Introduction
Nestled along the banks of the majestic Saint Lawrence River, Montreal stands as a testament to the rich history and vibrant culture prominent throughout Canada’s Quebec region. This fashionable city beckons you in with an old-world feel coupled with a vibrant creative scene. It then keeps you satisfied with delicious culinary options and beautiful nature parks.
Montreal is the tenth most populous city in North America, the second most populous city in Canada, and the most populous city in the province of Quebec. So it's a great urban destination with a lot of opportunities to explore.
Keep reading as I recap a weekend getaway I recently took there. I spent my time meandering beautiful cobblestone streets, soaking in historic architecture, and indulging in world-class cuisine. Montreal is a true European dream, and just a few hours drive across the border from my home in the United States.
Preparing For Your Trip
Before I get into itinerary suggestions, I have a few important notes.
Montreal has an outstanding metro system, with convenient stops and cost-effective weekend passes.
I’ve visited Montreal many times throughout my life and, as much as I want people to experience this breathtaking city, I encourage you to do so by foot. Traffic in Montreal is intense, no matter the time of day. In my experience, driving in, out, and around the city is always a stressful nightmare.
Luckily, Montreal’s public transit infrastructure has a more European ethos than a North American one. You can purchase a weekend metro pass, which gives you unlimited travel from 4pm on Fridays to 5am on Mondays, for just $15 USD. Plus, there are multiple stops throughout all of Montreal’s different districts so you will never be too far from major attractions.
For even more convenience, and lower prices, you can stay at a hotel in Longueuil, which is across the river from downtown. This allows you to metro in and out of downtown Montreal with ease. Most recently, I stayed at the Hôtel Le Dauphin Montréal-Longueuil, which was only a 15-minute walk from the Metro Station and offered a delicious complimentary breakfast.
On another note, if you want to blend in with the locals, dress accordingly. Montreal is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and the fashion reflects that. Of course, I understand wanting to be comfortable while traveling, but consider elevating your style a bit. The city’s energy allows for it, so why not indulge in some beautiful self-expression?
Finally, Montreal is part of the Quebec region of Canada. That means French is the common language. Most residents also speak English so a lot of conversations will begin with a “bonjour-hi,” giving you the option to continue in French or English. However, out of respect, I encourage you to learn a few basic phrases like greetings, thank-yous, and goodbyes. At least that shows you tried, right?
Now, onto my 3-day Montreal itinerary!
Day 1: Cobblestone Streets & Historic Landmarks
Brunch Fit for a Queen
Montreal does many things beautifully, brunch included. The cafe scene is extraordinary. I especially like visiting in the warmer months because most places offer outdoor seating.
Most recently, I visited in Spring, and outdoor dining was lovely on the warmer days. Here is a list of 18 highly-recommended brunch spots from Eater Montreal.
Baguette sandwiches and lattes: The perfect Québécois brunch.
Old Montreal
After fueling up on savory baguettes, crepes, and coffee, I recommend starting your trip with a stroll through Old Montreal.
This neighborhood is home to highlights like the Notre-Dame Basilica and the bustling stalls of Jacques-Cartier Square. You can also walk along the Old Port of Montreal to see La Grande Roue de Montréal, which looks stunning at night.
A little history fun fact: La Grande Roue de Montréal is a Ferris wheel that was created to commemorate the 375th anniversary of the city. Open to the public since September 1, 2017, it is the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada. You can pay to ride it. However, I prefer walking along the water and seeing it from the ground. It also looks amazing at night.
La Grande Roue de Montréal, the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada, illuminates the St. Lawrence River.
If you happen to be in Old Montreal for dinner, I recommend dining somewhere on Saint Paul Street. This cobblestone road has a lot of trendy restaurants and hotels. It’s also near the square in front of Notre-Dame Basilica, which is a popular evening spot for buskers. The backdrop of live music adds a romantic feel to an evening out.
For more of a modern feel, you can also grab dinner on Saint Denis Street, which is the major north-south corridor in Old Montreal. For a hearty meal, consider 3 Brasseurs on Saint Denis, which has delicious ciders and sandwiches (oh, and outdoor seating).
Day 2: Science, Shopping, & Saint Laurent
Montréal Space for Life
If you’re a fan of natural science and/or traveling with kids, Montreal Montréal Space for Life is a great suggestion! This complex is made up of five major attractions:
The Biodome
The Biosphere
The Insectarium
The Botanical Gardens
The Planetarium
The Montreal Botanical Gardens features more than 20 outdoor gardens and more than 10 greenhouses.
On my most recent trip, I visited the Botanical Gardens, took a lunch break down the street, then went back to explore the Biodome. It was nice to break up all the walking with a snack. (If you’re like me and would want to break up your visit with lunch, Canard Café is just a few blocks away and serves delicious baguettes and lattes.)
The Botanical Gardens are beautiful, but weather-dependent. You can walk through more than 20 remarkable outdoor gardens and more than 10 greenhouses. All in all, these grounds have more than 22,000 species of plants. It was lovely to meander through nature and spread out from the other guests. I especially liked the Chinese Garden, pictured above, which had beautiful architecture and meticulously-pruned bonsai trees that were more than 100 years old.
At the Biodome, you can walk through all five ecosystems of the Americas, and see a variety of native animals and plants.
Moving onto the Biodome, you can walk through all five ecosystems of the Americas. So you will see a variety of native animals and plants. It was a lovely exhibit and very informative. However, it can feel a bit cramped at times so proceed with caution or consider going early or late in the day if you have strollers or wheelchairs.
Montréal Space for Life offers individual tickets for the different attractions. However, if you want to see all five, consider the Espace pour la vie Passport, which costs $85 per person or $149 for a family of 4 or less.
And again, consider using public transit. The complex with all the attractions is about a 5-minute walk from the Station Pie IX metro stop. These prestigious institutions form Canada’s largest natural science museum complex, all within a short walk of each other. It is beautifully maintained and very informative. So I think this is worth a visit, whether you see one or all of the attractions.
Shopping & Dinner on Saint Laurent Boulevard
If you’ve still got some fuel in the tank after the science complex, I recommend spending the evening on Saint Laurent Boulevard. This avenue always feels full of life and is the site of multiple festivals throughout the year. It runs North to South through the near-center of Montreal and is nicknamed “The Main”. This is a beautiful place to walk (keep an eye out for all the street art and murals!).
Saint Laurent Boulevard is also the perfect place for shopping. No matter your budget or style, I’m sure there’s a store for you. I really enjoyed exploring Eva B, which is an eclectic thrift shop full of vintage clothing and costumes. It also has a bistro, bar, and stage for events.
Saint Laurent Boulevard is a great place to round out your evening.
For food shopping, the iconic Jean Talon Market is a few blocks from the De Castelnau metro stop on Saint Laurent Boulevard. It’s nestled in the Little Italy neighborhood, so you know the surrounding food scene is popping. Jean Talon is one of the largest open-air markets in North America and absolutely worth a visit.
All in all, Saint Laurent Boulevard is a great spot to end the evening. On my most recent trip, I had dinner at SHAKER Cuisine & Mixologie St-Laurent, which has a nice patio and delicious cocktails. (Note: This is an adults-only establishment. Minors can’t be admitted, even when accompanied by an adult.)
Also on Saint Laurent Boulevard, Le Darling serves coffee by day and creative cocktails by night. Their cider was really refreshing and their focaccia was a culinary highlight from my trip.
Climb Rue Peel (Peel Street) to get to the Rue Peel Steps of Mount Royal Park. The view is worth the climb!
Day 3: Nature Fix & Iconic Traditions
Bagels for Breakfast
Here’s another fun fact: Montreal has its own unique style of bagel. In contrast to the New York-style bagel, the Montreal-style bagel (or Montreal bagel) is smaller, thinner, sweeter, and denser. It also has a larger center hold and is always baked in a wood-fired oven.
You can get delicious bagels all over the city so no worries there. However, if you start your day near Mount Royal Park, Hinnawi Bros has decent bagel sandwiches and coffee.
Mount Royal Park
If you’re looking for a workout, consider walking from Hinnawi Bros to Mount Royal Park via Rue Peel (Peel Street). This route takes you up a massive hill (it’s comically large) and up the Rue Peel Steps. Trust me, the view is worth the climb.
You will end your walk at the beautiful Mount Royal Chalet, which offers great views of the city. Behind the chalet is a meadow, which was the perfect place to rest and recharge with a picnic.
The view from inside the Mount Royal Chalet.
The Mount Royal Chalet butts up to a peaceful meadow for picnics.
The view from atop Montreal’s Mount Royal Park (near the Chalet).
You can spend the afternoon walking the trails back down the mountain. This park is massive, and a wonderful respite from the urban life.
The Tam-Tams
If you’re at Mount Royal Park on a Sunday, end your walk by watching the Tam-Tam drum circle at the Monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier.
There’s something magical about hearing the drum beats vibrate through the trees before you even see them. And what a sight it is! The Tam-Tams is an all-day affair, and talk about cultural immersion! Mount Royal Park turns into a full-blown music festival that’s free for anyone.
There were vendors selling handmade trinkets, college kids making out on the lawn, and toddlers dancing as their parents performed. It’s cool to witness a weekly tradition that dates back to the 1970s.
On Sundays, the base of Mount Royal Park turns into a full-blown music festival that’s free for anyone.
The name “Tam-Tams” is believed to have roots in the French word for hand drums or bongos. The festival you see today began in the 70s or 80s because a local African drumming workshop was looking for a change of pace. Lucky for us, now anyone can enjoy their music for free.
Iconic Deli Sandwiches
After experiencing the Tam-Tams, you can walk across the street, through the beautiful Jeanne-Mance Park, and down Rachel Street West until you get back to Saint Laurent Boulevard.
Once back on The Main, you can stop for lunch or an early dinner at numerous restaurants. For an iconic, Montreal tourism experience, consider Schwartz Deli. This hole-in-the-wall is one of the oldest delis in Canada and renowned for huge smoked meat sandwiches.
Conclusion
Each time I visit Montreal, the city lingers on my mind long after I leave.
That’s because it is iconic and unique, yet understated. It blends refinement with creativity in a way that always leaves me wanting more. From spending time with family members to walking historic streets and enjoying culinary delights with my partner, I have so many cherished memories associated with this city.
Plus, experiencing the European-inspired atmosphere without having to travel outside North America feels like a birthday present. I’ve spent many weekends in this cultural metropolis and still feel like I have so much to discover.
For more Canada travel inspiration, check out my blog titled “Toronto Highlights: Exploring Downtown and Niagara Falls”.