Arrive in Montreal and settle into your downtown or Old Montreal hotel, then shake off travel fatigue with a warming coffee and pastry at Café Olimpico or Crew Collective & Café. Take a gentle walk along Rue Saint-Paul, admiring the cobblestones and 18th-century facades as you drop into boutique shops and the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel for its panoramic views of the Old Port.
Continue exploring the Old Port with a visit to the Pointe-à-Callière Museum to trace Montreal’s archaeological roots, then stroll the waterfront to the Grande Roue de Montréal for skyline photographs. Pause for a leisurely lunch at Marché Bonsecours’ bistro or Terrasses Bonsecours if weather permits, and wander through Place Jacques-Cartier where street artists and souvenir vendors create lively atmosphere.
For a welcoming dinner, head to Brasserie 701 or Garde Manger for classic Quebecois-inflected dishes and cozy ambiance in Vieux-Montréal. After dinner, enjoy an evening passeggiata along the lit quay, or warm up with drinks at historic Bonsecours Lounge or the intimate Le Bremner — a perfect first-night introduction to Montreal’s vibrant food-and-nightlife scene.
Wake up with a leisurely breakfast at Olive et Gourmando or Le Cartet, then continue the historic thread from yesterday with a deeper ramble through Rue Saint-Paul to visit the elegant Notre-Dame Basilica—be sure to join a guided tour to see its gilded interior and hear about Montreal’s religious and civic history. Afterward, pop into nearby boutiques and galleries (Galerie MX or Galerie Nicolas Robert) and warm up with a coffee at Crew Collective & Café inside the old bank headquarters.
Spend the afternoon at Pointe-à-Callière for a layered look at the city’s archaeological past, then stroll to the Montreal Archaeology and History Complex exhibitions before crossing to the Old Port to visit the Montréal Science Centre or take a short cruise (weather permitting) for different waterfront perspectives. Break for lunch at Marché Bonsecours’ bistro or a cozy spot like Jardin Nelson on Place Jacques-Cartier, sampling local cheeses, pâtés, or a hearty tourtière to keep you fueled.
As evening falls, savor refined Quebecois cuisine at Le Club Chasse et Pêche or the inventive plates at Le Bremner, tying tonight’s meal to the region’s flavors introduced earlier in the trip. Finish with a twilight walk along the lit quay to the Grande Roue de Montréal for night views, or choose a cocktail at historic Bar Le 1908 to toast another day of discoveries in Old Montreal.
Start the day with a warming breakfast at Café Parvis or the charming Le Petit Dep, then head up to Mount Royal Park for a classic Montreal winter experience: follow the Beaver Lake path toward Kondiaronk Belvedere for panoramic views of the city skyline dusted in snow. If you’re feeling active, rent snowshoes or join locals on the groomed cross-country trails, then pause at the Chalet du Mont-Royal for hot chocolate and photos of the city framed by bare winter trees.
Descend into the Plateau-Mont-Royal and wander the colorful streets of Saint-Laurent and Saint-Denis, dropping into independent boutiques like Boutique Citizen and Galerie Yves Laroche; stop for a leisurely lunch at L'Express or the legendary Schwartz’s for a classic smoked-meat sandwich. Afterward, explore Mile End’s creative pockets—visit Drawn & Quarterly bookstore, peek into boutique cafes such as Café Olimpico (if you want a second coffee), and sample local bagels from St-Viateur or Fairmount for a true Montreal taste test.
As dusk falls, settle in for dinner at already-renowned local spots—try rustic fare at Damas (if you want Levantine flair) or intimate French-Quebec plates at Au Pied de Cochon (reservations recommended) to continue your culinary journey. End the night with a leisurely stroll along Boulevard Saint-Laurent to enjoy mural-lined streets, a craft cocktail at a snug bar like Le Cheval Blanc, or live music at a neighborhood venue to soak up Plateau nightlife before returning to your downtown base.
After a comforting breakfast at the hotel or Café Myriade, walk up Sherbrooke Street to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) to begin the day with its encyclopedic collections and seasonal exhibitions; don’t miss the decorative arts rooms and the intimate Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for contemporary work. Allow time for the MMFA’s sculpture garden and the multimedia displays in the S+F contemporary wing, pairing quiet galleries with sweeping views along Sherbrooke.
Cross Sherbrooke to the nearby Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal for a contrasting program of cutting-edge installations and Quebec contemporary artists, then pause for a leisurely lunch at Les Enfants Terribles atop the Musée or a bistro on Crescent Street. Afterward, stroll the Golden Square Mile’s streets to discover historic mansions, the Redpath Museum if you’re curious about natural history, or pop into independent galleries along Peel and de la Montagne for local creative energy.
For dinner, choose a refined meal on Sherbrooke—try Europea or Restaurant Le Pois Penché for inventive cuisine that echoes the day’s artistic focus—and follow with an evening recital or performance at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier or a jazz set at Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill to keep the cultural momentum. End the night with a relaxing walk back down illuminated Sherbrooke, reflecting on the art-filled day before returning to your downtown hotel.
Start the day with a sensory wake-up at Jean-Talon Market, weaving between stalls of winter citrus, maple products and local cheeses; be sure to sample fresh bagels from nearby Fairmount Bagel and a latte at Café Olimpico in Little Italy to fuel your explorations. Pause to browse specialty vendors like Île-aux-Besaces charcuterie and the seasonal produce stands, and warm up with a cup of artisanal hot chocolate or a steaming meat pie from a market bistro.
Stroll from Little Italy into Mile End for an afternoon of neighborhood tasting: grab another iconic bagel at St-Viateur Bagel, browse the indie shelves at Drawn & Quarterly, and pop into neighbourhood favorites such as St. Viateur Coffee or Café Myriade for a second caffeine hit. Join a guided food tour or self-led crawl to sample pierogis, smoked fish, and small-plate fare at places like Au Pied de Cochon’s offshoots or Rosemont’s bakeries, and don’t miss local artisanal chocolate or a pâtisserie stop to round out the culinary mini-adventure.
As twilight settles, choose a cozy neighborhood table in Mile End or Little Italy—try Impasto for wood-fired Italian dishes or Lawrence for inventive seasonal plates—to reflect on the day’s flavors. Finish with a relaxed drink at a nearby wine bar (Renoir or Le Majestique) or a late-night crepe from a local vendor, savoring the lively, creative vibe that links Montreal’s market culture to its celebrated food scene.
If you choose Quebec City, depart early by VIA Rail or car for the 3-3.5 hour trip and arrive in the atmospheric Old Québec; begin with a brisk walk along Terrasse Dufferin to admire Château Frontenac and sip coffee at Café du Monde while taking in the frozen St. Lawrence views. If you pick the Eastern Townships, drive east about 1-1.5 hours to charming Sutton or Magog and start with a warming breakfast at Café Cantore in Sutton or Boulangerie Maillard in Magog, then stroll the snow-dusted main streets and artisan shops to feel the region’s relaxed, rural charm.
In Quebec City, dive into history with a guided tour of Place Royale and the Plains of Abraham, then warm up inside the Musée de la civilisation or sample local cuisine at Le Lapin Sauté in Petit-Champlain for comforting Quebecois fare. In the Eastern Townships, spend the afternoon exploring a local winery or cidery such as Domaine Bergeville/Orpailleur near Sutton or Vignoble du Marathonien near Magog, followed by a lakeside walk (Memphremagog or local nature trails) and a cozy lunch at a bistro like Le Café Aragon.
Return toward Montreal with memories and a relaxed dinner: from Quebec City, consider an early supper at restaurant Le Clocher Penché before boarding the train or driving back, arriving in Montreal in time for a nightcap at your hotel bar. From the Townships, stop for a final tasting or a hearty farm-to-table meal at a farmhouse restaurant (Auberge des Appalaches or local auberge) before the short drive back, arriving to downtown Montreal warmed by regional flavors and ready to rest for your final full day.
Ease into your final full day with a relaxed breakfast at Café Myriade or Olive et Gourmando, then descend into Montreal’s famed RESO (Underground City) to explore connected shopping arcades, boutiques and galleries sheltered from the March chill. Wander from Place des Arts through Complexe Desjardins to Eaton Centre, pausing to pop into local shops like La Maison Simons and artisan boutiques for last-minute souvenirs and Québec design finds.
After a light lunch at Les Enfants Terribles (Rooftop at Complexe Desjardins if weather allows) or a bistro in the Phillips Square area, step back above ground to check off any lingering sights — stroll through Square Victoria, visit the contemporary galleries near Peel Street, or take a short metro hop to the Plateau for a quick bagel run at St-Viateur. If you haven’t yet, stop by the McGill campus and the Redpath Museum on Sherbrooke for a final cultural touch, or return to the Old Port for one last waterfront photo with the city skyline.
Conclude the day with a memorable farewell dinner in downtown — book a table at Europea or Le Club Chasse et Pêche for inventive, seasonal cuisine — then enjoy a leisurely post-dinner walk through illuminated streets or a nightcap at Bar Le 1908 to toast the trip. Head back to your hotel with time to pack and savor the memories of Montreal’s neighbourhoods, food and art before tomorrow’s departure.
Take your time packing and savor a leisurely final breakfast at Olive et Gourmando or Café Olimpico, enjoying a flaky pastry and a perfectly brewed coffee while watching Montreal wake up one last time. If your schedule allows, stroll once more to the Old Port for crisp air and a few final photos by the water or pop into Marché Bonsecours for a last-minute souvenir like local maple products or artisanal chocolate.
Before you head to the airport or train station, enjoy a relaxed lunch near your hotel — try a comforting bowl at Restaurant L'Express or a final bagel from Fairmount/St-Viateur to carry with you — and return to the hotel to check out with plenty of time for travel. If you have a later departure, drop your bags at the concierge and take a short underground city walk through the RESO to warm up and pick up any last-minute gifts from La Maison Simons or a boutique in Complexe Desjardins.
If your journey home leaves in the evening, cap the trip with an early drink or light dinner at the hotel bar or nearby bistro such as Les Enfants Terribles to reflect on highlights — from Mount Royal views to Old Montreal’s cobbles and the market flavors of Mile End. Otherwise, enjoy a calm send-off at the airport or station, carrying with you the layered tastes, artful moments and friendly neighborhoods that defined your Montreal winter escape.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Arrival / hotel check-in | Free (hotel rate separate) |
| Café Olimpico or Crew Collective & Café (coffee & pastry) | CA$6-12 per person |
| Rue Saint-Paul stroll & boutique browsing | Free to CA$20+ (shopping optional) |
| Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel | CA$6-10 (donation/entrance) |
| Pointe-à-Callière Museum | CA$20-25 adult |
| Old Port waterfront walk & Grande Roue de Montréal (Ferris wheel) | Walk free; Grande Roue CA$15-25 adult |
| Lunch at Marché Bonsecours’ bistro / Terrasses Bonsecours | CA$15-35 per person |
| Place Jacques-Cartier (street artists / vendors) | Free (souvenirs extra) |
| Dinner — Brasserie 701 / Garde Manger / Le Bremner | CA$40-90 per person (depending on restaurant & drinks) |
| Olive et Gourmando or Le Cartet (breakfast) | CA$12-22 per person |
| Notre-Dame Basilica guided tour | CA$10-20 adult (tour + optional light/show extra) |
| Galerie MX / Galerie Nicolas Robert (galleries) | Free to CA$10 (donation/exhibition fee) |
| Montréal Science Centre | CA$20-25 adult |
| Short Old Port cruise (weather permitting) | CA$20-45 per person |
| Le Club Chasse et Pêche / Le Bremner (dinner) | CA$60-120 per person (tasting/menu & drinks) |
| Café Parvis / Le Petit Dep (breakfast) | CA$12-20 per person |
| Mount Royal Park (walk, Kondiaronk Belvedere) | Free (snowshoe rental extra) |
| Snowshoe rental / cross-country trails | CA$15-30 per person (rental) |
| Chalet du Mont-Royal (hot chocolate / rest) | CA$4-8 per person |
| Plateau streets (Saint-Laurent / Saint-Denis) & shops | Free to CA$30+ (shopping/coffee) |
| L'Express or Schwartz’s (lunch) | CA$12-25 per person |
| Drawn & Quarterly / Café Olimpico / St-Viateur or Fairmount bagels | CA$5-15 per person (bagel/coffee) |
| Dinner — Damas / Au Pied de Cochon / Damas | CA$50-150 per person (Au Pied de Cochon at upper end) |
| Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) | CA$20-25 adult (special exhibitions may add CA$5-15) |
| Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal | CA$15-22 adult |
| Les Enfants Terribles (lunch / rooftop option) | CA$18-35 per person |
| Redpath Museum / Golden Square Mile walk | Redpath free to CA$5 suggested |
| Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier / Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill (evening performance) | CA$20-100+ per person (tickets vary); Upstairs Jazz cover CA$10-30 |
| Jean-Talon Market | Free to browse; CA$10-30 for tastings/purchases |
| Fairmount Bagel / St-Viateur Bagel (bagel tasting) | CA$2-5 per bagel |
| Café Olimpico (Little Italy espresso) | CA$3-6 per person |
| Mile End food crawl / guided food tour | Self-led CA$10-30; guided tour CA$50-95 per person |
| Dinner — Impasto / Lawrence | CA$35-80 per person |
| Day trip to Quebec City by VIA Rail | VIA Rail return CA$120-220 per person (advance fares); activities & meals extra |
| Day trip to Eastern Townships (Sutton or Magog) by car | Car rental/drive fuel CA$30-80 (shared); winery/cidery tastings CA$5-20 each; lunch CA$15-35 |
| Terrasse Dufferin / Château Frontenac (Quebec City) | Free to view; café CA$5-10 |
| Musée de la civilisation (Quebec City) | CA$15-20 adult |
| Return travel from day trip (by car or train) | Included in day-trip estimates |
| RESO (Underground City) shopping arcades | Free to browse; shopping varies |
| Complexe Desjardins / Eaton Centre / La Maison Simons (shopping) | Free to browse; CA$20-200 depending on purchases |
| Les Enfants Terribles (Rooftop) / lunch downtown | CA$18-35 per person |
| McGill campus / Redpath Museum quick visit | Redpath CA$0-5 suggested |
| Farewell dinner — Europea / Le Club Chasse et Pêche | CA$75-180 per person (tasting menus & drinks increase cost) |
| Final breakfast / last-minute souvenir shopping | CA$8-25 per person (souvenirs extra) |
| Airport/train transfer on departure day | STM + REM / bus CA$3.50-4.50; taxi CA$40-60; ride-share similar; airport shuttle or private transfer CA$20-80 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | CA$1,400 - CA$3,800 per person (8 days) - range depends on accommodation, dining choices, guided tours and day-trip selection. Cost assumptions breakdown (per person): - Mid-range hotel (downtown/Old Montreal): CA$140-240 per night x 7 nights = CA$980-1,680 - Meals: CA$40-120 per day = CA$320-840 - Local transport, attractions, small purchases: CA$120-300 - Day trip (Quebec City by train) or Eastern Townships (car/wine tastings): CA$80-220 - Misc/contingency (tips, souvenirs): CA$50-160 These elements add up to roughly CA$1,400 on a budget-minded mid-range trip up to CA$3,800 for more upscale dining, paid shows, pricier day-trip and higher hotel choice. |