I am head over heels for Montreal. Sometimes referred to as “The Paris of North America”, its rich French roots are part of the allure. It’s a bright and vibrant city we previously traveled to in the summer months, but wanted to revisit in the winter due to its close proximity to skiing and to check out the underground city it’s famous for. Winter may just be my second favorite season, but I lack the fortitude to live in a cold and wintry environment year-round. Even though I couldn’t find myself living in the cold again, I sure do love to visit it! I was beyond ecstatic when we decided to tack on a few days to our ski trip and spend them in Montreal.
For me, one of the coolest aspects of Montreal is the city that lies beneath. There is an entire city underground! Just below the heart of the city, you will find a pedestrian network that links metro stations to subterranean shopping plazas and entertainment that stretches just over a whopping 20 miles. It is an almost endless venue of shopping, dining, and entertainment including movies and art museums. Not only is it fun, but practical as well. It is the perfect way to travel through the city without having to brave the harsh winters. Theoretically, you could live in the city and never need a coat! We had a blast exploring the labyrinth of paths throughout the underground.
In contrast to the coziness of the underground, there are also numerous outdoor winter activities to enjoy. Beaver Lake was the perfect destination for tubing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating. It was just a short Uber ride from the city center and boasted not only a myriad of winter activities but also a Pavillion for snacks and hot cocoa (Pic on the left). It was the perfect half-day to full-day trip. We chose to spend about half a day there as we went tubing and had lunch in the pavilion. We wanted to continue to take in the sights of the city, so we spent our afternoon ice skating Riverside in Old Montreal(Pic on the right). It is noted as being one of Montreal’s most picturesque ice skating locations and it did not disappoint! It boasts sweeping views of the historic architecture, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the dome of Notre Dame, and the Roue de Montreal.
After all of those winter activities, you are sure to work up an appetite! Montreal is also legendary for its unique and diverse food scene. While there are a plethora of fabulous French bistros, you will also enjoy culinary delights from Haitian, Jewish, Italian, and many other cultures. Also popular are swanky bistros and gastropubs. Montreal is, of course, famed for poutine which is basically french fries topped with squeaky cheese curds and covered in brown gravy. Although, there are many variations available of the classic dish. For dessert, Beavertails quickly became a crowd favorite in my family. They consist of a warm, light, and fluffy pastry served with ice cream and various toppings.
We found the perfect nightcap for any evening in Montreal is La Grande Roue de Montreal. To put it simply, it is a large Ferris wheel built for the 375th Anniversary of the city and it is located at the Old Port of Montreal. It is the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada with breathtaking views from 60 meters up. The enclosed cabins keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is open 365 days a year from 10 am to 11 pm, but we found the city lights at night beyond compare.
Let’s not forget one of the best aspects of Montreal and that is ……the SHOPPING!!!!! From the century-old Bonsecours Market to the upscale shopping found in the Place Ville-Marie. The shopping in Montreal is top-notch. I came home with many treasures of which I will not list as the list may end up as evidence used against me at a later date. Haha! All in all, we found Montreal to have a certain Je ne sais quoi that will surely bring us back.
