Old Montreal: A Quick, Magical European Winter Vacation (Without the Flight!)
If you want a European vacation without the transatlantic flight, Old Montreal is the perfect mid-range getaway. From the NYC/NJ area, it’s about a 6-hour drive. A quick warning though: we did the drive at night, and the fog rolling through the mountains was intense and honestly a little scary. If you can, plan your drive for daylight hours—your nerves will thank you!
A lot of people wait for the summer to visit Montreal, but honestly? Going in the winter was magical. Between the snow covering the cobblestone streets, the fewer crowds, and the excuse to cozy up by a fireplace with a cocktail every night, it felt like stepping into a snow globe.
Want to see exactly what I mean? Click play on the vlog below to see our full Montreal winter itinerary, the Bota Bota snow, and our speakeasy adventure! Then, keep reading for all the exact hotel links, restaurant names, and travel hacks.
Where to Stay: High-End Location on a Mid-Range Budget
Location is everything in Old Montreal, and you want to be as close to Rue Saint-Paul (the main cobblestone street) as possible. For our stay, we booked Maison Saint-Vincent, a chic boutique hotel right in the heart of the historic district.
Here is a classic mid-range travel hack: this hotel is located directly next to the famous (and much more expensive) Hotel William Gray. By staying at Maison Saint-Vincent, we got the exact same premium location and walkability, but saved a ton of money to put toward our meals and experiences instead.
The best part? Because you are right next door, you can easily walk over and take advantage of the William Gray’s incredible amenities. You can grab a drink at Terrasse William Gray (their gorgeous rooftop bar), eat at their upscale ground-floor restaurant Maggie Oakes, or just hang out in their stunning lobby bar. You get the 5-star luxury experience right at your doorstep, without paying the 5-star nightly rate!
Book Maison Saint-Vincent Here
The Montreal Food Tour (Warming up in the Winter!)
Montreal is a massive foodie city. Because we went in the winter, our dining strategy was all about finding cozy, warm atmospheres with incredible food. Here were our standout spots
- Modavie: We actually ate here multiple times because the vibes were just that good. It’s a staple in Old Montreal. Between the live jazz music playing and the incredible escargot, it’s a spot you have to visit at least once (or in our case, twice).
- Montréal Poutine: You can’t go to Canada and not get poutine. We hit up this spot right on the main street. It was the perfect, heavy comfort food after walking around in the cold.
- Tavern Gaspar: We ate here and the food was fine, but the real standout was the lobby bar. They have this gorgeous fireplace that we immediately gravitated toward. If you just want a cozy spot for a drink by the fire, put this on your list.
- Au Pied de Cochon: If you are an Anthony Bourdain fan, this name probably sounds familiar! He famously visited this legendary Montreal spot on his show No Reservations, which is exactly why we knew we had to try it. We ventured out for a reservation and had their signature “Duck in a Can” (Canard en Conserve). Just like Bourdain experienced, it is a gloriously heavy, decadent, and unforgettable meal.
- Tommy Café: f you want a quick break from the cobblestones, hit up this gorgeous, plant-filled café. The real fun here is their creative drink menu. Make sure to try one of their signature lattes, like the vanilla latte topped with actual Lucky Charms cereal. It’s the ultimate photogenic pick-me-up to warm you up while exploring.
🥯 The Great Bagel Disclaimer
If you watched the vlog above, you know we attempted to do the famous Montreal bagel run (St-Viateur and Fairmount are the legendary rivals). Here is the reality check: the lines were INSANE. On top of that, we ran out of cash and they didn’t take credit cards. We ended up skipping it this time. However, I’ve had them on a past trip to Montreal, and if you have the time, the patience, and the cash, it is absolutely wonderful and worth doing!
Late Night: The Coldroom Speakeasy (And a Major Line Hack!)
You can’t do a proper trip to Montreal without visiting a speakeasy, and Old Montreal is hiding some of the best in the city. We went to The Coldroom, which was an incredible experience, but I have a major travel hack for you: arrive early.
We got there right when it opened and were the second group let inside. We got to enjoy the dark, moody, warm cocktail vibe immediately. By the time it got later in the evening, the line was literally wrapped around the corner!
Getting out of the freezing night air and stepping into a hidden bar is the perfect way to end the evening, but standing outside shivering in a massive line is not—so beat the rush and go right at opening.
Winter Magic at Bota Bota
If you only do one activity in Montreal in the winter, make it Bota Bota. It is a multi-level spa built into a converted ferry boat permanently docked in the Old Port.
Doing their outdoor water circuit in the dead of winter is an experience I will never forget. You are sitting outside in these steaming hot tubs, completely relaxed, while actual snow is falling on you. The contrast of the freezing air and the hot water looking out over the city skyline is truly magical.
Travel Tip: Bring your own flip flops – if you do not have any you have to purchase at the counter for $30
The Must-Dos: Notre-Dame & The Gallery Crawl
Between all the food and spa time, we spent hours just wandering down Rue Saint-Paul, popping in and out of the art galleries to warm up. Because there is such a high concentration of high-end galleries clustered together on this one cobblestone street, it literally feels like you are walking through a massive, free museum.
Make sure to look out for spots like Galerie LeRoyer for incredible contemporary pieces, S16 Gallery for cool urban and pop art, or Images Boréales for stunning Inuit art. It’s the perfect way to admire world-class talent, and it really adds to that refined “European vacation” feel.
You also have to make time for Notre-Dame Basilica. It is a working church, meaning you can actually go for mass if you want to experience a traditional service. At night, they host an incredible immersive light show called AURA.
Travel Tip: Because we booked this trip last minute, the light show was completely sold out! If AURA is on your bucket list, you must book your tickets well in advance.
Have you been to Montreal? What was your favorite thing to do? Let us know in the comments