Montreal, Canada: 10 Things to Do
At this point, we’re all just trying to get out of the house, get back to normal, and if you’re like me ~ trying to squeeze in some travel before 2020 is over. As cities, states, and countries are slowly starting to open again and you’re itching to get some world travel in your life, Canada might be the perfect place to cure your craving to get out of the country!
John and I went to Montreal, Canada last summer and it was such an easy, refreshing French getaway. Here are 10 things to do!
1.Take a Food Tour Through “Old Montreal”
John and I booked a group food tour of Old Montreal. The walking tour was 3.5 hours long and our tour guide took us all over the historic streets of downtown. We met at Crew, an old 1920’s bank turned, super trendy, chic cafe and co-working space. It was like the Canadian WeWork! We people-watched while enjoying tasty smoked salmon bagels.
After Crew, we hit 5 different places all across Old Montreal. We had french onion soup, carrot cake, macaroons, poutine, sparkling wine, and beer! I definitely recommend booking a food tour (they have ones in Mile End too) as a different way to explore the city, learn new things and get a local’s perspective.
2. Eat a Montreal Bagel the “Canadian way”
When you search “Montreal Bagel” one of the first things that will come up is St. Viateur Bagel. This is Montreal’s famous bagel shop and after trying it, I know why!
How do you eat a Montreal bagel you ask? You pick the bagel up with your hands, rip it, dunk the bagel right into the container of the Philadelphia Cream cheese, get a big ol’ scoop and EAT IT. No knives needed here!! If you know me, you know I love cream cheese, so the bagel is just a vehicle for cream cheese to take a one way trip to my belly. Going here is the only thing you absolutely HAVE to do during your time in Montreal. Check out their menu and learn more about their story here.
3. See a Cirque De Soleil Show!
Did you know that Cirque de Soleil started in Montreal?! It’s okay me neither! Which was why we HAD to see a show while we were there!
Before or after you see your Cirque de Soleil show, be sure to walk around the area. Right next door is the Port of Montreal and they have the big ferris wheel. There are cute food trucks and vendors lined up in the plaza for a perfect pre/post show snack.
4. Eat poutine for every single meal in moderation.
We ate a ton of Poutine while on our trip...may even venture to say we ate too much? Pretty much just tacked it on as a side for every meal when possible.
One spot that we loved was Restaurant Chez Claudette, which is a hole in the wall spot that supposedly makes killer poutine. We sat at the bar and talked to the two workers and they told us what it’s like working there and the various colorful characters that come in. The restaurant is open 24 hours so you can swing by and get your drunk eats after the bars!
5. Take a stroll through Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal Park is a huge park in the middle of the city ~ think Central Park ~ with a tiny mountain in the middle: Mount Royal. There are historic statues and monuments at different entrances to the park.
If you’re looking to be outdoorsy, you can take a walk to Beaver Lake or make your way up to the top of Mount Royal to get a view of the city skyline.
6. Explore Mile End + Try Local Beer & Coffee
John and I booked an Airbnb in Mile End —which is this really cool, artsy, hipster neighborhood. Tons of unique shops, restaurants, bars and for young people this is definitely “the it” place to stay.
We talked to our airbnb host and he recommended we try a nearby micro-brewery: Siboure. We went the next day and ordered a flight of beers to sample the local brews. John loved the beers!
He also recommended some good coffee shops nearby. We hit up Noble, a trendy, to-go, counter coffee shop. It’s only a 2-3 minute walk from the entrance to the metro. But we didn’t know we wouldn’t be allowed to bring open drinks/food on the metro. Luckily, I don’t have a problem chugging coffee.
7. Try Schwartz’s Deli
Sheeeeesh would ya look at that line!!! Yeah we saw it and decided we didn’t feel like waiting around.
We heard amazing things about Schwartz’s Deli, so definitely make the trip if you have the time and patience. Clearly these folks think it’s worth the wait!
8. Fast Food: Tim Hortons + McDonalds
Fun fact… John and I get McDonalds every time we travel! We love to try each country’s unique menu and compare all the different items. McDonalds in Montreal serves POUTINE and the filet-o-fish did not disappoint. Hint: It never does. If you get the chance, make sure to stop by a Tim Hortons. The iconic double double (two creams, two sugars) may just be a cup of coffee to most but to Canadians, it’s home. Add some timbits to go along with your coffee!
9. Admire the colorful murals!
We explored Saint Laurent Boulevard to check out the amazing murals that cover every surface in this strip! Amazing artwork covers all the buildings at every intersection! In June, the walls get re-painted as artists travel from around the world to redecorate! Wear a cute outfit because there is no shortage of great instagram backdrops here!
10. Get pranked by “Just for Laughs”
So this is crazy…John and I are heading back to our airbnb, we’re walking through a park and we see a gender reveal party set up. As we’re walking, we notice the big group at the party start freaking out. The grandpa is making a whole scene, throws a present on the ground and the mother-to-be starts bawling uncontrollably.
John and I are like: WAIT WHAT? - so confused. What is happening over there!? As we continue to walk away from the scene, we’re totally rubber necking to look back at what’s happening. John and I notice people with cameras hiding behind trees and bushes. WAIT WHAT? again.
Naturally, we go approach the lady with the clipboard, who is clearly part of this hidden camera crew, and ask what they’re doing?! It turns out they are recording for a show called “Just for Laughs” —which is a Montreal based prank show! John and I were totally pranked!!
The story gets better because after talking to the woman with the clipboard, she asks: “Can you guys be on the show?! We need to get a few more takes before the rain starts again!” It had been on and off drizzling all day, so there weren’t too many people walking through the park to prank.
I happily volunteered ~ John not as enthusiastic ~ but we quickly signed our rights away on her clipboard and then it was Lights -Camera - ACTION.
This was the prank: A “family” was having a gender reveal party and they call over a random person to open up the box to release either pink or blue balloons. Everyone is cheering, but as the blue balloons get released — everyone goes dead silent. It’s so cringe and awkward - suddenly the grandpa starts stomping around and throws a teddy bear on the ground. They all were hoping for a girl. The poor innocent bystander is left in the middle of this awkward family dynamic just holding the lid to this box. The mother-to-be starts crying, the random person has to start consoling her and then BOOM ~ all the actors say GOTCHA!! The actors huddle around, point at all the cameras, everyone is laughing together, and it’s just one big happy prank family. As I’m writing this, I hope what whatever we signed wasn’t an NDA, if so, this is all a joke.
John and I both had our turn being the “fake bystander” but because we knew the whole prank, we really got into character with this scenario. After I went, all the comedians said I was incredible. (….dont let it go to your head meg, dont let it go to your head…) They all said I was a total natural and couldn’t believe I wasn’t in the “biz.”
Well I hope this list helps you plan your trip Montreal. And if you take anything away from this list, it’s to always be camera ready because you never know when you’ll get your big Hollywood break.
-Meg