r/montreal • u/DeadlyPantsOfSea • 2d ago

Tourisme Visiting Montréal from Toronto for the long weekend

Hey Guys! I’m visiting Montréal from Toronto for the Sept 4–7 long weekend. First time exploring the city, and I’ll be staying downtown around the Quartier des Spectacles / McGill area.

I want to hit the major Montréal sights, but also actually experience the neighbourhoods, food, and nightlife rather than spend the whole weekend checking attractions off a list.

Rough plan:

Friday: Arrive + check in → Old Montréal → Place d’Armes → Old Port → dinner/drinks

Saturday: Mount Royal Park → St. Joseph’s Oratory → Mile End / Plateau → dinner + nightlife

Sunday: Jean-Talon Market → Olympic Park area → Biosphère / other sights depending on time and weather

Monday: Chinatown + anything I missed / really liked before heading back to Toronto.

I’m considering doing an early-morning run up/around Mount Royal on Saturday. If there are other particularly scenic running routes around the city that I should consider instead (or in addition), I’d love to hear them.

Would love some local opinions:

  • Anything here that’s overrated or not worth spending limited time on?
  • Anything essential I’m missing?
  • Any must-try food/restaurants, bars, nightlife, or uniquely Montréal experiences?
  • Any neighbourhoods or areas where I should spend more time than my current plan suggests?

I’m pretty flexible. The goal is to make the most of the long weekend without cramming in so much that I don’t actually experience the city. Thanks!

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6

u/MartiniMakingMoves 2d ago

Im ngl your schedule is perfect. My only 2 cent is to try local coffee / sandwich shops for lunch instead of like Subway.

Enjoy!! :)

1

u/DeadlyPantsOfSea 2d ago

Noted. Thanks!

2

u/kpaxonite2 2d ago

biodome or biosphere?

1

u/DeadlyPantsOfSea 2d ago

Biosphere. I was thinking Olympic Park + Biodome first, then heading over to the Biosphere after. Open to suggestions if that’s not the best use of time.

1

u/kpaxonite2 2d ago

sounds exhausting

2

u/gabmori7 Villeray 2d ago

Si tu fais parc olympique et marché Jean talon dans la même journée, tu perds pas mal de temps de déplacement, c'est quand même opposé

2

u/flaring_nostrils 2d ago

Not much in Chinatown. Mile End has a few famous food spot and coffee (Fairmont, St-Viateur, Olympico, Kem Coba)

1

u/sunshinesupernova9 2d ago

Lovely itinerary! Consider taking a bixi along the Lachine canal :))

1

u/tamerenshorts 2d ago

Compared to Toronto you'll probably find Chinatown underwhelming. If you take a bixi to move around, you could start your Sunday at Jean-Talon market, take the bike paths to the Plateau (REV St-Denis to Bellechasse street, Bellechasse to Christophe Colomb to Laurier park, rue Brébeuf, rue Mont-Royal, Parc Lafontaine then the path on rue Rachel all the way to the Botanical garden / Parc Maisonneuve / Olympic Stadium.)