Honey, Whats Cooking logo

40 Comments

Sightseeing in Montreal | Quebec, Canada

When I last visited Montreal some ten plus years ago, I was mesmerized by the city, this time, not so much.  I suppose in the past ten years I’ve seen more, grown more, and thus wasn’t as smitten this time around.  The amount of construction taking place in Montreal this time of the year may attribute to the fact I wasn’t blown away by the city’s beauty aside from Old Montreal which has elements of Paris.  

Montreal to me is a smaller, cleaner, and more liberal version of New York City where there is something for everyone, yes, let your imagination run wild.  Being that I am a foodie, perhaps I was expecting just that, New York City, a plethora of restaurants to choose from with every cuisine imaginable, but to my dismay this wasn’t quite the case in Montreal.  In Montreal, there aren’t a wide variety of restaurants, but rather tons of French restaurants to choose from, sorta like Paris, understandably so. 

Speaking of French, there is a widespread French influence in Montreal and you’ll find that most folks speak both French and English.  As I came face to face with a local, I was initially greeted with a Bonjour or Bonsoir, as opposed to Hello or Hi, but when I proceeded to speak in English, they responded back in an American accent, or shall I say a Canadian accent, same difference.  It is refreshing to experience a place where both the French and American cultures come together as one, or as we refer to as French Canadian. 

Montreal is a great pick for a quick weekend getaway for those living on the east coast, however if you’re used to New York City in terms of cuisines, restaurants, variety, and all the hustle and bustle, Montreal may not be your cup of tea.  On the contrary, if New York City is too much to handle and overwhelming to you, Montreal may just be the perfect destination for you, one that offers a little bit of tranquility and a little bit of craziness.  montreal

Recommended Days: 
3 to 4 nights max

Main Streets:
Rue Saint Catherine – shopping district
Rue Saint Laurent – nightlife & red light district at the intersection of Saint Catherine
Rue Saint Denis – dining, bars, & nightlife, has Manhattan’s West Village feel to it
Rue Saint Crescent – dining & nightlife, vibrant and a slightly upscale area
Rue Notre Dame – famous street in Old Montreal and home to the Notre Dame Basilica
Place Jacques Cartier – a beautiful square in Old Montreal with lots of French cafes & restaurants

Here is my photo diary of my 3 night Montreal getaway…


My very first cup of cappuccino at The Mon Café.  LOVE this nail polish color. 

In Old Montreal walking on Rue Notre Dame where you’ll see horse and buggy. 

And of course, the Notre Dame Basilica… this is a bad picture, my husband was rushing me.  

First night out, a room pose at our lovely boutique hotel – Le St-Martin (details coming soon).

Surprisingly there was an International Jazz Festival in Montreal at the time we visited. 

So crowded.

Lots of bars and restaurants on Rue Saint Denis which has Manhattan’s West Village feel to it.  Such a pretty street.

Beautiful shot of a random girl riding her bike also on Rue Saint Denis.

Me enjoying my first glass of wine at some random bar, the weather made my hair frizzy.  🙁

Rue Saint Crescent, the prettiest and liveliest street in my opinion, my favorite. 

See what I mean… love the array of colors. 

I just had to take a picture on Rue Saint Crescent. 

Great selection of baked goods at the famed Olive et Gourmando. 

Walking near the Old Port in Old Montreal, has a very French look and feel.

The Saint Lawrence River looks so deep.

Place Jacques Cartier, a square in Old Montreal surrounded by cafes and restaurants. 

A band playing Native American music.

My favorite corner at Jacques Cartier square.

A famous and beautiful restaurant, Jardin Nelson, but unfortunately I didn’t dine here since the menu was “too French” for me.

Posing outside our hotel… the flowery top reminds me of the flowers in Old Montreal.

My husband ditched me so I could go on a 2 hour shopping spree all by myself on Rue Saint Catherine.  Love Mango!

Croissants for breakfast, yum!

Last cup of cappuccino at Suite 88 Chocolatier.

Due to flight cancellations and delays, we rented a car and drove home.  It was a lonngggggggggggggggg 7 hour journey, but I got to see the US/Canada Border Control for the very first time.  Sucha moment!

Woohoo!  Another 6 hours to go!

Driving thru I-87 South… very scenic.

More coming on Montreal… meals and lodging!  Stay tuned!

TELL ME: Have you been to Montreal?  If so, do you love the city or was it just okay for you?  What are some of your favorite sights or things to do? 



Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Akila says

    Wow wow wow… No words to say.. U just brought the place in my eyes…. Just love ur snap near the flowes outside the hotel… Nice clicks

    Reply

  2. Ameena says

    I haven't been to Montreal in years but I really, really want to go back! It's been so long and the city looks so modern now.

    Summers there are fantastic! I can't wait to check out your recommendations (although I'm also not a fan of restaurants that are "too French.)"

    Gorgeous pictures!

    Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      Ameena, I think you would really like Montreal, but I didn't think the food was amazing, I've gotten spoiled. The city is a combo of old and new. The weather was beautiful, especially at night. I should have put "too French" in quotes, where is Maya when you need help? LoL! Thanks!!!

      Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      It's always nice to make blog friends and visit them in different cities, sucha great way to meet people. I know, I know, it's not NYC, but it's a smaller version with a LOT of French food. 🙂

      Reply

  4. Parita says

    BEAUTIFUL pictures! I've heard great things about Montreal and really want to visit. Also, where is that lacy black top from?? Super cute!

    Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      Thanks Parita! It is a nice city to visit, definitely worth doing and combine it with Quebec City to really make a trip out of it. The lacy black top is from Zara… I bought it early last year. I love it too… I'm sure you can find similar stuff now… lace is in! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Ashley says

    Great pictures. You're making me want to go to Montreal now. You're really pretty, you have such great skin.

    Reply

  7. Dixya says

    what a beautiful city and you look gorgeous :)I have never been to one yet but its good to know what to expect if I ever go there. I always enjoy reading about your trips.

    Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      Thanks Dixya.. you're so sweet. Montreal is a combination of NYC and Paris, Quebec City is more Parisian from what I've heard. Thanks.. I'm so glad you enjoy reading, I love sharing. I have to do so much research for every place I visit, and by sharing I believe I cut down all that work for my readers. 🙂

      Reply

  8. Khushboo says

    LOVED these photos and it was definitely a trip down memory lane! Visiting Montreal in 2010 was definitely one of my most memorable trips, despite it being February and ridiculously freezing! I can only imagine what the place is like in the summer. Suite 88 Chocolatier sure knows how to whip up a cappuccino- loving all that foam!

    Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      Thanks Khushboo.. it's nice to see photos of a place you've already visited. So I look forward to seeing your London pics. I can't even imagine how cold it must have been in Feb… it's a very very cold place to live in, I don't think I can move north of NYC. Definitely a must-do summertime. Yeah, I'll review Suite 88 soon. 🙂

      Reply

  17. Amelia Grace says

    I have never been to Montreal, but it looks beautiful. Its nice to see more pics of you there, it looks like you enjoyed a lot.
    Also I really like your nail polish!!

    Reply

    • honeywhatscooking says

      It is a pretty place, a very very very mini Paris, at least Old Montreal. Thanks… I am starting to share pics of myself when I travel, I think it's easier for people to connect. Thanks… I'm a nail polish junkie.

      Reply

  18. Anonymous says

    Looked like such a great experience and trip from your pics and description. I definitely, would like to try Montreal after reading your blog JC

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.