We visited Montreal during Kingston’s fall break and had the best time exploring this city for the first time. The vibrant and culturally rich city is nestled in the heart of Quebec, Canada. Montreal is the perfect blend of history, art, and delicious food. Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, a foodie, or simply an avid traveler, Montreal has something for everyone. As one of the world’s largest French-speaking cities after Paris, Montreal offers a unique cultural experience. Of course, I did lots of research before our trip, so I’m saving you the time by sharing it all here in a Montreal Travel Guide post! Here are my family’s recommendations about what to see, where to eat, and where to stay.
What to See:
Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal): Dating back to the 17th century, this area of Montreal has a decidedly European vibe, with quaint cobbled lanes and yesteryear architecture. It truly feels like you’ve been transported to Europe. Step back in time as you wander through cobblestone streets, admire historic architecture, and explore charming boutiques and art galleries. You can easily wander through Old Montreal on your own, but if you prefer a tour this is a popular one! Make sure you stroll St. Paul Street. For years, this was Montreal’s main boulevard. Don’t forget to visit the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica, one of Montreal’s most popular destinations and its most famous landmark. It was built in 1672 and is North America’s oldest place of worship. Also (fun fact!) Celine Dion was married there. Right outside Notre-Dame Basilica is Place d’Armes, one of three main squares in Montreal. This square is a fun place to relax and people watch, and it also has some whimsical public art. Make sure to check out the fun sculptures of the man and woman with an English bulldog and poodle. Other notable spots in Old Montreal are City Hall – a massive 5 story national historic site, Chateau Ramezay – a chateau turned museum where Benjamin Franklin once stayed during the Revolutionary War, Place Jacques-Quartier – another public square where you’ll find performers and lots of outdoor cafes. Jacques Cartier leads right into the Old Port along the St. Lawrence River. In the 1600s, French fur traders used the port, but now it’s home to Bonsecours Market, lots of cafes, vendor markets, a giant ropes course, and La Grande Roue de Montreal, the city’s huge Ferris wheel with beautiful views of the port.
Mount Royal (Parc du Mont-Royal): Enjoy a scenic hike or simply take a leisurely stroll to the summit for panoramic views of the city. This urban oasis offers a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle. Once a volcanic mountain, this now dormant hill is where Montreal’s name comes from. It’s also the best green space in Montreal and gets around 5 million visitors each year! Walking up Mount Royal was one of our Montreal highlights. The scenery is beautiful and serene (and we caught it during fall!) the walking paths aren’t strenuous (although there are a LOT of stairs to climb along the way), and the view from the top is a fun reward. There’s a big chalet style building at the summit with lots of space to relax and enjoy the view. They also sell snacks if you need a little strength for the walk back down!
Montreal’s Unique Neighborhoods: Take a stroll through Chinatown, then head to the funky and vibrant Mile End neighborhood. Think of the Mile End as Montreal’s Soho; this is where you’ll find all the fashion and style. There are enough boutiques in the area to keep shoppers busy for a full day! You can get to Mile End by walking down the colorful Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montreal’s main street art corridor. The city is known for its street art, and you’ll find much of it in this area! Some of Mile End’s most iconic graffiti images are Graffiti Granny, Jackie Robinson, and Mona Lisa. There’s also a street art gallery in the neighborhood. You’ll also want to check out Little Italy, home to one of Montreal’s best markets, Jean Talon Market. Known as “Montreal’s stomach,” the open air space is filled with the stalls of local farmers, fishmongers, cheesemongers, butchers, and bakers from May to October. To get a behind-the-scenes tour of the market and taste some of the delicious food, check out this tour. Make sure you stroll through Plateau Mont-Royal to marvel at the beautiful architecture, browse the local shops, sit at one of the many cafés, and enjoy some people-watching.
The Underground City of Montreal: Montreal’s Underground City is the biggest underground pedestrian network in the world! First built during the 1960’s, it now connects both locals and tourists to over 1,000 retailers and restaurants through a network of tunnels, corridors and plazas. This “city beneath the city” is especially convenient during the long winter months, allowing for shopping and commuting without the freezing winds. Simply because of its size, this underground city can seem a bit daunting, but getting lost is part of the experience! Some of the things you’ll find are a mall, a movie theater, art installations, a skating rink, glass murals, a section of the Berlin Wall, an old national bank vault, a four-story water fountain, 10 hotels and 265 restaurants!
Montreal Botanical Garden: It’s a bit outside of the city, so grab a taxi or Uber and visit Montreal’s Botanical Garden. This garden is the second largest botanical garden in the world. There are 10 indoor greenhouses and over 20 thematic gardens containing more than 22,000 plant species. In the fall, there’s a Gardens of Light festival in the evenings where you’ll see the cultural gardens illuminated with lights, installations, and lanterns. And if you’re visiting the city with kids, they’ll enjoy the life-like garden sculptures.
Where to Eat:
Montreal is a foodie city. In fact, it has more restaurants per capita than New York City. So make the most of it and try something different! If you want an expert to guide you through this culinary city, book a food tour!
Maman: A delightful French café and bakery, Maman’s menu highlights childhood favorites from the south of France and North America. This is one of our favorite brunch spots in NYC, so we were excited to learn that there was a location in Montreal! Inspired by family traditions, and the highest quality ingredients, Maman offers delicious baked goods (including their famous nutty chocolate chip cookie), coffee, breakfast, and lunch options spanning from hearty salads & sandwiches to savory quiches.
Poutine at La Banquise: While in Montreal, you MUST try the quintessential Quebecois dish: poutine! La Banquise is a classic 24/7 diner that serves up 30 different kinds of poutine, including vegetarian options. It gets pretty busy, and the line out front can be long at times, but the vibe inside is laid-back and comfortable.
Pizza No 900: Pizza might seem like an odd choice for this list, but I read that Pizza 900 was the best in Montreal, so we had to try it. It’s true Neapolitan pizza and even has AVPN certification (Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana), an international distinction granted exclusively to restaurants that follow the rules and traditions of classic Neapolitan pizza from Italy. The pizza was SO GOOD that we even went to another location in Quebec City a few days later. This is a must try!
St-Viateur Bagel Shop AND Fairmount Bagel: Make a trip to taste Montreal’s iconic bagels. Montreal bagels are different from the New York City variety. They’re boiled in honey-infused water before they’re baked in a wood-fired oven, making them sweeter than the NYC version. These two iconic bagel places are located just a few blocks away from each other, and they’ve been the subject of many debates over the years. Try them both and weigh in on the battle of the Montreal bagels. (We liked St-Viateur the best!) And if it turns out that you’re really into the bagels, you can book this bagel making workshop!
Olive et Gourmando: For a delightful breakfast or brunch, head to this charming café (located in Old Montreal) known for its pastries, sandwiches, and fresh coffee. If you visit, you absolutely NEED to try their butter croissant. It’s often called the best in Montreal, and I definitely agree.
Where to Stay:
We stayed at Hotel10, a stylish and contemporary choice for anyone looking for a memorable stay in the heart of Montreal. We were greeted by a chic and modern design that seamlessly blended contemporary aesthetics with urban sophistication. The lobby featured a captivating art collection and an inviting atmosphere that set the tone for a memorable stay. Hotel10 is located in a 1915 Beaux-Arts townhouse with an additional modern annex, and its prime location is undoubtedly one of this property’s biggest attractions. Situated in the heart of downtown Montréal, this boutique hotel offers easy access to some of the city’s most iconic attractions and is only 4 blocks from all the Place des Arts’ cultural activities – museums, outdoor sculptures and art installations, great food and even shopping.
We enjoyed our stay in one of their large two-room suites. It included a bedroom with a king bed and bathroom, a stylish living room with a queen bed plus a separate bathroom. And it was the PERFECT set up for a family! In addition to their regular rooms, HOTEL10 offers 17 suites that push the limits of immersive experience and customer service. Each of their four themed suites evokes or represents a value, a part of the area’s history or one of the facets of the DNA of the unique hotel – art, history, music, sports, and of course the city of Montreal. I got a peek at the Penthouse suite, and it was an AMAZING two-story space with floor to ceiling windows and the best views of Montreal!
What stood out most to us about Hotel10 was the property’s focus on art. Staying there felt like we were living in an art museum! Everywhere we looked, there was another incredible piece. Murals in the bathrooms, 3D sculptures in the hallways, forced perspective paintings on every floor, and there’s even a small art gallery tucked away on the bottom floor! And like a museum, the hotel constantly welcomes new pieces of art so there’s always something new to see.
Other highlights: The hotel’s buffet breakfast was a hit, with a variety of local and seasonal items, the 24/7 fitness center is huge, there’s lots of meeting and event space, the staff was friendly and attentive, the beds very perfect (y’all know I care a lot about the beds-ha!), and last but not least… Hotel10 is extremely pet friendly! In fact, they have dog and cat-friendly rooms that allow you to bring your animal companions and have even created a Spa PET package for your furry friends. 🙂
However you choose to spend your time in Montreal, the city is sure to leave a mark on you. The warmth of the people, artistic spirit, delicious food, and the undeniable joie de vivre make this city a destination that beckons travelers to return again and again.
