Everything You Need to Know About Montreal, Canada
If you're planning to visit Montreal, Canada for the first time, you're in for a treat! This vibrant and diverse city is known for its French-Canadian culture, rich history, and world-class cuisine. With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming to plan your first visit. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trip to Montreal. Scott and I spend one week and it was more than enough time to explore this charming city.
Here are a few places to stay. Book your hotel: here
Neighborhoods
One of the best neighborhoods to stay in while visiting Montreal is Old Montreal. This historic area is home to many of the city's most popular attractions, including the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History. The cobblestone streets and charming architecture make Old Montreal a beautiful place to walk around and take in the sights. When we visited in December, we experience a lot of snowfall. We decided to stay in Rue Duluth because of it’s proximity to coffee shops, the delicious bagels, and Mount Royal.
Bonsecours Market (image on the left): This historic market building is located in Old Montreal and was once the city's main public market. It now houses a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural exhibits, and is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Where to Eat
If you're looking for great restaurants, you'll be spoiled for choice in Montreal. The city is known for its delicious food, with a wide variety of cuisines to choose from. Some must-try dishes include poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and gravy), smoked meat sandwiches, and Montreal-style bagels. Some popular restaurants to check out include Schwartz's Deli (we visited three times for their smoked meat and mustard), St. Viateur Bagel (these don’t keep overnight, so just order the amount you want to eat right away), and Fairmount Bagels. You can also grab delicious italian style sandwiches from BOSSA Prêt à manger on Pole Well Street.
PS: Our favorite is the fresh and hot sesame bagels that were $0.80 cents USD from St. Viateur Bagel.
Most Unique Restaurant
Bar George
Le Mount Stephen, 1440 Drummond St, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1V9
If I could recommend one unique restaurant to check out during your stay in Montreal, it would be Bar George! You can make reservations online.
Bar George is a restaurant and bar located in the historic Bank of Montreal building in the heart of Montreal, Quebec. The building itself has a long and interesting history, and has been home to a number of different businesses over the years.
The Bank of Montreal building was designed by the architect David Roberts Jr. and was completed in 1847. It was the first bank to be established in Montreal and played a significant role in the city's economic development. The building was designed in the Neoclassical style, featuring a grand entrance and Corinthian columns. It was one of the first buildings in Montreal to be constructed with a steel frame, which was a revolutionary construction technique at the time.
Bar George is located on the main floor of the Bank of Montreal building and occupies the space that was once the bank's grand lobby. The restaurant opened in 2018 and has since become a popular destination for fine dining and drinks in Montreal. The elegant and sophisticated decor of the restaurant pays tribute to the building's historic past and provides a unique and memorable dining experience for guests.
Coffee Shop
Pastel Rita
5761 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S9
Boulangerie Cheskie
359 Rue Bernard O, Montréal, QC H2V 1T6
A must try combination is grabbing a chocolate babka from Boulangerie Cheskie and then a matcha latte from Pastel Rita. I loved the colorful and modern Wes Anderson-esque design at the cafe.
Parks
Montreal is also home to many beautiful parks and green spaces, making it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Some of the best parks to visit include Mount Royal Park, the Montreal Botanical Garden, and the Lachine Canal National Historic Site. These parks offer a variety of recreational activities, from hiking and cycling to picnicking and birdwatching.
Monuments
Montreal is a city with a rich history and vibrant culture, and as such it is home to many iconic monuments that are worth visiting. Here are a few of the most notable:
Notre-Dame Basilica: This beautiful Gothic Revival-style church is located in the heart of Old Montreal and is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. The basilica features stunning stained glass windows, intricate wood carvings, and a grand organ. It is also home to daily music performances.
Olympic Stadium: This iconic structure was built for the 1976 Summer Olympics and is now home to the Montreal Alouettes football team and the Montreal Impact soccer team. The stadium features a unique inclined tower that offers panoramic views of the city.
Montreal Tower: Located at the Olympic Stadium, the Montreal Tower is the tallest inclined tower in the world. Visitors can take a ride to the top of the tower in a glass elevator and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Saint Joseph's Oratory: Located on Mount Royal, this Catholic basilica is the largest in Canada and the third largest in the world. It is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens, and is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Perfect Stroll
Take a walk along the pier to La Grande Roue de Montréal after exploring Old Montreal. This is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset.
Finally, no trip to Montreal would be complete without a visit to some of the city's famous streets. St. Catherine Street is the city's main shopping district, featuring a wide range of stores and restaurants. The Plateau neighborhood is known for its bohemian vibe and colorful houses, and is a great place to walk around and explore. And don't forget to check out Old Montreal's cobblestone streets and historic buildings, which offer a glimpse into the city's past.
Overall, Montreal is a great destination for first-time visitors. With its rich history, diverse culture, and delicious food, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant city.
