One Day in Montreal: Visiting le Vieux Port
Montreal marked my first time traveling to Canada. We visited towards the end of December and to our dismay, were greeted with some of the coldest temperatures on record. Despite having to layer clothes as we've never layered before, Canada, and Montreal specifically, did not disappoint. With its mix of urban design and old-world architecture, even with just one day in Montreal, it was the perfect destination to explore before driving to Quebec City. We ate lots of food, chatted with lovely Canadian locals, and learned how to survive the cold LIKE A BOSS.
Get Lost in le Vieux Port (or the Old Port Montreal)
Since our stay was so short, we focused our time in the Old Port known as le Vieux Port in French. If you only have one day in Montreal, this is where you want to be. This picturesque area of the city is home to charming little stores, cobblestone streets, and a phenomenal food scene. The “le Vieux Port” is a mix of North American and European culture, and it's easiest to see the beauty of the area on foot. We were in Montreal in -15 degrees F and still crisscrossed our way through the small streets, stopping in local shops along the way for warmth. Many of them even provided free hot chocolate for visitors! Make sure you trek down Rue Saint Paul, especially in the winter, when Christmas lights frame the street for blocks. There is no doubt the shimmering glow will lift your spirits.
Walking a couple of streets east will take you along the water near the Montreal Observation Wheel, which runs 12 months a year: air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter! Hop on this stunning ferris wheel, which sits along the St. Lawrence River, for views of the whole city.
Where to Stay in le Vieux Port
We stayed overnight in le Vieux Port at Hotel St. Sulpice, a beautiful boutique hotel located in the heart of the neighborhood and just a half-block walk from the architecturally stunning Basilique Notre-Dame. This church, opened in 1890, faces the busy Place d'Armes Square and is open for tours of its ornate stained glass windows and Gothic Revival architecture. It's also an incredibly popular spot for IG photos, so arrive earlier if you want to snap some pics without others in your shot.
Become a Foodie During Your One Day in Montreal
We came to Canada ready to eat one thing: poutine. Thankfully living in Chicago, we have access to a couple of bars and restaurants that serve the diet-busting dish filled with french fries, gravy, and cheese curds, but we mentally prepared to inhale the real thing whenever we could in Canada. If you only have one day in Montreal, make sure you do the same. For dinner, we stopped at L'Original, a cozy basement restaurant in le Vieux Port with a cabin theme, a bar built from a kayak, and a menu that focuses around game meat. Dinner meant truffle poutine and the juiciest bison burger I've ever had. Heaven in my mouth!
We also made sure to stop at Tommy, a gorgeous café with large windows and plants and flowers hanging from the ceiling. This eatery is known for its breakfast dish, avocado toast. Served on a huge slab of rustic bread, the recipe is divine with fresh avocado, seasoning, and lemon juice. Make sure you add an egg to make it a meal.
Make a Stop for Recycled Fur
Having volunteered/worked in a zoo for 12 years of my life (fun fact alert), I can't morally purchase real fur. I'm not on the level of a PETA activist but it's something I'd rather not do. Plus it's hella expensive. But recycled fur…that's a different story. Harricana is a little shop in Montreal's le Vieux Port that buys people's old furs and restores them into new items. I went into the store, ready to buy a warm hat with a big fur pompom on top. Not only did they have multiple styles and colors of wool hats, but the pompoms are interchangeable! You can customize your hat and get backup fur pompoms to swap out. Such a great idea! They also have gloves, scarves, and jackets if you need to stock up on any essentials to brave the winter chill outside.
Explore the Montreal Biodome
Initially built for the 1976 Olympic Games, the Montreal Biodome houses areas mimicking four different ecosystems found throughout the Americas with over 4,500 animals and countless plant types associated with each area. Everything from the rocks used to the climate in each part of the dome is a replica of a specific region of the globe, making it a world's first when it opened in 1992. Clocking in at roughly a 15-minute drive from the le Vieux Port, it's a great, modern way to spend an afternoon after you've spent the morning exploring the older part of town.
Montreal is a diverse urban city with so much to check out and experience. Even though we only had the chance to see a small portion during our one day in Montreal, we loved the vibe and the positive attitude of everyone we encountered. Everyone was braving the cold together and still having a great time. Montreal's le Vieux Port proved to be a magical destination with just enough French-flair to make you feel like you've flown all the way to Europe.