No matter the season, you’ll find Montreal brimming with romance. Old-world architecture, cosmopolitan shopping, and world-class restaurants await couples looking for a European experience without having to cross the pond.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Language: French, English
Flight time: 2 hours from NYC, 5 hours from LA
Getting around: Car, bus, subway, train, bike
When To Go: Montreal at its best
Best weather: Cold winters and hot summers break for pleasant days in May and October
Best prices: Mid-October to April, except for Christmas week
Why Go
Sidewalk cafes and bistros: In Montreal, you can dine like a Parisian along the St. Lawrence River or sip frothy cafe au laits or creme caramels on the quaint city streets. At night, take your pick from any number of fine restaurants serving international cuisine ranging from Italian and French to Thai.
Old Montreal: Once the epicenter of Montreal in the 17th-century, this section of town can be easily explored on foot. History is the main attraction here, as Old Montreal used to be a fortified city in the 1700s, then later became the political center. The architecture here is stunning — Notre-Dame Basilica, City Hall, Place Jacques-Cartier, Bonsecours Market — and you’ll also find many open public spaces for relaxing and people watching.
Romance: Make your own history with a journey under the stars in Mount Royal Park. Start your stroll at Beaver Lake in this Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park and follow the promenade through the woods. At the stately chalet and its lookout, cuddle as the glimmering city lights below leave you breathless.
Casino de Montreal: Even if slot machines are not your thing, you’ll want to check out Montreal casino houses in the stunning pavilions of the 1967 French and Quebec Expo. For gamers, there is baccarat, blackjack and roulette at more than 115 tables and four restaurants, including the award-winning gourmet Nuances, are enough reason to get all dressed up and treat yourselves to an exhilarating night out.
Shopping: For the city’s best shopping, you’ll have to make your way underground. The Underground City is comprise of 18 1/2 miles or brightly lit, clean pedestrian walkways linking boutique, restaurants, and major hotels. Is you’d rather do your spending bathed in sunlight, head to Sherbooke and St.-Catherine streets, or the open-air Atwater and Jean-Talon markets.
