Montreal Winter Weekend Guide
visited: January 2024
Waiting for our Montreal-style bagels at St. Viateur
If you’re planning a winter trip to Montréal, there are a few things you should know before you go. One, the city is beautiful. Exploring Old Montréal feels like you’ve stepped into a fairytale, fully equipped with cobbled streets and historic charm to match. Two, its food scene delivers, and it calls to my Canadian soul. Poutine? Something I’ve missed dearly during our time abroad. Three, Montréal is notably colder in winter than Toronto or Vancouver, but don’t let that stop you from visiting during the chilly months. The snow-covered streets are magical! And four, this is French Canada, and yes, they speak French.
Although both Tys and I lived in Ontario for our entire lives, neither of us had ever been to Montréal, so we planned our weekend getaway as an alternative to Christmas gifts that year. Highly recommend.
We caught a five-hour train from downtown Toronto to the heart of the city, which was so convenient. We will definitely be planning another visit in the future.
In this guide, I’m sharing all of our favourite activities and restaurants (and some stops we’ll be making next time) to help you plan your own Montréal winter trip.
Montréal Winter Trip Tips
Brush up on your French. Being a major city, a lot of people in customer-facing roles do speak English, but using the local language when you can is always appreciated — bonjour, s’il vous plaît, and merci are a good place to start!
Dress for the weather. If you’re planning a visit in the winter months, be sure to pack warmly. Mittens, thick socks, and some winter boots will make a world of difference that you won’t regret.
Stay near/in Old Montréal. This part of the city is very walkable, and conveniently located if you’re arriving by train — the ride is super convenient if you’re coming from Toronto, like we were.
Exploring Old Montréal in Winter
La Grande Roue
In the Old Port, on the bank of the St. Lawrence River, stands the tallest observation wheel in Canada. If you’re a fan of a great view, grab a ticket and hop in a gondola — don’t worry, they’re heated! And the best part about going in off-season? No line. We went in the middle of the day, but if you can go near sunset, it would be gorgeous!
Ice Skating
Just below La Grande Roue, you’ll find an outdoor ice rink. Lace up and take a few laps in the crisp winter air, but don’t forget to bundle up and stay warm!If you plan to skate, remember that this is an outdoor rink, so it’s weather-dependent. Verify rink conditions before you go.
If you don’t have your own skates, no worries, skates, helmets and more are all available to rent on location.
Another popular location for skating is Parc La Fontaine. It’s outside of Old Montréal, but close to some terrific food stops I’ll mention later.
Rue Saint-Paul
Wander along the oldest street in Montréal. Not only is it extremely picturesque, but it’s also one of the main streets in the old town. Lined with shops, bars, restaurants and more, it’s easy to enjoy the snow-covered city and nip inside to warm up when the cold makes your nose feel like it’s about to fall off!
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal*
One of North America’s oldest places of worship, Montréal’s Notre-Dame, stands in the heart of the old town. Though the outside is fine to see, it’s the interior that keeps people talking. The ceiling is covered in 24-karat gold stars, and in the evenings, they put on some incredible light shows. If you’re interested in catching the show, plan to spend about 45 minutes inside.
You can buy tickets and find more information on the light shows here.
Right outside the basilica is Place d’Armes, a historic square lined with some of the oldest buildings in the city. In the centre is a statue of the founder of Montreal. The square is worth taking in while you’re visiting Notre-Dame.
Catch a Hockey Game
Montréal is now home to both an NHL and PWHL team. See if you can catch the Victoire or the Canadiens (Habs if you’re in the know) playing at home while you’re in town. The Canadiens franchise began in 1909 — one of the Original Six — and with that kind of history, they have passionate, loyal fans. Having attended games in Toronto, Ottawa and Montréal, let me tell you, the energy in Montréal is absolutely electric!
Enjoy a Spa Day at Bota Bota
I got this recommendation from more than one friend, and it did not disappoint! If you want to spend some time relaxing, Bota Bota should be part of your plan. It was perfect for a romantic afternoon, but would have been equally as enjoyable for a solo date or trip with friends.
The spa is located on the opposite end of the Old Port from La Grande Roue, sitting on the St. Lawrence. Their claim to fame? The water circuit, a series of cold plunges and saunas, hot tubs and steam rooms. It was our first time doing anything like this, and even as someone who hates the cold, I loved it. We added a couple’s massage to our visit after a few hours of the water circuit — the perfect end to a day of relaxation.
Be sure to book your visit ahead of time here.
Post spa day at Bota Bota — no cameras allowed inside so here’s the sign!
Explore Mile End
One of Montréal’s most well-known neighbourhoods, Mile End is the perfect area to spend an afternoon or evening wandering the streets. The neighbourhood is full of laid-back bars, cool venues, and vintage shops… plus the buildings are decorated with some eye-catching street art.
Montréal Food & Drink
One of my favourite parts of travel is food, and Montréal is known for its food scene. And it delivered. We ate everything from vegan bowls to smoked meat sandwiches, and delicious brunches to the Canadian favourite: poutine! Here are some of the spots we loved throughout the city.
La Banquise
Fries? Good. Gravy? Good. Cheese? Good! Put it all together, and you have one of my favourite snacks/appetizers/sides. You cannot — I repeat — cannot visit without trying poutine. La Banquise is the perfect spot to try this Canadian dish; they’re open 24/7, so you can grab a bite whenever the craving strikes.
If you’re new to the beautiful world of poutine, keep it simple and get a classic, but if you’re feeling adventurous, they have an extensive menu with endless toppings!
We got La Royale (pulled pork, apple and bacon) and L’Idéfix (smoked meat, pickles and creamy coleslaw), and both were absolutely delicious. If this is your first time trying poutine, keep it classic for the first one and get adventurous with your toppings for the second.
Schwartz’s Deli
Montréal smoked meat lives up to the hype, savoury and full of flavour. There are tons of places you can go to try some, but Schwartz’s Deli is the most famous. They’ve been open and using the same recipe for nearly 100 years (opened in 1928) and have served countless celebrities over the years. The classic deli/diner vibes only add to the experience, and I highly recommend trying some while you’re in the city.
We shared a smoked meat sandwich (topped with mustard is a must) and a poutine “à la Schwartz’s” (aka topped with Schwartz’s smoked meat), and both were incredible. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.
Craving more smoked meat? I can’t blame you. Check out Dunn’s Famous,* near the Bell Centre.
St. Viateur Bagel
Since they opened in 1957, St. Viateur has become one of the most popular stops for Montréal-style bagels. Though they may look similar, these slightly sweeter bagels are the Canadian version of the American-style, New York bagel. Don’t tell my fellow hosers, these were tasty, but honestly, I prefer the New York style. Though I’d happily have one next time I visit! St. Viateur is a build-your-own sandwich kind of place, so take your pick of bagel and toppings, and enjoy!
If you want to try more, check out Fairmont Bagel,* the city’s first bagel bakery in Mile End.
BreWsky Pub
If you love an adventurous craft beer and a good pub-style bite, this is your place! We grabbed a couple of pints and some chicken sandwiches, all of which left us wanting more.
They have a rotating selection of brews, but if they have the Brew Juice Creme de Mangue — a 5.2% smoothie sour — or something similar, give it a try! We’ve been dreaming of it for the past few years!
Olive et Gourmando
Who doesn’t love a cute brunch stop? Olive et Gourmando is right in the old town. We both got the sweet ricotta toast, which, though delicious, was a smaller portion than I would have liked for the price. But if you’re after a picturesque spot with tasty bites, this could be perfect for you!
Le Cartet Resto Boutique
If you’re looking for a classic North American-style breakfast, this is a great option. Big portions, reasonable prices, delicious food, and a solid selection to choose from — exactly what we needed. We tried two of the eggs benedict options, and they were both terrific.
Lov
Calling all vegans, vegetarians and meat lovers alike! Lov was one of those places that, simply put, blew us away… It’s one of those vegan places where you don’t necessarily feel like you’re eating vegan. We grabbed the coconut curry and the mushroom risotto, and I’d recommend either, though the curry was the clear winner.
Fitzroy
Looking for a laid-back bar with comfy seating, pool tables, and good drinks? Check out the Fitzroy. We enjoyed some beers, played a few rounds of pool, and Tys absolutely kicked my ass at foosball, despite my claiming to be good at it.
The bar is also only a short walk away from the previously mentioned La Banquise. Perfect for a buzzed post-bar bite! The best way to enjoy the Canadian favourite!
More to Explore
We were only in Montréal for a short visit, but here are some stops on our list for next time!
Visit a sugar shack*
Explore Mont Royal*
Wander the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts*
