20 Canadian Tourist Traps That Are Total Letdowns

6. Old Quebec (QC): Cobblestone Disneyland

At first glance, Old Quebec looks like something out of a fairy tale—cobblestone lanes, 18th-century architecture, horse-drawn carriages—but in peak season, the illusion unravels fast. Tour buses line the perimeter, souvenir shops push maple everything, and overpriced cafés cater more to foot traffic than foodies. The charm becomes performative, and the sense of history gets flattened into a backdrop for photo ops and postcard sales. It’s less like stepping into the past and more like walking through a colonial theme park built for cruise ship crowds. Instead, venture into nearby neighborhoods like Saint-Roch or Montcalm, where you’ll find street art, concept cafés, and locals who aren’t in costume. The food’s better, the conversations more real, and the experience far more satisfying if you’re after Quebec’s cultural heartbeat rather than its staged version.