In the depths of winter, it’s difficult to willingly leave the comfort of your home. The twinkling lights of holidays are behind you, plus there’s a good chance you’ll get salt stains on your favorite boots, so going north—to somewhere even colder—for a weekend doesn’t sound like the most appealing weekend getaway.

Up in Québec City, though, even the most winter-averse will find themselves charmed out of their crankiness by the historic provincial capital. The city provides the best a Canadian winter has to offer (like snowshoeing, ice skating, and eating poutine), with the sort of well-preserved historical sites you can’t really find in the United States. Case in point: it’s the only North American city with preserved ramparts (castle walls), one of the things that make a huge chunk of the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s one of the best places in the country to experience true Canadiana with a French Canadian flare. It’s also highly walkable, which means you can hop between world-class art museums and that poutine pretty easily.

Café Saint-Henri

Where to Stay

Your best bet is the Hotel Pur, which overlooks downtown; it’s a fifteen minute walk to Old Québec and a fifteen minute walk to some of the city’s most exciting new restaurants. It’s got all the fixings of a modern hotel—indoor heated pool for a post-showshoeing dip, a sauna for general pampering, and a full gym if you’re feeling like an overachiever—without compromising the intimate and relaxed vibe Québec City is famous for. If you’re not in the mood to walk (the city is full of hills, and hey, you’re on vacation), go for a taxi—Uber isn’t very popular here, and the ride sharing app can leave you waiting over 15 minutes for a short ride.

Day 1: Walking, Sliding, and Eating Flambée