Sometimes it’s tough to fit a swanky trip to Europe into your budget. Be it the newest iPod, that amazing leather bag, or simply splurge-worthy Sunday brunches with friends, there’s a lot of tempting ways for the savvy gal to spend her well-earned dough.
So, if you’re looking to escape, but your bank account has already vetoed a trip to the south of France — forget Europe. Instead, head to Montreal, Quebec, a city with all the European style and with a classic Canadian flair.
The second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, Montreal offers a European vibe with its cobble-stoned streets, beautiful old buildings and stylish Quebecois inhabitants. But it’s the laid back and friendly attitude of the Montreal people who make the city special. Here, the people don’t live to work — they work to live, and they live big. And thanks to Montreal’s cheap rent, food and drink, it doesn’t take a lot of money to have a fantastic time in this city.
Avoid the frigid Canadian winter, and experience Montreal during the summer months, when the city is at its most vibrant. Every weekend brings a new street festival, the parks are packed, every outdoor cafe is buzzing, and the sidewalk sales are going full swing.
Don’t bother spending money on a fancy hotel suite, because with all Montreal has to offer, you’ll hardly be spending any time in your hotel room anyway. Try one of the many bed and breakfasts to avoid exorbitant hotel rates or, if you want to relive your dorm days, look into the McGill University Residences. Located in the core of downtown, McGill rents out its student residences to frugal travelers during the summer months.
Start off your experience like a true Montreal resident and spend a lazy afternoon on the patio, or terrasse, of one of Montreal’s many cafes and bars. After a long winter, the locals are eager to savor the sunshine, and every terrasse is full of people showing off summer skin. Join the crowds flooding Rue Prince-Arthur for some drinks and people-watching. Try Vol de Nuit for cheap Sangria or LaBatt, which is Quebec’s answer to Budweiser.
Want something a little classier? Take it up a notch and head to the rooftop patio of Reservoir, on Avenue Duluth, a bistro-brewery with delicious eats (try the grilled cheese), an affordable selection of great wines, and great house-brewed beer.
If you’d rather soak up some sun in the green, check out one of the city’s many parks. Pack a picnic before going to Parc LaFontaine, which offers beautiful fountains and outdoor theater performances during the summer. On Sundays, head to Parc du Mont-Royal for the unforgettable experience of “tam-tams.” Stand by and watch as hundreds of drummers gather at the base of the park’s Monument Georges-etienne Cartier, beating out rhythms in unison that can be heard from blocks away, or jump in and join the many people dancing to the music.
From Parc du Mont-Royal, take a walk up “the mountain” overlooking Montreal to the Chalet Mont Royal which offers an incredible view of the city center. The cross on top of the Montreal Mountain is the highest point in the city — no building is permitted to exceed this height, so Montreal will never be a city of skyscrapers. Another sight worth the trek up Mont Royal is St. Joseph’s Oratory, located on the north side of the mountain. Its dome is the second largest in the world, after that of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Despite the religious light, which shines for all to see from the mighty cross atop Mont Royal, Montreal has a “sin city” reputation harbored since the USA’s prohibition days, when the city became a border-hopping hotspot for alcohol-starved Americans. It is no surprise then that the nightlife scene is huge, and offers an array of bars and clubs to explore. Try Crescent Street for an array of dance clubs, bars, and Irish pubs. Hurley’s Irish Pub is a favorite, offering a cozy atmosphere, live Irish fiddling, and — of course — pints of Guinness.
Saint Laurent Boulevard offers more options, from upscale lounges to gritty bars. Cozy up in a colorful hand-shaped chair at the swanky retro-themed A Go Go Lounge, or practice your pool shark skills at Le Bifteck, the perfect dive bar and a local favorite, which offers pool, foosball, cheap beer and free popcorn. For martini lovers, a quick cab ride to the renowned Jello Bar, on Rue Ontario Est, is a must. Good luck trying to choose from the menu of 40-plus martinis.
If you’re in the mood for music, Montreal offers a number of well-known jazz clubs. Try Upstairs Jazz for tasty ribs to chow down on while listening to the music. The world-famous Montreal Jazz Festival, held every July, also offers tons of shows, from jazz greats to up-and-coming acts. If Indie rock is more your style, check out what Le Divan Orange, a St. Laurent hot spot for the French-speaking crowd, has to offer.
There are tons of options for drinking in Montreal and, luckily, even more for eating. It’s easy to find a cheap but delicious meal in this food-loving city. Try the famous smoked meat at Schwartz’s Deli, a Montreal highlight since 1928, where the lineup is longer than that of the hottest nightclub. Yes, it is that good.
BYOW (bring your own wine!) restaurants are also a popular choice especially because, unlike New York, there isn’t a corking fee. Pick up a bottle of vino at the SAQ, Quebec’s liquor stores, on your way to Rue St. Denis, where BYOW’s abound, from Italian to Vietnamese, Greek, and more. If you want to feel fancy, without shelling out too many of your hard-earned dollars, try L’Academie, which offers delicious French and Italian food for reasonable prices, plus a dessert cart that can make you cry with indecision.
One afternoon devoted to Vieux Montreal, or Old Montreal, is a must. Take a walk through the picturesque narrow streets and check out the old buildings, and many small cafes and restaurants. While in this part of town, take the time to view the Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montreal. The awe-inspiring church, which opened in 1829, is known for its sheer grandeur and is truly able to leave visitors speechless. Steps away from Old Montreal, is the St. Laurence Seaway and the city’s old port. Walk the path along the water’s edge, or indulge your girly romantic side with a horse and carriage ride from the seaway back through the streets of Old Montreal.
Montreal is an extremely stylish city, and you may be feeling discontent with your own wardrobe after a few days. If you’re in the mood to hit up some shops, the city has everything from second-hand to Dior. Saint Catherine Street offers larger mainstream stores, like Hudson’s Bay Company, Zara, and Roots. Also, if you visit in July, don’t miss the huge sidewalk sale — the largest in Canada.
For a more alternative shopping scene, check out the thrift shops and boutiques along Saint-Viateur. And if you need a break while shopping, stop for a snack at the Saint-Viatuer Bagel Bakery for the best bagels in the city; they are always freshly baked. (People living in Montreal are fiercely proud of their bagels, and the battle of “whose bagels are best” between New York City and Montreal is never ending.)
Montreal is a city that shouldn’t be missed — from beautiful religious architecture to bumping sin-ridden nightlife, there is something here to satisfy the tastes of every savvy gal. The people are friendly, the drinks are cheap, and the city itself gives you all the European style and flair you could want. Those who live in Montreal live to have fun, and any savvy gal looking for a place to have a great time this summer would be smart to plan a trip to Montreal and join them.