
Travel Guide to Montreal
At last, I finally created the travel guide to Montreal! SO sorry it took me so long to post this. The truth is, I lost the photos after I posted my outfits from Montreal (Day 1 outfit, Day 2 outfit, Day 3 outfit, Day 4 outfit, and Day 5 outfit)! I accidentally deleted everything on our external hard drive. Luckily, when it comes to technology, it doesn’t mean it is lost forever. We were able to revive the photos and it took a bit longer to sort through them. But yes, here it is!
European Getaway
If you are craving a European vacation but lets say time & money (or one or the other) is stopping you from going to Europe, going to Montreal is a great alternative. Montreal is the Paris of North America. Seriously, everything is so Parisian and I loved it! It really does feel like I am in Europe. The best part is that the flight from Chicago is only an hour and a half and round trip plane tickets were relatively affordable. We went in May so the weather was still chilly- like around mid 40s. However, there was a day that the weather went up to the mid 70s.
We mostly stayed in Old Montreal and we were there for 5 days and it was more than enough time to stay! Everything in Old Montreal was walkable! Without further ado, here is the travel guide to Montreal.
Travel Guide to Montreal
Place to Stay
We stayed at the Auberge du Vieux-Port, and we loved it! This hotel has a rustic feel to it. So much character and the staff was very friendly! We love the location too. It is a short walk to the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal and to the infamous Clock Tower.
Places to See
- Clock Tower
It is a memorial site to honor the lost sailors during wartime and to mark the entrance of the port. It is like the Big Ben of Montreal. It is such a pretty tower with a gorgeous view overlooking the river. During the summer months, they have a manmade beach at the Clock Tower.
- Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal
It is their most well known church and where Celine Dion got married. The church is beautiful and has so much history behind it. When we were there, we were fortunate that it was during the Light Show. It was an AMAZING experience. Here is a YouTube video of the Light Show.
- China Town
It is a short walk just outside of Old Montreal. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Notre Dame Basilica. - Walk Around Old Montreal
There’s so much to see in Old Montreal. SO many different shops and it is just fun walking through their streets. So much character and beautiful architecture. Most of our time spent there was just walking and eating 🙂 - Delices
This is the place to go if you want to get some Canadian Maple Syrup. They have quite the variety and in so many different forms. They also have a cafe in the back so you can order beverages and gelato. - Le Magasin General du Vieux-Montreal
Love this boutique. They have the cutest stuff. They have jewelry, accessories, and home goods. A lot of their stuff you can find at Anthropologie, except at the boutique it is half the cost 😉 I’m Anthro-obsessed, so I was loving everything about this store. It is also attached to a bistro so you can shop and dine after! - Le Petit Dep
It is a convenience store but it is the cutest convenient store I’ve ever been to. Seriously puts 7-11 to shame. Basically, if Anthropologie could be a convenience store, it would be Le Petit Dep. They also have homemade pastries, salads, sandwiches and a coffee bar.
- Noel Eternal
If you love Christmas, then this store is for you. This store is open throughout the year and it is filled with Christmas decor and ornaments. My husband is Christmas obsessed and really enjoyed this store.
Places to Eat/Drink Coffee/Snack
- Brit & Chips
They are known for their fish and chips and I can see why! So good!! It does get crowded at lunch time so we went slightly off hours to avoid the long lines. - Tommy Cafe
It is a coffee shop and I just love its bright and airy ambiance. We probably went there 3 times because we love their lattes and pastries.
- et Bistro Le Magasin General du Vieux-Montreal
This is the bistro connected to the shop Le Magasin General du Vieux-Montreal. We loved this place! It is a farm-to-table kind of place. The ambiance is quirky and rustic, and the staff was so nice. They also have a pianist play during certain times of the day.
- Patisserie Harmonie
This one is located in Chinatown and their bao buns are the cutest and delicious! Plus, it is so inexpensive!
- Bocata
Farm-to-table restaurant and every food we had taste fresh and scrumptious! - Creperie Chez Suzette
They are known for their crepes. They have a large variety of sweet and savory crepes. - Aloha Espresso Bar
This is another favorite coffee shop of ours and it is Polynesian themed. They have Hawaiian coffee and it is just a great spot! It is also a couple short blocks from Auburge du Vieux-Port. We love the Eggaholic! So good!
- The Keg
This is more of an upscale restaurant and they are known for their steak. My husband got the filet mignon and loved it! - John Michael’s Pub
A regular pub with a French twist. So you will find your usual pub food but a little bit of French flair to it. - La Fabrique de Bagel
When you are in Montreal, you have to have Montreal bagels. It is their signature! The Plateau Mont Royal is the more popular neighborhood to get authentic Montreal bagels. Since we were too cold to explore outside of Old Montreal, we found La Fabrique de Bagel as another popular Montreal bagel place and this one was located in the train station just outside of Old Montreal.
A Quick Recap of Our Montreal Itinerary
Day One
- Lunch at Brit & Chips
- Clock Tower
- Walked Around Old Montreal
- Dinner at John Michael’s Pub
Day Two
- Brunch at et Bistro Le Magasin General du Vieux-Montreal
- Shopped at Le Magasin General du Vieux-Montreal
- Walked around Old Montreal
- Snack and Coffee at Tommy Cafe
- Shopped at Noel Eternal
- Notre Dame Basilica to watch the Light Show.
- Dinner at the Keg
Day Three
- Breakfast and Coffee at Aloha Espresso Bar
- Walk around Old Montreal
- Lunch at et Bistro Le Magasin General du Vieux-Montreal
- Snacked at La Fabrique de Bagel
- Went to Chinatown
- Snacked at Patisserie Harmonie
- Le Petit Dep
Day Four
- Brunch at Bocata
- Shopped at Delices
- Coffee at Aloha Espresso Bar
- Walked around Old Montreal again
- Dinner at Creperie Chez Suzette
Day Five
We had an early flight back to Chicago!
Next Time
Hope you found this travel guide to Montreal helpful. Again, so sorry it took me so long to post it! We definitely would love to come back especially since it was so easy to fly to. We would probably like to come back when the weather is a bit warmer and stay 4 days max. Next time we definitely want to explore the beautiful neighborhood of Plateau Mont Royal and go to the Mount Royal Park. We have heard the view from there is incredible!
xo RD
Looks like such a fun trip!! Great photos!
http://www.jessicabroyles.com
It definitely was!
I’ve never been to Montreal but it looks beautiful! I like that it’s a piece of Europe closer to home!
It really is a beautiful place! I agree and love that it is so much closer!
I never Been to Montreal but it’s on my bucket list now!
-L
LenaRevealed.com
It is such a beautiful city!
Gorgeous photos! I’ve never been to Montreal but really want to go!
I highly recommend it!
What a beautiful city! Totally adding this to my travel wish-list!
It really is!
Oh my gosh now I totally want to go here! I have heard such great things about Montreal. Love the place with the hanging plants and the Christmas store! AHHH wanderlust.
It was amazing!! I highly recommend going to Montreal!
OMG theses bao buns look so adorable and so yummy !
Thanks for sharing all theses great adresses in Montreal.
I would love to visit there.
xx,
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com/
Aren’t they? They were also delicious!!
Such a great guide! I’ll be saving this for when we go to Montreal in the future!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Thank you Belle!
That’s a beautiful city hon.. thanks for sharing your experience
https://zunera-serena.com/
So much charm!
Ooooh I think Montreal is my kind of place. It seems so charming. So cool to see the church Celine Dion got married in!!
Yes, it is such a charming city!
This is such a good and informative travel guide. I really want to go to Montreal!! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Morgan!
Oh I want to go here SO badly! Definitely sending this to my husband haha. Thanks for sharing Rach!
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
Yes go! I know you would love it!
OH WOW, you are making me want to travel!!! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
I highly recommend Montreal!
Never been to Montreal! Now I know what to do when I go there!!
It is a beautiful place!
I’m from Canada originally and I’ve never been to Montreal, I’ll have to check it out!
Beauty & Colour | Vegan Lifestyle Blog
NO way! Definitely worth checking out!
So gorgeous love it
http://www.loveolia.com
It really is!
I have a friend who lives in Montreal … her son his a sports teatcher but they are portuguese…
Nice guide.
marisasclosetblog.com
That is great!
How I wish to visit Montreal, since reading this post.
i am glad you enjoyed your time.
Youtube: https://goo.gl/C5MYWu
Blog: http://www.easys-tyle.com/
I hope you can one day!
Love this post. Gorgeous. Have a lovely weekend. xoxo Cris
http://photosbycris.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/noosa-and-byron-bay-with-dresslily.html
Hope you had a wonderful one Cris!
So glad you were able to recover the photos, it’s always so frustrating when technology gets in the way, but it’s good you could recover them and make your post 🙂
Seems like you had a great time too! I’ve never been to Montreal but it looks amazing!
Hope that you are having a lovely weekend 🙂 We are having a relaxing one, much needed after a hectic week!
Away From The Blue Blog
I know, I was in panic mode when I thought I lost them forever! We definitely had a great time and glad to hear you had a relaxing weekend!
What a great travel guide! Montreal has been added to my long wish list of places to visit 🙂
xo, Natasha
PALM+PINE | A style blog
palmandpineblog.com
Totally worth going to!
You’ve totally made me want to visit Montreal. I love these coffee shop! They’re so my kind of vibe.
http://www.fashionradi.com
Coffee shops are my favorite places to check out too!
I’d be so happy to go back there … 20 years now … too long!
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/first-anniversarheel/
Oh wow! It has been awhile!
oh I love Montreal! Its always a fun little getaway from Toronto! Haven’t been in a while so I might have to make a trip soon!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
Isn’t it a beautiful place!
I just love Montreal and your guide is perfect! Also the photos are amazing, babe!
xo | Cindy Elena
http://www.boringclothes.com
It is such a beautiful city!
Thanks for sharing the tips!
Daniel x
The Daniel Originals | Instagram: danielpoonvignez
You’re Welcome!
My friends like to laugh at me because every time I talk about traveling to a new place, I always get most excited about the food I’ll try while I’m there. It sounds like Montreal has delicious food-a-plenty! I need to start doing some more traveling this year!
Omg I totally travel for food!It is the best part of traveling!
Montreal is one of my favorite places in the world! In the summer I love catching a quick bite to eat in Chinatown and then spend the evening on a roof patio.
Dora
http://www.adropofindigo.com/
Oo rooftop patio sounds amazing! I need to note that for next time!
Great post, the place is amazing! Very beautiful photos!!
Fashion Instinct BLOG
Thank you Maria!
Lovely photos, Montreal has been on my list of places to visit in Canada. I’ve only been to toronto and Vancouver, but there is so much of Canada i still want to see =o)
https://dreamofadventures.com/
I am so with you! Canada is such a beautiful country and so many wonderful places to see!
Thanks for sharing! I’m glad you guys had a great trip. I’ve always wanted to go to Montreal and love your suggestions. Hopefully I can get a trip planned this year!
Nicole
Nicole to the Nines
You’ve been traveling to so many amazing places Nicole! I hope you can get a trip planned too!
Visiting Canada is definitely on my list- thanks for sharing this review!
xo, Kristina
Canada is so beautiful!
I”ve always wanted to visit Montreal. Looks amazing and love all your photos!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
You would love it there!
I love Montreal too! It reminds me of Europe indeed! Great guide and I hope I get to visit soon myself!
Happy Monday, babe!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
It is such a beautiful place! I hope you get to visit too!
I’ve never been to Montreal so I’m happy to be able to see the city through your great photos. So glad they weren’t lost forever.
I think you will love it there! I am so glad too!
This makes me want to visit so badly! Montreal looks like such a wonderful place to explore, thanks for sharing this!
Anika | anikamay.co.uk
You totally should!
Okay, I am officially ready to be signed up! All these pictures and places look incredible!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Yes! I know you will love it!
I’ve been wanting to visit this place.
Looks so cool.
Much Love,
Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
I highly recommend it!
I’ve heard so many great things about Montreal! Your trip sounded so fun and the architecture there is gorgeous!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
It is a gorgeous city. I know you would love it Tina!
Montreal seems so charming and your guide is so exceptional and helpful, Rach. How many days would be enough to see all the highlights there?
It is such a charming place! In my post I mentioned we stayed 4 nights 5 days. Honestly, you can probably see all the highlights in less than 4 days.
I’ve never been to Montreal, it looks and sounds amazing! Will definitely be referencing this in the future, it was so detailed and very informative.
Shann Eileen | http://www.shanneileen.com
It is definitely a place worth visiting!
Montreal looks amazing! We have to add it to our travel plans 🙂
Lovely post and thank you for the tips, this will be handy
Sending love,
xx
Patricia & Miguel
http://www.freeoversea.com
Yes you definitely need to!
Montreal is such a beautiful city! Love the cozy and rustic vibe. It’s definitely on my bucket list!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Hotel recs?
I would recommend Auberge du Vieux-Port, which was the hotel we stayed at. It was affordable, the staff was friendly, love their service, and there was so much charm!