Best Things to Do During Summer Vacation in Montreal
This summer, I went on a trip to Montreal. This city is located in the region of Quebec, Canada. Although it is the second most popular city after Toronto in Canada, this is my favorite city in Canada. Most of the people in Montreal are bilingual. But the official language of Montreal is French. So if you are a Canadian citizen and come to this palace, you’ll feel like you are in a different country. I’ve enjoyed many things in Montreal but not the whole journey. Here, I describe my good and bad experiences in Montreal. With this article, you’ll know about the best things to do during summer vacation in Montreal.
Montreal Smoked Meat – Main Deli
I landed in Montreal at 6 pm and checked into my Airbnb. I was so hungry and I needed a quick dinner. So I decided to go to some Montreal smoked meat. I was new here so I asked the people about the famous Montreal Smoked Meat restaurant and they suggested going to Schwartz’s.
But this is a matter of sorrow that when I reached the front of Schwartz’s restaurant, I saw a queue of people for food. I was so hungry, so I went to its competitor. If you have enough time, you may taste the smoked meat of Schwartz’s restaurant. However, later I tasted the smoked meat of Schwartz’s restaurant. After seeing the queue, I decided to go to its competitor Main Deli.
Montreal smoked meat is one kind of beef brisket, that was salted and cured over a week, smocked, and then steamed. After ordering they served me smoked beef between two pieces of bread with mustard. I don’t tell you to try this but this was one of the best sandwiches I have tasted Because the meat was flavourful and more tender. So if you are thinking of a trip to Montreal, include this item on the list of best things to do during summer vacation in Montreal.
The Plateau Neighbourhood
The Airbnb I stayed at was in the Plateau Neighbourhood. This neighborhood is highly recommended if you are visiting Montreal. This is charming and quiet. But here you’ll find a lot of cafes, bars, and restaurants. The number of people riding bicycles on the road caught my attention the most. Most of the bike lanes are separated from traffic with a barrier.
Le Marche Jean-Talon
After visiting the Plateau Neighbourhood, I went to Le Marche Jean-Talon. Actually, this is a public market, and the market was started in 1933. The market is open year-round. Here I bought some strawberries and Black Grapes. Then I was heading off to Mont Royal Park.
Mont-Royal Park
This park is an awesome landmark in Montreal. Mon-Royal is a local mountain situated in the middle of Montreal. In Mont-Royal Par locals can escape from the city. I used a path that got me to the top of the park. When I was on the top, I saw a Peregrine Falcon. On the top, I discovered a stunning view of Montreal city. The most important thing is to take sunscreen cream to avoid screen damage. So don’t miss this place on your list of the best things to do during summer vacation in Montreal. After taking some rest here I headed for The Lac aux Castors.
Lac aux Castors
The Lac aux Castors also knows as Beaver Lake. Here I noticed some boats. These boats are for rent, but I didn’t have enough time. So I sat down and ate some strawberries that I had bought from Le Marche Jean-Talon market and the taste was really sweet. I was eating and watching the stunning view of nature.
Mile End Neighbourhood and Fairmount Bagel
In the late afternoon of the same day, I visited Mile End Neighbourhood close to the Plateau. In Mile End Neighbourhood you will find two famous bagel shops named St. Viateur Bagels and Fairmount Bagel. On this way, you will see Fairmount Bagel. Here you will find it crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside with a sweetness backed in a wood-fired oven. I’ve tasted two flavors of bagel. I was eating on the outside of Fairmount Bagel and saw some birds and don’t know their name. I shared some bagels with them. You should try if you see them.
La Banquise poutine
If you taste poutine for the first time, you can’t stop yourself for the second time. If you want to try famous Canadian foods, you should taste them. One of the most renowned food corners for poutine is La Banquise poutine. I spent some moments with the shop owner to learn about the shop’s history. La Banquise poutine started as a small ice cream corner. It was opened in 1968. After 1980 they began serving poutine. This shop allows you to taste 30 different kinds of poutine.
Old Montreal and Cafe Olimpico
On the morning of the 3rd day was a weekday. So I found the street of Old Montreal a little bit free. This is a historic district in Montreal where you will find a lot of structures that are a part of New France. As I had not yet taken the first coffee of the morning, so I went to Cafe Olimpico. This cafe was opened in 1970 by Italian immigrant Rocco Furfaro. The main coffee shop is in Milw End but you’ll find a branch in Old Montreal. I have taken a cup of coffee, a sandwich, and a biscotti. Every item was delicious. Then I went to explore the Old Port in Old Montreal. This is one of the mind-blowing palaces in Old Montreal. Read more about Old Montreal.
Downtown Montreal and The Underground City
After Old Montreal and Cafe Olimpico, I went to downtown Montreal’s main street, Saint Catherine Street. On that day It was too busy. I needed to cool off so entered a mall. Then I went to explore the stunning Underground City. Actually, the main reason for visiting Montreal was for the Underground City. It is hard to figure out how to access it as I didn’t see any clear signs. This Undergourn city helps people to avoid inclement weather in wintertime. Read more about Underground City.
Au Pied de Cochon
After visiting the underground City I headed to Au Pied de Cochon. This is a well-known Montreal restaurant founded by chef Martin Picard. This restaurant was opened in 2001. This is impossible to get in without any reservations. But I was lucky because tried to enter as soon as it opened. Everyone without reservation after me turned away.
I have tasted here “duck in a can”. They served me this item with bread and buttery sauce. The “Duck in a Can” item’s ingredients were ½ duck breast, 2 Branches of thyme, ½ Roasted garlic Bulb, 180 ml buttered cabbage, 100g of foie grass, and 60ml meal glaze with balsamic vinegar. After that, I grabbed some soft-serve ice cream. You’ll find soft-serve ice cream everywhere in Montreal. So I recommend you add this thing to the list of the best things to do during summer vacation in Montreal.
International Firework Competition
During summer this city holds an International Fireworks Competition. This is the largest fireworks competition in the world and lasts for about 7-9 months. Many people from different countries of the world come here to participate in this international Fireworks competition. Local people told me that the Jacques-Cartier Bridge is the best place to enjoy the fireworks competition.
Biodome
The Montreal Biodome allows you to visit four different ecosystems found across South and North America. The indoor natural exhibit was opened in 1992. Visitors can walk and learn about ecosystems. My first stop was the subpar region. This is where penguins first caught my eye. They were playing in the water and looking so cute.
Also, you will see different kinds of birds in Biodome. Not only that you’ll find thousands of plants and animals that live in four ecosystems. There was a thunderstorm warning so I decided to come back to the Airbnb just in time.
La Binerie
When the storm had cleared up, I walked over to La Binerie. This is the only restaurant in Montreal still serving traditional comfort food. The restaurant opened in 1938. The server was extremely friendly. He recommends I taste a traditional meal like a sampler of different traditional items. A pea soup, meatball stew, meat pie, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes baked beans were included in that meal and the meal was really delicious. After taking my meal I decided to take some dessert items. So I take poorman’s pudding.
Cinema Moderne
This is a caffe and also a bar with a cinema projection room in the back. Generally, they show independent films. It can be old or new. On that night I watched Changeling Express.
On the morning of the fifth day, I left this city. That was really an amazing trip. I have described some other things to do in Montreal. Click to learn more about Montreal.
Travel Safety Gear For visiting Montreal
Umbrella
Sunscreen
Portable Wi-Fi
Portable Safe
I hope you enjoyed my content about Montreal in the summer and this will help you in your next trip to Montreal. You share your travel story with us by using the Contact Us form. Be happy, be healthy.
