With its charming cobblestone streets and captivating French architecture, Old Montreal remains a captivating destination as the original settlement on the St. Lawrence Seaway. However, this historic city, which has been thriving for 376 years, has even more to offer beyond its borders. Boasting a multitude of vibrant neighborhoods, from the trendy shopping area of Mile End to the ever-evolving murals in the Plateau and the eclectic dining scene in Gay Village, Montreal's diverse districts make it a compelling choice for travelers.
Montreal not only entices visitors with its rich culture, but it also hosts a plethora of exciting events and celebrations throughout the year. From lively street festivals to mesmerizing outdoor performances and unique pop-up markets, the city knows how to bring people together. It's no wonder that Montreal has earned the reputation as "the smoking and drinking section of Canada," a title bestowed even by those who promote tourism. To help plan your stay, consider browsing Hotels in Quebec at quebechotels.info, to find a suitable accommodation that suits your preferences and budget.
If you're a food and drink enthusiast, Montreal won't disappoint. The city is brimming with innovative options, including natural wine bars, speakeasies, and restaurants offering delectable Quebecois small plates. Indulging in Montreal's culinary delights is a must while immersing yourself in the local culture. Furthermore, don't miss out on the captivating new mural tours, digital light shows, and symphonic experiments that showcase Montreal's thriving artistic scene.
Whether you're planning your first trip to Montreal or are a return visitor, be sure to explore some of the city’s best hotels. A useful resource would be tophotels.com, which provides a comprehensive list of the top rated hotels across Canada, including those in Montreal. Choosing the right accommodation can truly enhance your travel experience, providing you with comfort, convenience and the ideal base to explore the diverse districts of this captivating city.
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Friday
1) 3 p.m. Engage with Artistic Icons of Montreal
Visit the majestic Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, a sanctuary for a broad spectrum of design and graphic arts. Traverse its labyrinth of Quebecois and Canadian art lionized in an ex-Romanesque Revival church, one of the five galleries at the museum. Start your journey with Inuit art at the top-most layer and navigate through the five subsequent floors of chronological masterpieces, spanning from the 18th to the 20th century. This offers a depth plunge into Quebec's picturesque tradition and Montreal's own virtuosos, showcasing the atmospheric landscapes of James Wilson Morrice, avant-garde 1920s portraits by the Beaver Hall Group, Marc-Aurèle Fortin's interpretation of urban scapes, and Jean-Paul Riopelle's intimate abstract explorations.
2) 6 p.m. Illuminated Sanctuary
Montreal boasts a plethora of historic churches, yet few rival the grandeur of the 19th-century Notre-Dame Basilica. Its origin being linked to the Protestant architect James O’Donnell, who was so deeply touched by his own creation, he decided to adopt Catholicism upon completing his masterpiece. The Basilica's impressive interiors are modernized via a state-of-the-art sound and light exhibition, known as Aura. Available at an entry price of 24.50 Canadian dollars, roughly equivalent to $18.80. The dazzling exhibition is a product of the Montreal-based multimedia company, Moment Factory. Noteworthy to mention that they also designed and executed the climate-reflective lighting on the expanse of the Jacques Cartier Bridge. This captivating 20-minute show embraces the Basilica's architectural details, including arches, columns, altar and the vaulted ceiling with vibrant light simulations, transforming them into canvases for projected scenes of thunderstorms, falling stars, tumultuous ocean waves and cascading autumn leaves. The spectacle transcends religious boundaries and instills viewers with a sense of immense wonder.
3) 7:30 p.m. An Evening In The Village
Quickly establishing itself as an iconic culinary stop, Le Mousso sprang forth from the ingenious mind of Antonin Mousseau-Rivard. Since its birth in 2015, this delightful spot has been serving community members and visitors in Montreal with creative set menus set in a relaxed, captivating ambience of the subterranean kitchen filled with enthusiastic staff echoing orders. The acclaimed establishment has since spread their wings, launching Le Petit Mousso. Capturing the essence of Little Mousso, they offer à la carte tasting experiences in the original venue while transitioning the main restaurant to a neighboring location. Culinary adventures here can range from delectable bites like foie gras nestled in cotton candy to an innovative twist on a taco using a slender slice of rutabaga and enticing crab (With dish prices varying from roughly 15 to 85 dollars). The unique dining style allows patrons to explore two prominent destinations in a single visit to the vibrant Gay Village district. Make sure to drop by Agrikol, a Caribbean-inspired hangout, supported by Win Butler and Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire fame. Here, immerse yourself in Haitian beignets and a glass of ti-punch as the night unfurls under the Montreal sky.
Saturday
4) 10 a.m. Unveiling the Canvas of Streets
St.-Laurent Boulevard, set in the heart of the Plateau district, has turned into a trove of vivid street art over the last five years. Its commercial structures serve as blank canvases for Montreal's artistic souls, who give them a new face during the annual Mural Festival in June. Follow the Mural Tour guided by Spade & Palacio, a ground-breaking firm helmed by local denizens Danny Pavlopoulos and Anne-Marie Pellerin, and spend an enthralling couple of hours tracing about two dozens of these pulsating masterpieces. These city enthusiasts also ensure to equip you with an exhaustive list of their personally favored drinking pubs, breweries, cafes, and eateries. Highlights of the tour consist of Kevin Ledo's colossal tribute to the renowned Leonard Cohen, a unique representation of Jackie Robinson by local street artist Fluke, who started his sports career in Montreal, and a captivating 2018 piece by Michael Reeder, which gazes upon a parking space encircled by murals - also the festive ground during the annual convocation.
5) 12 p.m. Delight in Historic Cuisine
While Montreal is praised for its uniquely flavorful bagels, the city's Jewish community has put their spin on smoked meat, making it a key culinary fixture in the locale's delis. One standout is Schwartz’s Deli, a historical culinary landmark established in 1928 by Reuben Schwartz, a Romanian immigrant. The quaint establishment is bedecked with historical press snippets, thriving in its continuous bustle and camaraderie, both at the shared tables and the counter stools. The standout smoked meat sandwich, priced at 9.95 dollars, presents a lavish spread of yellow mustard. Each sandwich is served alongside a sizable dill pickle and a refreshing black cherry soda.
6) 1 p.m. A Blend of Styles
Undeniably, Montreal serves as a vibrant hub for the artistic tribe, a congregation of Cirque du Soleil artists, digital art connoisseurs and video game virtuosos; their collective creativity has landed Montreal the illustrious honour of being a UNESCO-recognized city of design. This authentic, bohemian vibe is reflected in its eclectic street fashion scene and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Mile End district. This neighbourhood is a must-visit for those looking to experience and shop for the quintessential Montreal fashion flair. At Annex Vintage, you will find an impressive array of vintage articles and uniquely designed Stay Home Club T-shirts, coupled with a variety of pins and patches. For those in search of retro-chic, Sabina Barilà’s vintage-themed wrap dresses and multi-striped palazzo pants are available at La Montréalaise Atelier. Yul Designs is a showcase for local talents in areas of fashion, graphic arts, housewares, and jewelry. Real leather bag lovers will find their paradise in Lowell Mtl, which boasts myriad styles, some named after Montreal neighbourhoods. Amid this vibrant shopping expedition, take a moment to unwind at one of the many inviting cafes in the vicinity. A notable mention is Brooklyn Cantine, known for its distinctive vintage lawn chairs that make up its sidewalk seating. Not to be forgotten are the rival bagel shops Fairmount and St-Viateur serving the city's beloved bagel treat.
7) 5 p.m. Uncontained Delight
Sipping on natural wine has become a favourite pastime for Montreal residents, as evidenced by the surge in new wine bars. Among these, the crowd favourite seems to be the new Mon Lapin, located quaintly in Little Italy. Starting as an initiative by the masterminds behind the well-known Joe Beef eatery, Mon Lapin (or "My Rabbit") delights its patrons with a selection of petite dishes that vary on a day-to-day basis — think peppered whelks for 13 dollars and a 25-dollar duck plate paired with rhubarb — all in a cozy and perpetually bustling space adorned with playful rabbit-centric artwork. You'll need a little luck to snag a spot, as they don't offer bookings. Fear not though, if it's not your lucky day, make your way to Montréal Plaza. This inventive brasserie, managed by previous associates of the upscale Le Toqué in downtown, Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson, is a lively spot with an open kitchen concept. Here, they loosen up a bit — blasting the “Star Wars” theme song during birthday parties — but the high gastronomical standards remain unswerving. Their specials can range from a juicy lobster salad, served under the shell (25 dollars), or a unique 21-dollar veal heart salad.
8) 8 p.m. Artistic Exploration
Dive into Montreal's multidimensional artistic realm that spans the full gamut from boundary-pushing circus performers and laugh-inducing comedy events, to bilingual theater performances, the awe-inspiring Montreal Opera, majestic Grand Ballet and the harmonious symphony. Place des Arts serves as a one-stop platform for numerous performing arts groups offering a diverse array of shows. Your pass to the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, guided by the talented maestro Kent Nagano, acts as your entrance key to the Maison Symphonique de Montréal. This architectural marvel houses a cutting-edge, 2,100-seat concert hall and delivers an eclectic mix of performances; from timeless classics to novel science fiction tunes, there's a show for every musical palate.
9) 10 p.m. - A Night of Hidden Libations
In Montreal, the deliberate traveler retreats to clandestine drinking locales appearing in unassuming spots across the city. The charm of mystery is perfectly embodied in the newly established, unexpected bars such as the Coldroom. Located in the historic Old Montreal, this hidden gem is distinguished by an unmarked black door and a duck emblem carved into the concrete doorstep. After a staff member leads you through a labyrinth of pipeline corridors, you land into a basement bar – a cold storage cellar from 1887. Here, you'll experience the artistry of bartenders mixing up robust seasonal cocktails, with unique blends like their refreshing summer Starling - a medley of gin, basil, cucumber, and green strawberries – available for 13 dollars.
Deeply veiled in secrecy, the Cloakroom Bar, located in the Golden Square Mile, discreetly hides behind a mirror in a men's apparel store. With room for merely 25 people, this intimate space feels like stepping into a walk-in wardrobe, which suits the bar's particular service – bartenders delivering personalized cocktails to match your palate, with prices starting from around 16 dollars.
Sunday
10) 9 a.m. Self-Guided Riverside Adventure
Montreal presents the ideal setting for cycling enthusiasts, boasting 400 miles of cycle paths along with its sophisticated Bixi bike-sharing program (a 5-dollar day pass includes access to Bixi station maps via the app). Embark on a journey from the Old Port, tracing the path of St. Lawrence River to uncover a range of waterfront architectural marvels. Your expedition starts with Habitat 67, a groundbreaking blend of stacked rectangular modules, birthed from the creative genius of architect Moshe Safdie for Expo '67. As you tread along the approx. nine-mile bicycle highway paralleling the green-sketched Lachine Canal, drift into the city's industrial past, marked by grain silos, repurposed warehouses, and myriad fresh developments. Circle back to the bankside Atwater Market—a bustling marketplace teeming with vibrant produce stalls, artisanal bakeries, quality butcheries, and specialty cheese shops. Savor a café au lait from the acclaimed Première Moisson Atwater to finish off your sojourn.
11) 11 a.m. British-style Brunch Time
Indulge in a delectable brunch as the perfect way to refuel after your morning bike ride at the visually stunning Bar George. This gem of Montreal is situated in the historically rich 1880's manor of Sir George Stephen, who once held prestigious roles as the President of both the Bank of Montreal and the Canadian Pacific Railway. Choose a seat by the oval-shaped bar in the central lounge area where you can feast your eyes on the 300-year-old vitraux, an intricately carved ceiling made from Ceylon satinwood, and a captivating fireplace crafted from Italian onyx. Fun fact: This grandeur was so admired back during the late 18th century, that they dismantled the house temporarily for display at the World's Fair, hosted in Chicago, in 1893. Regale in the Bar George's traditional English breakfast (priced at 20 dollars) offering black pudding and the famed Canadian morning refresher - a Bloody Caesar (available for 11 dollars).
Accommodation Options
Your accommodations in Montreal can reflect the unique character of the city. Opt for the coziness of a personal condo or apartment through Airbnb, nestled in the heart of iconic neighborhoods like the Plateau, Mile End and Little Italy. Access to public transit options such as bus and the Metro Orange Line Subway is straightforward. Apartments, condominiums, and lofts typical of these local regions range in price from $42 to $128.
For those who crave the services of a modern boutique hotel, the 269-room Hôtel Monville is a recent addition to Montreal's hotel scene. Uniquely designed with expansive window walls, a lobby adorned with monochromatic photos of city landmarks and staff attired by local brand Frank and Oak, this hotel adds an additional allure - robot delivery room service. The hotel is situated at 1041 Bleury Street, with prices starting from 198 dollars.
The Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth is another excellent accommodation choice. Following recent renovations, this 950-room hotel has not only a chic lobby bar, Nacarat, and a gourmet food court, Artisans, but also a sprinkle of pop culture and history. The hotel guests can pamper themselves with a stay in room 1742, famed for being the setting of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's bed-in protest against the Vietnam War in 1969 - now enhanced with period-appropriate decoration. This stunning hotel is located at 900 René Lévesque Boulevard West with room prices starting at 299 dollars.