So excited to share my mini Montreal travel guide with you guys today! Admittedly, I already know that I need to come back for a second trip to squeeze in everything I missed, but there are definitely some good tips I have up my sleeve from the short time I spent there 😉
If you missed it, I made a weekend trip to Montreal with Lolë–the cutest activewear brand I have recently fallen in love with! (You saw me first mention them in this post and this post!) It was a totally jam-packed weekend–we were there for their big White Tour event (again, more on that here–if you’re a yogi you definitely want to check it out!) but we also managed to have lot’s of fun despite the, “work” trip 😛
Here are my Montreal must-see’s.
Where to stay & what to do:
Hotel William Grey
See full outfit post here. Sweater: (It’s actually a dress too and can be worn several ways!) c/o Lolë–this color is the prettiest oatmeal-blush hue, but it also comes in light grey as well as charcoal. I love the pockets, too! Runs TTS, but oversized, so if you want a tighter fit, size down. Tank: old, but Everlane makes a really similar one that is lovely. Jeans: Lolë skinny yoga jeans (c/o)–they are SO comfy. They’re insanely stretchy and you can actually do yoga in them. Come in a lighter wash, too. Shoes: Loeffler Randall ‘Luz’ heels. Bag: Cult Gaia
Where we stayed in the old port district. It’s a beautiful boutique hotel in a renovated historic building–the location couldn’t be better, and no detail is overlooked, from the decor to their luxurious toiletries, it’s definitely worth a splurge! Don’t miss grabbing a drink on the rooftop bar! P.S. after you read this post, make sure to pop over to my friend Kate’s blog, The Chic Series. She is just the cutest!
Admire the street art
Dress: “Luisa” t-shirt dress c/o Lolë–it’s the best ever for travel and work, too! So comfy and you can wear it so many different ways! Also comes in heather blue and olive. They also have a similar sweater dress version that is really cute and also comes in several colors! Bag: Cult Gaia, Shoes:  Loeffler RandallÂ
Did you know that Montreal has become an epicenter for incredible street art? I didn’t! More than 80 murals cover the city, painted by commissioned artists–mainly in the Le Plateau-Mont-Royal area, which is bustling with restaurants and bars, making it a great spot to explore in the late afternoon into the evening.
We took a street art walking tour with Spade & Palacio tours that began at a really cool art gallery, Station 16 and took us all around the neighborhood to view several different murals. (How cool is this one I’m in front of, by BuffMonster?) I can’t say enough good things about our tour-guide, Anne-Marie, who is a co-owner at Spade & Palacio tours! She was so knowledgeable and has a true passion for the city and everything about it. Also worth noting, the neighborhood hosts its own Mural Festival each year that draws millions!
One more thing–Space & Palacio also offers city tours with PINK BIKES. Kate and I were dying to try and find time to squeeze one of those pink bike tours in, but sadly it didn’t happen. Oh well, next time!
Zen out at Bota Bota Spa
Quite possibly the most unique spa experience I’ve ever had! Bota Bota is a floating spa on a boat. How amazing is that!? We changed into fluffy robes and sandals and had lunch in their posh restaurant (I got the burger and it was very tasty!) before getting a massage–which came highly recommended and did not disappoint!
Shopping on St. Catherine St.
We had a little bit of time to pop onto St. Catherine street–which I would equate to the Michigan Avenue of Montreal. It has tons of shops! Make sure to stop into the beautiful Lolë flagship store while you’re there! They even have a meditation and yoga studio on the second level, where they offer free classes!
What to eat and drink:
The ColdroomÂ
We absolutely LOVED this place! It’s un marked, quaint, basement cocktail bar with very cheeky waiters. The only way you can tell it’s the right place is that there is a tiny rubber duck logo in the “Sortie” sign atop the door. Also, I am aware that this is quite possible the worst photo ever taken that I have posted in a blog post, but there was no other way to show you the duck. Haha! We actually ended up here two nights in a row because it was so fun, and the cocktails were so cool!
L’Auberge Saint-Gabriel:
We went to dinner here the first night–the food was good, but the setting was even cooler–it’s more than 300 years old! It was first built by a French soldier in 1688 and was the first “auberge” in North America to receive a liquor license, in 1754. The vibe is trendy and swanky while still paying homage to its incredible history and backstory. Which brings me to my second point…
Velvet SpeakeasyÂ
After dinner, you can head to the downstairs speakeasy/night club, which used to be an old fur trading post. It’s rumored that the ghost of a little girl haunts the halls. (Creepy but in the coolest way ever.)
Appartement 200
We headed to this cool and casual spot after our mural tour, which was conveniently in the same neighborhood. The decor really makes you feel like you’re in someone’s really eclectic air bnb–it was so much fun! Would highly recommend stopping in for a beer and some bites, too!
Next up: Toronto city guide! (a girl can dream)
I loved Bota Bota Spa. We went when it was snowing and it was the perfect way to warm up. If you go back you’ve got to do dinner in the Provisions 1268. It’s tiny and they constantly rotate their menu with seasonal ingredients. If you get a late reservation and sit at the bar you might even get a few extra things to try.
My wife and I are planning a weekend excursion to Montreal in a couple of weeks. I have been looking at Montreal travel guide blog posts to figure out what to do. It would be great to go see all the cool street art.