Montreal, the Ultimate Winter Wonderland

Oh, Canada (see what I did there?). The Great White North is worth adding to your list for many reasons, the most obvious of which is its proximity to the great U S of A. For those of us located on the east coast and beyond, it’s a relatively short plane, train, bus or car ride to Montreal, yet feels worlds away. Our preferred route was a 6-hour road trip from New York City, which I highly recommend. It’s a straight short up North and very scenic.

Montreal is, in my opinion, the cultural hub of Canada. The cobblestoned-studded, 17th-century municipality has everything you’re looking for from a cosmopolitan city — music, art, nightlife, entertainment, food — with the quaintness (and architecture) of a decidedly French town. 

Sure, you can wait to visit once the ice has melted and the temperatures are no longer in single digits, but where is the fun in that? This is Canada, people. I say you embtrace your inner snow bunny and hit the town this winter. It’s cheaper! And there are less people! And it’s maple syrup season! If you need further convincing, write me, otherwise here are my recommendations on how to have the perfect old-and-new-world experience in the dead of winter.

Eat + Drink

OK, the food scene in Montreal is out of control. If you need a by-the-numbers, there are more restaurants per capita than any city in Canada, and the second in North America after New York. Is that too many options? Yes? Maybe? But luckily I have eaten at many of them; a sacrifice I’ve made for all of you. The must-eat list consists of crossaints, poutine, steamies, smoked meat, bagel(s), pouding chomeur, maple syrup in any form and a quintessential sugar shack meal. For where exactly to eat these things, read: Where and What to Eat in Montreal.

RE: bevvys, like any major city you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking in Montreal. From cocktail to wine to dive, the bar options are seemingly endless. A short list of my favorites by type goes something like this: Larry’s (wine), Bar Renard (cocktail), The Coldroom (speakeasy), Le Cheval Blanc (beer), La Petite Idée Fixe (dive), Snack ’n’ Blues (jazz). If you, like me, gravitate towards karaoke and jukeboxes, check out Eater’s list of Montreal’s Best Dive Bars. For the more sophisticated reader, here’s their Essential Montreal Cocktail Bars list.

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Let’s remember that this is a winter guide to Montreal, so some of the very outdoorsy things may not in your future (read: Mount Royal, Botanical Garden, Lachine Canal). If you can brave the temps, do it! Otherwise here’s some indoorsy very fun stuff: catch a jazz show at Diese Onze (make a ressie), explore the Marché Jean-Talon, one of the largest open-air markets on the continent (yes you read that right), visit Pointe-à-Callière, a very cool archaeology museum with rotating exhibitions, walk through Old Montreal along Rue Saint-Paul, peep the Notre-Dame Basilica, have a spa day with a view at Bota Bota, and last but certainly not least, enjoy a live drag show at Cabaret Mado in Gay Village.

Good luck on your Canadian adventure, friends.