Soak up the Last Days of Summer with the Best of Montreal
By Jessica Montevago
Walk along Old Montreal's cobblestoned streets and it may call to mind images of France, with 18th century stone buildings lining the district. Montreal bridges that European charm with the bustling energy of a North American city, giving travelers the best of both worlds. It’s worth a visit in the summer, when the city is brimming with live music, art, festivals, and meals best enjoyed al fresco.
What to Do: Stroll the Golden Square Mile
The Golden Square Mile is a neighborhood within Downtown Montreal, once home to wealthy Montrealers between the 1850s and the 1930s. Stroll the side streets to see iconic Victorian architecture, where mansions have an eclectic mix of revival styles, including Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Romanesque, and a touch of Art Nouveau. Luxury retailers like Gucci and Prada can be found on Crescent Street, as can the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).
Where to Stay: Vogue Hotel Montreal Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
Matching the elegance of the Golden Square Mile, the design-driven boutique hotel revamped its interiors last year. A floor-to-ceiling glass facade fills the lobby with natural light, while luxurious finishes, from Venetian plastered walls and ceilings to the Quebec-sourced white oak flooring, complete the elevated aesthetic. Designed to evoke a Parisian apartment, the 148 guestrooms are some of the most spacious in the city. Among the revamped food and beverage offerings are signature restaurant Yama, which serves Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of South American and Japanese elements.
What to Do: Bring the Family to the BLVD Festival
Montreal's major family event, the BLVD festival, Saint-Laurent Boulevard is transformed into a pedestrian street, with giant games, installations at every corner and an incredible treasure hunt to top it all off. There’s even a relaxation zone set aside for parents to refresh and recharge. The free festival runs from Aug. 29th to Sept. 1.
Where to Stay: Auberge de La Fontaine
Auberge de La Fontaine is a quaint bed and breakfast hotel in the trendy Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, dotted with colorful buildings, cafes, and family-friendly parks. The property has 21 rooms and suites, including a family suite that can accommodate up to six people, with two queen size beds along with an adjacent living room with sofa bed. A complimentary breakfast buffet stars pastries from the renowned local bakery, Mr. Pinchot, and is perfect for diners of all ages.
What to Do: Visit Notre-Dame Basillica and Historic Montreal
Take in historic Montreal at the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica, the famed church built in the 1820s known for its century-old Casavant Frères pipe organ, stained glass depicting Montreal’s religious history, and blue ceiling. From there, visit the Pointe-à-Callière, a sprawling archaeological site and museum built on the spot where Montreal was first established in 1642.
Interior of Notre Dame Basilica | Rixie - stock.adobe.com
Where to Stay: St. Paul Hotel
St. Paul Hotel is housed in an original Beaux-Arts building nestled in Old Montreal. A modern boutique property, 119 guestrooms are spread out across eight stories with stunning views of the skyline. Guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet of pastries, fruits, and more before heading out for the day—or dine on breakfast in bed with room-service instead.
What to Do: Take in the Sun and Outdoors at Mount Royal Park
On a pleasant summer afternoon, visit Montreal’s 200-hectare public park atop a mountain that towers over the city. Explore the idyllic park by walking the tree-lined paths or recharging with a picnic on the grass by Beaver Lake. Stop in the Chalet du mont Royal, a rustic building with exposed beams and a large fireplace, with walls lined by large-scale paintings depicting the history of Montréal by thirteen Canadian artists.
Aerial view of the city of Montreal
Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton Montreal
After a day in the outdoors, retreat to the five-star comforts of The Ritz-Carlton Montréal, which has been welcoming esteemed guests through its doors since 1912. Combining old world glamor and unparalleled service that the Ritz is known for, it’s the first and only AAA Five Diamond Hotel in Québec. Exceptional amenities abound at the Ritz, whether it’s sipping bubbles at the Dom Pérignon Champagne Bar in the famed Palm Court or dining on French cuisine at Maison Boulud from 2-Michelin star Chef Daniel Boulud. The five-star hotel is also home to a heated rooftop saltwater pool overlooking the city’s downtown and an in-house Cosner Art Gallery with works from Canadian artists.
What to Do: Dine at Iconic Montreal Restaurant Au Pied De Cochon
Indulge in Quebecois specialties at Au Pied De Cochon. A mainstay for more than 20 years, the restaurant marries the French brasserie to its Quebec and Canadian roots. Chef and owner Martin Picard dressed up the humble Poutine to create a now iconic version in and of itself; here, the fries are cooked in duck fat, then topped with curds, seared foie gras, and drenched in a foie gras sauce. Other traditional dishes on the menu are onion soup, “duck in a can”, lamb shanks, and ragoût of meatballs and others. Often atop many Montreal restaurant lists, make sure clients have reservations in advance.
Where to stay: Hotel Omni Mont-Royal
Complement upscale dining with the sophistication of Hotel Omni Mont-Royal in the heart of the city, situated in the Golden Square Mile on iconic Sherbrooke Street. Interior spaces reflect timeless elegance thanks to marble, statement chandeliers, and a fireplace. Inside the spacious 299 hotel rooms and suites, gallery style windows offer uninterrupted views of the city. Guests can pamper themselves with a treatment at the Eqlib Medispa or get in a workout at the fitness center, complete with indoor hot tub.
Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.
Banner photo: Aerial view of Montreal cityscape
