Things to Do in North America

Modeled after the pyramids of ancient Egypt, the Luxor Hotel and Casino is pointed in the right direction - hey, it's got a Sphinx at its front! The inside of the Luxor Hotel features more than 4,000 hotel rooms, upscale entertainment, modern lounges, and an Egyptian flair for style.

Luxor has made a name for itself thanks to its nightlife and entertainment options: IMAX theatres, posh night clubs, and popular performance spaces. Exclusive nightclubs include LAX, Noir bar, and Flight, all of which are home to constant celebrity sightings. And then there’s the Atrium floor, where performers like Britney Spears have performed.

The Luxor Hotel is also a great place to kick back and relax. There are the elegant pools and spas, and of course luxury suites. With the impressive views and beautiful architecture that surround, it’s no wonder that the Luxur is considered one of the beter hotels in Vegas.

Between Upper Town (Haute-Ville) and the St. Lawrence River, Lower Town (Basse-Ville) is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec). Aside from cobbled streets lined with boutiques, galleries, and French-style bistros, the neighborhood is also home to Place Royale, the site of the first settlement of New France.

 

The Basics

Lower Town is the oldest part of Quebec City and contains a high concentration of historic buildings and sights. Some visitors wander the streets independently, perusing the galleries and boutiques of the area. Others explore on biking and walking tours, which focus on key historical locales, including Place Royale and the Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, one of the oldest stone churches in North America, as well as following scenic pathways near the St. Lawrence River.

 

Things to Know Before You Go

• Lower Town is a must-see for all first-time visitors to Quebec City.
  
• Wear comfortable shoes as there are lots of cobbled surfaces to contend with in this neighborhood.
  
• The funicular that connects Quebec City’s Upper Town and Lower Town is wheelchair accessible, as are many attractions in Lower Town, including the Museum of Civilization (Musée de la Civilisation). The streets themselves, many of which are cobbled and sloping, may prove challenging to wheelchair users.
  

 

How to Get There

Lower Town and Upper Town are connected by about 30 sets of stairways. The Old Quebec Funicular, accessible via Rue Petit-Champlain in Lower Town connects to Dufferin Terrace in Upper Town, linking the two parts of the city.

 

When to Get There

With its European-style architecture and small street-side boutiques, Lower Town is charming year-round. Go in summer when the weather is warm, so you can wander in comfort and enjoy alfresco meals on restaurant terraces. In winter, the snow-sprinkled streets are picturesque, though the subzero temperatures may be a challenge for those not used to such conditions.

 

Exploring Lower Town

Many visitors’ explorations of Lower Town begin at the Old Port (Vieux-Port), where cruise ships dock. From here, browse food stalls at the Old Port Market (Marché du Vieux-Port) and stop by the Museum of Civilization, which hosts exhibits focusing on local cultures and people. Other points of interest in Lower Town include the Naval Museum of Quebec, situated on the riverfront, and the large-scale Fresque des Québécois mural near Place Royale.

Home to a vast array of animals ranging from native Florida species to African wildlife, the Lowry Park Zoo is a must see for all animal and nature lovers. Rated the No. 1 zoo in the United States by Parents Magazine and the No. 1 child-friendly zoo in the US by Child Magazine, the Lowry Park Zoo is an ideal place for families with kids.

Located in the Flatiron District, specifically at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway at 23rd Street, Madison Square is one of New York’s most important and historical squares. This is where you’ll find iconic buildings like the Flatiron Building, One Madison Park and Metlife Tower, as well as the main focus of the square, Madison Square Park. The park runs from Broadway to Madison Avenue and East 23rd to East 26 St Streets, and is a great place to snap photos of the surrounding architecture, admire 19th-century statues and monuments and stroll through the 6.2 acres of tranquil green landscape. Fun fact: This was the original location of Madison Square Garden and a temporary display area for the Statue of Liberty’s right arm and torch from 1876 to 1882. Along with the green space, Madison Square is renowned for being one of the city’s best shopping areas, especially in terms of home design and housewares. To get to Madison Square by subway, take the N, R to 23rd Street; 6 to 23rd or 28th Street; F, M to 23rd.

It isn’t everyday that you get to take a photo with a celebrity, or what looks like one. At Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, you’ll find wax figures of everyone from George Clooney to Cameron Diaz, with over 100 wax figures on exhibition at any given time.

Unlike her lifelike figures, Madame Tussaud was a real human being, a wax sculptor in 1770s Paris who became an art tutor at the Palace of Versailles. During the French Revolution, she was forced to prove her allegiance to King Louis IVX by making death masks of executed aristocrats; lauded for her work, she eventually left for Britain with many of her works in tow. In the early 19th century, a showcase for her wax likenesses of famous -- and infamous -- contemporary figures was built in London; the Madame Tussauds brand has since become a popular global franchise, spreading across Europe, Asia, Australia and several American cities.

One of the most-visited Madame Tussauds sits on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. The wax figures featured here depict famous Hollywood icons, contemporary movie stars and TV actors, auteur film directors (such as Alfred Hitchcock) and movie-franchise characters (like E.T. and the X Men), as well as pop stars, infamous criminals and sports celebrities. Each hyper-detailed wax likeness here is assembled by a team of sculptors and requires approximately 100 hours to create; for instance, each strand of a figure's hair must be individually set by hand.

Build in the early 1980s, this popular town square is a hub for commerce and the fourth-largest plaza of its kind in the world. Impressive monuments line the pedestrian zone, including Faro del Comercio, which shoots green laser lights into the city sky each night.

Unlike her lifelike figures, Madame Tussaud was a real human being, a wax sculptor in 1770s Paris who became an art tutor at the Palace Of Versailles. During the French Revolution, she was forced to prove her allegiance to King Louis IVX by making death masks of executed aristocrats; lauded for her work, she eventually left for Britain with many of her works in tow. In the early 19th century, a showcase for her wax likenesses of famous -- and infamous -- contemporary figures was built in London; the Madame Tussauds brand has since become a popular global franchise, spreading across Europe to Asia, Australia and several American cities.

The Madame Tussauds in D.C. focuses largely on famous political figures; one of the most photographed wax figures here depicts Marion Barry, the city’s controversial (and now deceased) former mayor. All 44 past presidents are represented, as well as President Barack Obama. And in addition to famous Hollywood and sports stars, you’ll find a figure of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. Each hyper-detailed wax likeness at the museum is assembled by a team of sculptors and requires approximately 100 hours to create; for instance, each strand of a figure's hair must be individually set by hand.

Located at 151 West 34th Street, Macy’s Herald Square is the department brand’s flagship store. Since its opening in 1902 the flagship store in particular is advertised as the world’s largest department store, although according to the “Guinness Book of World Records” the title now belongs to Shinsegae’s store in South Korea’s Centum City, which is 5,487,595 square feet and over twice the size of Macy’s Herald Square.  Even so, it is almost impossible not to find what you’re looking for in the department store, which showcases over 1 million square feet of merchandise over 10-and-a-half levels. Browse everything from cosmetics to apparel to housewares and beyond. In fact, the space is so expansive they have a Visitor Center on the 34th Street Balcony Level and restaurant located throughout. Additionally, Macy’s Herald Square can also help you become a better chef with their onsite cooking school, De Gustibus, which offers an array of classes and chef series. If you’re visiting during the winter holidays, take a stroll past their storefront windows, which are decorated every year in intricate and festive displays.

To get to Macy’s Herald Square by subway, take the D, F, N, Q, R, B, M trains directly to Herald Square. You can also take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E to the nearby Penn Station and walk down one Avenue. Macy’s Herald Square hours are generally 9am-9:30pm on weekdays, 10am-9:30pm on Saturdays and 11am-8:30pm on Sundays.