MONTRÉAL: CULTURAL | UNDERSTATED | QUAINT
 SEE & DO: OLD MONTRÉALArchitecture and cobbled streets have been restored to preserve the look of this 17th century city in its earliest days as a settlement. |  SEE: NOTRE-DAME BASILICA OF MONTRÉALBuilt between 1824 and 1829, this architectural wonder exhibits paintings, sculptures, and stained-glass windows which vividly illustrate biblical passages and parish history. |  SEE & DO: MONTRÉAL BOTANICAL GARDENSExplore a remarkably diverse array of plants, themed gardens and 10 exhibition greenhouses. |
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 SEE & DO: RIDEAU CANAL - UNESCOOpened in 1832 as a precaution in case of war with the United States, the canal remains in use today for pleasure boating, with most of its original structures intact. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |  SEE ST. JOSEPH'S ORATORY OF MOUNT ROYALDaily guided tours allow visitors to experience more than one hundred years of history, culture, and developments at the largest shrine in the world dedicated to Saint Joseph. |  STAY: SOFITEL MONTRÉAL GOLDEN MILEEnjoy the masterful blend of minimalist design and warm sophistication at this luxury hotel embellished with Victorian accents from the estate of North American railroad pioneer William Cornelius Van Horne. |
 STAY: RITZ-CARLTON MONTRÉALA luxury hotel that blends modern technology with historic charm, located in a neighborhood which includes the Golden Square Mile, high-end boutiques, galleries and museums. |  STAY: HÔTEL NELLIGANA prime example of polished, urban living, with luxurious amenities in lavish rooms, suites and penthouses that pair modern, boutique comforts with classic stone walls dating back over a century. |  STAY: FAIRMONT TREMBLANTA year-round playground nestled in the heart of a scenic village at the foot of the Laurentian mountain. The Fairmont Tremblant is the only ‘’ski-in/ski-out’’ resort of the region, offering easy access to ski tracks or hiking trails. |
 SPA: HÔTEL LE CRYSTALTake in panoramic views of the Montréal skyline from the rooftop outdoor hot tub. |  SPA: BALNEAPanoramic views, walking trails and a private lake along with excellent spa facilities make this a worthwhile day trip from the city. |  EAT: PARK RESTAURANTA sushi restaurant in that pairs the purity of traditional Japanese cuisine with Korean and South American flavors. |
 EAT: TOURTIÈREA traditional meat pie made of finely ground meat (commonly pork, beef, or veal) and spices like nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, encased in a flaky pastry shell. |  DRINKS: LA DISTILLERIEA fun casual bar where cocktails are served in mason jars. |  DRINKS: LE LABCelebrated mixologists concoct a range of fancy cocktails with an entertaining flair |
 SHOP: NOËL ÉTERNELA year-round Christmas shop offering a multitude of collectible items. Discover delightful German nutcrackers, Russian dolls, blown glass ornaments and more. Photo By: Michel Craig | Flickr |
This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, with cobblestone streets and old-world architecture, preserved to maintain its European flair. It has a unique mix of both past and present, and blends charm with modern sophistication. Summer festivals joyfully celebrate everything from comedy and jazz to beer and fireworks. Skip the underground city unless taking refuge from the cold winter. Eat poutine, wood fired bagels and raw milk cheeses that are not available south of the Canadian border.
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BEFORE YOU GO
GETTING AROUND
Montréal is a compact city and best explored on foot, though bikes, taxis, the métro (subway) and bus are also viable options. During the summer, take a water shuttle from one side of the St Lawrence River to the other. The hop-on-hop-off bus is another way to get in all the attractions. Once you've explored all that this city has to offer, take the train to Québec City.
STAY
The city boasts several fine hotels, many with world-renown reputations that cater to personal whims and fancies. Since this is a walking city, pick a hotel that is central to the attractions.
EAT
Traditional Montréal fare includes poutine, home-style fries, drenched in gravy, and topped with fresh cheese curds. The bagels found here are wood-fired which is different from the ones found in New York. Street vendors serve up shish taouk, which bears a striking similarity to shawarma, and Schwartz’s Montréal Hebrew Delicatessen sells a to-die-for smoked meat sandwich. Tourtière is a traditional meat pie topped with a delicious flaky crust. Satisfy sweet cravings, by indulging in tire sur la neige, taffy formed by pouring boiling hot maple sap directly onto fresh snow. The raw milk cheese sold here is not available in the U.S., so definitely devour some.
The city is also home to some truly fine restaurants. Here are a few favorites.
DRINKS
Montréal has over 300 bars, clubs, and pubs set in a variety of themes. Many of them feature expert bartenders or mixologists who will serve up some potent concoctions guaranteed to please the most discerning.
SEE & DO
A dynamic city with a rich natural, historical, artistic and architectural heritage, along with world-class events, fine museums, lush gardens and more. Explore Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only 2 hours away. During the winter, head up to Mont Tremblant for some exceptional skiing.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal
Rideau Canal - UNESCO
St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
Vieux-Port de Montréal (Old Port)
SPA
Spas in Montréal offer services and amenities that have a Scandinavian flair to it. Take in the city as you soak in a rooftop hot tub or escape the hustle and bustle in secluded spas around the city, or make a day trip to Balnea for some total relaxation.
Balnea – Day Trip
SHOP
Explore plazas along Ste-Catherine, including the Centre Eaton, Les Cours Mont-Royal, the Complexe Les Ailes and Place Montréal. Also of interest, are the boutiques in St-Laurent Boulevard, featuring goods from local designers, and Rue Saint Paul in Old Montréal, which is a hub for artisans and artists, such as jewelers, glass blowers and apparel designers.
The Chabanel warehouses are located in a group of old factory buildings in northern Montréal west of Blvd St-Laurent, appealing to shoppers who enjoy the thrill of a random find at bargain prices.
Montréal is also home to some of the best markets where shoppers can browse through locally sourced goods and produce.