Date of Visit: 18-20 Sep 2019
Montreal
Located at a 2-hour drive east of Ottawa and 5-hour-30-minute drive northeast of Toronto, Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city after Toronto. With more than 1.7m residents, Montreal is the largest city in the French-speaking Quebec Province. While French is largely used, Montreal is very cosmopolitan and more than 60% of Montreal are bilingual, speaking both French and English. English is still very commonly spoken in restaurants and retail stores.
Do you know that Montreal sits on an island? It is surrounded by the massive St. Lawrence River in the south and Prairie River in the north.
Quebec City
Quebec City is about a 3-hour drive northeast of Montreal on the riverbank of St. Lawrence River and is downstream from Montreal.
Compared to Montreal, Quebec City is distinctly more French-speaking. Quebec City is the provincial capital of Quebec Province and has a population of just over 0.5m.
Poutine
Poutine is a dish that originated in the 1950s in Quebec Province that includes french fries and cheese curds topped with a creamy thick gravy as the basic ingredients with many different add-ons.
Poutine is a uniquely Canadian dish. You can easily find many restaurants everywhere in Canada that serve Poutine. There are even restaurants that serve only Poutine as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper. Google “best Poutine in Canada” and you will long list of restaurants that serve good Poutine.
Following Russia’s invading Ukraine on 24 Feb 2022, some people boycotted Poutine restaurants because Poutine sounds like “Putin”, the Russian President.
A 3-day Itinerary Around Montreal and Quebec City
From Ottawa, a 3-day road trip to Montreal and Quebec City may include picking your own apple during apple harvest season at Verger Labonté on Perrot Island, which is a 30-minute drive southwest of Montreal, then Montreal downtown Underground City, Old Montreal, and the nearby Montreal Old Port waterfront, Mount Royal Park, Jean-Talon Market, and finally an evening visit to Montreal Botanical Gardens for “Gardens of Light” held at the time of my road trip.
You may use Montreal as a base and have a day-trip driving to Quebec City, 3-hour away from Montreal, and back to Montreal on the same day. The Quebec City day-trip may include Plains of Abraham, Old Quebec, Quebec Old Port, and Montmorency Falls.
The 3-day itinerary involves a fair amount of driving and includes most major attractions in Montreal and Quebec City.
If you have more time, Montreal and Quebec City have a lot more interesting sights and attractions for a longer stay.
This itinerary is part of a Central Canada road trip. Read more about the overview of the Central Canada Road Trip.
Verger Labonté
Verger Labonté is located on Perrot Island, a small 5.5 square km island a 30-minute drive southwest of the main Montreal Island. Verger Labonté is an orchard producing apples, pears, pumpkins, and garlic, and is open to the public for pick your own apples and pumpkins. It is an opportunity to get outdoors on a fruit farm.
Montreal’s Underground City
Montreal’s Underground City is the biggest man-made underground pedestrian network in the world and is officially called RÉSO (from the French word réseau, meaning network). RÉSO, the Underground City has 33 km of passageways covering 12 square km area connecting 10 metro stations, 2 train stations, 2 bus terminals, over 1,000 offices, and 2,000 stores, 265 restaurants, 9 hotels, 4 universities, and 10 university buildings, 40 cinemas, 10000 indoor parking spaces, museums and exhibition halls, and public squares with fountains, public artwork, and artistic installations.
You can spend a whole day underground without having to go outdoors and be exposed to cold winters when temperatures can reach -20°C. That is why approximately 500,000 people circulate daily in the Underground City.
Just imagine the design effort the urban planners put into creating this Underground City to help reduce downtown vehicle traffic.
Montreal’s Chinatown
Montreal’s Chinese Canadian population is third-largest after Toronto and Vancouver. Accordingly, Montreal’s Chinatown is not as large as Chinatowns in Toronto and Vancouver.
The prominent Chinatown Gate always gives visitors clear indications of where to find Chinese restaurants, groceries, and pastry shops. So, look for the 2 Chinatown Gates on Saint Laurent Boulevard and you will find authentic Chinese cuisines from Dim Sum, barbecue, seafood, to dumplings.
Mount Royal Park – Montreal
Located just west of Montreal downtown, Mount Royal Park is one of Montreal’s largest greenspace. Mount Royal Park is a popular destination for the residents and visitors, both in summer for summer activities such as walking, hiking, and cycling and winter for winter activities such as ice-skating.
Visitors must make sure to visit the Kondiaronk Belvedere scenic lookout in front of the Mount Royal Chalet which offers striking views of the Montreal city skyline and the magnificent St. Lawrence River.
If you have more time, have a walk on the walking trails and enjoy the fresh air and green scenery.
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is a part of downtown Montreal where historical buildings built between 1600 – 1800 has been preserved in their original state. If you love to admire the old-world architecture, you will be amazed at the architectural details.
Place Jacques Cartier
Starting at Place Jacques Cartier, which was built in 1804 as a historic public square that leads from Montreal City Hall down to Montreal Old Port. Montreal City Hall was built between 1872 and 1878. Since May 2019, Montreal City Hall has been closed to the public for heritage restoration.
Next to Montreal City Hall is Place Vauquelin where you will find a beautiful fountain where you can rest and relax.
From Place Vauquelin, as you walk down Place Jacques Cartier towards Montreal Old Port, you will find hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes, and shops lining by the 2 sides of Place Jacques Cartier.
Bonsecours Market
Bonsecours Market is about 150m from Place Jacques Cartier on Rue Saint-Paul East. The huge Bonsecours Market, opened in 1847, is acknowledged as one of Canada’s finest heritage buildings. Bonsecours Market was once the largest public market in Montreal. Today Bonsecours Market is a shopping mall.
Next to Bonsecours Market on Bonsecours Street is Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, built in 1771 and is among the oldest chapels in Montreal. Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is also known as the Sailors’ Church because it is just a stone’s throw away from Montreal Old Port.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Another impressive architecture Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is about 500m from Place Jacques Cartier on Notre-Dame Street West. One of Montreal’s most acclaimed architectural structures, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a treasure of Quebec’s heritage and is one of the most visited sites in Montreal. Want to know more about Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal and join a site tour? Check out the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal website.
Next to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is Place d’Armes, another historical public square.
Rue Saint-Paul
From Place Jacques Cartier, you may also stroll down Rue Saint-Paul, the oldest street in Montreal which runs parallel to the Montreal Old Port waterfront, in the southern direction. This narrow street was paved in 1672 and is where you will find more historical buildings. This beautiful street also has all kinds of shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Have more time and want to explore Montreal Old Town more? Check out the Old Montreal website.
Montreal Old Port
From Place Jacques Cartier, as you walk towards St Lawrence, you will walk past train tracks and Montreal Old Port is the area between the train tracks and the river.
The 45m high Clock Tower, built between 1919 and 1922, stands prominently in Montreal Old Port. Visitors can climb 192 steps to get to the top of the Clock Tower to have spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River.
Montreal Old Port has something for everyone. You may take the 60m observation wheel (La Grande Roue de Montréal); have a relaxing stroll along the waterfront promenade; sit on a bench and enjoy the views of the river, the marina, and the landscaped greenery; take your kids to the amusement park; enjoy food and drink in the restaurants, bars or cafes; browse the open-air market stores, or take a ferry from the pier.
Montreal Casino
The largest casino in Canada, Montreal Casino, is a popular entertainment venue with close to 50,000 square m of floor area with more than 3200 slot machines and 115 gaming tables. You don’t have to try your luck here because even as a spectator, you will be amazed by the colours, lights, sounds, and a dynamic atmosphere filled with excitement and thrills in the casino.
Montreal Casino is located on Notre Dame Island connected to the main Montreal Island by 3 bridges: Belvedere Jacques Cartier Bridge, Concorde Bridge, and Victoria Bridge.
Montreal Botanical Gardens
This is a chance visit to Montreal Botanical Gardens when Gardens of Light was held while I was in Montreal during the time. Garden of Light was best visited in the evening, as expected when the Chinese-themed and Japanese-themed gardens were decorated with lanterns and lighting effects. Garden of Light was a unique experience to see a very different side of Montreal Botanical Gardens.
Jean-Talon Market – Montreal
Situated in the heart of Little Italy, Jean-Talon Market is the largest farmer’s market in Montreal and the largest open-air market in North America.
one of the oldest public markets in Montreal. Inaugurated in 1933, it is one of the oldest public markets in Montreal.
During the peak summer period, between May and October, its open-air arcades are occupied by about 300 vendors, mostly farmers from the countryside around Montreal. The market opens year-round including in winter with a reduced number of vendors.
The open-air market is surrounded by meat, fish, and cheese stores; bulk food emporia; dealers in spices and imported goods; and bakeries, cafes, and restaurants.
This is the place to see and smell the wide variety of local and regional fruit and vegetables, and other foodstuff being offered by enthusiastic farmers, producers, and merchants.
Old Montreal is a part of downtown Montreal where historical buildings built between 1600 – 1800 has been preserved in their original state.
Promenade Samuel-De Champlain and Cageux Wharf – Quebec City
Samuel-De Champlain Promenade is a large 4.3km long riverside park on the bank of the St. Lawrence River between Pierre-Laporte bridge to Côte de Sillery. The park offers beautiful views of both Pierre-Laporte Bridge and Quebec Bridge. Quebec Bridge took 30 years to build and opened in 1919. The bridge project failed twice during its construction in 1907 and 1916 leading to the loss of 88 lives. Today it is considered a world-class engineering masterpiece. Quebec Bridge has left its mark in transportation engineering history.
You can walk, cycle or drive to enjoy this beautiful riverside park and the river views.
Cageux Wharf is located within Samuel-De Champlain Promenade. It has a contemporary design inspired by old shipyards and is constructed entirely of wood. It has a 25m tall observation tower that looks like a lighthouse. The observation tower is the perfect spot to view Pierre-Laporte Bridge and Quebec Bridge over St Lawrence River.
Plains of Abraham – Quebec City
The Plains of Abraham is an urban park, 2.4 km long by 0.8 km wide, overlooking St Lawrence River. This is the site where the historical Battle of the Plains of Abraham took place on September 13, 1759, when English troops defeated the French troops in a very short battle. After the defeat, the English eventually seized control of Quebec from the French. The park covers a large portion of the battlefield.
In the Plains of Abraham Museum as well as in the park you will find exhibits and archaeological artifacts relating to the Battle of the Plains of Abraham and Quebec history.
Other than its historical significance, today the park is where visitors can relax under shady trees, play a variety of sports, find a quiet and peaceful spot for a picnic outing, and enjoy unrestricted views of the magnificent St Lawrence River.
Quebec Old Town
Quebec Old Town is where most of the old-world unique buildings and monuments are located. The Old Town is split into Upper and Lower Old Town neighbourhoods, connected via a Funicular 85.5m in height. The Funicular offers passengers views of St Lawrence River while travelling up or down the cliff face at a 45-degree angle.
Dufferin Terrace
Dufferin Terrace, located in Upper Old Town, is a 670m long and very wide boardwalk that offers visitors a stunning panoramic view of the magnificent St. Lawrence River, Lower Old Town, Old Port, and surrounding area. Château Frontenac, Quebec province’s most famous building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands by the side of Dufferin Terrace. Château Frontenac is today Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a top hotel in the world. Dufferin Terrace is the perfect spot to take beautiful pictures of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is said to be the most photographed hotel in the world. You have to see it to be amazed by its beauty.
Quebec Funicular Upper Old Town stop is located on Dufferin Terrace near Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. You can board the funicular here to take you down to Rue du Petit-Champlain in Lower Old Town.
You may also walk to the northern end of Dufferin Terrace and continue on Côte de la Montagne leading down to Lower Old Town.
Quebec City Mural
As you walk along Côte de la Montagne and before you reach Rue Notre-Dame, you will see an enormous mural on the sidewall of the 5-storey tall Maison Soumande on Rue Notre-Dame. This is the Quebec City Mural which was painted by 12 French and Quebec artists over 9 weeks and was completed in 1999. The mural pays tribute to 15 historical figures, authors, and artists of different periods of Quebec City’s past who had made significant contributions to Quebec’s historical development.
Place Royale
Continue walking on Rue Notre-Dame and you will arrive at a large public square known as Place Royale. It was said Quebec City was founded at Place Royale. This is where the colony of New France began more than 400 years ago and was the city’s commercial hub until the mid-19th century. The buildings around Place Royale that you see today were actually either rebuilt or renovated between 1960 and 1980 to regain their historical form. Take time to admire the architecture.
Quartier du Petit Champlain
Nearby Place Royale, you will find Quartier du Petit Champlain on Rue du Petit Champlain where the Quebec Funicular Lower Old Town stop is located.
Rue du Petit Champlain is one of the oldest commercial streets in North America and Quartier du Petit Champlain is today a small commercial zone where very quirky and unique boutiques and restaurants are located.
Quebec Old Port
Walk from Lower Old Town towards St Lawrence River and you will come to Quebec Old Port.
Long used only for business, Quebec’s Old Port went through a revitalisation project with historical buildings restored, wharves were redone, a new marina, waterfront promenade and boardwalk, and landscaped greenery to bring visitors closer to St Lawrence River.
Quebec City cruise port is located just north of Quebec Old Port. Quebec Old Port is a popular attraction for cruise ship passengers and residents who come to Quebec Old Port to enjoy a stroll, have a meal, and enjoy a quiet and peaceful day.
Have more time and want to explore Old Quebec more? Check out the Old Quebec website.
Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls is just a 20-minute drive northeast of Quebec City. Do you know that Montmorency Falls is 83m tall and is 30 m higher than Niagara Falls?
Although the water flow rate at Montmorency Falls is a lot lower than Niagara Falls, Montmorency Falls is still quite spectacular in its own way. That is why Montmorency Falls is so popular with visitors to Quebec City.
Most visitors park their vehicles at Montmorency Falls Park carpark and take the footpath and walk up to the suspended bridge above the falls to view the waterfalls and the area where downstream of the waterfalls flows into St Lawrence River. You may also continue walking to get to a 487-step staircase that brings you down to the base of the waterfalls, or you may take Montmorency Falls Cable Car at Avenue St Grégoire to get up to Montmorency Falls Park to view the waterfalls.
For the more adventurous, you may try Montmorency Falls Zipline.
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Dufferin Terrace is a 670m long and very wide boardwalk that offers visitors a stunning panoramic view of the magnificent St. Lawrence River, Quebec Old Port, and surrounding area.
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