Itineraries for Your Trip to Montreal
2 Days in Montreal for First Timers
I'd spent a fair amount of time visiting Canada before I finally got the chance to check out Montreal, and I wish I'd visited sooner. As a French speaker, I was excited to hear how local people spoke the language and was curious about how the city’s Gallic influences would make it look, sound, and feel different from the anglicized parts of Canada.
However, I didn’t really have an itinerary in mind, and while I did visit some key attractions, it wasn’t until subsequent trips that I really got a feel for the city. If I were to do it again, I’d come up with a more streamlined plan to check out the highlights, such as this two-day itinerary.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.
Montreal’s summers can be surprisingly warm—pack accordingly.
The best way to get your bearings in a new-to-you city is by exploring on foot. Start your Montreal trip with a walking tour through the historic Old Montreal. Visit highlights such as the Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal) and the Bonsecours Market (Marché Bonsecours) while learning about the city’s history from your guide.
In the afternoon, try out one of Canada's quintessential sports: curling, which involves players sliding discs on ice toward a goal. Join an instructor for a private lesson that includes all of the equipment you’ll need to play, and learn about everything from the history of the sport to how to perfect your technique.
After your curling class, sit down for an early dinner of French-inspired seafood at Gaspar Brasserie Française. Then join a guided ghost walk to experience a different side of Montreal. Learn about which areas of the oldest part of the city are allegedly haunted and hear tales from the past that just may send shivers down your spine.
Spend your next morning immersed in Montreal's art scene. Check out exhibits at the Place des Arts or join an art tour to learn firsthand about the city’s creative scene. A mural tour is a particularly good choice if you're a fan of street art and want to see a different side of the city.
Although poutine is the star of Montreal's food scene, the city has much more to offer than just curds, gravy, and frites. Must-try dishes include Montreal-style bagels, tasty gnocchi, and so much more. Try some of the most popular local snacks while getting an insider's view of the city's food scene by joining a culinary tour.
Wrap up your stay in the city by joining a dinner cruise on the Saint Lawrence River. Take in views of Montreal after dark, in all its illuminated glory, while you dine on a multicourse dinner accompanied by musical entertainment. Because of Montreal’s cooler temperatures, cruises typically feature glassed-in areas so that you can take in the scenery comfortably.
