48 Hours in Montreal

From its cobblestoned streets and Gothic Revival cathedrals to modern architecture and bohemian culture, Montreal is where contemporary influence meets European charm. This French-Canadian metropolis is home to a somewhat unlikely blend of old and new, paving the way for the city to become one of the country’s liveliest destinations for locals and visitors alike.

Home to a buzzing art, music, and of course, food scene, Montreal is considered Canada’s unofficial cultural capital. It’s also known for its robust calendar of events and festivals that take place throughout the year (you’re nearly guaranteed to stumble upon at least one during a stroll through the city).

Explore this Québécois island on the Saint Lawrence River via a seamless Tradewind charter flight. Just north of the Vermont border, it’s easily accessible for a quick weekend trip, and there’s plenty to discover no matter when you visit — colorful leaves await during autumn, while winter is worth bundling up for to experience the city’s wonderfully festive atmosphere.

Here’s how to best take in the city during a 48-hour jaunt.

Friday

Fly into Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in the afternoon and make your way to the Old Montreal neighborhood, or Vieux-Montréal. The moniker rings true — the city began here when French settlers founded it nearly 400 years ago as Fort Ville-Marie, so it’s older than the country of Canada itself. And with its quaint cafés, bustling squares, and historic markets, it’s the closest thing you’ll find to Paris on this side of the Atlantic.

Check into Hotel William Gray, two 18th-century buildings (formerly a merchant’s house and a warehouse) combined to create Montreal’s trendiest luxury boutique hotel. While its stone white exterior is reminiscent of the area’s past, inside, the design is cosmopolitan all the way.

After admiring your chic weekend accommodations, there’s no time to waste in beginning your exploration. Head straight to Basilique Notre-Dame, one of the city’s most breathtaking attractions, before its visiting hours end at 4:30pm. The gothic façade and stained-glass windows of this 19th-century church in Old Montreal offers a glimpse into the city’s rich past, along with the bell in the Western tower. The heart of the church is arguably its ornate organ, which dates back to 1891, located in the opulent chapel at the back of the church.

Spend the remainder of the afternoon rambling around the charming neighborhood (as the oldest street in the city, the pedestrian-only, lamp-lit Rue Saint-Paul feels particularly European). For dinner, make a reservation at the well-loved BARROCCO, a rustic, romantic French restaurant incorporating Italian and Spanish influences into its menu. Or, head to Le Garde-Manger to choose from their ever-changing blackboard of indulgent dishes crafted by celebrity chef Chuck Hughes (served in a cool, always-happening space).

End the evening with a nightcap at Terrasse William Gray, the hotel’s rooftop lounge offering creative cocktails and panoramic views of Place Jacques-Cartier, the St. Lawrence River, and Montreal’s Ferris wheel at the Old Port.

Saturday

No trip to Montreal is complete without a visit to Mount Royal, the hill after which the city is named. Parc du Mont-Royal was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who also created Central Park, and features lush forested areas, Beaver Lake, two cemeteries, and more. The chalet at the top offers a breathtaking observation point for visitors to overlook all of it, as well as the surrounding city. A network of winding trails allows you to hike around the mountain, or take the stairs for a more direct path to the views found at the mountain’s summit.

After an hour or two immersed in urban nature, brunch is calling. The nearby area Le Plateau-Mont-Royal (or simply Plateau) is one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods, offering an array of shops and bistros along its tree-lined streets. Situated on L’Avenue du Mont-Royal (the area’s main street), quirky diner L’Avenue serves brunch classics in a funky, colorful space. For something lighter, see what all the fuss is about at St-Viateur Bagel Shop, an iconic storefront that’s said to give New York bagels a run for their money (Montreal bagels are boiled in water with honey, making them a bit sweeter).

Continue on to the creative, artsy Mile End neighborhood, often referred to as the city’s very own SoHo. You’ll find trendy boutiques and vintage stores around every corner here, and keep your eye out for stunning street art as you pop in and out of shops.

To round out your afternoon with some R&R, head back to Old Montreal and schedule a visit at Bota Bota, a tranquil floating spa anchored at the Old Port, offering an array of rejuvenating baths and treatments. Or, go straight back to Hotel William Gray to experience the warm quartz massage beds, Himalayan salt room, and experiential showers of their underground spa, rated one of the best in the city.

Sit down for a handmade pasta dinner at Da Emma, a warm Italian space located (surprisingly) in what was Montreal’s first women’s prison. For a more modern vibe, book a table at Le Serpent, one of Montreal’s top restaurants, serving Italian cuisine as well in a chic industrial setting.

If you’re up for it (particularly after an evening of bar-hopping or perhaps theatre tickets), be sure to save room for a traditional Montreal pastime: late-night poutine. Greenspot and Chez Claudette are both worthy destinations to get a taste of the Canadian classic in all of its gravy, cheese curd-smothered glory.

Sunday

Cap off your weekend by immersing yourself in the arts in true Montreal fashion. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of Canada’s (and North America’s) most often visited museums, featuring both permanent collections and roaming exhibitions from the world’s most esteemed artists. Spend your morning perusing the works on display, wandering among its five unique pavilions as well as the outdoor Sculpture Garden.

After two days of exploration, head home on your Tradewind charter flight on Sunday afternoon. By evening, you’ll be looking back on your weekend at the dinner table — and likely already planning your next escape to this charming cultural mecca.

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Tradewind offers charter flights to Montreal, Canada year-round. To reserve a charter, call us at 1-800-376-7922 or click here.

Featured Photo: Eva Blue