Best Things to Do in Montreal Canada

Looking for the best things to do in Montreal Canada in winter? From snow-covered Christmas markets to therapeutic cold plunges on the Old Port, Montreal in winter is absolutely magical. It is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a getaway that includes snowy outdoor activities, a festive ambiance, great food, and a unique French-Canadian culture. In Montreal, their primary language is French and the streets and architecture have a European charm about them that will make you feel like you are in an old town across the Atlantic. Yet at the same time, Montreal is also a big modern city that is an explosion of cultures! 

They have an eye for innovation in the modern world while continuing to embrace their history and traditions that make them ever so special. I am so glad that I went, and cannot wait to go back to visit my northern neighbors. Keep reading to learn about where to stay, and the best things to do in Montreal, Canada in winter.

Where is Montreal?

Montreal is a city in Quebec, Canada that is located in North America. Montreal is east of Toronto, Canada, and just north of Vermont and New York State. Montreal is the 2nd largest French-speaking city in the world next to Paris, France.  

How to get there

I flew from Chicago, Illinois to Montreal, but I would also consider driving into Canada if I was spending time on the East Coast of the United States. Montreal is also a quick flight from Toronto, which is another large city in Canada. 

If you decide to rent a car in Canada to drive to Quebec City, or perhaps to a dog sledding excursion, make sure you do your research ahead of time. Does your car insurance cover international driving? Do you need an international driver’s license? What are the rules of the road in Canada? A quick search on Google will do the trick.

How many days do you need? Best things to do in Montreal Canada

I spent 4 nights in Montreal. I then took a bus to Quebec City for 3 nights before heading back to Montreal for 1 night. Montreal is the kind of city where you can spend a long weekend, or an entire week! There is so much to do, and so many amazing restaurants that I did not have enough time to try.  Click here to read all about the great restaurants in Montreal I DID try. The food was spectacular!

Quebec City 

Quebec City is also a must visit! If I only had a long weekend, I would spend time in either Quebec City, or Montreal. Both are completely worthy of your time and will be best enjoyed with the slow travel mindset. You can read all about my trip to Quebec City here (coming soon!👩‍💻)

Slow Travel

We at Dutchbloggeronthemove are very passionate about Slow Travel. But what does that mean exactly? Slow travel is all about giving yourself the opportunity to explore and enjoy a destination while taking your time. And. Don’t be afraid to plan 60% of your trip and while being spontaneous 40% of the time. My best stories come from the days where let the travel magic to happen. Click here to read more about our Slow Travel stories and tips.

Where to Stay in Montreal, Canada

I stayed at Le St-Martin Montreal Hotel Particulier.  My bed was very comfortable, and I enjoyed the robe, slippers, and shower! However, the pool was closed, as was the restaurant which seemed to be closed for more than just for the holidays.  Definitely a disappointment. However, the staff was friendly and gave great recommendations which I appreciated.

Ville-Marie: Where to Stay in Montreal, Canada

The Ville-Marie location was also top notch. Would I give the hotel another try?  I also just learned that Le St-Martin Montreal is currently closed for renovations as of January 2026. This makes a lot of sense! I must’ve gone at an inbetween time? I would definitely consider giving them another try. But either way the Ville-Marie downtown area is a fantastic option of where to stay for your trip.

There are many great hotels in Montreal that are in the $100-150 USD dollar range like Hotel Zero 1, or Hotel Uville which I talk about below. You’ll also find hotels in the $150-200 USD dollar per night range like. Le St-Martin Montreal Hotel Particulier, or Hotel Place d’Armes.

There are two other hotels in that area that I would love to experience for a “treat yo-self” moment.  Le Mount Stephen, and the Four Seasons Montreal. Both are highly rated with exceptional restaurants and bars, including Marcus Lounge & Bar and Bar George. What a beautiful space! I’ll tell you more about my night there shortly.

My last night in Montreal

After spending time in Quebec City, I made my way back to Montreal for one final night. This night was the most memorable of them all. 

I had a reservation at Bota Bota Spa and I also stayed at the Hotel Uville Montreal. A fantastic hotel with a retro flair that celebrated the 1960’s and 70’s in Montreal.  The character of this hotel was undeniable. 

From the bar area to the record player and carefully chosen vinyl’s in my room. I loved it all -right down to the comfortable bed. And in the morning breakfast was dropped off in the cutest little basket outside my door. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had breakfast in bed before, so this was a lovely treat.  

Hotel Uville: Where to Stay in Montreal, Canada

Technically Hotel Uville is in the Old Town area, but it was actually one street over from the main drag which made it perfect. Rue St-Paul is mostly a pedestrian street with only a few cars coming and going. This would probably make it difficult to access lodging. With that being said, Staying near the old town is a fine decision, but I would stay away from Rue St- Paul if at all possible. Being near the hot spots yet not in the middle of the action is always best.

Hotels West of the Old Town and Near Place d’Armes: Where to Stay in Montreal, Canada

As I was walking, I noticed many hotels that were just west of the old town but east of Rt. 136. They were all easily accessible and positioned in between everything you will want to do. 

I would also consider staying around the perimeter of the Place d’Armes at a hotel like The Westin, The Hotel Bonaparte, or the Hotel Place d’Armes.  

The weather in Montreal, Canada

I went to Montreal right after Christmas and boy was it cold! Frigid would probably be a better word. But I knew what I was getting into. I wanted to immerse myself in a Winter Wonderland.

What I didn’t expect was the unpredictability of the weather. One day the city was covered in a blanket of snow, and the next it was raining. This reminded me of Chicago, which is where I call home. 

Weather whip lash

Chicago weather consistently gives its residents weather whip lash. After all these years I have come to accept this as part of Chicago’s charm. I must me a glutton for punishment, because I think Montreal’s inability to make up its mind with the weather made me like it just a bit more.

My outdoor gear

Back to Montreal. Thankfully, I went equipped with everything I needed. A down winter coat with a hood, warm gloves, scarf and hat, and even a pair of snow pants for my snow activity day! 

I even had the cutest insulated tights that looked sheer and were oh so warm. But on my very first night I learned something quite valuable. Not all boots are created equal. Keep reading to see the snow boots I bought!

Choose your Footwear wisely

It didn’t matter how many pairs of thick socks I put on, my leather boots were not going to cut it outside in the snow at the Christmas Market. Thankfully, I had also brought a pair of Sorel Winter Boots that were insulated, waterproof, and quite stylish! 

I tried my best to tough it out without losing a toe outside in the snow. But after a couple hours of mulled wine, toe gymnastics and questioning my decisions, I made my way back to my hotel to change footwear.  

Check out my Sorel Winter Boots here

Things to Do in Montreal QC Canada: All of the Festivals!

The Great Christmas Market

Speaking of the Christmas Market. As I write this, I am enjoying a cup of mulled wine in front of my christmas tree with a fake fireplace crackling on my tv, just wishing I were back in Montreal enjoying The Great Christmas Market. Even though my toes were cold, there were fire pits, Festive decor, mulled wine, and indoor tents to warm me up from the inside out.  

My first Poutine

It was exactly what I had hoped for right down to enjoying my first ever poutine over the fire in front of the giant Christmas tree. It was a great first night of my trip! If you have never tried Poutine, keep reading to find out what makes it such a satisfying comfort food.

But if being outside for hours is not your thing, not to worry. They have tented spaces indoors that will warm you right up. After my toes reached their limit outside, I made my way inside to grab a drink before moving on.

The Great Christmas Market runs from late November to early January. This festival is one of my favorite things to do in Montreal, Canada in winter and I cannot wait to do it all over again!

Other Winter Festivals to Consider: Things to do in Montreal Canada

• Lumino November 27, 2025 to March 8, 2026
• Santa’s Kingdom (each November) 
• Christmas in the Park (every December)
• Mon Beau Sapin (every December)
• Igloofest (January 15 to February 7, 2026)
• Annual Winterworks Festival (every February)
• Montreal en Lumiere (February 27 to March 7, 2026)
• Poutine Week (February 1 to 7, 2026)
• Old Montreal’s Happening Gourmand each March)
• Festival de Casteliers (March 4 to 8, 2026)
• Cabane Panache (each March)

When to visit Montreal

I arrived in Montreal a couple days after Christmas because I wanted to experience the festive spirit of the city. And while I enjoyed the festive lights and snow, there were a few restaurants on my list that were not open. I’m sure they were taking a break for the holiday, which of course is much deserved!

With this being said, I don’t think I’d ever go back to Montreal between Christmas and New Years. While I still had many options of what to do and where to eat, it felt like the city was a bit sleepier than normal. This of course, could be a good thing if that is your vibe.

Where to Eat and Drink in Montreal  

Next time I would like to fully immerse myself in December Festivities before Christmas, or wait til the other winter festivals begin in January and February. Thankfully, I still had amazing meals, including one memorable evening under the glow of red lighting at a Polish restaurant, where I celebrated Christmas with strangers who soon became friends.  

Click here to read about where I ate and drank while in Montreal, Canada. From Bar George to Stash Cafe and Schwartz’s Deli I had some amazing meals! I’ll give you my recommendations along with the suggestions from the trusted foodies in my life who have also visited Montreal. Please know that I continually update my restaurant and bar recommendations. I understand how important great food is to having the best trip you possibly can!

Things to Do in Montreal Canada

Go for a Walk

On my 2nd day in Montreal, I started with brunch before heading over to the Place d’Armes- a beautiful square that not only showcases the Gothic Revival Architecture of the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal, and a monument to Paul de Chomedey- the founder of Montreal. But the square also dresses up for the holidays with illuminated stars that change color to create a festive warmth despite the cold.

All of the Lights

As I strolled through the Quartier des Spectacles and into the Old Town I was thrilled by all of the lights!  And it wasn’t just one or two festive squares. The city was completely illuminated. From the giant stars to the Sparkling Moose outside of the Centre Eaton. Everywhere I went I found a brilliant light display. I am such a sucker for the cozy ambiance that sparkling lights create.  And during the holiday season it made Montreal feel like I was walking around Santa’s North Pole!

Vieux-Montreal: The Old Town

Montreal’s Old town was so quaint. I had heard that Montreal had the charm of a European City, and that is absolutely what I experienced. I bought myself a hot cider and took a stroll down Rue St-Paul. A mostly pedestrian street that goes straight through the Old Town.  

Rue St-Paul was lined with Bars, Restaurants and many shops that ranged from souvenirs, to warm clothing, to a store dedicated to rubber duckies. I will say this- usually souvenir shops sell all the same ornaments, socks, and t-shirts, but in Montreal I found many unique stores as well. It was a lovely street to walk down without an agenda, although let’s be honest I am always on the lookout for the next best restaurant or cozy bar. 

Mount Royal Park: Things to do in Montreal Canada in Winter

On my 3rd day, I must admit that I was a bit hungover after all the good food and fun at Stash Cafe. However, I still managed to grab a bite to eat at a diner near my hotel before spending the day in the snow!  

After breakfast and coffee brought me back to life, I put on my snow pants and took a cab up to Mount Royal Park. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Montreal Canada in winter with no budget required, this is it — fresh snow, free sledding, and views that make the cold completely worth it.

More specifically- the Beaver Lake Pavilion. There was ice skating and a fantastic sledding hill. And while I heard that you could rent cross country skis I was unable to find the place to do so. Probably for the best in my state!

Winter Activities

Next time, I plan on booking a cross country skiing or snow shoe tour through Mount Royal Park. The park was quite large, and I believe a tour would be the best way to ski through the park and make the most of your time. Especially if you’ve never been there.

So instead of snow shoes or skis, I enjoyed a 5 mile hike through the snow. It was SO COLD, but when you are prepared it’s quite refreshing. My cheeks were red, my nose was cold, but my heart was so full!  There is something about being in snow pants and trudging through the snow surrounded by a blanket of white that made me feel like a 10 year old again.

At that age, the only questions were where to go sledding, which snow bank was the perfect place to build a snow fort, and what time were Mom and Dad going to make tomato soup and Grilled Cheese to warm us up at lunchtime?

My Reward at the end of a Snowy Day

Those were the days. And this was turning out to be a great day as well. But in this wintery weekend story, I warmed myself up with a smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz’s deli!  It was a fantastic reward. Click here to discover what I ordered while there.

Julie’s Tips: On a clear day, make the climb up the Grand Staircase in the Park to see a panoramic view of Montreal. The sky was a grey blanket of clouds when I was there, but on a clear day I hear it’s a stunning view!

Get out of the Old Town

I am so glad that my day in the snow led me to Schwartz’s Deli because it reminded me that there is more to a city than the downtown, or even the old town.  Next time, I want to explore more of Boulevard Saint-Laurent and the Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood of Montreal.

After leaving Schwartz’s deli there were so many places that I could’ve gone to next! I seemed like a wonderful neighborhood. After a quick Google search, it seems my first impression was spot on. The Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood was described as a hip, trendy, and creative neighborhood in Montreal.  I’ll have to go back!

Unpredictable Weather

The next day, it rained! I was so disappointed that we didn’t get dumped on with snow. Don’t get me wrong, snow makes transportation difficult. But since I wasn’t driving anywhere, all I wanted was to stroll around in a Winter Wonderland.

I don’t know what it is about being all bundled up outside in the cold with the snow all around. But it makes me feel so cozy. And the feeling of coziness has a calming and peaceful vibe that’s all its own. There is a romance to this feeling as well, and it makes me want to take myself out for a date that includes red wine and a roaring fire.

The Joy of Solo Travel

If you’ve read my articles in the past you know that I love taking myself on dates, AND traveling solo.  Lucky for me, there is magic in solitude- even when there is an umbrella involved. Click here to read my 16 tips for Solo Travel and how to meet new people in everyday life.

I walked back to the Christmas market to purchase Maple syrup, taffy, and cute canadian socks for my nieces before walking through the Quartier des Spectacles. Make sure to try the taffy it was an absolute delight.

The ice skating rink was under water and all of the light installations from the Lumino Festival looked pretty gloomy so I kept walking.  However- I tried to imagine it on a dry winter night.  If it’s anything like the illumination I had seen around the rest of the city, I’m sure the ambiance was magical.

Chinatown

From there I walked through Chinatown which was small but I read that the food is authentic and delicious!  There are numerous highly rated restaurants there like Restaurant Noodle Factory and Qing Hua Dumpling.

Maple Syrup Taffy on Ice

I then made my way back to the Old Town where I finally tried the Maple Syrup Taffy on Ice.  It was delicious and so much fun to see how they make it!  Click here to see a video of my experience with Maple Syrup Taffy on ice. After talking with a Canadian friend, it seems this is one of the most Canadian things to do in Montreal Canada in winter- and all over Canada as well.

From there I enjoyed some poutine, the illumination of the stars in front of the Notre Dame and made my way home for a much needed hot shower and robe time. I then walked over to Bar George for a memorable meal in a space that wrapped me up in the cozy elegance I was craving.

And now for the finale!

Bota Bota Spa: Things to do in Montreal Canada

Bota Bota Spa was my most favorite thing to do in Montreal. I will never forget talking to my friend Craig about the city. We were discussing our upcoming travels while watching football at my favorite Sunday spot. When I told him that I’d be traveling to Montreal he started raving about Bota Bota Spa! He said that along with being a relaxing experience- it was pretty neat to be on an old barge on the Old Port of Montreal.  

And was it ever!  Bota Bota gave me an experience that can only be described as blissful, relaxing, and completely therapeutic.  But.  In order to achieve this heavenly out of body experience, you must go through all the steps of the water circuit and contrast therapy.

Hot, then cold… very cold

You start with the sauna, where your body gets nice and toasty while looking out onto the water and the Montreal skyline. From there, you make your way to the cold plunge.

For me, this part was the most challenging at first, and I really needed to dig deep in order to submerge myself all the way up to the base of my head. This was recommended for the full effect.  To my surprise, the cold plunge became my favorite part!  Once I experienced the intense effects of the plunge, I was all in. Literally.

My Favorite Part

As I became more comfortable with the routine, I also started using the cold plunge that was located on the outside deck. What can I say, I love a challenge! It was freezing out there, but I was completely obsessed with the way it made me feel.

Because, after the cold plunge, the next step requires you to slip back into your robe , and make your way into the relaxation room to let your body naturally find its way back to a normal temperature. This is where I experienced the profound benefits of contrast therapy. 

A feeling like no other: Best things to do in Montreal Canada in Winter

I’m not sure how it happens, but when your body experiences the extreme hot to the painfully cold scenario, your body responds by making you feel like you’re floating on a cloud surrounded by the voices of angels in a dream. I’m not kidding.  I was breathing so easily and my mind knew no troubles. 

From there you could spend time in one of the numerous hot tubs before the circuit would start all over again. There were numerous floors, saunas, cold plunges, and relaxation rooms to keep things fun and interesting.

I can’t tell you how special it is to sit in the sauna in a therapeutic state of mind while looking out onto the waterfront of Montreal. It was really something.

I did the circuit about 4- times in 3 hours before making my way to my massage.  The entire experience was five stars!

The Highlight of my Trip: Things to do in Montreal Canada

I would go back to Montreal just to go to Bota Bota. There is absolutely no question that it is one of the best things to do in Montreal Canada in Winter. I recommend booking ahead of time for a time slot for the water circuit and then ending with a massage. Sol was my masseuse, and he had magic hands!  I only wish we had an experience like this in Chicago. While there are places with saunas and a cold plunge, the experience of being on the Old Port was absolutely spectacular. 

Please note, you will need to bring your own swimsuit, and water-friendly sandals to walk around the spa. I had to purchase mine there and they were not cheap. Also, cell phones and talking are not permitted most days at Bota Bota Spa. I believe it is one day a week where socialization and cell phones are permitted.

The Montreal Canadiens 

Next time I visit Montreal, I would love to see a hockey game! The Montreal Canadiens Ice Hockey Team was founded in 1909 and conveniently play in downtown Montreal at the Bell Center. Hockey is Canada’s National Pastime, and I can only imagine the crowd would be energized and so much fun to be a part of! 

Poutine: The famous Canadian dish

If hockey is Canada‘s favorite pastime, then poutine is Canada‘s most famous dish. Who doesn’t love crispy french fries covered in fresh cheese curds and topped with hot gravy? I also love how every restaurant and bar that I went to had their own twist on this local culinary star. It’s also the perfect meal to reward yourself after a day of winter activities, or just because you want to eat something delicious no matter the calorie count.

Mulled Wine

Another Canadian staple is mulled wine. As I mentioned earlier, I wrote about the Best Things to do in Montreal QC Canada while drinking my own mulled wine. There are many different takes on this cup of coziness that will warm you up from your toes all the way to your heart and soul. 

I made my mulled wine with a red Zinfandel, orange juice, sliced oranges, whole cloves, peppercorns, and simmered it on the stove for about 20 minutes before sipping my way back to the blissful Canadian mindset that I had while in Montreal. DM me on Instagram for the recipe!

Dog Sledding: Best things to do in Montreal Canada

Dog sledding near Montreal is on my bucket list for next time — several outfitters operate about an hour outside the city. You will need to rent a car to get there, but it not only looks like an unforgettable winter experience- I can now confirm that it’s a fun and very memorable experience. My physical therapist Joe just went dog-sledding with his girlfriend and had a blast!

Final Thoughts: Best things to do in Montreal Canada

Thank you for coming along with me on my trip to Montreal, Canada. From winter weather activities, to the way Montreal gets all dressed up in lights for the winter season. This city is so special, and I cannot wait to go back! Thanks again to Ally, Michael, Myra, Bota Bota, and my friends at Stash Cafe and Bar George for all of the great moments and recommendations that led to such a memorable trip.  You can read more about all of the delicious restaurants I went to in my article Best Restaurants in Montreal, Canada

Julie Anne Syperek

FAQ Things to do in Montreal Canada (in winter)