History
The discovery of Montreal by the French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1965 began the city’s importance as a center for the fur trade. Some trouble with the Iroquois led to the British capturing Montreal. After the Americans unsuccessfully invaded, epidemics of cholera and typhus took a toll on the population. After a massive fire, Prohibition in America turned Montreal into a good time city.
Walkng tour of Old Montreal
A fun way to discover the city’s history, architecture and culture with an experienced guide. Take as much time as you want to check out some of the city’s top hot spots like Notre-Dame Basilica, Place Jacques-Cartier, Bonsecours Market, Montreal City Hall and Champ de Mars. Old Montreal City Walking Tour puts on day tours from 1.5 to 3 hours and has a choice of three different itineraries so you can see exactly what you want in your precious time in the city, including a Flavors of Old Montreal Walking Tour. enjoy the charm of Montreal’s cobblestone streets, souvenir shops, art galleries and boutiques.
Explore downtown and the Plateau
After a day of touring, enjoy a trip to the Plateau for lunch in this trendy neighborhood. Enjoy a gourmet brunch with tasty treats like duck benedict at legendary 75-seater L’Avenue located on Notre-Dame West. For lighter fare try the famous Montreal-style, wood-fired bagels at either St. Viateur or Fairmont. Plenty of sidewalk cafes, excellent restaurants, bars and boutiques will keep you busy for days.
Fun at Olympic Park
If you love outdoor events and festivals then the Olympic Park Esplanade is for you. Check out the First Friday monthly food cart events that take place between May and October where you’ll enjoy a slice of comfort foodie heaven with live music. A wonderland in the winter months, families enjoy the ice skating rink while the dance floor is perfect for romantics. Year round treasures include taking a tour of the beautiful Montreal Biodome, the one-time Olympic Valodrome turned into an aquarium and five ecosystems from the Amazon reainforest to the South Pole. Don’t forget the Insectarium, and the Botanical Garden, where more than 22,000 species of flora can be explored.
Mount Royal walk
For romance, nothing can beat a stroll up the the city’s most dramatic hotspot. Visible from every section of the city, Mount Royal demands attention and is accessible by climbing up nearly any hill. The gentle grade of around four miles takes on average about 45 minutes to ascend and gives hikers a beautiful reward at the summit’s Parc du Mont-Royal with breathtaking views of the city. The park is a special delight in the summer months when locals take to ‘their mountain’ like its their living room, a creation of Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. Enjoy many activities in the park like cycling, jogging, skating, tobogganing, picnicking, and more. Watching the sunset across the city’s downtown and over the St Lawrence River beyond is one of the most memorable and romantic experiences in the city.
Nightlife
Launched in October 2011, The Satosphere at the Societe des Arts and Technologies puts on incredible creative experiences in the round, really round. The huge, 60-foot dome is a lighted immersive playground for visual artists. The audience lays down on flat beds to fully see the works. Sometimes there’s dancing under the dome and visitors can also munch on some quick bites on the beautiful terrace. Get ready to expand your perceptions and elevate your conciousness.
Montreal has everything from the supercharged to the superchill when the sunsets and the stars come out. If you’re looking for an afterhours house music vibe, check out Stereo nightclub with incredible sound quality and acoustics. Its chill lounge space has room for 1000. And if you need something a little more mellow, check out the Mont Mégantic Dark Sky Reserve, an ambitious project that brings a sky completely free of light pollution for the best wishing on stars.
If you’re ready to experience the beauty of Montreal in person, contact one of our vacation planners today!
