Montreal is just a 2 hour drive from Ottawa making it a great spot for a weekend getaway. Montreal is like a second home for me. I did long-distance to Montreal for a good year and a half and got very familiar with the neighbourhoods and navigating the city. The great thing about Montreal is that every visit is different and you can visit multiple times and never get bored. There are so many great restaurants to check out and you’ll always stumble upon festivals in the city. Here’s a guide of things to do in Montreal by neighbourhood:

Old Port

This is one of my favourite parts of Montreal. I love exploring the cobblestone streets and walking by the water. You’ll spot the Old Port clock by the water. It was built between 1919 and 1922. The clock was used to mark the entrance of the port and to honour the memory of lost soldiers. It stands 45 meters high. Climb 192 steps to the top and you’ll get a nice view of the St. Lawrence River.

I love exploring all the shops and restaurants in Old Port. Here are some spots to check out:

• Tommy’s – a cafe with a beautiful space full of plants and cute decor. Go early if you want a seat.
• Crew Cafe – this is the most stunning cafe I have ever seen in my life. It’s in an old bank.  
• Mechant Boeuf – I ended up here for dinner and drinks and we got a few plates to share. My favourite was the beef tartare followed by the lobster gnocchi.
• Flyjin – head to this underground bar for some fun cocktails
• Recommended to me: Garde-Manger, Bremner, Modavie (wine bar with live jazz)

Every time I visit Old Port there’s a new festival taking place. It would be impossible to list them all but here are two of my favourites:

• Igloofest – I’ve been to this winter festival a few times. Everyone’s rocking their snowsuits and dancing to DJs in the thick of winter. There were also plenty of installations to check out like slides, art and more. It’s a pretty cool experience and a great way to embrace winter.
• Catch world-class fireworks in the summer as part of l’International des Feux Loto-Québec.

Aura at Notre Dame Basilica

Head to Aura for a light show that will bring out the heritage and beauty of Notre Dame Basilica. This cathedral was inaugurated in 1829. This sensory experience will be sure to impress you as the lights and orchestral music play within the Basilica.  It’s done by Montreal company, Moment Factory, who always put on incredible shows.

Montreal Observation Wheel

Get a view from above of Old Port and the St. Lawrence River on the Old Port Ferris Wheel. Tickets were a bit expensive but if you want to see the view from above/are into photography then I recommend this activity.

Chinatown

You’ll instantly recognize it with the grand arches on both sides. Head to La Capital in Chinatown for tacos and cocktails. Order multiple plates of tacos and share so that you can try a few different ones. You’ll also find tiki bar,  Le Mal Nécessaire. In winter there’s a Lantern Festival in Chinatown. Beautiful lanterns will be strung across the street.

St. Catherine Street

I love heading here in summer to see all the colourful balls strung across the street. There are also tons of patios and lots of boutiques to explore. I recommend walking around and seeing what catches your eye.

St. Laurent Street

This long strip intersects with St. Catherine Street and will take you from Old Port all the way to Le Plateau. On your way, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cool shops to pop into.

Schwartz’s Deli

Schwarz’s is a smoke meat deli staple in Montreal. Many celebrities have dined here and enjoyed a classic Montreal smoked meat sandwich.

Griffintown

Here you’ll find lots of converted warehouses and condo developments. I love biking along the Lachine Canal. You can get a daily pass to Bixi Bikes and bike around the city. There are multiple spots to pick up and drop off your bike around Montreal, making it easy to get around the city. They also have a lot of dedicated bike lanes.

St. Ambroise Brewery

Go for a bike ride on the Lachine Canal and stop in at the St. Ambroise Brewery Terasse on your way. Try out some of their beers and enjoy some bites.

New City Gas

DJs come from all over the world to play at New City Gas. It’s a music venue in a converted warehouse. I’ve been to a few shows here! If you go, I recommend getting VIP tickets, it can get pretty packed in there!

St. Henri/Little Burgundy

You’ll find plenty of great restaurants in this area of Montreal. Here are a few you have to try:

Arthur’s Nosh Bar

You need to have brunch at Arthurs Nosh Bar. Their menu is Jewish specialties served with a twist. Guaranteed you’ll be impressed with their delicious brunch items. Make sure to go early because this place gets packed quick!

Sumac

Head to Sumac with friends and enjoy their middle eastern sharing plates. The dishes are packed with flavour and you’ll leave full. Side note, you order your food at this spot before sitting down. There was a bit of a wait in front of us so by the time we got our table our food was already ready, perfect 🙂

Atwater Market

Browse the Atwater Market for fresh produce, sweet and savoury bites, flowers and more. It’s along the Lachine Canal so you can easily stop in here if you’re taking using a Bixi bike. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet but Satay Bros at the Atwater Market was recommended to me.

Here are a few others that have been recommended to me: Rasoi, Satay Bros, Joe Beef, Liverpool House, Atwater Cocktail Club (speakeasy style, enter through an alley)

Quartier des Spectacles

There are always cool things going on in Quartier des Spectacles from festivals, art installations and more. Inside Place des Desjardins is a fountain that was synchronized to music. Outside you’ll find life-sized chess boards and pieces where you can challenge a friend of a stranger. In the winter you’ll find a Christmas market here.

Jardins Gamelin

In the summer you’ll find Jardins Gamelin. It’s a beer garden that hosts plenty of cultural and citizen-driven activities. Grab a drink and a bite at one of the tables under the strung lights.

Le Plateau

Le Plateau is full of colourful buildings and murals to explore. You’ll find it around Mont Royal/McGill Campus. I love walking through the area with my camera. Murals are always changing so you’ll always see something new.

Tam Tams

On Sundays, groups head to the monument of  Sir George-Étienne Cartier in Mont-Royals surrounding park for Tam Tams. You’ll find plenty of groups enjoying a picnic, throwing a frisbee, playing music and more.

Mont-Royal

For the best view in the city, hike to the top of Mont-Royal. It’s a rewarding hike when you get to the top and see a view of the whole city.

Parc Jean Drapeau

This is where all the big festivals like Osheaga and Ile Soniq take place.

If you have time:

Saint Joseph’s Oratory

Saint Joseph’s Oratory is Canada’s largest church.  The Basilica began construction in 1924 and was inaugurated in 1955. The exterior of the Basilica is reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance. Walk around and take in the stunning architecture. From the terrace on the roof, you can see a beautiful panoramic view of north-western Montreal and the Laurentian mountains further in the distance. I’ve always thought it would be a great spot for a night-time picnic because you can get a great view of the sky at night and the church is extra stunning with all the spotlights on it. Walk behind the oratory and you’ll find a secret garden fountain called ‘Way of the Cross’. You have to go through the oratory to access it.

Montreal Botanical Garden

At the Montreal Botanical Garden you’ll find over 75 hectares of thematic gardens and greenhouses. In the fall you can visit, Gardens of Light, where you’ll 3 of the cultural gardens with lights. In the winter you can visit Papillons en Liberté where you can see over 20,000 butterflies.

Where to Stay

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth will far surpass your expectations. From the hotel, it’s amenities and history, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay here.

Staying at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth helped make my experience in Montreal even better and make it truly a relaxing getaway. It was so easy to get everywhere and explore. The bed was so comfy and the room had a stunning view! 

In 2017 they finished $140 million in renovations and the hotel looks incredible. I spent 2 hours just exploring the hotel when I arrived and could have easily spent a whole weekend just in Fairmont Queen Elizabeth alone.  The location is super convenient and you can easily walk to Old Port, Chinatown, and more. 

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth’s History

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth has a long history in Montreal. It was opened in 1958 and is Montreal’s largest hotel. In 1961, the hotel was connected to Place Ville Marie by a corridor below street level that launched the first link to the Underground City. It’s also where John Lennon and Yoko Ono did their famous Bed-In For Peace. During his stay, John Lennon composed and recorded Give Peace a Chance. You can stay in this same suite.

Over the last few decades, prestigious personalities such as the members of British royal family, kings, queens and movie stars have stayed at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth.

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Amenities

There is valet service as soon as you arrive, which is nice because parking in Montreal can be tricky so it’s a hassle-free arrival.

The first thing that caught my eye was the high ceilings and decor of the main floor and check-in area. The staff was so friendly and shared all the things we could enjoy during our stay. The bed was so comfy and I loved the modern look of the rooms. The view from the room was incredible.

Next up, exploring the hotel. The top floor has a great view and if you’re in Montreal for business it’s a great spot to host your function. You can also catch a great view of the sunset from the top floor, always something I look with at the hotels I stay at.

It has a lovely pool and gym if you’re looking to workout on your visit.

Marché Artisan 

On the main floor, they have the first gourmet market in a Canadian hotel called Marché Artisan. Here you can get everything from coffee, sandwiches, seasonal products, fresh produce and more. This was super convenient if you needed to pick something up or grab a quick bite on the go. 

Nacarat

Nacarat is their upscale restaurant and terrace. It was a lively spot full of tourists and locals. I also had the best cocktail of my entire life here, no exaggeration. They had an elaborate drinks menu full of fun creations. My eyes landed on the Arthur Knows cocktail that included yogurt. I can’t say I’ve ever had a cocktail with yogurt in it before but I’m so glad I tried it. I loved it so much I ordered it twice. This needs to be a spot on your Montreal bucket list. I’ll definitely be heading back next time I’m in town. My friend’s drink had squid ink in it! I loved that their cocktails pushed the boundaries with creations I’ve never seen anywhere else.

Rosely’s

One thing I love about staying with Fairmont is the breakfast, it’s always so filling and delicious. You can get everything from a fresh omelet, crepes, yogurt bar, smoked salmon and more. I loved that they incorporate things from their market and St. Viateur bagels, a Montreal staple. The space of Rosely’s is stunning with beautiful decor and high ceilings. Definitely a good start to the day! 

Cité Memoire

One of my favourite parts was the installation we ran into on the bottom floor. It’s part Cité Memoire, a large scale production of techno-historic tours around the city. The installation took you through Montreal’s history and changed from water, snow, leaves, constellations and more. You can download an app here and it will tell you about Montreal’s history throughout the city.

How to Get There

It’s a quick and easy 2-hour drive from Ottawa. One of my highlights of the trip was getting a photo that a fellow Ottawan had spotted my EcoSport from Jim Keay Ford in downtown Montreal 🙂

The only tricky part of the drive was hitting some construction getting into Montreal. There was a bit of construction but the in-car navigation helped get us to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth.  

We checked out on the Sunday but still wanted to explore. The EcoSport has a secret compartment in the truck, perfect for storing a laptop, camera and more. This function has come in handy for me quite a few times.

The EcoSport makes any drive super comfortable with it’s space and comfy seats. I used apple car play to listen to my Spotify playlists the whole drive. 

What’s your favourite part of Montreal?

A huge thanks to Fairmont Queen Elizabeth for hosting me and Jim Keay for getting me there with their EcoSport. As always, all opinions are my own.