If you’re considering a trip to Quebec, plan your getaway around the New France Festival, a five-day fete celebrating the city’s French colonial heritage.
Here are ten reasons to make your way to Canada this August 7-11 for the wonderfully wild festivities.
1. Get a taste of France without leaving North America. From its narrow streets to the stunning stone facades and the sidewalk cafes filled with French speaking locals, Quebec’s Old City is more than a little reminiscent of France.
2. You get to dress up like it’s the 17th century–think bodices, neckerchiefs and quilted bonnets for women and waistcoats, wool stocking and wigs (or toques) for men. Get your costume in town or just go DIY.
3. History buffs will love it: Experience five full days of reenactments, workshops and historical discussions on Canada’s early settlers. This year’s theme is the heroines of New France, so you’ll leave with a wealth of knowledge on the Filles du Roi (“the King’s daughters”) as well as Marie Rollet and Marguerite Langlois.
4. Attend a ball hosted by 17th century French nobility—or something like it. Enjoy the festival’s opening night parade, promising extravagant costumes, traditional music, and 17th and 18th century dance moves.
5. Sample foods you won’t be able to find at your local supermarket. Watch culinary demonstrations then taste local Quebec cheeses, produce, meats, breads, ice cream and more at the festival’s Foods and Flavors Market.
6. Sip on unique local wines at the festival’s Auberge Inn while listening to storytellers and musicians. Most Quebec wine is consumed locally, so drink up and stock up while in town. If you have time post-festival, visit a few of the local wineries.
7. Discover new (old) tunes. Few historical festivals offer such a diverse array of music performances: hear a Cajun band from Louisiana and a unique electronic music production based on Quebecois folklore.
8. Be awed by the architecture. You’ll appreciate the eleven different styles of architecture on a walking tour of Old Quebec, highlighting structures built in the Classical Revival style up through the International Style.
9. Learn to sail and brush up on your Quebec history aboard L’Aigle d’Or on a trip down the St. Lawrence River.
10. Fireworks come three times a year. If you didn’t get your fill of ka-boom over the recent 4th of July festivities, there will be an elaborate display of them set to music following the opening night parade.
Where to stay
L’Auberge J. A. Moisan
Located near the entrance to the old city, this Victorian style bed and breakfast built in 1805 has a library, terrace and solarium in addition to its four guest rooms. A gourmet food shop (l’epicerie) downstairs dates back to 1871 and carries an impressive selection of microbrews along with local produce, cheeses and spices from around the world. Room rates range from $140-$160 per night and include breakfast.
Hotel Belley
Enjoy budget accommodations a short walk from the old city walls, Marché-du Vieux-port square, and antiques district. The downstairs Belley Tavern is a popular place to stop in for a drink and modern artwork by local artists adorns the walls of this hotel. Rates vary by room.
Hotel Le Priori
Within walking distance to many old city attractions, hotel Le Priori offers modern, luxury accommodations with art deco style furniture and a restaurant on-site. Standard rooms start at $199.
How to get there: Take Amtrak to Montreal, then transfer to VIA Rail Canada trains for Québec City. It takes approximately 14 hours, but the scenery is a summery dream. Those seeking a more express route can fly. Continental flies non-stop from Newark in an hour and twenty minutes, or various airlines fly from LaGuardia and JFK (always with a stopover in Montreal or Toronto). From Jean-Lesage International Airport, a taxi is your best bet into downtown and should cost around $35. You can make your way around town riding the Ecolobus, which loops the city and runs on electricity. The funicular will give you an aerial view as you travel between the Upper and Lower towns.
For more information about the New France Festival, visit nouvellefrance.qc.ca/en.
Photos: Nouvelle France, Quebec Tourism, archer10, Hotel Le Priori
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram