A weekend soaking in some of France seems a little far-fetched; or does it?
You can lose the grueling transatlantic flight and the expensive car or caravan rental and still get your fix of French culture and cuisine in Montreal, Quebec.
Brimming with great food, street festivals, trendy outdoor cafés and restaurants, Montreal is a day’s drive (or less) for some 35 million Americans and Canadians.
An added bonus for US visitors is a great currency exchange rate which not only makes Montreal the perfect long weekend getaway but a really, really affordable one as well.
While there’s so much to see and do in Montreal; it all starts with Montreal’s food scene, one of the most diverse and exciting anywhere.
Memories of Paris will continually float into your Montreal culinary experience; which has a decidedly more multicultural flavor. Authentic English pubs, Jewish Delis mix with more traditional French and Quebecois cuisine to energize the scores of outdoor cafes and restaurants which anchor the street and boulevards of this very charming and very walkable city.
With almost 100 outdoor street Festivals in Montreal every year, you’ll find one that speaks to you before, during or after the endless parade of great meals. Be sure to visit trendy Cresent Street for a taste of Montreal’s hip street scene; a vibe which is uniquely repeated throughout the city’s many eclectic and fascinating neighborhoods.
Day trips out of Montreal include the Verger Gibouleau Orchard which is less than an hour away and where you can pick your own apples. Not surprisingly you’ll find great food here too. Try the apple cider and the to-die-for apple donuts.
A longer drive that’s especially brilliant during the Fall Colors, is Montreal to Magog, Quebec. Only a couple of hours away, Magog is a small town that’s a perfect and unforgettable day trip into Quebec’s Eastern Townships.
The nearest US border to Montreal is Champlain, New York; a quick one-hour drive on State Road 15. Toronto to Montreal is a little longer at about 4 hours along Highway 401; while Boston to Montreal is also about 4 hours on Interstates 93 and 89 respectively.
There are great hotels in Montreal at every price point and some provide a fascinating look into the city’s spectacular architecture. Campgrounds near Montreal are also plentiful.
But remember Montreal is best enjoyed on foot or bicycle; so park your car or RV and lace up those sneakers and enjoy Montreal’s Joy de Vivre!
Check out Montreal’s Bohemian street scene on this video from the Fun Roads TV series: Distant Roads.
Tourisme Montréal
Infotouriste Centre
1255 Rue Peel #100
Montréal, QC H3B 2Y1
info@mtl.org
