A Weekend Guide to Montreal:

Montreal feels like magic. It also feels like Europe. In Quebec, French is still the first language. Because of this, everywhere you go feels new and exciting. Also, all street signs and shops are mandated by law to be in French. There is often English menus or translations in stores, but not on the street signage (so be really careful if you’re driving)! Just know you might get lost a time or two, but it is all part of the adventure!

Like I said, Montreal feels like Europe. It has gorgeous old buildings, hundreds of years of history and so much delicious food. (Ask anyone, Montreal is a foodie town). The aroma of fresh baked bread and sounds of wine glasses clinking, fill the streets. Friends and families alike walk down the street to the water front. Fresh seafood is available as well as an international cuisine.

Down below I have made suggestions on what you should do in the city over the course of a weekend. I myself have done all of the items listed, unless otherwise noted! I have also put stars* next to the things that just absolutely cannot be missed!

Old Port Historical District* - This is basically the hub of the city. This area is where I was at most of the weekend. It has the perfect combination of feeling young and hip, yet has so many historic buildings and old stories. It is one of those places that makes you say, “If only these walls could talk…”

kids Adventure section
Ferris wheel
pline over the river
Rent those paddle boats
Covered peddle bikes
Grab food from a food truck & eat by the water
Public restrooms near the old port

Boat Tour: The boat tour I took left from the old port area. I went with Croisiere au Vieux River tour cruises. I did the 60 minute tour, and if i’m being honest (which I always am with you guys), I could have done without this. I would rank it a 4/10. It is a narrated tour, so you do get some history of the city and the port. I am a huge history nerd so I love learning when I visit new places, but I had already gone on a 2.5 hour walking tour and a ghost tour, therefor I didn’t learn a whole lot of new info about the city on the hour river cruise. You also don’t travel far from where you started, so you don’t get much of a different view, besides looking back at the skyline. (If you take the tour and you end up hating, they do serve alcohol on board so many it wouldn’t be a total loss?) In all seriousness, if you are very into ports or want to get a closer look at the amusement park that is across the river, you might enjoy this a lot. I will say that it was nice to get off my feet and just sit down for a little while.

If you are looking for more of an adrenaline activity, they do have Jet boats and Jet Skis you can rent from here as well.

Jet boats & jet skis. (I didn't do either of these but they looked so fun.)
- Jet Boat Montreal
- Jet Ski rentals

Ghost Tour:

This is the most well known ghost tours (Montreal Ghosts) and the company I booked through. I looked the Traditional Ghost Walk, though there are a couple of other options. It was more of a visual story telling adventure than a historically based ghost tour. He was dressed up and animated and he was an actor. So the portrayal was more thematic than scientific (if you can even call a ghost tour that). I thought that this was a good fun way to see the city at night and to meet some new people. I feel like I am somewhat of a ghost tour conosouier
After the tour, walking back to the car, discovered that the city plays movies on the walls of buildings at night.

Walking tour:

I am a strong believer that a guided walking tour by a local is a great introduction into the city. It gives you an insight of what living in the city is really like. You have a chance to experience things that you otherwise would pass right by. I did the 2.5 hour walking tour with a wonderful guide. Her name was and she grew up in Montreal. She was young and fun and so knowledgable. On our tour we learned about the founding of the city, important people throughout history, where to get the best quick eats and sit down restaurants. They actually gave us a list of places to go and eat that the company had compiled. I have written it out for you below.
Our tour also included the entry fee to the Basilica, a food tasting in China town as well as a coffee at the end of the tour!
Night Time Activities:

The city has a second wind. It comes back to life when the sun goes down. There are so many things to do after dark. I have made a list of a few suggestions below.

Rooftop bars
Dorchester Square
Food trucks by the ferris wheel
Riding the Ferris wheel to see the skyline at night
walk around and find all the short movies on the side of buildings

Tips & Tricks:

Wear comfy shoes because there is cobble stone, cracked sidewalks, gravel & just about every other surface you can think of.
Check out the summer events in the parks. They have free outdoor events.
When you are driving, signs are all in French, and roads are very confusing. There are tons of one way streets, but they are not clearly marked. (We may or may not have driven the wrong way down a one way street.)
Murals are extensive and constantly changing, so in all likely different than the last time you were there. They hire international artists who re paint them every year.
1% of their tax dollars go towards public art, so there is something for everyone.
It is a dominantly French town. By law all menus, signs & writing are in French, but most of the time also have an English version. Road signs that is not the case.
Tons of restaurants to choose from, tons of upstairs & roof top bars to get great views of the city.
They do have an underground walking tunnels that are maintained by the businesses, but if its really hot or really cold, its a good option. The maps are confusing, so just use gps to get where you want to go.
Make sure you have some Canadian cash.
They do have a bus system that seemed to work well.
There is a cross on the top of the hill that commemorates the founder of Montreal. You can hike up to it and get beautiful views of the city.
Basilica is a 100% worth the ticket price and the wait time to get in.
Walk down and through the old financial district. Old buildings & art work.

Extra Tip:

Our tour guide said that if you go to Schwartz- get the food to go, & take it to the park. according to our tour guide, as long as you’re eating food, you may drink beer or wine in the parks.