Springtime turns sweet

The marquee offering of the springtime are the legendary Sugar Shacks in and around Montréal, sure to give tastebuds and sweet teeth the ride of their lives. A time of year eagerly awaited by Montréalers and visitors alike, there’s few experiences quite so loved and local as a Sugar Shack visit. We’d suggest loosening those belts in advance and tucking in to a meal you won’t soon forget.

Maple syrup and Québec tradition take centre stage at the annual Cabane Panache, Montréal’s Maple Music Festival held on Promenade Wellington, one of the coolest streets in the world. Warm your hands on the fire and sample local maple producers’ sweet treats, join in on some family-friendly activities and dance it all off to local musicians.

Springtime is the perfect time to wander the leafy expanses of Parc Jean-Drapeau, with its stunning views of the St-Lawrence River and downtown Montréal. Each March and April, the Ste-Hélène Bistro-Terrasse transforms into an Urban Sugar Shack specializing in the almighty maple. The park is also home to the iconic Biosphère (open all year) and La Ronde amusement park, which reopens its gates every May.

Gourmandes won't want to miss Domaine des 15 Lots, a maple boutique near the Maisonneuve Market in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighbourhood. Besides a mouthwatering assortment of artisanal maple products, there’s also expertly baked maple treats and tastings. And speaking of markets, the Atwater Market (on March 16, 2024), Maisonneuve Market (on March 17, 2024) and Jean-Talon Market (on March 23, 2024) come together to host an annual Sugar Tour, each presenting a day’s worth of Maple programming and tasting. The full program is available here.

Montréal’s celebrated Underground City (the RÉSO) hosts the free annual contemporary art exhibition Festival Art Souterrain, stretching throughout the downtown core. This year’s series gives focus to the climate crisis, presenting artworks, videos, performances, sound installations and meditation activities.

Gamers will also love the PLAYBOX Center at Montréal’s Eaton Centre, stuffed to the gills with cutting-edge video games, VR experiences and crane games. Sure to become one of Montréal’s favourite party spots, there’s even private rooms and reservations available to guarantee a winning time is had by all.

Springtime is also when cycling enthusiasts rejoice, with the return of the city’s iconic BIXI bike sharing system. A true biking city—ranked in the international Copenhagen Index, no less—springtime is a perfect time to plot out and tackle some memorable bucket list bike rides.

New Montréal hotels guaranteeing that home away from home experience

Montréal’s hotel scene offers everything from unique boutique luxury experiences to the most trusted brands, and we’re welcoming some new heavy hitters to the city’s most desirable neighbourhoods.

The iconic Casino de Montréal has just announced plans for the opening of a 200-room on-site hotel, ready for guests by 2028. As one of the city’s top travel destinations, the hotel is sure to add even more to the Casino’s allure and prestige. With potential designs sourced from an international competition, we’re eagerly awaiting further plans.

The Montréal Olympic Park will also welcome a 200-room hotel, with work scheduled to kick into high gear by 2025. Designed by architecture firm Provencher_Roy, the hotel will replace the currently operating Star Cité cinema, yet maintain six of its screens in collaboration with France Film. And what could possibly be better than a movie theatre right down the hallway?

Those looking for a bona fide 5-star experience need look no further than the Vogue Hotel Montréal Downtown, a new addition to the Curio Collection by Hilton. With design flourishes by the esteemed Sid Lee creative firm and Clear Inc technology installed throughout to purify the hotel’s water and air supplies, the Vogue is always in fashion. Celebrated Montréal restaurateur Antonio Park brings his ultra-cool food vibe to the property with YamaResto, a new hotspot featuring a delicious Asian fusion menu. Be sure to check out Café Bazin, who serves classic French fare in a relaxed bistro ambiance.

Now accepting reservations right in the beating heart of the urban action, the new Hyatt Place Montréal Downtown provides easy access to many of Montréal’s top attractions, including The Village and the Quartier des spectacles. Offering upscale amenities at a reasonable price, it’s the latest addition to the “Hyatt Place” collection of Hyatt properties.  

Instagrammers and #selfie lovers will adore the Art Deco inspired HONEYROSE Hotel Montréal, a stone’s throw from festival hotspot Place des Festivals. Extra points for the exotic on-site MUZE LOUNGE & TERRASSE, the fine dining restaurant the Commodore and the cute hotel lobby café. Sure to quickly become a Montréal must-stay, the HONEYROSE’s rooms are bedecked with enough vintage objets d’art and movie set charm in its stately environs that you’ll feel like 1920s royalty. 

Warwick Le Crystal Hotel’s bright airy rooms and open air terrasse are the textbook definition of boutique accommodation. Smack dab in the middle of downtown, the Le Crystal is mere steps away from the city’s busiest shopping district. Its unique architecture and gleaming facade also make finding your way back a snap.

In the wake of her popularity at the cinema, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has partnered with Mattel Inc. to offer an exciting Barbie Dream Experiences perfect for Barbie-lovers of all ages. Besides the official Barbie Dream Suite, there’s a variety of hotel packages on offer, and everyone is welcome to live "la vie en rose" with a Barbie-approved afternoon tea and sweets boutique, alongside a selection of signature cocktails and mocktails.

The recently renovated Hôtel de l'ITHQ in Montréal offers 42 rooms designed with Quebec materials by Ædifica. The rooms include options for people with reduced mobility and the hotel is now pet-friendly. While showcasing Quebec expertise, the hotel has also received the Clé Verte® certification for its eco-responsible practices, an international recognition in environmental assessment for the hotel industry.

All-new awe-inspiring and seasonal attractions

Always down for a good photo op, Tourisme Montréal revealed its latest love letter to visitors and locals alike in summer 2023 with the BONJOUR Montréal sign on the Grand Quay in the Old Port. It’s the perfect spot for a family and friends’ Spring portrait and already a must-see installation on any Montréal getaway. Don’t forget the tag #mtlmoments!

Following an extensive glow-up and expansion, the Centre d’histoire de Montréal unveils its makeover as the MEM—Centre des mémoires montréalaises in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles. Collecting a massive trove of oral histories and personal accounts of life in Montréal, the MEM aims to tell the city’s story through the voices of its citizens both old and new. Beyond the museum itself, the MEM is also active with pop-up events and activities throughout Montréal, endlessly collecting what it means to be montréalais!

Telling a story all their own, Montréal’s world-famous murals brighten buildings throughout the city, with several attaining landmark status. The in-depth Montréal Mural Tour lets you in on some of the most intriguing and inspiring interpretations painted in epic size. (And guides won’t mind a quick café pit stop for a warming cuppa).

OASIS immersion continues its run of blockbuster full-body experiences with the North American premiere of the renowned Dreaming Asia program. Shining a light on Chinese and Japanese cultural heritage, this 360-degree mind-blowing presentation brings classic woodcut prints, shadow puppeteering and a crowded riverside festival to mesmerizing life in its North American premiere. OASIS also premieres Root for Nature, created in collaboration with National Geographic, the United Nations, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Age of Union. Inspired by the historic COP15—held in the very same building—and utilizing the latest in projection and sound technology, Nature vive expresses the biodiversity of our planet in all its splendour, making a plea for quick action in response to the climate crisis.

The internationally renowned Moment Factory brings its technological prowess to the Casino de Montréal with the ARcade augmented multiplayer experience, an immersive gaming adventure that brings players right into the system. Choose from six different games including difficulty levels, and compete like never before. And you didn’t hear it from us, but the on-site bar can also assist in loosening one up before gameplay. Next round on the loser! 

Prepare yourself for some symphonic magic with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal! Under the guiding hand of its new music director, Rafael Payare, the OSM’s 2024 programme is guaranteed to thrill music lovers throughout the season. And under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the Orchestre Métropolitain’s breathtaking performances in Montréal’s grandest halls blend traditional favourites with cutting-edge programming. 

The ultramodern glass and steel marvel the Port of Montréal Tower at the newly re-developed Grand Quay now offers visitors thrilling views over Old Montréal, downtown and the St. Lawrence River. You can even get a glimpse of the view thanks to Skaping, a camera that lets you observe the view from the tower in real time.

Dive into the arts

The venerable institution the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts continues their history of unmissable arts programming with Georgia O’Keeffe and Henry Moore: Giants of Modern Art, bringing two of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century together from February 10 to June 2, 2024. The Pop of Life!: Pop Art in the Collection of the MMFA gathers together works by some of the most beloved figures in the movement including Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein alongside Canadians Pierre Ayot and Joyce Weiland until July 2024. Winnipeg-based Wanda Koop premieres a new series of work entitled Who Owns The Moon running from April 11-August 4, 2024, while 東海道 Tōkaidō: Dreamscapes by Andō Hiroshige presents Hiroshige’s 1833 series “Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō” from April 27-September 8, 2024. 

Created in collaboration between Kahnawà:ke artist MC Snow and Kyra Revenko, new bronze sculptures erected on Peel Street along the 2.5 km route connecting Mount Royal with the St. Lawrence River. Marking the trail, these decorated spheres pay direct homage to Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, the Kanien’kehá:ka ceremony of thanks, to commemorate and acknowledge Montréal’s Indigenous histories. Further information and a guided tour are also available on the Portrait Sonore app.

Focused on Montréal’s urban history, the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and History Complex hosts the extensive The Heart and Soul of St-Henri, a loving look at one of the city’s most storied and unique waterside quartiers.

The McCord Stewart Museum in the Golden Square Mile commemorates the Contemporary Native Art Biennial with a showing of Kanien’kehà:ka artist MC Snow’s Presence of the Past including two new works and other objects drawn from the museum’s extensive Indigenous Cultures collection until August 18, 2024. The permanent exhibition Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience offers further context of Montréal Island’s rich Indigenous histories. Later in the spring, the McCord turns its eye towards fashion photography with the North American premiere of Norman Parkinson: Always in Style, a tribute to the legendary fashion photographer who captured the trends and follies of popular fashion from the 1930s to the 1980s, running from April 19 to September 2, 2024.

The cutting-edge Phi Centre presents the augmented reality experience Colored: The Unknown Life of Claudette Colvin, re-telling her lost story of refusing to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama and suing the city for her subsequent jail time nine months before Rosa Parks. Artist Darren Emerson’s virtual reality experience In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats takes a look at the UK's 80s rave culture, allowing viewers to relive an underground party in 1989 Coventry. Both run until April 28, 2024, and the Centre’s monthly free performance series Embodied Spaces also continues throughout the season.

The PHI Centre’s sister location PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art welcomes both Sonia Boyce’s monumental FEELING HER WAY—winner of the Golden Lion at the 2022 Biennale di Venezia—and the duo exhibition Efflorescence/The Way We Wake by Rajni Perera and Marigold Santos. Both shows run May 3-September 8, 2024. 

The PHI Centre’s PHI Studio also brings an unforgettable VR experience to Old Montréal with the Canadian premiere of Horizon of Khufu: Journey in Ancient Egypt. Turning back time, this cutting-edge immersive multimedia presentation offers visitors a first-hand look at the Giza Pyramids at the time of their construction over 4,500 years ago.

The daphne Indigenous artist-run centre presents multidisciplinary artist Greg Staats’s nahò:ten sa’tkahton tsi niioháhes? / qu’est-ce que vous avez vu en chemin? / what have you seen along the way? and sound artist Martin Rodriguez’s Ehécatl, comme le vent souffle dans toutes les directions / Ehécatl, as the wind blows in all directions, both running until April 6, 2024.

While still in their temporary location in Place Ville Marie, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)’s spring roster of exhibitions is sure to thrill. The group exhibition femmes volcans forêts torrents features works by nine of Québec’s most exciting women-identifying artists including Maria Ezcurra, Sabrina Ratté and asinnajaq. And Montréal’s Mara Eagle presents the epic computer-generated mural des Dieux, et des Monstres along the MAC’s corridor both from April 11, 2024.

A living tribute to Montréal’s industrial past, the Fonderie Darling presents works both large and small in its pair of exhibition halls the Grand Salle and the Petite Gallerie. This spring, Simon S. Belleau’s multi-format Répliques takes over the larger space while James Gardner’s Ecstatic Distance fills the smaller gallery. Both shows run March 28-May 26, 2024.

Converted warehouse Arsenal Contemporary Art Montréal extends the blockbuster run of Immersive Disney Animation, in which family favourites take over in eye-popping glory until May 5, 2024.

A gourmet paradise

It’s no empty brag when we say Montréal is home to one of North America’s most vibrant culinary scenes, and the list of must-eats grows with every season. Check out these recent openings in the city, and trust us when we tell you you’ll want to leave space for dessert. Bon appétit!

• The Esplanade Tranquille has quickly become one of the city’s favourite all-season hang out spots, from skating in the winter to serving as a performance space throughout festival season. The newly-opened Café Tranquille offers a full menu of hot drinks, tasty eats and a selection of vegan and gluten-free options alongside a stunning view over the plaza.
• One of the city’s most iconic dining spaces tucked away on the ninth floor of the Eaton Centre will re-open in Spring 2024 as a dining and events space. Nick-named Le 9^e by locals upon its opening in 1931, the room remains one of Canada’s most important art deco locations, protected by Heritage Montréal since its closure in 1999. We can’t wait!
• You’ll feel transported to a lush Mediterranean oasis at Pangea, a restaurant, club and bar in Old Montréal, thanks to its beach house seating adorned with luxury finishes and their outdoor terrace.
• Nestled on the 45th and 46th floors of PVM, the Hiatus offers breathtaking views of the Montréal landscape while chefs Yoann Therrer, Iari Prassi and Olivier Vigneault bring you a menu inspired by Franco-Japanese flavors, composed of predominantly Japanese ingredients and finely prepared using French techniques.
• Enjoy the magnificent sunsets on the Rose Orange terrace, Montréal's highest outdoor vantage point, where you can sit back and enjoy a bite to eat with summer refreshments. You'll find a raw Mediterranean-inspired menu and a menu of signature cocktails.
• Double’s Late Night on Parc Avenue keeps the eats and drinks coming until 3:00 AM nightly, and has already established itself as a favourite after show spot. Recent visitors include the Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl and Yves Tumor after their latest Montréal performances.
• Kabinet brings Paris to the Mile End with a seasonal menu by Jean-Michel Leblond, classic brasserie fare, cocktail bar, natural wines and a dedicated caviar menu ranging from salmon to sturgeon.
• With keywords like gluten-free, Indonesian-Malaysian tapas and skillful cocktails, Satu Lagi is a definite new must-eat.

• For maple season, the Montréal Marriott Château Champlain transforms its Alpine ski club-inspired Belvu Hors-Piste terrasse into an Urban Sugar Shack. Featuring unique twists on classic cabane à sucre favourites (don’t miss the pudding chômeur) and musical accompaniment from some of the city’s best DJs, you’re in for a treat. Is it just us, or do things just somehow taste better when the view is this epic?
• Ăn Chơi Plaza promises a genuine Vietnamese culinary experience in the Rosemont neighbourhood, based on seasonal ingredients and availabilities. There’s also a specialist wine and drinks list sure to guarantee perfect couplings and new discoveries.
• Grab your pre-and-post show eats at the Quartier des Spectacles new eatery Kaviar. And yes, that titular morsel is indeed on the menu!
• If you haven’t experienced a bonafide Montréal casse-croûte, then Mange dans mon hood is the stop for you. Perfect burgers, fries and poutine hold prime placement on the menu.
• Contemporary Japanese cuisine gets a new home at the Jean-Talon Market with Eno Izakaya, offering a full range of favourites from oyakodon to chirashi.
• A new hit in the Mile End neighbourhood, Tula serves up plant-based Indian dishes and a vegan Indian brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Try the butter “chicken”!

• An old school pastry café that also serves up delectable full meals, Bonheur d’Occasion makes for a great stop either for a quick caffeine-based refuel (don’t forget the croissant) or a casual dinner. And we’re not the only ones who have it on our list—Air Canada’s annual list of Canada’s Best New Restaurants ranked Bonheur d’Occasion at a well-deserved number 6! We’d suggest reservations now that the secret’s truly out. 
• With a view like no other, Bivouac, a restaurant that’s equal parts a social lounge, an artisan bar and a modern bistro, nestled in the heart of downtown Montréal is a destination offering a unique gastronomic experience. 
• Hochelaga is home to some of Montréal’s most exciting new restaurants, and the Vietnamese eatery Golden Lotus has just joined the list. The cocktail list even blends in some traditional Vietnam flavours including pandan and litchi.
• Get on a first-name basis with the chef at Billy, j’ai faim! on bustling Saint-Denis Street, where chef Billy Galindo brings his southern French background to the fore using sustainably produced and local ingredients.
• The Village’s dining scene takes a fun step up with Motel Motel, featuring plant-based bites by chef Gaultier Wislet and a IYKYK speakeasy in the back.
• The mood of the Mile End is struck perfectly at Le Plongeoir, a reclaimed classic neighbourhood dive bar (including pool tables!) that serves local snacks and a tasteful list of low intervention and natural wines.

A constantly changing cityscape

Montréal is on the move, with a roster of major enhancement projects changing the face of the city – and we’re ready for our close-up!  
 

Renovations have begun on the city’s legendary Théâtre St-Denis which, along with other performance spaces and restaurants, will become the brand-new Espace St-Denis, opening in 2025. Situated in the Latin Quarter, the complex will not only pay homage to the area’s rich entertainment history, but also unveil new, cutting-edge experiences for those in attendance with the incorporation of artificial intelligence. While the complex gets its makeover, you can still enjoy shows at its Studio-Cabaret, taste of Paris brasserie Le Molière and chic rooftop piano bar Le Marie-Louise—clearly the new it place to be. If that weren’t already enough to get mouths watering, this summer, ice cream lovers can enjoy the cool treats from its crèmerie.

A new centre for food and culture constructed out of Montréal’s original and iconic MR-63 métro (or subway) cars from 1966 is under construction in Place William Dow in the heart of Griffintown. In partnership with Montréal’s creative community, the MR-63 Pavilion will offer an array of products and services in addition to artistic, design and culinary programming featuring 100% local talent rotated every season. Get ready to board in 2025!

Also under construction is the epic new home of the  Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal  (or MAC for short, set for opening in 2025), but  that  doesn’t mean the museum’s programming has stopped for the duration. See the Arts section above for this spring’s MAC offerings. 

Long a reminder of Montréal’s Old Port past, a rejuvenating overhaul of the epic Silo No. 5 site will break ground in 2024. With plans for an observation deck, public market, living spaces, hotel, museum space and upscale restaurants, this long-closed memento of the city’s industrious past is certain to become one of Montréal’s most sought-after addresses.  

The island oasis Parc Jean-Drapeau is undergoing a transformation featuring a re-greening of park space including spaces dedicated to wetlands, a riverside promenade, ferry access, waterfront public squares and a High Line-inspired bridge linking the park’s two islands. And embracing the park’s legendary Expo 67 history, the Place des Nations is also on the receiving end of a unique glow-up, restoring its exposition-heights grandeur as an open-air performance space and gathering point at the west end of Île Sainte-Hélène. 

The light-rail REM (Réseau express métropolitain) system will directly connect Montréal’s North Shore, South Shore, West Island and YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, with the first self-driving trains now running from Brossard to Gare Centrale in as little as 18 minutes! Future legs are scheduled to open next year.

Groupe Écorécréo’s Royalmount project promises an eco-innovative neighbourhood that’s more than just an upcoming must-have address, but also a leafy oasis well-stocked with shops, theatres, hotels and park spaces. The development will also be home to the Aquarium de Montréal, promoting the health of marine and freshwater environments while highlighting the importance of high-quality animal care and conservation actions, set to open in 2024.

Following an open international architectural competition, the PHI Centre and PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art will consolidate under the same roof as PHI Contemporary, set to open in 2026. Blending pieces of Old Montréal with innovative modern structural add-ons, the PHI Contemporary is sure to bring the most forward-looking creativity to Montréal’s oldest neighbourhood.

Greatest hits and icons galore 

• Feel like a high-roller at the Casino de Montréal, housed in the architectural wonder originally built for the France pavilion at Expo 67. Games, performances and fine dining are all on offer—a literal playground for adults!
• The epic views from the La Grande Roue de Montréal cover the flowing waters of the Saint-Lawrence River on one side, and Old Montréal and the Old Port on the other. An iconic must-do for any visitor. 

• AURA at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal is back in a new, revamped edition. A marvel of video mapping, light and sound, AURA transforms the Basilica into a living, breathing environment you won’t soon forget—a must-see on any Old Montréal visit. 
• There’s a plethora of activities and adventures awaiting in the Old Port, ranging from the brain-tickling SOS Labyrinth to the MTL Zipline, and the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and History Complex to the stately Marguerite Bourgeoys Historic Site. There’s something for everyone! 
• Montréal’s glowing history comes to life with the light and sound experiences of Cité Mémoire, throughout Old Montréal and the Old Port. Triggered by the Montréal en Histories app, the city’s ghosts are projected throughout the neighbourhood to tell their own stories after dark. 

• Insect lovers—and heck, even those who can’t stand them when they run across the kitchen floor—won’t want to miss the Insectarium, back in full swing following a major renovation. Explore the fascinating world of hard-working bees, industrious ants, pest-controlling spiders and so many other insects that we literally could not live without. Get a whole new appreciation for these endlessly captivating, colourful and highly adaptable tiny creatures.

• Are there any two things more relaxing than boats and spas? The Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau combines the two in an old ferryboat and outdoor pool area. And did we mention that view over the water?