Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Travelationship
Montreal, the cultural heart of Quebec, is a city that effortlessly combines its rich history with modern living. With its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and bustling markets, it offers a European charm right in North America. Here’s how to spend a memorable 24 hours in this beautiful city.
Let the Clock Begin on Our Time in Montreal
Montreal was a perfect mix of Brooklyn, San Francisco, and Paris. We had planned to visit a museum or two and walk the streets, but that plan was quickly dashed after we discovered the exploding street art scene. Art, in general, was a main staple in Montreal, and it made for a fun and beautiful experience.
We stayed at the Hotel Abri du Voyageur, located next to Chinatown. This area was easy walking distance to downtown and old Montreal. Our room was comfortable, with two shared bathrooms just outside our door. The bathrooms were spotless, and we had no issues with waiting or noise. Don’t let the next-door sex shop’s display window scare you. The hotel was a great value and very safe.
Parking was located in the back of the building, where I met a gentleman from Istanbul. He worked at the parking space and gave us some fun recommendations of where to visit around the city. Matt tested out his tea-sugar-dream (phonetic pronunciation of thank you in Turkish), and we shared some stories of when we visited his hometown, Istanbul. Because of our friendliness, he told us how to get the best parking rate for the next day. Who says chatting with the locals doesn’t pay off?
Breakfast Time!
We visited Mon café, a coffee shop with character, for breakfast and had a delicious plate of eggs benedicts each. As usual, it took us a second to remember how Heather wanted her coffee. Heather is used to just ordering coffee or tea, so when she has to order outside of the US, she forgets what it is she wants. Here is my hand coffee drinks breakdown.
Matthew’s Guide to Coffee Drinks:
- Americano – 1/3 Espresso, 2/3 Hot Water
- Café Macchiato – 1x shot Espresso, Dollop of Milk Foam
- Cappuccino – 2x shot Espresso, ¼ Steam Milk, ¼ Milk Foam
- Espresso – 1x shot
- Latte – 1x shot Espresso, 3/5 Steamed Milk, 1/5 Milk Foam
- Café au Lait – 1 part Coffee via French Press, 1 part Steamed Milk
- Café Mocha – ¼ Espresso, ¼ Chocolate Syrup, ¼ Steamed Milk, ¼ Whipped Cream
- Vienna Coffee – 2x Espresso, Big Dollop of Whipped Cream
Montreal Street Art Time
As Heather had mentioned, the street art had my adrenaline pumping. I barely slept, got up early to reexamine our neighborhood in the daylight, and was thrilled by the amount of street art around every corner. Little did I know how much we would find, and by the end of the day, we had stumbled across various murals and characters. If you want to see multiple images we found, check here.
We stumbled onto the Mural Festival Trail. Montreal’s world-renowned Mural Festival transforms urban walls into stunning canvases. Walk or bike through Saint-Laurent Boulevard and be awestruck by these large-scale artworks that pop out every few meters.
Lunch Time in Montreal
Our favorite meal was at Schwartz Deli, at 3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Rue Napoléon, Montreal. This place is a local icon serving the best-smoked meat sandwiches for the past 80 years. There are two doors to Schwartz – one to the “to go” deli and one to the restaurant. The line for the restaurant was ludicrous, so we opted to get our sandwiches from the deli and happily ate across the street on a bench. We both got the famous smoked meat sandwich with pickles on the side.
The sandwiches came loaded with meat and a bit of mustard. I am not a mustard fan, but I found the sandwich deelish! Eating across the street proved to be a great decision. Not only did we get to see a local protest, but we also met four hilarious guys from Toronto. The conversation started with all of us trying to figure out the basis for the protest and quickly turned to politics. We chatted with them about which country had the craziest political representatives – Rob Ford, Jesse Ventura, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Marion Barry were all mentioned. We all agreed there was no clear “winner” in the group.
If you aren’t into sandwiches, there are numerous food and shopping options on Boulevard Saint-Laurent. I wish we had more time to discover this area. It was trendy, fun, and full of fantastic street art. This is where my Brooklyn and San Francisco crossing came into place.
Historic Montreal
Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) is a historic area full of life. This once-walled section of the city houses numerous shops, restaurants, and the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. Parc Lineaire de la Commune is a riverfront park parallel to the Saint Laurent River and the old city. It is a bit shy on river views, but it’s a pretty stroll full of physical activity. Vieux-Montréal stretches from Bleury Street to Saint-Denis Street. Ensure to visit Marché Bonsecours, an iconic market that supports local artisans.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Montreal
We concluded our time in Old Montréal with a visit to Notre Dame. The basilica has an intricately designed interior full of detail and a spectacular range of colors. We were both impressed with the inside of the church, and there was much to see and take in. Don’t miss the Chapel of Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur in the rear of the church. It’s a stark contrast from the rest of the cathedral.
Evening Art Fun
We had to get to Quebec City, but if you have time, look into these amazing art experiences.
- Place des Arts As night falls, go to the Place des Arts. Check out any ongoing performances or marvel at the outdoor art installations, which are particularly captivating under the evening lights.
- Nuit Blanche Art Installations (seasonal) If you visit during Montreal’s Nuit Blanche, you’re in for an overnight artistic treat. The city is transformed with light installations, performances, and participatory artworks, all free to the public. More info here.
Also, if you find yourself on the metro, look out for the Metro Art Exploration. Montreal’s metro system isn’t just a means of transportation; it’s also an underground art gallery. As you take the metro back to your accommodation, take note of the unique artwork at each station.
Logistics
Getting Around
To & From the Airport: Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is on the island of Montreal, but it’s a fair distance from the downtown area. You can bus into the city via the 747 Aeroport bus, which lets you off at the central bus station (Gare d’autocars de Montréal – Berri-UQAM métro station). This trip will cost you CA$7 and 45-70 min depending on traffic, but does run 24/7. Taxis can be acquired for a flat rate of CA$41 to the downtown area.
Public Transit: Montreal has an integrated Bus and Metro system, so if you need to navigate the city, it will be no problem with this comprehensive structure.
Money
The Canadian Dollar and the US Dollar are relatively close to each other as far as the exchange rate goes, but you still need to be aware of foreign exchange fees. Also, look out for fees on ATM withdraws and Debit and Credit Card purchases. Travel cards were created for this purpose alone; do a quick search and find a card that is right for you.
Pro Tips:
- Opus Card: Invest in a 24-hour Opus Card for unlimited travel on Montreal’s public transport network.
- Footwear: With so much walking and biking, comfortable footwear is necessary.
- Language: While Montreal is bilingual, a few French phrases can go a long way in endearing yourself to the locals.
Recommendable: YES! YES! YES! We can’t wait to go back and see even more of Montreal.
Have you been to Montreal? Tell Us about your favorite places in the City.