The reason I write these blog posts is to document all of the places I have traveled to, be a resource for those who are looking to travel to new places, and most importantly, encourage others to travel more! Traveling is the greatest form of education, truly, and I encourage everyone to travel when they can and are able.
This was my first time visiting another actual country (not just an island) and I truly felt an incredible warm feeling of just getting to experience new and different things – one of them being a new language. I experienced my very first culture shock – yes it’s a real thing! I so clearly remember walking into our hotel (by myself) and everyone was speaking French! It was so interesting listening to everyone communicate and it was not until some random stranger had stopped to ask me a question in French that I felt immediate panic. I remember being so shook because I had no idea what they had asked and also I had no clue how to respond. I felt like all communication skills I have ever learned in my past 26 years of life had dissolved. Finally, when my friends got inside they explained to me that people speak both English and French and you just have to specify. I felt instant relief. But was also still freaking out a little and had never felt a stronger desire to suddenly learn how to speak another language. I felt so helpless not being able to communicate with another human being (even though the circumstances were not that serious, thankfully)!
Getting Into The Country & Transportation
Montréal is a popular tourist destination, especially for those coming in from the US, and is easily accessible by air, car, and public transportation. If you’re planning to fly to Montréal, the city’s main airport is Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), which is located about 12 miles from the city center. If you prefer to drive, Montréal is accessible from the United States via several major highways. The city is about a 6-hour drive from Boston and about an 8-hour drive from New York City.
Be aware of any travel restrictions or quarantine measures that may be in effect when planning your trip. These restrictions might differ based on the country you are traveling from and could change at any time. Always check online before traveling to ensure you have all of the requirements you need.
Once you arrive in Montréal, there are several options for getting around the city. The city has an extensive public transportation system, including the metro (subway) and bus networks. There are also many taxi and ride-sharing services available, as well as rental cars. If you prefer to travel by bike, Montréal has a large network of bike paths and is a very bike-friendly city.
Cost, Currency, and Language
Montréal is a bilingual city, with both French and English being widely spoken. French is the city’s official language and is the predominant language spoken by residents, but many people in Montréal are also fluent in English. If you’re planning to visit Montréal and are not fluent in French, you will still be able to get by as many people in the city, especially those in the service industry, speak English, thankfully!
Montréal uses the Canadian dollar (CAD) as its official currency. The Canadian dollar is abbreviated as “CAD” and is denoted by the symbol “$”. The currency is used not only in Montréal but across the entire country of Canada. We just stopped in a local bank and were able to exchange and take out the correct currency. (Those international fees will definitely add up!)
Where To Stay
We stayed at Hotel Bonaventure Montréal | OFFICIAL WEBSITE| 4* Downtown Montréal, which I would highly recommend for anyone traveling to the country for the first time. They had a cute lounge area, a restaurant and bar, a little gift shop, and an outdoor rooftop heated pool and hot tub. It is very reasonably priced and right in the middle of everything which made it super easy to get to the places we needed. With that being said, there are obviously numerous other places to stay so here is a list of other good spots you might want to check out:
- Hotel Le St-James: A boutique luxury hotel housed in a historic building, known for its opulent decor and personalized service.
- Hotel Nelligan: Located in Old Montréal, this boutique hotel offers stylish rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a great location near attractions.
- W Montréal: A trendy and modern hotel in downtown Montréal known for its contemporary design and vibrant ambiance.
- Le Square Phillips Hotel & Suites: A centrally located hotel offering spacious suites with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast.
- Hotel 10: A chic and stylish hotel in downtown Montréal with modern amenities and a trendy atmosphere.
Our Itinerary
(Courtesy of my most amazing best friend, Brittany P.)
Thursday (12/29)
4:00pm Check In: Hotel Bonaventure Montréal | OFFICIAL WEBSITE| 4* Downtown Montréal
5:30pm Apps and Drinks Before The Show @ Bier Markt
7:30pm Cirque du Soliel @ Bell Centre Arena
Friday (12/30)
Explore the Underground City
6:00pm Dinner @ O.Noir
Saturday (12/31)
11:30am Brunch @ Jacopo
7:00pm Bord’Elle
Sunday (01/01)
Recover from night before
7:00pm Ice Skating
Ferris Wheel: Montréal: La Grande Roue de Montréal Entry Ticket | GetYourGuide
Monday (01/02)
11:00am Check Out
If you didn’t already know, Jared and I made it our tradition to travel to someplace new to ring in the new year every year. This year, we had a few of our good friends join is, who, might I add, had to reallyyyyy talk us into going some place colder than Connecticut for the new year. And it took a lot of convincing considering we are always trying to go somewhere warm with a beach. But it was a given for me because I am always down for a new adventure, no matter the weather, and especially if you’re coming from the New England area, it is such a quick and easy drive.
Things To Do
Thanks to my bff Brittany who had already been to Montréal a few times before, she knew all the good spots and had an itinerary full of things for all of us to do – my absolute favorite and most insane experience being a blind dinner… but we’ll get into that later… First up are some fun things we did and I would recommend to do if you are deciding to take a trip here:
- Cirque du Soleil @ Bell Centre Arena – [Tickets HERE for Cirque du Soleil] Cirque du Soleil is a wonderful show put on by extremely talented performers that tell a story through all kinds of amazing acts. As a previous dancer, these are always my favorite kind of shows to see. The talent is just incredible and I am always wow-ed by the performances. I was so impressed. And it was a great activity to do after some apps and drinks! I don’t believe they are at this same place often, but I do know it originates in Montréal. I am pretty sure they travel all around so you are able to see this show in many other locations, not just in Montréal! But this arena also holds a ton of events throughout the year, so be sure to check out their website when you are there.
- Explore the Underground City – Ha – sooo this one is a funny story because we were so confident we were going to spend the day shopping and exploring the Underground City, which apparently is a huge shopping mall underground. Little did we know that after we went down under, we would get completely lost for hours and never ended up making it to the shopping center, even after asking multiple people for clear instructions. Unfortunately I am unsure of what the Underground city is like except for the fact that it is very confusing and HUGE down there. But all is fine, we are still not sure where we went wrong but it did lead us to our next adventure…
- Van Gough Exhibit – Where Vincent van Gogh’s art comes to life. I have always wanted to do this and am grateful we accidentally came across this in Montréal. The awesome thing about this is that you get to experience the history and all of Van Gogh’s work in a different, modern, type of way. Each room has a different experience and setting. I would definitely recommend checking this out if you haven’t already, however, these exhibits are typically temporary and may travel to different cities or museums around the world. You do have to purchase tickets beforehand and I believe it lasts about an hour.
Old Port Montréal – Ice Skating and Ferris Wheel
- The Old Port Skating Rink – The Old Port Skating Rink a seasonal attraction that operates during the winter months, typically from December to March – weather permitting. The rink is known for its large ice surface, often hosting various events, themed nights, music, and sometimes even light shows. Ice skating at the Old Port rink is a popular winter activity for families, couples, and friends, offering a memorable Montréal experience. Unfortunately when we went, a very popular time of year, the lines were INSANE. So we had to skip out on the skating but we made it to the huge ferris wheel, La Grande Roue…
- Montréal: La Grande Roue de Montréal – If you want to see an absolutely stunning view of the city, this is your spot! The Montreal Observation Wheel, also known as La Grande Roue de Montréal, is a large Ferris wheel located in the Old Port of Montréal. It is a popular tourist attraction that offers panoramic views of the city, the St. Lawrence River, and the surrounding areas. You can get a private gondola for 8 ppl $134.66 (or $22pp). The Montréal Ferris wheel stands at a height of approximately 197 feet and features 42 climate-controlled cabins that can hold up to 8 people each. Once you board the cabins, sit back and enjoy a leisurely 15-20 minute ride above the stunning city.
- Shopping – Montréal is full of cute little shops and boutiques. One of my favorite things to do is shop on my travels because you never know what cool, unique, treasures you are going to find that then becomes a memory! Whether you’re looking for high-end fashion, unique local finds, gourmet treats, or a leisurely shopping experience, Montréal has a diverse array of options to satisfy your shopping desires.
- Art Exhibits – Montréal has a rich and diverse art scene with many galleries, museums, and cultural institutions that regularly feature temporary exhibitions (as I mentioned before) and showcase both local and international artists. There are tons of art exhibits to visit all around Montréal if you’re into that kind of thing. It’s one of our favorite things to do! Here are just a few photos from a cool that we went to:
Other things on our list we had but didn’t get to:
- Bota Bota (Spa) – I am a little sad we didn’t get to this because it looks like such a cool experience. This place has an infinity pool, massages, facials, couples retreat, just all of the works and I would love to go back and do this!
- Biodome – The Biodome is part of the larger Space for Life (Espace pour la Vie) complex, which also includes the Montréal Botanical Garden, the Insectarium, and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. The Biodome itself is a unique facility that replicates different ecosystems found in the Americas. It is divided into several distinct sections, each representing a specific ecosystem: the Tropical Rainforest, the Laurentian Forest, the Saint Lawrence Marine ecosystem, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Each section houses various plant and animal species that are characteristic of these ecosystems
- Planetarium – The Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium is dedicated to astronomy and space exploration, offering visitors an immersive and educational experience about the universe. It features two separate theaters equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide captivating shows and presentations about astronomy, space science, and the wonders of the cosmos.
- Science Museum – The science museum in Montréal is called the Montréal Science Centre (Centre des sciences de Montréal in French). It is an interactive and educational museum dedicated to science, technology, and innovation, located in the Old Port of Montréal. The Montréal Science Centre offers a variety of engaging and hands-on exhibits, displays, and activities that cover various scientific topics, including biology, physics, chemistry, technology, and environmental science. The museum’s exhibits are designed to be interactive and engaging, allowing visitors of all ages to explore and learn about scientific principles through interactive demonstrations, experiments, and multimedia presentations.
- Lee 1000 (Indoor Ice Skating) – It is FREEZing in Montréal on December 31st so if you’re skipping the outdoor skate, there is also an indoor skate, which honestly sounds much nicer now that I think about it.
New Years Eve
- Bord’Elle – This New Years Eve we wanted to get dressed up and go out. Bord’Elle was the perfect place for it. It is a popular nightclub and entertainment venue in Montréal that serves dinner and then forms into a club! The venue has a chic and sophisticated interior with a luxurious design, combining elements of a classic speakeasy and a modern nightclub. It often hosts live entertainment, including DJ performances, live music, and themed events. It was giving very burlesque vibes and I loveddd this spot (again thanks to my bff). This was a ticketed event that we had to purchase beforehand to enter. The dinner and live performances were so fun and entertaining. When everyone was finished eating the place turned into a nightclub and had a countdown for the new year. It was a great place to ring in the new year. I would definitely recommend this spot to others, and would certainly go back to myself!
The Must-Do Food Spots
Brunch
- Jacopo – I loveee a good brunch spot. This was the perfect place! It was the cutest little Italian eatery with an upmarket old-world ambiance offering traditional dishes and wines. This place is filled with AMAZING food, delicious drinks, and super good vibes. The interior was absolutely stunning, as you can see in the photos below. It’s located right on the strip of Old Port which is the perfect place for a little downtown shopping afterwards!
- Foiegwa – This was THE best brunch/food I have ever eaten in my entire life! It’s a stylish, contemporary haunt serving gourmet regional fare and brunch, plus cocktails and milkshakes. I seriously have thought about this meal numerous times since leaving here. It lives rent free in my mind. I have no other words than this is a MUST. Everything was so delicious and on point. The food was just incredible and I am dying to go back!
- Tim Hortons – Tim Hortons is the Starbucks and Dunkin Dounts of Canada. They serve coffee, donuts, sandwiches, and other food items. This place hit the spot and was a perfect stop for a quick on-the-go breakfast and coffee before your morning activities or if you need a quick breakfast.
Dinner
- ONoir – Now… for the dinner in the dark! ONoir was quite literally one of THE most life changing dining experiences you’ll ever have, this is a must do! Visually impaired staff serve your meal in a completely dark dining room, with surprise dishes – if you dare! I have no photos of this place because you have to lock up your phone in a locker. Once you arrive you get the whole spiel on how the dinner works. You order your entire meal and drinks before going into the dark dining room and into the most unique dining experience you will ever have. After all food allergies are discussed and everything is squared away, you are led to the doors for the dining room that you have to enter two doors to get to, which ensures that no light passes through. You grab each other’s shoulders and your server leads the way to your table. I am not even being dramatic when I say it is pitch black in there and you cannot see a single thing, and your eyes do not adjust. All of your other senses begin to kick in and you go by the sounds of the voices around you. I had definitely experienced a little bit of panic at first but then it just turned into the craziest dinner. It was such an experience and a perfect date idea. (Shout out to Brit for taking us here!) The experience is indescribable – you just have to go and see for yourself! Ha!
- Fishbone – Fishbone was another one of our favorite dinners. It was such a good seafood spot with amazinggg drinks. It had a cool vibe, a large indoor space, and the food was freshly cooked with local ingredients. I would say this was on the fancier side and very upbeat. The restaurant serves original recipes with a unique and globally influenced menu with a touch of Asian inspiration. Definitely a must if you love good seafood!
- Bier Markt – Bier Markt is an upbeat modern sports bar, with amazing apps and small plates. We stopped here for a quick drink and appetizer before we went to the Cirque du Soleil show. They serve beer flights along with a bunch of other wines and spirits and of course our favorite appetizer – the True North Brisket Poutine! This is a great yummy local little spot and it is walking distance from the Bell Centre Arena.
Where To Drink + Nightlife
Montréal is known for having several speakeasy-style bars and hidden cocktail lounges that offer a unique and intimate drinking experience reminiscent of the Prohibition era. While some of these establishments may not be as secretive as the original speakeasies, they often embrace the concept by creating a hidden or inconspicuous entrance, maintaining a low-key atmosphere, and serving meticulously crafted cocktails. Keep in mind that some of these establishments may require reservations or have specific entry instructions, so it’s a good idea to check their websites or contact them in advance for information about their offerings, operating hours, and any entry requirements.
Speakeasy’s
Strip Clubs
And for those who are into this kind of experience…
Montréal has several strip clubs or adult entertainment venues. The city is known for its nightlife, and some of its entertainment establishments include strip clubs that cater to adult patrons. These clubs typically feature exotic dancers, live performances, and entertainment. Here were the few that were recommended to us:
Outfits
Winter in Montréal, which typically spans from December to February, can be quite cold and snowy. Average temperatures during winter often range from below freezing to a few degrees above freezing, with occasional colder periods. Temperatures can drop well below freezing, and snowfall is common, contributing to cold and sometimes icy conditions.
Be prepared to BUNDLE UP because it is BRICK COLD during this time. Thankfully, it wasn’t terrible when we went, but I don’t do well in the cold so I was extra prepared. Here are some of the outfits I wore in Montréal (don’t be fooled by some of these pictures, I was BUNDLED before stepping outside!)
Montréal is such an amazing and vibrant city that is filled with diverse neighborhoods, each with its own character and charm, offering a mix of cultures, cuisines, and experiences. It’s a place where history meets modernity, and there’s always something interesting happening. It has a thriving nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants catering to various tastes.
Montréal is 10/10 on the top of my list for places I would revisit. I feel like there is so much life and adventures in this city. I loved the time we spent here and I cannot wait to get back to it.
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UNTIL NEXT TIME,
TAYLOR
TAYLOR ONZE 
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