24 HOURS IN MONTREAL
Montreal, the largest city in Canada’s Quebec province, is home to music festivals in the summer, hockey in the winter, vibrant street art around every corner, and delicious food all year round. While Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world (the first being Paris), most Montrealers are bilingual, so do not hesitate to visit if you do not speak French!
Start your day by checking into the Hotel Place d’Armes, a hotel made up of four buildings situated in the heart of Old Montreal, just steps away from the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Old Port. You will be greeted with soft classical music, beautiful airy rooms, and a rain shower with Le Labo amenities in the bathroom. The hotel also has valet parking, which if you have ever been to Montreal, you know it is kind of a drag to find parking.
On the corner of Hotel Place d’Armes
From your hotel, explore Old Montreal by foot and find your way to Olive & Gourmando, a bakery and café that has delicious pastries and breads. You can choose to sit down for a meal (get the Pain Dore) or grab some sweet treats at the counter. Go early in the day, as baked goods sell out quick! Other favorites can be found in my post on my top 3 breakfast spots in Montreal.
After you eat breakfast, walk into the Notre-Dame Basilica and marvel at the church’s beautiful stained glass windows and detailed wooden carvings. Notable facts is that this church is actually warmer than most, because it is made of wood. Also Celine Dion was married here!
Inside the Notre Dame Basilica
For the rest of the morning, hike the Mont Royal, the triple-peaked hill at the city’s core, and where the city got its name. If you get to the top of the mountain, you will be greeted with great views of the city below.
Sunset atop Mont Royal
After burning off your breakfast on the mountain, enjoy the delicious lunch and quiet atmosphere of Lawrence Restaurant. Montreal has the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada and the second in North America (after New York), so if you stumble across another restaurant that suits your fancy, I’m sure it will be delightful!
If it is a beautiful sunny day, walk around the Montreal Botanical Garden, replete with gardens and greenhouses galore! If it is raining or perhaps very cold outside (depending on when you visit), keep warm with a trip inside to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Autumn at the Montreal Botanical Garden
Outside the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
For dinner, return back to Old Montreal where you began your day and dine at Modavie. This expansive wine bar has a wide variety of delicious foods (I highly recommend the steak frites with a side of black truffle mayonnaise or the lamb poutine) and live music. Check the restaurant’s website for their live music schedule.
Have fun!
