9 Things to do in Montreal During the Winter

Browse the Local Markets

• Jean-Talon Market is one of North America’s largest markets. October – April the outdoor pedestrian street market transforms to an indoor space. Grab a coffee from the roastery or made to order juice and browse the colorful rows of fresh produce, flowers, seafood, pastries, bread, and cheese. After shopping, dine at an onsite restaurant offering sushi, crepes, or family cuisine.

• The smell of fresh baked bread from Premiere Moisson fills the air at Atwater Market. Shop for specialty vegan or vegetarian ingredients, meats, fresh flowers, produce, sweets, gifts, and cheeses. The onsite restaurants offer coffee, sushi, pizza, and pasta.

• in 1874, Bonsecours Market was listed as one of the 10 most beautiful heritage buildings. Inside are 2 floors of jewelry, art galleries, boutique clothing, gift shops, and restaurants. We recommend lunch at BreWsky with a BreWsky Imperial P-Nut Buster 2, an imperial oatmeal milk stout, or BreWsky Experimental Brew Juice with chocolate, raspberries, blackberries, and marshmallow.
• There are so many more markets to explore in Montreal. Find your market with this interactive map.

Attend a Winter Festival

• During our visit in February to Montreal, the streets glowed at night with installations and video projections at Montreal en Lumiere. A detailed map displayed the attractions between President-Kennedy Ave to Sainte-Catherine Street. This festival of lights occurs annually from February to March.
• Additional winter festivals include Igloofest in January, Fête des neiges January to February, and Nuit blanche a Montreal in February.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

• During the day, while the lights of Montreal en Lumiere are a faint glow, stay warm in 9 miles of shops along Sainte-Catherine Street. Sainte-Lauren Boulevard divides Sainte-Catherine Street’s West side department stores, restaurants, and shopping centers from the East side cafes, theatres, specialty stores and nightlife.

Ice Skating

• Tickets for ice skating at Old Port can be purchased 2 days in advance. Ice skate rentals, sharpening, and lockers are available at the rink. Skating is available in 2 hour increments Monday – Wednesday 10:00am – 9:00pm and Thursday – Sunday 10:00am – 10:00pm. Purchase tickets and check rink conditions here.

• Snowshoe, cross country ski, ice skate, toboggan, or snow tube at Mount Royal Park. Ice skates, snowshoes, snow tubes, toboggans, and skis are available to rent. Check here for current conditions.

View Montreal from 60 Meters Above

• After ice skating, warm up with a ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal. For a luxurious experience on Canada’s tallest Ferris wheel book gondola 42, the only car with a glass floor and Italian leather seats. Tickets and an updated schedule are available here.

Drink Hot Cocoa by the Fire

• Follow the twinkling lights and sound of laughter to Place Jacques-Cartier, the entrance to Old Port. Order a warm apple cider or hot chocolate from the onsite vendor and snuggle up around a fire pit with friends.

Find a Hidden Speakeasy

• #FollowTheDuck to the unmarked door, ring the doorbell, and wait patiently for entry to The Coldroom.
• Additional speakeasies waiting to be discovered are Le4e Mur requiring a name and email to reveal the location and the 25 seat Cloakroom Bar.

Traveling Gingerbread Note: For more rubber ducks, browse Canada’s largest collection of rubber ducks and merchandise at Le Petit Duck Shop.

Admire the European Architecture

• Don’t let the weather stop you from admiring the beautiful architecture Montreal has to offer. Walk around Place d’Armes to view the gothic Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, Monument to Paul de Chomedey, sieur de Maisonneuve, visit the Bank of Montreal Museum, and more.
• Old Montreal 

Sip on a Cocktail

• Bring some quarters and eat your way through the table décor at Candi Bar. Order a cocktail for one or an XXL cocktail for the table. We indulged in an appletini and cotton candy martini signature cocktail.
• Don’t be fooled by the classic rock décor of Les Enfants Du Rock. Surprisingly, we were jamming to 90s music during our visit.

• L’Auberge Sant-Gabriel was the first North American inn to receive a Canadian liquor license. We recommend reservations on the weekend, the restaurant and bar fill up quickly.
• Pub Wolf and Workman is a modern English pub near Place d’Armes with a unique cocktail list and menu of starters, mains and pies. We recommend a Pumpkin Spice Kentucky Mule and the Mai Thai with unique twists on common cocktails.

Traveling Gingerbread Note: Montreal has a secret underground city. A network of pedestrian tunnels over 20 miles long connects shopping plazas, hotels, office buildings, and metro stations.

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February 2022