MTL: My best friend and I decided to head to Montreal for our annual girls trip and probably picked the best time of year to visit. The foliage was amazing, it wasn’t too crowded, and the flight was quick from NYC. Check out more details on our weekend getaway below.
WHERE TO STAY: We stayed in Old Montreal which was walking distance to most of the tourist attractions including Notre Dame Basilica and the Port of Montreal. The hotels in this neighborhood are all boutique properties so if you prefer a standard chain, you can find those in the Downtown neighborhood.
In Old Montreal, check out St. Paul hotel, Hotel Nelligan, and The William Gray which has a rooftop terrace over looking the whole Port. These are all great 4*-5* boutique options. They have restaurants and bars, gyms, and other amenities.
WHAT TO DO: Montreal was beautiful in October. We explored with a Walking tour on arrival which gave us a great overview of Old Montreal and where we would be spending our 3 days. I highly recommend a city tour on your first day of a trip to get you acquainted to the area.
Check out the Basilica, go on a ride on the Ferris Wheel, for relaxation visit Bota Bota; an industrial looking spa in the Port. Explore the underground city if the weather isn’t in your favor or visit the markets if it is!
For a fun ‘instagram’ worthy activity, visit Hide and Seek for some 90s nostalgia.
While walking in the evenings be sure to stop at the “Cite Memoire“. These are art installations projected through the city each hour on the hour. For a complete experience, you and download the app for historical contexts.
In other seasons or with more time, consider a wine tour, skiing, and visiting the Saint Laurent Mountains.
HOW TO STAY ACTIVE: On our first morning we did a city bike tour with Fitz and Follwell. This was a fantastic way to see so much of the city including La Fontaine Park, McGill campus, Downtown, Old Montreal and the Port. This 3 hour ride was about 6 miles with stops along the way.
For the active hiker, Mount Royal provides a great workout, views, and beautiful Fall Foliage. If you prefer a studio experience, Luna Yoga is in Old Montreal. B cycle and Enso were also recommended to us.
WHERE TO EAT: I don’t typically include ‘food’ in my posts but here are some suggestions that multiple people recommended:
- St. Viateur or Fairmont for bagels
- Candide: Amazing tasting menu
- Mandys: Salads
- Venice MTL: cute brunch spot
- Damas: Family style Syrian/Persian
- Beatrice: Nice dinner
- Tommy Café
Overall, Montreal makes for a great weekend getaway and I highly recommend it in the Fall (and with temperatures above 40F degrees.) Uber is useful to get around because a few destinations noted above are not within walking distance. Some locations took US Dollars but I recommend having CAD on hand – the dollar is in your favor! You will clear customs on your way home IN Montreal so give yourself that time at the airport. Of course, if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out.
