Québec’s largest city brims with art, festivals, and joie de vivre, and after an unforgettable week exploring Montreal for Canada’s 150th anniversary, I was completely captivated! From a boat spa in a reinvented port to a whimsical fine-dining spot I unearthed some awesome spots, here’s how I spent 48 hours in this one-of-a-kind city….
1. Gazing at wonderful art installations in ‘The Village’
2. Watching the Aura Light show at the Notre Dame Basilica
Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica, a magnificent Neo-Gothic church built in 1824 by an Irish-American Protestant architect, captivated me — especially during the breathtaking Aura light-and-sound show I attended one evening.
I found it in stumbling distance from my elegant base at the 4-star Maison Saint-Vincent By Maisons & co and it was mesmerizing fusion of dazzling lights, soaring orchestral music, and grand architecture — a bold, sensory, and immersive experience.
It began subtly, built to a dazzling crescendo, and ended in spectacular fashion — easily one of Montreal’s best nights out, which is saying a lot in a city world-famous for its culture!
3. Hanging out at the gentrified Old Port
Stretching over two kilometres along the St. Lawrence River, Old Montreal’s Old Port has been spectacularly reimagined into a hip industrial-chic hub, where suited office workers spill in after hours to unwind
My favorite stops were Velish, a funky organic food and juice bar with colorful plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free options, and La Champagnerie, a chic champagne bar where I savored Baie et Bulles alongside divine truffle-scented mushroom crostini!
4. Attending a rooftop party in Mile End – the hipster district
Mile End is often dubbed Montreal’s coolest neighborhood (even ranked the 5th coolest place to live in the world!), and I loved its old-school bagel bakeries, quirky vintage boutiques, and buzzing tech start-ups that gave it such an energetic, progressive vibe!
One of my favorite Montreal evenings was a Mile End rooftop party, sipping inventive cocktails with friendly cool-geek types while soaking up sweeping city views under the lingering warmth of the evening sun.
If you can’t snag an invite to one of Mile End’s many launch parties, head to a rooftop bar instead — with gorgeous city views and a hip, laid-back vibe, it’s guaranteed to be a fabulous night out!
5. Spending an evening at Chambre à Part Restaurant
From late-night poutine to refined French fare, Montreal is a true culinary haven, with restaurants that blend French flair with flavors from across the globe.
On my last night in Montreal, I dined at Chambre à Part, a trendy new spot in the Latin Quarter with whimsical decor — mismatched chairs, black-framed windows, and exposed brick — that was exactly my kind of place!
Beyond the quirky decor, I loved the exceptionally friendly staff and the beautifully presented dishes and cocktails crafted by their in-house mixologist — eclectic organic creations like Hamashi with sake, medlar, chickpea, jalapeño, radish, and black bean cantaloupe, followed by a leek, huckleberry, cashew, and sumac risotto that tasted every bit as adventurous as the setting!
6. Relaxing at Bota Bota – the trendy spa on the docks
Docked at the Old Port in a converted ferryboat, I found that Bota Bota was a stylish Nordic-inspired spa with industrial-chic interiors and some of the most sublime views along the St. Lawrence River (accompanied by a faint river breeze)!
I spent a blissful morning here resting my weary sightseer’s legs, and when it was time to leave, it was very hard to prise myself away from the bubble of zen-like peace!
Beyond its treatments, restaurant, and rooftop jacuzzi, I loved Bota Bota’s garden hideaway with an infinity pool, roomy jacuzzi, cold plunge, and hammocks scattered among sleek designer loungers.
7. Filling up my belly (and my bags!) at Jean-Talon Market, Little Italy
In the heart of colorful Little Italy, Jean-Talon Market — one of Montreal’s oldest public markets — won me over with its vibrant mix of local produce and multicultural vendors. I munched on homemade hummus, olives, and crusty sourdoughs, buttery croissants, and fougasse still warm from the oven while chatting with the laid-back stall owners who were eager to share stories about their artisan goods.
I loved the laid-back vibe, the unbelievably fresh local fruit and veggies, and the multicultural treats — from fragrant Indian spices to flaky Portuguese custard tarts. It was the perfect spot to while away a weekend hour or two, but definitely go on an empty stomach!
8. Taking in the views at Mont-Royal Park
The Mont-Royal Park lookout was a favorite of mine for its unbeatable views over downtown (my photo shows this above!) and the lively weekend vibe — I saw people sprawled on benches and low walls soaking up the stunning cityscape accompanied by the elegant sound of an alfresco piano recital!
I soaked up sweeping views of the East Side — from the Olympic Stadium to downtown’s high-rises and the financial district — and though the steep walk through the park was worth it, I’d also recommend hopping on a bus if you feel like cheating a little!
9. Going for a coffee or Kombucha tea at Cafe Parvis
French signposts and menus aside, I loved how Montreal’s French influence shone through at the ultra-charming Café Parvis — a spot that felt like it belonged on a cobbled backstreet in Montmartre (my photo is above).
Filled with warm light and lush plants, this elegant little café completely charmed me — I savored a flaky almond croissant with a smooth café au lait and even tried the city’s favorite healthy sip, chilled kombucha tea in a Hibiscus-rose flavor!
10. Catching the Caida del Cielo show
Proudly calling itself North America’s cultural hub, Montreal bursts with year-round festivals! I was lucky to catch an offbeat performance at the Monument-National Theatre during the Transamérique Festival, where a Spanish flamenco dancer swept us into a surreal, slightly comic journey of light and shadow — billed as ‘virtuoso flamenco meets rock concert,’ it perfectly captured the city’s creative spirit
By the end, the show earned a raucous standing ovation from a spellbound audience — the perfect finale to a travel-snob–worthy Montreal trip!
