love. My husband and I chose Old Quebec City for our anniversary trip this year, and it quickly became one of the most magical places we’ve ever traveled to. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The city was alive with German Christmas markets, glowing lights, and that quiet hush that only comes when snow blankets cobblestone streets.
We fell completely in love with the Christmas markets scattered throughout Old Quebec City. Wandering hand in hand, bundled in scarves and gloves, we followed a walking route from our hotel, Hotel Louisbourg, through Alpine Village where we watched people ice skate at the end of the path. Along the way, we passed beautiful cathedrals—including the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity—their stone facades somehow feeling even more timeless beneath falling snow.
After long days of walking, sometimes you just don’t have it in you to wait for a sit-down dinner—and that’s okay. One of our favorite discoveries was the Tim Hortons tucked right next to Holy Trinity Cathedral, just behind one of the Christmas markets. It was warm, quick, and comforting—exactly what we needed to refuel before heading back out into the cold. My go-to meal, a zesty lime ranch veggie wrap, always ended with the best brownie I have ever had! And truly, do not underestimate the reliability of a good minimarket. Épicerie Richard on Rue des Jardins came in clutch more than once for snacks, drinks, and those little essentials you don’t think about until you’re already tired and cold. I’d recommend you plan your hotel or Airbnb stay around the convenience of this minimart within at least a 5-minute walk! You will thank me later!
A word of caution for winter travelers: while the snow-covered streets are charming, keep an eye upward. The massive icicles hanging from rooftops above the sidewalks are no joke. We lovingly (and nervously) referred to them as “death-cicles,” and they definitely kept us alert as we walked beneath them.
One of the most romantic moments of the trip was our evening at Strøm Spa. We got to stay for a majority of the evening past sunset until the stars began to peak through the snow clouds! Soaking in the infinity hot pool and floating along in the lazy river while snow fell around us, stars overhead, the world felt quiet and expansive all at once. It was one of those moments where time slows down, and you’re deeply aware of how lucky you are to share life with someone. The cold air, the warm water, the expanse of the river of ice sheets under the stars—it was pure magic to witness.
You can book a Thermal Experience all day for $104 and add on a massage or treatment of your choosing. I’d highly recommend adding on a couple’s massage and a couple’s pedicure as we did! This once in a lifetime experience for that special occasion was well worth the money, totalling about $800 including tip!
The Infinity Pool at Strøm Spa 12/17/2025
We wrapped up our trip in a way that felt deeply meaningful to us with a couple’s tattoo at St. Paul Tattoo; designed by me and tattooed beautifully by JJ and Dave! While we’ve been married for eight years, the tattoo marks ten years of being together—ten years of choosing each other through every season. It felt right to commemorate that milestone in a city that already felt woven into our story.
Before we said goodbye to Quebec, we took time to drive a little farther outside the city via Uber ride, and that extra effort was more than worth it. Stepping beyond Old Quebec offered a refreshing change of pace, from warming up at a nearby mall for last-minute Christmas shopping and coffee to soaking in the winter energy at Le Relais, an inviting local ski resort where watching skiers carve through the snow felt like a glimpse into my nostalgic past as someone who grew up skiing at China Peak. We ended this exploration outside of Old Quebec at Montmorency Falls, where photos simply don’t do justice to the experience—the sound alone is unforgettable. Hearing the powerful roar of the water crashing below, especially in winter, was humbling and awe-inspiring, and it felt like the perfect final moment of wonder before heading home.
Quebec City in December is romantic, walkable, historic, and full of small moments that add up to something unforgettable. If you’re dreaming of an anniversary trip wrapped in snow, lights, warmth, and intention, this city might just steal your heart the way it stole ours.
If you would like help curating a similar special occasion trip, book with me here!
