Around the World in Reality: Montreal, Canada

Given our limited travel periods, we often need to be creative about when we plan our trips. This year, with an away football game falling at the beginning of the long Labor Day weekend, we saw the opportunity to make the most of the extended break. Recognizing that we couldn’t venture too far, we opted to explore Canada—a new country for us.

Day 1 – Thursday, August 31

HIGHLIGHTS: Burger Fiancé

Our day began with an early flight to JFK. Following our arrival, we had a lengthy layover, which we chose to spend in the Delta Sky Club in Concourse A. This new lounge quickly became a favorite of mine, offering cozy indoor and outdoor spaces that facilitated both work and relaxation, allowing us to make the most of our time during the layover.

The flight from JFK to Montreal was a quick one, taking less than 2 hours. Upon arrival, we purchased a 3-day transit pass, which proved very useful. If you know me, you know I always try to use public transit. We took the bus and then the metro to Hotel Alt, a nice hotel in a convenient part of town.

After getting settled, we made our way to Burger Fiancé for dinner. As avid seekers of veggie burgers during our travels, we were excited to discover this vegan burger spot. Donnell decided to try the faux chicken sandwich, giving it a commendable rating of 9.5. Meanwhile, I went for the Fiancé burger, which I rated a 7. While the burger itself was enjoyable, I found that I would have preferred a patty with a different texture.

In the beverage department, my experience was a bit mixed. The first cocktail I ordered, the green Breeze, barely scraped a 2—it simply wasn’t to my liking. However, the second one, a melon sour, was a considerable improvement, earning a solid 7.5 on my scale.

Day 2 – Friday, September 1

HIGHLIGHTS: River Cruise, Jardin Nelson, Bell Centre Tour, First Fridays and Garden of Lights

In search of a morning coffee fix, I ventured downstairs and stumbled upon a delightful spread of pastries in the lobby of the hotel. Opting for a couple of croissants, I could immediately tell they were freshly made. To my surprise, the cost of the croissants and cappuccinos was very reasonable.

For our first activity of the day, we made our way to the dock for a river cruise. Throughout the cruise, our guide pointed out significant landmarks and shared the history of Montreal. Onboard, drinks and snacks were available for purchase, and I opted for a morning mimosa. The weather was beautiful, allowing us to bask in the sun and enjoy the fresh air. Overall, the cruise was a lovely experience. After about an hour, we returned to the dock.

With no specific lunch destination in mind, we followed the crowd and stumbled upon Jardín Nelson. The open-air restaurant with live music was a perfect spot for a midday meal. I opted for the lobster sandwich, filled with tasty lobster meat. The choice of bun surprised me, but the overall meal earned a solid 8.5 rating. Donnell went for the vegetable lasagna, and he polished off his plate. Although I missed his specific rating, I’d venture to guess it was a 9 or higher for him.

With some extra time on our hands, we decided to visit the Bell Centre, the home of the Montreal Canadiens. While we typically enjoy exploring soccer arenas during our travels, this marked our first visit to a hockey arena abroad. Hailing from a city with its own NHL team, we were curious to see how the Bell Centre stacked up against our local venue.

The Bell Centre proved to be an impressive space, and our tour guide provided a wonderful tour. Donnell particularly enjoyed exploring all the premium spaces the arena had to offer.

During my research of a new destination, I always seek opportunities to immerse myself in the local culture. When I learned that First Fridays were taking place, I was eager to attend. Upon arrival, we discovered a vibrant scene with numerous food trucks and vendors offering a diverse array of global fare. Sampling a bit of everything, we were captivated by the relaxed atmosphere, prompting us to linger and enjoy the music from the DJ, watch live performances, and indulge in some people-watching.

To cap off our evening, we walked across the street to the Garden of Lights. While this attraction is likely geared toward children, I found much joy in strolling through the garden and marveling at the lights. The displays were enchanting with a lot to take in, and the pleasant evening weather added to the overall experience. Moreover, it provided a welcomed opportunity to walk off the indulgent food we had earlier in the evening.

Day 3 – Saturday, September 2

HIGHLIGHTS: Secret Food Tour and Eclipse Restaurant

On our final day, we embraced a late start and headed north of the city for a food tour. I absolutely love food tours, and once again, this one did not disappoint. From indulging in pastries and savoring bagels to diving into poutine and enjoying cannolis, we sampled everything from classic French dishes to yummy street food. Though the tour was nearly three hours, it was perfectly paced, and our guide did a phenomenal job. I highly recommend this experience for any foodie.

Knowing we had an early flight the next morning, I booked another hotel closer to the airport for our last night in the city. After checking in and getting settled, we decided to dine at the hotel’s Eclipse Restaurant. Generally, I tend to avoid hotel restaurants unless necessary, but in this instance, it turned out to be a fantastic choice.

For our main course, I went with the Scallops, and Donnell chose the Salmon—both dishes were nothing short of phenomenal. We would rate both a 9.5. To conclude our meal on a sweet note, we shared a delicious Creme Brulee for dessert. As for drinks, I ordered the Fleur d’ete and the Sparkling Lady, both of which were excellent.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this was a fantastic quick trip. Montreal, situated in a French-speaking province, exuded a charming ambiance reminiscent of Paris. It was an excellent choice for our first visit to Canada, and we look forward to exploring other Canadian cities in the future.