Ok, I’ll bite. It’s been a minute and I have missed you, but I’d be going against my whole brand if I’d chosen not to prioritize my health for the last few weeks. COVID-19 has COMPLETELY changed what “normal” looks like to us, and for me, “normal” has changed quite a lot. I’m sure I’m not alone in the fact that the pandemic has squashed a lot of my creativity, and feeling inspired to write blog posts has evaded me a bit. But after much soul-searching (and some killer Montreal bagels), I’m feeling way better, and I’m ready to get back on the horse, so-to-speak.

Last week (if you were following along on IG stories), we took the much-needed opportunity to get a change of scenery by driving out to Montreal for Adrian’s birthday. Traveling is weird right now, but thankfully there are a few provinces that have started welcoming domestic travel again. One of those provinces is Quebec, and lucky for us, Quebec is our neighbour. A five-hour drive from Toronto, with necessary stops along the way for famous doughnuts in Kingston and a drive-by wave to the Big Apple, we made our way to Montreal.

WHERE TO STAY

To be totally transparent, there were some hesitations when it came to choosing where to stay in Montreal right now. An AirBnB may have saved us some money, but there was no guarantee it was being cleaned up to our standards. Due to the celebratory nature of our trip, we splurged and opted to stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton on Rue Saint-Antoine. It ended up being a great choice and we felt comfortable in our freshly cleaned room. While the Hilton is a bit of a pricier option, we were glad we took the plunge because it made our experience that much more enjoyable. We didn’t have to worry about cleanliness as they’ve got some awesome COVID measures put into place, and as a bonus, they offered us complimentary breakfast and 2 drinks per person at happy hour.

Quick tip: If you’re nervous about having people come in and clean your room, just leave the do-not-disturb sign outside your door. This minimizes traffic in and out of your space, and you can always ask for necessary items like fresh towels and toilet paper to be sent to your room instead.

THINGS TO DO

There are no shortages of things to do in Montreal, even during this weird COVID situation. While the weather is still nice enough to be outside, I recommend spending 90% of your time in MTL’s outdoor space. There are loads of parks to explore, including Mount Royal which is the highest point in the city. Grab a meal to go and have a cute picnic surrounded by tons of greenery, wildlife, and socially distanced Montrealers. This summer, the city also showcased some pretty cool outdoor art exhibitions, alongside the permanent art pieces scattered throughout the city. Spend some time wandering around while trying to spot all these wonderful works of art.

On a rainy day, Montreal’s many museums are the place to be. They’ve each got their own COVID practices in place, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience during these uncertain times. We spent a whole day checking out some of these spaces including the Pointe-à-Callière Museum in the heart of Old Montreal, and the old Olympics stadium turned immersive ecosystem at the Biodome. Both were extremely educational, outlining Montreal’s rich history and unique creation, as well as the diverse ecosystems from the Americas, respectively.

Bonus: If you’re looking to sink your hands into some extremely delicious stuff, Get Stuffed is a cooking workshop and dinner party rolled into one. Where music, food, and an intimate setting come together to create a unique local experience with Chef Alexandra, an MTL native. Learn how to create mouthwatering raviolis, and then eat them yourself. She’s now offering lattice pie workshops as well, so get in on this action by DMing her directly on Instagram at @getstuffedmtl.

WHAT TO EAT

When it comes to good food, Montreal really delivers. Home of poutine, Montreal bagels, and so much more, the food scene in this city is second to none. I’ve got a few regular visits like Allô ! Mon Coco and 3 Amigos, but this time around we made sure to venture out and find some new and exciting spots to try out. For a killer coffee and some of the best breakfast I’ve honestly ever had, head out to Tommy Montreal, a cafe and bar combo that cannot be missed. With easy access to public transit, Tommy is the perfect place to grab a coffee and do some work, or meet up with a friend for some scrumptious menu items like the Belissimo toast that I would 10/10 recommend.

An awesome hotspot for Montreal’s iconic poutine is La Banquise. Open 24hrs and sure to satisfy during any season, this heavy hitter has been serving up rich and cheesy french fries since 1968. Grab yourself a classic to see what all the fuss is about, or get adventurous and opt for one of the 20+ other topping combos on the menu. And if you’re in the mood for an alternative Montreal staple, check out one of St-Viateur’s four bagel shop locations for a bagel of a different colour. Unlike any other bagels around the world, Montreal bagels are a treat you’ve got to try at least once, and St-Viateur is one of the city’s oldest (and family-owned!) bagel hotspots. To support the new kid on the block selling this MTL must-have, stop by La Fabrique de Bagel Montreal for a wide variety of signature spreads, cream cheese, smoked meat, smoked salmon, grilled vegetables, and more.

Other places to eat about which I have only good things to say include: Schwartz’s Deli for Montreal smoked meat, Pho Bang New York for Vietnamese pho that Adrian will be dreaming about for the rest of his life, and Chocosina Sweets Boutique for local chocolates, fudge, and candy to satisfy any sweet tooth. Honourable mentions go out to Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shops, The Standard Cafe, and Fiorellino Ristorante.

TIPS:

If you plan on driving to Montreal, be aware of a few road laws and infrastructure things that are a touch different. Any time you travel, make sure to brush up on that kind of thing so you don’t get yourself a ticket for making an easily fixable mistake. For example, there are no right turns on a red light, and the street lights in Montreal are typically set off to the side of the road, rather than hanging over the street, so make sure you pay attention to changing lights.
If you opt for a bus, or if you’re really intrepid and fly to Montreal, there are tons of other ways to get around once you arrive. Uber and Lyft are both available in the city, Montreal has got a great public transit system, and there are Bixi bike-sharing stations everywhere you look. Just ensure you’re maintaining best practices and wearing a mask or sanitizing handlebars, respectively.
Most people in Montreal are bilingual, so don’t feel caught off-guard if someone greets you in French! Just let them know you speak English and they’ll be happy to switch over while chatting with you. Street and directional signage are also typically in French, so if you get lost or need some help, Google translate is your best friend. Alternatively, just stop into a cafe or local business and ask for directions. Someone will be happy to help you!
The best times to travel to Montreal are fall and spring, as the summers and winters often see extreme temperatures parallel to Toronto. While there is an underground tunnel system, similar to that of the PATH in T.O., the outdoor space in Montreal is too beautiful to pass up. Walking around the cobblestone streets or through the lush greenery of the parks is too good to miss out on.
Markets in Montreal are also great stops to check out. While we weren’t able to drop by on this trip, the huge variety of open-air markets are a must-see during the summer and fall months in the city. Jean Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in Montréal, and Maisonneuve Market is just a stone’s throw away from the Biodome, making it a great spot to stop for an afternoon snack post-penguin watching!

I’m happy to be back and writing posts again! Let me know in the comments what you’d like to see from me going forward, and if you’ve been to Montreal, what’s something noteworthy that I missed in this guide?

Travel safe!