With Christmas markets in an Old Town dating to the 1600s, a light show that would rival Hogwarts’ Great Hall, an indoor tropical rainforest, and ice skating through a dense forest, Montréal can turn your winter fantasies into reality. My friend Caity and I visited in December 2023 to get a slice of “Europe” at a budget-friendly price prior to the holidays. While we spent a mere two nights in the city, we found we could have filled a whole week full of activities. To learn our top recommended winter activities for Montréal, Canada, including everything from cafes to cathedrals, keep reading!
Ice Skating
Brought to our attention by the Instagram algorithm, my friend and I could not resist the magical allure of Domaine Enchanteur. While there are plenty of ice skating options closer to the city, there are none quite like this, and we honestly found the two hour drive to be completely worth it. At Domaine Enchanteur, you’ll be transported into a fantasy winter wonderland where you can skate the 15km (over 9 miles) of labyrinth-like trails of the property and periodically stop to feed or pet farm animals. You could easily explore the paths for hours and there are two small lodges where you can order refreshments and catch your breath — one at the entrance to the trails, and the other immersed in the forest (open on weekends). The paths are extremely smooth and because there are so many miles of trails to explore, the busy parking lot doesn’t mean that they’ll be crowded. Make sure you hold onto the blue coupon they give you with your skate rental, as this allows you to pick out a sample size of maple syrup or jam on your way out the door.
Two things we wish we would have known are that there is an additional bathroom located on the back end of the trails (so don’t feel like you have to turn around early) and that the food dispensers to feed the animals require quarters, so put some in your pocket if you’re leaving your wallet behind. Trails being open are subject to the temperature and the weather. If you want to make the journey to the majestic Domaine Enchanteur but don’t want to spend four hours in the car in one day, there is hostel-like lodging on site or you can head into the nearby town of Trois-Rivières for additional accommodation options. Trois-Rivières’ Notre-Dame Sanctuary of the Cape has holiday activities including lights and nativity displays that are worth viewing if you have the time. There are other museums in the town that you may want to stay for as well. Domaine Enchanteur is also less than two hours from Québec City if you are hoping to expand upon your travels.
Christmas Markets
While you may be fantasizing of jetting off to Europe for the perfect winter getaway and the Christmas markets that would likely include, your wallet will appreciate that there are actually great ones right in Montréal. Montréal has plenty of European influence, and if you’re visiting prior to the holidays, this will include mulled wine, market stalls, and music. While there are a few throughout the city, probably the best and most easily accessible Christmas market for you to visit is The Great Christmas Market located on Sainte-Catherine Street. Grab gnocchi, sample maple products (including taffy rolled on snow, maple whiskey, and wine), and shop from local artisans. Entering the Christmas market is free, and if you buy mulled wine, make sure to save your cup for a discount on your next glass. We also enjoyed our time at the Christmas Village market, where we grabbed Bavarian pretzels, poutine, and listened to local musicians. Your mulled wine glass can be reused at both of these locations!
Bar George and Milky Way
Montréal has a vibrant nightlife scene and the cold weather will not keep people at home. From dive bars to nightclubs, there is something for every vibe, but two bars that came highly recommended (and are retaining that recommendation) are Bar George and Milky Way. Milky Way is a relatively new staple to the city with an almost speakeasy feel — its door being slightly hidden just to the side of Fugazzi Pizza. In partnership, you can order the pizza to be delivered to your table upstairs at the bar. With vibrant neon lights and a combination of chic textures, Milky Way is a swanky hipster’s dream.
Within the stained glass-filled lobby of the Le Mount Stephen Hotel is the equally swanky (though in a completely different way) Bar George. Originally a Victorian mansion circa 1880, Bar George boasts lofted ceilings, is adorned with gold fixtures, and serves cocktails as classy as the space itself. Do yourself a favor and order the earl gray martini — without a doubt the best cocktail I’ve ever had! At both Bar George and Milky Way you’ll be seated at a private table by a host. These aren’t “standing room” only bars, so therefore you may expect to wait.
Crew Collective and Cafe
Originally built during the roaring twenties for the Banque Royale du Canada, the Cathedral-like ceilings of Crew Collective and Cafe are astounding and worth a visit in themselves. Luckily, the coffee is good too. Crew Collective and Cafe offers workspaces, signature espresso beverages, and baked goods that will have you drooling. I personally enjoyed the gingerbread latte and spinach croissant. This is a perfect quick stop before walking the streets of Old Town. During our visit, we were lucky enough that the lobby housed an artisan market, though this did limit seating.
Old Town
The heart of Montréal lives in its Old Town. Old Town Montréal dates to the early 1600s and has retained the charm of stout buildings and cobblestoned streets. In short, you’ll feel as if you were actually transported to Europe, especially as you navigate the French signs and narrow alleys that open up to larger plazas. Simply walking through the winding roads is entertainment enough for a full day in the city. Of course, there are plenty of souvenir shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants to pop into. Cozy up with a coffee in Le Petit Dep or pick up an ornament to commensurate your trip at Noël Éternel. Although the days are getting shorter, your nights in Montréal will be illuminated by displays across the city, my favorite one is pictured here right across from the Notre-Dame Basilica. Give yourself several hours to explore this part of the city, as I truly wished we’d had more time here.
La Grande Roue de Montréal
While hiking up Mont Royal is probably the most famed vantage point for the city of Montréal, sometimes in the dead of winter you want an option less exposed to the elements. Luckily, you have another stunning and popular option; La Grande Roue de Montréal. At 60 meters (almost 200 feet), La Grande Roue de Montréal is the tallest ferris wheel in all of Canada and is located at Montéal’s Old Port. From here you can get 360° views of Old Town, the skyscrapers beyond, and the Saint Lawrence River. You’ll get a pod just for your party and take three spins about the wheel. Try to plan your visit to La Grande Roue de Montréal for sunset. Throughout your rotations you’ll get a bit of the best of both worlds, seeing the city under the glow of the setting sun and the first of the stars.
Tira Dito
Montréal is regularly considered one of the top cities for foodies throughout the world and even hosts a renowned Restaurant Week every November. You really have endless dining options, and practically every other doorway will be wafting out delicious aromas from a warmly lit and elegant dining space. All that to say, if a place looks good to you, it probably is, so pop on in! My friend and I were particularly drawn to Tira Dito, a Peruvian tapas bar where we both ordered ceviche. To say we were impressed was an understatement. She had just returned a week prior from Peru and I myself am a SoCal resident, so each of us wanting a second bowl is the best compliment we can give the chef. So yes, any option for dinner in Montréal is likely devine, but I’d highly recommend Tira Dito. Note that everyone in your party must be over the age of 18 to eat here.
Notre-Dame Basilica
Without a doubt, THE top thing to do in Montréal is visit the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. As the first Gothic Revival style church in the country (circa 1824), you’ll feel the French influences in the architecture, particularly the apse behind the church altar. After you take in the grandeur of the central nave, walk along either side of the church and admire the stained glass which depicts the histories of Montréal. Make sure to also check out the Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur Chapel. While this space is for prayer only, you can respectfully view it through the open doors. Photos are not allowed, but I assure you that the glow of natural light hitting a 52-foot bronze sculpture is worth going just a minute out of your way for.
When you buy your tickets to visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, make sure you buy tickets that let you visit during the day to see the stained glass, but that also get you into the AURA Experience. While this light show is only about twenty minutes long, it was one of the most mesmerizing displays of art I’ve ever seen. Picture an organ-led orchestra meeting the ceiling of the Great Hall of Hogwarts meeting the lasers of a Pink Floyd concert. In my opinion, this alone should have you booking your trip to Montréal.
Biodome
If you want to escape to the tropics while staying in the city, head to the Biodome, part of the Montréal Space for Life. The Biodome repurposed a building from the 1976 Montréal Summer Olympic Games into an indoor zoo that showcases four ecosystems of the Americas. Walk past the penguins and wall of ice in the subpolar region, through both the above surface and underwater recreations of the gulf of the Saint Lawrence, past the Linx and otters in the Laurentian maple forest, to finally reach the tropical rainforest. Here you’ll get to see a plethora of animals, from monkeys to macaws, caimans to capybaras, and poison dart frogs to piranhas. Transported to the Amazon, you may momentarily forget about the chill outside. Plan for about two hours to take your time through the exhibits. For typing into your GPS purposes, note that the Montréal Biodome and the Montréal Biosphere are entirely different places.
Mile End Neighborhood
St-Viateur Bagel Shop
Before ending your trip to Montréal, no matter the time of year, make one last stop to St-Viateur Bagel Shop. Since the 1950s, this family-owned bagel shop has been a Montréal staple and was even a featured favorite of Anthony Bourdain. While there are several locations around the city, their only location that makes breakfast sandwiches is their Mont-Royal Ave E location. Their flagship, which we visited, is located in the historic Mile End neighborhood. Since we already knew we wanted to see Mile End, rated the fifth coolest neighborhood in the world by Time Out, we stopped by Cafe Felice where they make breakfast sandwiches on St-Viateur’s bagels. We loved the homey feel of this cafe and were even pulled into conversation by locals. Note that for both St-Viateur Bagel Shop and Cafe Felice you’ll need cash.
Café Olimpico
To prolong your time in Montréal’s Mile End, wander the streets, taking in the local murals, charm, and boutiques. When you’re ready to fuel up for your journey home, stop by Cafe Olimpico. A 1970s family-owned coffee shop, Cafe Olimpico has served as a locally-loved staple for over fifty years. If you’re a fan of soccer, you’ve found your place in this sort of classy sports coffee bar. Don’t expect a lot of flavors or frills, but do expect a good cup of Italian espresso and (most likely) a line.
For more to do in Montréal any time of year, check out our other blog about the city HERE! And for one final, unfortunate, practical point; Montréal is not GREAT with Airbnb, and many of the “hosts” are in fact companies that seem to go unchecked. We booked an Airbnb with great reviews and left after one night as it didn’t feel safe. We then checked into THIS Airbnb which was lovely with a nice view of a cathedral and was walking distance to Old Town, but if you can, check into a hotel to simplify things on your Montréal trip.
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