Getting here and there

Montréal is the definition of an accessible city, ranked as one of the most walkable cities in Canada and linked by easy to navigate bus, REM light rail and underground Métro systems. The local bus system’s iconic routes traverse both Montréal’s most well-known and touristed quartiers and some of its more up-and-coming districts, offering an unbeatable way to discover Montréal. And this year, the city’s iconic BIXI bike share system stays available all year long, featuring upgraded studded tires, spiked pedals and bike path snow removal. We’d also suggest tackling some of Montréal’s smoothly packed cross-country ski routes, epic skating rinks and winter trails on the elegiac Mount Royal.

Cool things down in Downtown Montréal and the Village

Downtown Montréal is so much more than just the city’s urban and financial heart. Punctuated with iconic skyscrapers like architect I. M. Pei’s Place Ville Marie, Downtown’s shopping streets, cutting-edge museums and wide open park spaces like Dorchester Square and Place du Canada have claimed a spot as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world. Wander through the Golden Square Mile, Quartier des Spectacles and the Village for some of the city’s best people watching and must-see locales. And lace on some skates for a spin or two around the Esplanade Tranquille!

GET YOUR SHOP ON:

• Boutiques, shopping malls and flagship stores line Sainte-Catherine Street.
• Downtown’s major shopping complexes Centre Eaton, Complexe Desjardins, Place Montréal Trust, Les Cours Mont-Royal, Place Ville-Marie, Centre Alexis Nihon and, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy are all linked up by the underground city to guarantee a toasty and warm shopping experience.

FILL YOUR HUNGER:

• Food courts get fancy at Downtown’s food halls the Time Out Market, LE CENTRAL—MANGER MONTRÉAL and Le Cathcart Restaurants & Biergarten.
• Warm up with a cup of matcha and a bowl of noodles at Tsujiri.
• Grab a caffeine and sugar boost at Melk.
• Explore the gourmet offerings of Marché Artisans.
• Hit culinary heights at Hiatus restaurant and bar (at the top of Place Ville Marie).
• Discover sandwiches galore at Italimenti Épicerie Fine.
• BYOB and swoon at the flavours of O’Thym.
• Savour the flavours of Vietnam at Le Red Tiger.
• Chat up the fashionistas at Bar Renard.

LET’S GET CULTURAL:

• Take in arts both old and new at the Museum of Fine Arts.
• Delve into local history at the McCord Stewart Museum.
• Push some boundaries at the Musée d’art contemporarain de Montréal in its temporary home in Place Ville Marie.
• Follow architectural trends at the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
• Probe neighbourhood history at the Écomusée du fier monde.

Oh, Old Montréal!

A world-class beauty throughout the year, Old Montréal's stately winter wardrobe is a true stunner. While daytime Old Montréal is a bustling sector, full to the brim with gourmet restaurants and trend-setting galleries and exhibition spaces, by night the pace slows and things really glow. Twinkling with lights, seasonally decorated shop windows and 20 foot tall glowing star installations in the epic shadow of Notre-Dame Basilica, there’s a glimmering surprise waiting around every corner. The sights and sounds of Cité Mémoire tell the stories of some of Montréal’s most infamous residents throughout history via cutting-edge projection technology across some of the neighbourhoods grandest façades. And there’s few experiences quite so iconic as skating the Old Port Skating Rink with unbeatable views of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and La Grande Roue de Montréal (which also offers some unparalleled vistas of its own)!

NOSH + SIPS:

• Don’t miss Crew, one of the world’s most beautiful cafés.
• Get hella picturesque at Le Petit Dep.
• Believe the hype at Olive et Gourmando.
• Caffeine up at Café Olimpico.
• There’s aperitivos galore at Un Po’ di Più.
• Warm your toes at Café Chez Mère Grand.
• Every day is cheat day at Bar à Beurre.
• Grab an epic-sized pizza slice at Slice + Soda.
• Elevate coffee to an art form at Café De Mercanti.
• People watch through Tommy's grand windows.
• Raise a toast to solo adventures at BreWskey’s Pub, Taproom or L’Annexe.

DIVE INTO CULTURE:

• Look up, way up, at Darling Foundry's art pieces in a former factory.
• Take in a virtual reality experience perfect for one at PHI Centre.
• Discover artworks from Québec’s Indigenous communities at Galerie d’art Images Boréales, Heritage Gallery and Galerie Le Chariot.
• See tomorrow’s contemporary art stars first at PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art.

#YOLO in the Plateau, Mile End and Outremont

Those seeking a genuine Montréalaise experience should look no further than the prime time hot spot trio of neighbourhoods Outremont, the Plateau and Mile End. These quartiers are where locals come to chat in cafés, fuel up in mainstay restaurants and pick up the latest at their favourite boutiques. And the whole area is made doubly photogenic thanks to the annual MURAL Festival, who commissions international artists to spruce up building façades throughout the area.

GET YOUR WANDER ON:

• You haven’t seen Montréal until you’ve seen the epic vistas  of the city from the top of Mount Royal.
• Enjoy a skate on frozen Beaver Lake near the mountain’s summit.
• Browse Mont-Royal Avenue and take in its opposing views of Mount Royal and the Olympic Stadium on opposite ends.
• Stroll local-style along the parallel shopping streets Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Saint-Denis Street.
• Get chic and haute couture at Laurier Avenue West's ateliers and boutiques.

ICONIC EATS:

• Next to hockey, Montréalers favourite sport is arguing over which bagel is best—is it Fairmount Bagel or St-Viateur Bagels? We call a tie, but you’ll have to try for yourself!
• It’s all about embracing your well-deserved cheat day at Boulangerie Guillaume.
• The $5 gnocchi with sauce at Drogheria Fine is served right through their front window.
• Schwartz’s Montréal smoked meat sandwiches and Wilensky's sandwiches are unmissable #mtlmoments for your tastebuds.
• It’s worth waiting for a coveted spot at Lawrence, Larrys and Boucherie Lawrence for some of the neighbourhood’s best eats.
• Toni knows pizza while Yoni's falafels are not to be missed.

Discover authentic Montréal in Villeray and Little Italy

Long home to Montréal’s vibrant Italian community, Little Italy and Villeray know a thing or two about good eats, and their unique flavour has even earned a spot on the list of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods. Grab a hot snack and beverage and wander Parc Jarry, where winter revellers come to skate, sled and ski.

WHOSA HUNGRY?:

• Corner favourite Pizzeria Napoletana has served up hot Neapolitan pizza since 1948, while San Gennaro are experts at square Roman style slabs.
• The classic cannoli at Pasticceria Alati-Caserta is legendary for a reason!
• Find food Mecca at Jean-Talon Market.
• Devour the sinful creations at État de Choc and La Boulangerie Jarry.

MOVIES AND MORE:

• Bring home something local from the arloca design boutique.
• There’s kitchenware galore at Quincaillerie Dante.
• Warm up at a screening at Cinema Public.

Feel the flow in Les Quartiers du Canal

The Lachine Canal National Historic Site runs through the upstart neighbourhoods of Griffintown, Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri, Montréal’s startup community sets trends and makes waves. But not everyone in these historic districts is just looking ahead—these upcoming hoods are also home to the Antique District.

BON APPETIT !:

• It’s always time for munchies at Atwater Market—just look for the iconic clock tower!
• Food gets fine and flirty at Foxy (while you're there, check out espace | MTL, located in Montréal’s bustling Griffintown neighbourhood, the city’s flagship store of the iconic brand, Ciele Athletics!)
• Embrace Montréal’s diner past at Greenspot Restaurant, open since 1947 and Paul Patates, famous for its poutine since 1958.
• Brunch it up at Perles et Paddock (with unbeatable boozy options too).

Old school meets new school in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Hochelaga-Maisonneuve's working class history brought the neighbourhood some of the city’s biggest, most relaxing park spaces. Now, its blend of open spaces and thriving high streets is a meeting point between hipster hangouts and old school Montréal charm. Up-and-coming Hochelag is the place to be.

MEET US IN THE PARK:

• Join the cross-country skiers, skaters and snowmen in mammoth Parc Maisonneuve.
• Sniff the blossoms in the Botanical Garden's greenhouses.
• Explore the world’s diverse biospheres at Biodôme.

WHEN HUNGER STRIKES:

• The Atomic Café turns back the clock to the space age 1960s.
• Who says dinner for one can’t be romantic? Voila, État Major!
• Ride the third wave at Hélico Café.
• Gorge on the mouthwatering veggie options at Resto-Bar le Pick Up.
• Chat up a local over a fresh pie at Pizzeria Heirloom.
• Commemorate your Montréal visit permanently (or maybe with just a T-shirt) at Wolfgang Atelier.

Go off-island

Built from the land removed to make way for Montréal’s Métro, Parc Jean-Drapeau promises a winter wonderland smack dab in the waters of the St-Lawrence River. After hosting Expo67 (remnants of which are still visible in some pavilions and Habitat 67), these twin islands are also home to the Casino de Montréal. Take a walk through the forested areas keeping an eye out for local animal life, and don’t forget that final #mtlmoments selfie with the backdrop of Montréal’s glittering skyline across the water.