scorecard
BUSINESS
TECH
REVIEWS
  1. Home
  2. life
  3. news
  4. I'm a New Yorker who visited Montréal for the first time. These 6 things impressed me so much, I'm already planning a trip back.

I'm a New Yorker who visited Montréal for the first time. These 6 things impressed me so much, I'm already planning a trip back.

I'm a New Yorker who visited Montréal for the first time. These 6 things impressed me so much, I'm already planning a trip back.
From urban hikes to historical architecture, there's a lot to love about Montréal.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently spent one day in Montréal, Québec, during a train trip through Eastern Canada.
  • I explored downtown, Old Montréal, and Mount Royal, which is a small mountain in the city.

I recently traveled from my home in NYC to Montréal, Québec, for the first time during a train trip through Eastern Canada.

I recently traveled from my home in NYC to Montréal, Québec, for the first time during a train trip through Eastern Canada.
Insider's reporter explores Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Montréal is the largest city in Québec, an eastern province of Canada. It's also the second-largest city in Canada after Toronto, according to the Council of Europe.

Montréal is the largest city in Québec, an eastern province of Canada. It
Montréal is city on the east side of Canada.      Google Maps

I spent roughly 24 hours in Montréal. Since my trip was so short, I stayed in the Vogue Hotel in the downtown area, near the train station to make the most of my time.

I spent roughly 24 hours in Montréal. Since my trip was so short, I stayed in the Vogue Hotel in the downtown area, near the train station to make the most of my time.
Downtown Montréal on a summer day.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At the Vogue Hotel in Downtown Montréal, I was within walking distance of Old Montréal, Mount Royal, and the Underground City. I only took one cab to grab a bite at a poutine restaurant, La Banquise.

At the Vogue Hotel in Downtown Montréal, I was within walking distance of Old Montréal, Mount Royal, and the Underground City. I only took one cab to grab a bite at a poutine restaurant, La Banquise.
A map of everywhere the author went in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The first thing that intrigued me about Montréal was how much green space I saw, even in the most urban areas.

The first thing that intrigued me about Montréal was how much green space I saw, even in the most urban areas.
Trees amidst buildings in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Throughout Downtown Montréal, I spotted greenery in every direction, from unique landscaping on buildings to lines of trees.

Throughout Downtown Montréal, I spotted greenery in every direction, from unique landscaping on buildings to lines of trees.
Greenery drapes down a building in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In between blocks of skyscrapers, I found shaded squares to cool off, too. According to a 2021 city report by Park People, Montréal has 1,300 local parks.

In between blocks of skyscrapers, I found shaded squares to cool off, too. According to a 2021 city report by Park People, Montréal has 1,300 local parks.
A shaded park in the middle of Downtown Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Park People

What struck me most about the trees was how much variety I saw. There seemed to be several different types planted together.

What struck me most about the trees was how much variety I saw. There seemed to be several different types planted together.
A variety of trees in a Montréal neighborhood.      Joey Hadden/Insider

West of the downtown area, I also enjoyed visiting lush Mount Royal, a small mountain in the middle of the city with 400 stairs leading to a viewpoint overlooking Montréal.

West of the downtown area, I also enjoyed visiting lush Mount Royal, a small mountain in the middle of the city with 400 stairs leading to a viewpoint overlooking Montréal.
A crosswalk in front of the base of Mount Royal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The entrance of the park was a 30-minute uphill walk from my hotel. It took me another half hour to climb the stairs that traversed the mountain.

The entrance of the park was a 30-minute uphill walk from my hotel. It took me another half hour to climb the stairs that traversed the mountain.
Views from the trail leading to the top of Mount Royal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The walk was tiring, but when I got to the top of Mount Royal, I thought it was totally worth it for the all-encompassing views.

The walk was tiring, but when I got to the top of Mount Royal, I thought it was totally worth it for the all-encompassing views.
The summit of Mount Royal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

From the top of Mount Royal, I could see the whole city and I wished for more time to wander specific streets.

From the top of Mount Royal, I could see the whole city and I wished for more time to wander specific streets.
A view from the top of Mount Royal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I did get the chance to wander the downtown area and Old Montreal, though. There, I noticed another cool thing about this city: the contrasting modern and historical architectural styles, from Art Deco to Gothic Revival, according to Culture Trip.

I did get the chance to wander the downtown area and Old Montreal, though. There, I noticed another cool thing about this city: the contrasting modern and historical architectural styles, from Art Deco to Gothic Revival, according to Culture Trip.
Various architectural styles in Downtown Montreal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Culture Trip

Downtown, I also spotted historic structures that stood out next to modern skyscrapers, like Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, one of the largest churches in all of Québec, according to the same source.

Downtown, I also spotted historic structures that stood out next to modern skyscrapers, like Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, one of the largest churches in all of Québec, according to the same source.
The side of Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Culture Trip

Another building that stopped me in my tracks was the Sun Life building, which I later found out secretly stored British gold during the second world war, Culture Trip reports. The building's old-world architecture impressed me because it was taller than some of the more modern skyscrapers.

Another building that stopped me in my tracks was the Sun Life building, which I later found out secretly stored British gold during the second world war, Culture Trip reports. The building
This side of the Sun Life building in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Culture Trip

Another thing I love is bookstores. Window displays for these stores made me pause when I saw familiar titles written in French, like "The Little Prince." I didn't have time to shop, but next time, I'd like to go inside some of the bookstores I walked by.

Another thing I love is bookstores. Window displays for these stores made me pause when I saw familiar titles written in French, like "The Little Prince." I didn
A bookstore in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Heading east from downtown, I could tell I had reached Old Montréal when the streets turned cobblestone, which made me feel like I was in Europe. The stone streets date back to the 1800s, according to the Montreal Gazette.

Heading east from downtown, I could tell I had reached Old Montréal when the streets turned cobblestone, which made me feel like I was in Europe. The stone streets date back to the 1800s, according to the Montreal Gazette.
Streets in Old Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Around Old Montréal, I saw several museums and historical buildings that I longed to go inside of because they looked so cool on the outside.

Around Old Montréal, I saw several museums and historical buildings that I longed to go inside of because they looked so cool on the outside.
A museum in Old Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next time I'm in Montréal, I plan to find accommodations in Old Montréal so I can learn more about the city's history.

Next time I
A courtyard in Old Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Another area I found fascinating was the Underground City, which is actually a horizontal building full of shops and passageways that connect to underground metro stations over a 20-mile radius.

Another area I found fascinating was the Underground City, which is actually a horizontal building full of shops and passageways that connect to underground metro stations over a 20-mile radius.
Inside the Underground City.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Underground City is meant to save pedestrians from the outdoors during harsh winter months when temperatures drop to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Since I visited on a beautiful day, I found it mostly empty.

The Underground City is meant to save pedestrians from the outdoors during harsh winter months when temperatures drop to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Since I visited on a beautiful day, I found it mostly empty.
The author explores the Underground City.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: NOAA

I want to go back in the winter to see it when it's more lively and full of people, and to take advantage of its main purpose to limit time outdoors.

I want to go back in the winter to see it when it
The Underground City on a quiet summer day.      Joey Hadden/Insider

My last stop before leaving Montréal was La Banquise, a Poutine restaurant where I tried the Canadian delicacy of fries, cheese, and gravy for the first time.

My last stop before leaving Montréal was La Banquise, a Poutine restaurant where I tried the Canadian delicacy of fries, cheese, and gravy for the first time.
Poutine from La Banquise in Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The fries were crispy and greasy — just like I like them. I thought the gravy was reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner, and the curds added a unique texture without adding too much flavor.

The fries were crispy and greasy — just like I like them. I thought the gravy was reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner, and the curds added a unique texture without adding too much flavor.
A close up of a bite of poutine.      Joey Hadden/Insider

All together in one bite, I could see why this dish was so popular and comforting. I found it to be warm, filling, and nostalgic and it transported me back to Thanksgiving dinner.

All together in one bite, I could see why this dish was so popular and comforting. I found it to be warm, filling, and nostalgic and it transported me back to Thanksgiving dinner.
The author enjoys her meal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When I left Montréal, I thought my trip was too short. On my way to my next destination, I decided I'd be back soon for the architecture, the greenery, and of course, the poutine.

When I left Montréal, I thought my trip was too short. On my way to my next destination, I decided I
The author takes a selfie in Downtown Montréal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Advertisement