5 Best Things to do in Montreal During the Winter

Eat Your Heart Out

Call me biased, but eating is one of my favorite past times. On my honeymoon, I quickly learned that Montreal is one of the best places to do it. Based on where it’s located, the city is just as much of a melting pot as the United States. Influences from all over the world exist in the city so you can have your pick of cuisine depending on what you fancy.

From bagels to hot chocolate, ramen to mediterranean, there is something for everyone. And I promise you, it does not disappoint. My absolute favorite meal in the city was a delicious bowl of vegan ramen that we found in the Mile End neighborhood. We were craving something that would warm us up (20°F never feels great), so we searched nearby our Airbnb and found this gem. It was so good we went back twice!! The restaurant is small and cozy, just the sort of vibe to fill you up.

My other top pick from the trip is near the Notre-Dame Basilica. The food is drool worthy and the inside is decked out in a Boho-Chic vibe. The sweet potato fries are to die for and I couldn’t stop raving about my Indian Power Bowl. Needless to say, we were smitten kittens and will most definitely visit again the next time we’re in Montreal. Below is a list of other great places to satisfy your hunger.

Shop Till You Drop

I’m guilty of loving a good boutique hop when I’m in a new city. I love to see what type of stuff is available in each city and find unique things from each place I visit. Montreal has great boutique shopping in the Mile End neighborhood. A stroll down St. Laurent Blvd will provide you with numerous shops to pop into.

Down in Old Montreal, the streets are paved in cobblestone and the shops are very romantic. Just a walk down the street is enough to make you feel like you’re in France, and the store fronts during the winter are decorated with garland and lights. The shops in this area are just as good as Mile End, although the closer you are to Notre-Dame the more “touristy” they become. We ventured down Saint-Paul St W and found Maison Pepin. This store has some of the best aesthetic I’ve ever witnessed and it was my favorite place to peruse.

If more traditional shopping at big retailer stores is your vibe, check out Saint-Catherine St W downtown. The street is lined with great stores like Urban Outfitters, H&M, and Steve Madden, but there are also a lot of Canadian brands that I’d never heard of like Aritzia (one of my all time favorite places) and Point Zero. Additionally, there is a shopping center downtown called Les Cours Mont-Royal.

Mt Royal

Honestly, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t visit Mont Blanc while in Montreal, regardless of time of year. The mountain, more of a large hill, sits right next to McGill University. Start by exploring the University and then head up to Mt Royal to get a view of the city.

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Planetarium

To be transparent, I was not super into this day until we got there. Being married to a guy who’s obsessed with science means you go to things that are super nerdy and may potentially bore you to tears. I genuinely enjoyed this experience. We spent the entire time at the planetarium and saw a show that was actually super captivating. This is a great place to visit in the winter because it’s all indoors.

The planetarium is near the Montreal Olympic Park and Biodome. We wanted to visit these sites as well, but didn’t plan the day well. Both were closed by the time our show was over.

Aura Light Show

I seriously saved the best for LAST. The night before we flew back home, Connor and I went to the light show Aura at the Notre-Dame Basilica. The experience lasts about 40 minutes and is nothing like anything you’ve ever seen before. The production itself is incredible coupled with the fact that it’s made even more stunning by all the intricate details of the Basilica. Unfortunately, Connor got the hiccups right before the show started and spent most of the time trying not to make too much noise (lol). We still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would HIGHLY recommend. Just ensure to buy your tickets in advance and get there early because it is pretty popular.

Transportation

I feel like I would be remiss not to mention transportation even though it’s not a “top five” thing to do. If you are on a budget or would just like to experience the system like a local, take the subway system. It is super easy to use, clean, and takes you to most of the places you would want to go in Montreal. I would recommend buying a multi-day pass if you are there for a few days as you will definitely use it and won’t have to worry about buying a ticket every time you want to ride.

Wrap Up

Get out there and explore. Montreal has tons of great places to eat and shop. Act like a local and take the subway. Don’t miss out on the Aura show and take advantage of the cozy vibes and boutique stores.