Part of exploring a new destination should always include learning some of the histories of the region. Since almost every city and town has at least one local history museum, it’s easy to have a cultural connection. For years we have been exploring various sites and devouring the information we find at each one. These days technology is starting to offer unique ways to immerse ourselves in the storyline of new destinations. During our visit to Quebec City, we dropped into Immersion Quebec to take a virtual history tour of the oldest city in Canada.
We want to thank Quebec City Tourism and Immersion Quebec for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own.
Strap In
Our visit to the Musee du Fort had given us a good background on one of Quebec City’s most notable historical events. With this knowledge fresh in our minds, we stopped at Immersion Quebec for a virtual history tour. The staff members were very welcoming and walked us through the three-phase experience. The whole event lasts for about 1 1/2 hours, so we felt that the admission price was quite reasonable. It was determined that our first experience would be the VR Phase (Virtual Reality). Participants are invited to gear up for a walk through the early days of Quebec City. Goggles and headphones help visitors immerse themselves in the whole experience.
Making Room
Once we were all geared up, it was time to get ready to travel through time. The tour is available in French, English, Spanish, and Mandarin languages. With three phases included in a visit, the staff has options to get new groups engaged quickly. There was a group competing in the GO Phase, (We’ll go over that in a bit.) so that is why we started with the virtual history tour portion. Now that we were all set, the staff member started up the video and we were whisked back in time.
Virtual History Tour
As you can see from the preview video above, the virtual history tour takes visitors back to the earliest days of human inhabitation in this region. As we moved forward in time, we learned about the natives who were already in the area when the first European explorers arrived. The founding of Quebec City fills a portion of the show, before giving way to the significant battle for control of the territory. After this tumultuous period, we were led through the period of industrial revolution and growth that has made the city so successful. When you are in this portion of the visit, be sure to look all around, since the virtual experience covers 360° of your field of view. I enjoyed watching the birds and clouds pass by overhead, as well as seeing the various people on the edges of the main scene.
XP Phase
Now that we had a working knowledge of the history of Quebec City, it was time to put it to test our retention. During the XP Phase, visitors explore the main space of Immersion Quebec, while they study a series of displays. First, we had to create avatars on our hand-held tablets. This place really engages technology to help bring the past to life. Once we had our characters selected, we could make our way to the checkpoints.
Bringing History to Life
Each exhibit offered a glimpse into a different aspect of life and business in the Quebec City region. One exhibit explored the chain of forts that would have been found all across the North American continent. Obviously, many of these fell to the wayside as the wildlands became tamed. Another display explored the wildlife that drew trappers to the lands. Here they found an abundance of beaver to harvest for their desirable pelts. The beaver became such an important part of life that it actually appears on the multiple coat-of-arms.
GO Phase
Now that we had absorbed all of this Quebec history, it was time for a little friendly competition. The GO Phase pits each person, by means of their avatars, in a head-to-head trivia contest. A series of questions are asked, that focus on topics shown during the virtual history tour or at one of the learning stations. With each question being multiple-choice, everyone has a chance to get them right. Each player’s avatar is positioned in a barrel at the top of Montmorency Falls. With each incorrect answer, the avatar inches closer to the edge of the falls. The contest is completed when only one player remains above the falls. For our competition, I came out as the victor.
Experience Immersion Quebec
We wrapped up our virtual history tour and thanked the staff for all of their assistance. It was obvious that they enjoy seeing others immerse themselves in their city’s history. Even before we arrived in Quebec City, we knew that learning more about this beautiful city would be a high priority. Being surrounded by the over 300-year-old structures, really made us appreciate the stories that are held within the city’s walls. As we departed Immersion Quebec, we knew that we had a fun story of our own to share. How many of you have experienced a virtual history tour?
I’ve never even heard of a virtual history tour so now know — after reading your post – I’m really missing out! It would be quite amazing to travel back in time and experience a destination as it once was. What a way to make history come alive. Kudos to Quebec City for having such a great attraction.
Hopefully, you will start seeing this type of attraction during your travels. It’s such a fun way to learn.
I love virtual reality! I’ve done it for places I haven’t been to and activities I wouldn’t want to try in real life, and I’ve also done a few VR history tours (some going back to the Romans or even the Stone Age). It’s a great way to explore places or times you couldn’t get to any other way.
We are beginning to find VR in many places that we visit. It is a great way to experience things that we would never have an opportunity otherwise.
This virtual history tour of Quebec sounds like an item for the to-do list next time I’m in town.
We think you would certainly enjoy it.
Quebec City is such wonderful city. I’d love to have the virtual reality experience you had at Immersion Quebec. I had a similar experience at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Very cool way to learn and appreciate history and culture.
Sounds like you are well versed in VR. We will have to check out the Winnipeg museum. Thanks for the tip.
We had a similar experience in Florence at a museum showcasing DaVinci, but not nearly so in depth as this. We had no trivia contest or avatars but love the medium. As always, great article.
It must have been an impressive experience, as well. Thanks again for visiting our site. We love hearing from you.