Montreal is Canada’s second largest city and considered by many to be “the cultural-capital of Canada.” It was recently named the UNESCO city of design and is a huge economic and cultural center. Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world. (Paris is the largest.)
My family and I recently took a road trip from Ottawa to Montreal, where we stayed for 24 hours. While I personally recommend spending a minimum of 3 to 5 days visiting Montreal, you can pack a ton of fun within 24 hours.
Here’s an itinerary to show you how.
STAY
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel: At the heart of romantic and cosmopolitan Montréal where French and English meet, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth offers guests outstanding comfort and attentive service. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has a central location downtown near some of the best tourist attractions, and is a very kid-friendly (and dog-friendly) hotel. Kid-friendly features include an amazing salt water kiddie pool, a lending service for bicycles, babysitting services and kids’ programs during holidays. The suites are very spacious and plush with great amenities and luxurious bath products. A cool piece of trivia: The hotel reached worldwide fame when John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who had been refused entry into the United States, conducted their Bed-In in Room 1742 at the hotel between May 26 and June 2, 1969.The song “Give Peace a Chance” was actually recorded in this room on June 1, 1969 by André Perry. This song is the first solo single released by John Lennon, and became an anthem of the American anti-war movement during the 1970s.
EAT
Breakfast
Eggspectation: One of the things I really enjoy while on vacation is to talk to the locals and find out where they enjoy dining. I really like to have a “where the locals dine experience” for at least one of our daily meals. And the most popular place recommended was Eggspectation. There are five outlets in Montreal, this restaurant takes a simple egg and creates an entire menu around it. It offers delicious drinks and an ambience suitable for everyone.
Lunch
Au Pied de Cochon: Founded by Chef Martin Picard, this restaurant is located at 536 Duluth Street East in the borough of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and is considered one of the Top Restaurants in Montreal by Eater Magazine.
Dinner
Toqué! Hailed as one of the BEST French-Canadia chefs by several culinary publications, Chef Normand Laprise is one of mine and my husband’s favorite chefs in the world (along side of Thomas Keller, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulud). We love Toqué! because of it’s amazing 7 course Tasting Menu—which believe it or not—we absolutely considered having with our kids. Thank-God we came to our senses and instead enjoyed a 3 course meal instead. I’m positive our kids would not have enjoyed sitting for a 3 hour, 7 course tasting menu very happily. However, if your young ones are with a babysitter or you have older kids, this is a delectable gastronomic experience for the entire family.
SIGHT SEEING
- Notre Dame Basilica: Built between 1824 and 1829, the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica captivates hundreds of thousands of admirers every year. Paintings, sculptures, glittering gold leaf and dazzling stained-glass windows illustrate biblical passages. Coolest thing for kids might be the evening’s sound and light show that tells the story of Montréal and the creation of the church.
- Parc du Mont-Royal: Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer behind New York City’s Central Park, was the brains behind this 200-hectare park. This is a great place to hike, mountain bike, toss a Frisbee or rent a paddleboat and explore Beaver Lake. This park even has beautiful panoramic views from the observatory overlook and a little café. This place is an outdoor lover’s dream and a fantastic place for your kids to explore and burn off all that youthful energy.
- Insectarium: Those without bug phobias can examine 160,000 living and naturalized insects: see an ant farm, beehives and other homes for creepy crawlers. Entomologists are on site to answer questions.
- Montreal Science Center: This is located in a fantastic neighborhood and along Lake Ontario. So much to see and do in and around this awesome site!
- Parc Jean-Drapeau: I couldn’t believe it, but Montreal actually has a beach! And if your kids are anything like mine—all they care about is sand and water during the warm months. This beach is sure to impress your little ones.
Some Tips:
- Known as the city of festivals, Montreal hosts a different one each month of the year, including a world-renowned jazz festival in the summer.
- Montreal is a predominantly French speaking city and you will find that the street signs and menus that are mostly in French. However, the street signs have pictures and it’s pretty simple to figure out. And most of the waiters and waitresses speak perfect English and can translate the menu.
- Make sure to have some Canadian cash.
- Montreal is a very metropolitan city. Dress up a little or as the Canadians like to say “smart casual”.
Happy Traveling!
If you have any questions or tips about Montreal that you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
{Thank-you to Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel for sponsoring our accommodations.}
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