Outdoors
Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier and the many other exciting and accessible natural attractions in the region are a magnet for hikers and photography buffs. Before the snow, local ski areas offer outdoor activities, like Mont-Sainte-Anne's Great Color Adventure—a spicy fall event featuring music on site, more than 145 km of cross-country and downhill mountain bike trails, hiking trains, panoramic gondolas, petting-farm, jumpaï, inflatable games and more.
Those who enjoy wildlife watching will not want to miss the thousands of snow geese at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area.
Located north of Saint-Charles Lake, the Marais du Nord wetlands are a favourite with bird-watchers (159 species) and nature lovers. A 8 kilometre trail network meanders through this exceptional natural site with various observation points on the lake and the marshes. You may get a chance to see osprey fishing, or a muskrat.
The nearby Sainte-Anne Canyon is best viewed from the easy network of paths and the three suspension bridges, one of which is the highest in Québec, at 60 meters above the gorge! A memorable sight in the fall!
But you don't need to leave town to get your fill of fresh air, thanks to Québec City's many
urban parks: the Plains of Abraham, Parc du Bois-de-Coulonge, Domaine Maizerets… the choice is yours.
Sports
Sports fans visiting the region in fall can catch some thrilling hockey as the Québec Remparts season gets underway or check out the International Challenge Bell tennis tournament.
But autumn wouldn't be autumn without football. Join boisterous fans for top-notch play with the Rouge et Or university football club, six-time Canadian university champions.
Obviously, some people would rather be part of the action than watch from the sidelines. Fall is a great time. Neither too warm nor too cold, it's perfect for a ride on one of the area's bike paths or for a round or two on one of our local golf courses?
Culture
September also marks the debut of a new cultural season. Concert halls, exhibitions and theaters are abuzz with activity, including Musée national des beaux arts du Québec, where exhibitions always draw a crowd.
Each fall since 1997, the magnificent Saint-Roch Church has hosted the Québec International of Sacred Music. From Gospel music to Gregorian chant, the Festival features music inspired by the world's many spiritual traditions, performed by artists of international renown. Begining of September.
Agritourism
Fall is also harvest and fruit-picking season, when open-air markets fill to overflowing with local produce and specialty products.. Along with the markets, orchards, vineyards, and producers of craft cider, beer, berry wines and mead welcome visitors to sample their products. Picturesque Île d'Orléans is a must for this kind of experience.