Spring break in Montréal: a getaway “à deux”
Spring break is the perfect time to take a break from the daily grind and enjoy romantic moments with that special someone. Discovering new neighbourhoods and experiencing new things together will make you fall in love with your better half and the city all over again. Here are some activities to spark your imagination.
Old Port and Old Montréal
A stroll along the cobblestones of Old Montréal always adds a touch of romance. Such a beautiful neighbourhood! Start your walk with a coffee and croissants at the popular bakery/café/restaurant Olive et Gourmando or Crew Collective & Café, whose historic architecture is sure to charm.
Continue with a stroll along Saint-Paul Street and browse its beautiful boutiques and galleries. Be sure to stop off at Le Petit Dep gourmet shop, brimming with sweets and gifts from local producers, the Galerie d'Art Inuit Images Boréales, featuring traditional and contemporary works by Inuit artists, and Galerie Héritage specializing in authentic objects from the craft traditions of the Far North.
Then climb aboard a cozy heated cabin on the Grande Roue de Montréal, Canada’s highest observation wheel. Snuggle together as you climb 60 metres in the air to take in views as far as 28 kilometres away in clear weather – talk about exploring new horizons! With your feet back on the ground, lace up your ice skates (which you can rent on site, if necessary) go for a twirl on the beautiful, maintained skating rink of the Old Port. Stop for a regal treat at the Paparmane Tea Room, then head over to head over to the PHI Centre and the PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art to visit the avant-garde exhibits and unusual installations. Want to unwind together? Bliss out at the Bota-Bota floating spa, docked on the St. Lawrence River, where you can get deep tissue or relaxation massages in a chic and refined setting.
As day turns to dusk, stop off for dinner at one of the many famous restaurants in the neighbourhood: Jacopo, LOV McGill, Hà Vieux-Montréal, Buvette Nicole, Cour Arrière, Terrasse William Gray, Mariscos, Modavie, L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel, Le Serpent, Restaurant PubJelly, Ristorante Quattro, Graziella, Brasserie 701, Pangea, Monarque, Le Club Chasse et Pêche, Babacool, Helena, Holder, Sauvage, Pincette, Kyo, Bloom Sushi and, last but not least, Chez Delmo.
If you decide instead to spend the night (or even a day) at a hotel, you’ve got lots of great choices at very attractive prices. The Hôtel William Gray, Hôtel Gault, Hôtel Place d’Armes and Le Petit Hôtel, are just some of your options in the historic quarter. Enjoy an aperitif, dinner and/or breakfast in your room, add a massage, or keep the room for the day – there are lots of ways to create a memorable romantic getaway, right in your own city.
Downtown and the Village
It's time to get your culture fix! Book your tickets now to see, among other things, exhibitions at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art contemporain (temporarily housed at Place Ville Marie) and the McCord Stewart Museum. When it comes to shopping, the choice is endless. Explore the underground pedestrian network to connect to Complexe Desjardins, the Eaton Centre, Place Montréal Trust, Les Cours Mont-Royal and Place Ville Marie. If you prefer to stay outside, Sainte-Catherine Street will take you to most of these shopping malls. For a touch of luxury, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy is a must.
In the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, fill up on light and wonder during LUMINO an outdoor exhibition made up of luminous and interactive installations. Also take advantage of the refrigerated skating rink on the Esplanade Tranquille and the activities of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE. Then warm up in Chinatown with a deliciously fragrant and spicy dish!
For other magical moments, discover the immersive universe of OASIS immersion at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.
End the day on an epicurean note with fine Portuguese dishes at Portus360, one of Montréal’s winter rooftop patios, or Ferreira Café. For more fine dining options, reserve a table at Moishes, Restaurant Europea, Maison Boulud, Ristorante Beatrice, Restaurant Toqué!, Restaurant Île de France, Jatoba and Hiatus.
Quartiers du Canal and the Sud-Ouest
Another day, another adventure! Explore the very dynamic southwest neighbourhoods of Montréal for a day of shopping just a stone's throw from the St. Lawrence River.
Start your journey on Promenade Wellington, a friendly neighbourhood street in Verdun with lots of great shops, eateries and hidden gems (although the secret is out now on most of them!). Don't miss the beautiful Harricana boutique by Mariouche, a pioneer in the design of recycled fur since 1983. Then go for a leisurely stroll with your sweetheart along the Lachine Canal to take in scenic parkland mingled with industrial history.
Take a break at the Atwater Market for a quick lunch, and turn onto Notre-Dame Street West, which is positively packed with amazing shops and gourmet stops like the Boucherie Grinder, Bête à pain Griffintown, Le Marché italien Le Richmond at maman or the iconic Perles et Paddock restaurant.
The Southwest is home to some of the best restaurants in town! For dinner, reserve a table at Joe Beef, Liverpool House, Candide, Gia Vin & Grill, Foxy, Bonheur d’occasion, Satay Brothers or Vin Papillon. Culinary happiness guaranteed with amazing ambiance! Don’t miss teatime or the tasting menu at Sabayon in Pointe-Saint-Charles, the newest project from Patrice Demers et Marie-Josée Beaudoin, taking number one spot on enRoute’s list of best new restaurants in Canada 2024. Reserve your table now: reservations go like hot cakes!
Plateau, Mile End and Outremont
Make it a date on Mount Royal, an oasis of nature in the heart of the city. Take a walk or rent snowshoes or cross-country skis from Les Amis de la Montagne co-op for a breath of fresh air and breathtaking views of the city. Still on Mount Royal, near Beaver Lake is where you can lace up your skates and go for a spin on its refrigerated rink. Montréal is home to hundreds of rinks across the island, some of which are in major parks, such as Parc Jarry and Parc La Fontaine.
Follow up with a bit of shopping on Mont-Royal Avenue and Laurier Avenue, then head north towards Mile End for a hot bagel fresh out of the wood-fired oven at Fairmount or St-Viateur bagel. You’ll find it hard to pick a favourite!
Finish off your adventure with a cocktail and some sharing plates at Oncle Lee or at some neighbourhood hotspots, such as La Buvette chez Simone, Bar à flot, Kabinet, Bar Henrietta, Taza Flores, Greasy Spoon, Bar Waverly, Restaurant La Chronique or Lawrence.
Little Italy and Villeray
The star of the neighbourhood is undoubtedly the famous Jean-Talon Market. Order a coffee and stroll through the colourful stalls that are sure to tempt you to fill up your shopping bags. Then go down to the newly renovated Plaza St-Hubert to discover everything from ultra-stylish to very traditional shops – truly an amazing and refreshing mix of genres. Hang on to your hats, there are more than 400 businesses to discover!
In Little Italy, unleash your inner gourmet, particularly on Beaubien Street, a foodie paradise. Impasto, Ratafia, Anemone, Mastard, Juliette Plaza, Montreal Plaza and Jaja are more of our favourites. Further north in the trendy neighbourhood of Villeray, treat your taste buds to Tabac Villeray, Casavant, Mesón, Tapeo and Moccione. End a perfect day with a walk around Jarry Park’s beautiful pond to work off all those delicious calories.
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and the East
For cross-country skiing, the Jardin botanique, which is free until April 30, is an excellent choice with exceptional natural terrain. Nearby, Parc Maisonneuve includes an ice rink as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails. Wrap up your day with the comforting cuisine of Les Canailles, Le Valois, Cabotins, État-Major or Hélicoptère.
Lovers of well-kept secrets go to the small skating rink in Parc Lalancette, a stone's throw from the Joliette metro station.
And for a low mileage change of scenery, Parc national des îles de Boucherville offers oversized tire bikes (the famous “fatbikes”), snowshoes and cross-country skiing. Buy your pass online in advance and book your rental equipment over the phone.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Spanning two islands in the St. Lawrence, this magnificent park offers 25 kilometres of multi-use trails and is an absolute delight for nature and culture lovers. Set off on the 500-metre Sentier des patineurs or refine your cross-country skiing skills on the beginner (Île Sainte-Hélène) and intermediate (Île Notre-Dame) trails. Stroll together along paths studded with some of the city's most famous works of public art, including Alexander Calder’s iconic sculpture, L’Homme. You can download a free podcast on the Portrait Sonore mobile application to discover 15 works of public art dotted throughout Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame.
All around Montréal
Get to know different neighbourhoods with themed guided private walking tours with your sweetheart: architecture, history, murals and even ghosts are sure to brighten up your walks.
Have a great break!
Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Rebecca Sellers.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.