You may be wondering what to see, where to eat, and what to do as a first-time visitor to Quebec’s most popular destination, Montreal. So, to give you an authentic Montreal experience, we’ve compiled a list of local-approved activities and destinations. Why not brush up on your French while visiting the old city and devouring gravy-drenched french fries and cheese curds? Check out the list below for some of the city’s top vistas, restaurants, and architecture.
Drink the best beer
The city indeed has its French connection to the great traditions of drinking at fine wine bars and cooking French food in its best restaurants. However, when it comes to the best beer, Montreal’s bars are in a class of their own, especially when followed up with the best poutine. If you want to spend a nice day drinking good beer, and eating well while visiting Montreal, check out the beer tours offered in Montreal.
Visit Mont-Royal
Take a beautiful walk up Mont-Royal for stunning views of downtown Montreal. It’s an excellent location for photographing the sunrise and sunset. Expect to see a wedding shot or swarms of prom-dressed youngsters posing for photos at the Belvedere Observatory. There are no greater views of Montreal’s south bank anywhere else in the city.
Eat Classic Montreal Foods
Montreal has a large number of eateries. The French Canadian city has more restaurants per capita than New York City. Patiti Patata, located at 4177 St-Laurent Boulevard, serves some of the greatest poutine in the city. Shwartz’s, located at 3895 St-Laurent Boulevard, is a favorite for smoked deli meats. Before you leave, stop by one of the many bakeries, such as Dizz’s Bagels at 6160 Chemin de la Cote-Saint-Luc, for some famous Montreal bagels, the city’s crème de la crème.
Visit Old-Montreal
Saint-Paul Street’s architecture and cobblestone streets are said to transport visitors to the European streets of France. The lively atmosphere amid restaurants, art galleries, and pubs is a terrific way to experience Montreal at a reasonable price. However, the ancient city is known for attracting enormous crowds, so keep that in mind if you intend on dining at a nearby restaurant.
Tour the Basilique Notre-Dame
This Gothic chapel from the 1830s is very stunning and well worth including on your schedule. The vast church is filled with vibrant stained glass that stands out as magnificent works of art. The tour of the chapel, located at 110 Notre-Dame Street West, will not take long and will leave you with a powerful memory and a couple images to take home as complimentary keepsakes.
Visit the Urban Beach
The Old Port is home to Montreal’s first urban beach. This tiny getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle is the ideal summer destination. Take the day off to sunbathe, eat, and stroll down the boardwalk. Although swimming is not permitted, there is a misting station where visitors can cool down from the sun’s rays.
Montreal is known worldwide as a very welcoming city, whether you are here for a few days or several months, you will find what you are looking for, and it will certainly not be your last visit.
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