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Dispatch: Montreal

Updated: Aug 15


Place d'Youville, Old Montreal

Montreal is a wonderful city and well worth at least a weekend of your time, especially if you want a European-feeling getaway without hopping across the pond (assuming you live in North America). It's got great museums (art, history, science), shopping, a phenomenal food scene, amazing spas, and an old city which especially feels like Europe. On top of all that, festivals/ special events occur year-round, and are draws to the city in and of themselves (think: National Bank Open tennis tournament, Jazz festival, comedy festival, circus festival (Cirque de Soleil is based in Montreal), igloofest, and the snow festival). If you are thinking of visiting, you may want to plan around what's going on when you'll be there.


Old Montreal

Old Montreal is perhaps the city's most touristy district, but it offers a charming blend of cobblestone streets, historic architecture, waterfront views, galleries, museums, and shopping.  As a tourist myself, I prefer staying in this part of town as it is simply more alive and delightful than downtown. Key attractions include Saint-Paul Street, Notre Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, and the Old Port of Montreal. Visitors can enjoy walking tours, explore museums like Pointe-à-Callière, and indulge in European-style boutiques, dining options, and spas.



Downtown & Other Parts of Montreal

Downtown Montreal feels a lot like a "typical" city and is a great place to stay if you are visiting for work, art museums/ galleries, shopping (St. Catherine Street), or McGill University. There are amazing rooftop bars (like Les Enfants Terribles) and the very large Mount Royal Park, from which you can get a great view of the city should you walk to the top.


If you're craving Chinese food, head to Chinatown -- you won't be disappointed.



The Food Scene in Montreal

Montreal has a thriving food scene with an abundance of delicious dishes and meals to be consumed. As mentioned above, there is a nice-sized Chinatown, but there are so many other cuisines and restaurants to try beyond the pagodas. There are walking food tours if you want to combine walking and history with a culinary introduction to the city (always a great thing to do early in any visit to a new place, in my opinion). However, you can wander around on your own and take your chances as you sample the maple treats, the poutine (gravy over french fries), Montreal smoked meat (similar to corned beef), and Montreal-style bagels (sweeter than NY bagels, and traditionally covered in sesame seeds, best served with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, and dill -- Crew Collective is a good place for this and it has excellent coffee).


There are so many great restaurants in Montreal that it feels wrong to single these out as favorites as I haven't tried them all. But, in good conscience, I am happy to propose the following:


  • Jean Talon Market

    • Not a restaurant recommendation per se, but I can't NOT mention it when discussing food in Montreal.

    • This is a large market and I would argue the best way to get the most out of a visit here would be on a food tour. Or, if you have access to a kitchen, you can pick up all sorts of goodies to compose elsewhere. I didn't see many dining options in the market, though.


By no means is this a comprehensive list of where I think you will find delicious eats in Montreal, but it's a start. As I try more places, I'll be updating the list.



Museums


There are a multitude of museums and exhibits to visit during a visit to Montreal. Aside from the museums below, there are a number of art galleries around town -- especially downtown and in old Montreal.

  • Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History: Located in Old Montreal (Pointe-à-Callière), this is a wonderful place to get a different perspective on North American history. Plan to spend at least a few hours.

  • Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Largest art museum in Canada by gallery space, the museum is located on the historic Golden Square Mile stretch of Sherbrooke Street west. This is a world-class art museum housed in two buildings. If you love art museums, this could fill your day.

  • Montreal Science Centre: If you have kids, or just enjoy science museums, this is a must-visit.

  • MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises: This is an outdoor permanent exhibit depicting the story of Montréal & its people in a space once used as a fire station. Located adjacent to the Museum of Archaeology and History in Old Montreal.


Spas

If spas are your cup of tea, you will be very happy visiting Montreal. I have no pictures as I am not a spa person, but I have it on excellent authority that the following spas are worthy of your spa-time while in Montreal...


  • Nordic spas

    • Bota Bota

      A truly unique experience, this floating spa on a converted ferryboat docked in the Old Port offers stunning views of the city and St. Lawrence River from its saunas and baths. This is a must-experience destination for the spa-lovers out there.

    • Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal

      Located in the heart of Old Montreal, this spa provides a peaceful retreat with a traditional Scandinavian thermal experience, featuring hot baths, cold plunges, steam rooms, and relaxation areas.

    • Strøm spa nordique / Montréal (Île-des-Sœurs)

      Considered one of the most beautiful spas in Canada, it boasts a variety of pools, relaxation areas, and views of the St. Lawrence River, featuring modern architecture. 

  • Unique spa experiences

    • Spa Ovarium

      Specializes in flotation baths and massage therapy, offering unique services designed to promote relaxation and well-being in an urban environment.

    • L'absolu Spa

      A sanctuary for peace and renewal, offering a variety of soothing treatments rooted in a family's commitment to absolute relaxation. 



Get Out Of Town!

Should you want to combine your city visit with some of Canada's finest resorts (mountain and lake), take an easy excursion to the nearby Eastern Townships for a day or as long as you want. There are lots of great places to stay with amazing dining & spa options (Manoir Hovey & Ripplecove are high-end examples), as well as beer, biking, cheese (Framagerie La Station should not be missed), and all sorts of outdoor recreation.



Good To Know Before You Go

  • Getting Around

    • Old Montreal is very walkable, but if you want to explore beyond that area, I can vouch that the city's metro system is excellent. Additionally, Uber is incredibly reliable.

  • Cash

    • I'm always a fan of having local currency with me for small purchases and tips, but on my latest visit, I didn't, and it was fine. Everyplace I went took credit cards (be sure to use ones without a foreign transaction fee!), and our tour guide seemed perfectly happy with the US cash tip I gave (the Canadian dollar was pretty weak, so it was worth more). In the future, though, I'll be sure to have Canadian currency with me.

  • Car Safety

    • Montreal has a real problem with auto thefts, especially for Hondas in particular, and newer models (think keyless entry) in general. While the problem is getting better, I would recommend visitors splurge and park their cars in attended lots or garages rather than park on the street (assuming you can find a spot).

  • Language

    • Don't worry if you don't speak French -- locals speak English and are every bit as friendly as the Canadian stereotype depicts.



In case it isn't obvious, I really enjoy visiting Montreal and its environs. Should you be looking for a particularly indulgent visit, you might want to read my earlier blog post on that, specifically. But, if you are just looking for ideas on how to spend a nice time in Montreal, I hope this is helpful.


Bon Voyage!



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