Monthly Archives: October 2020

Craft beer. Ghost stories. College football. A Disneyland-esque Main Street. Fort Collins – or as both hip people and wannabe locals call it, FoCo – sits about an hour north of Denver and is home to Colorado State University (go Rams!). But it’s also known as the craft beer capital of Colorado AND one of the most haunted cities in the country – plus, its charming Old Town inspired Disneyland’s Main Street USA!

Add that together with Colorado’s stunning surroundings and the neighboring Rocky Mountains, and you’ve got one fantastic place to visit for a weekend getaway (and yes, it made the list on our Colorado weekend getaways guide!)

Although Fort Collins is a year-round destination, the combination of ghost stories, craft beer, college football, and colorful foliage puts Fort Collins squarely in the “fall destination” category for me. But hey, I’m not the expert here.

We’ve tapped a Fort Collins local to write this guide to things to do in Fort Collins. Ali is the girl behind Inspired Lifestyle Blog and a Fort Collins local. She’s lived in Fort Collins for close to 10 years, and today she’s sharing all of our top tips for visiting. Take it away, Ali!

Psst: Planning a trip to Colorado? Here are some other posts that you might find helpful:

History of Fort Collins

One of the most interesting parts of visiting Fort Collins is learning about its storied history, The Fort Collins area is rich with Native American history, wild west lore, badass women, and even a legend of a giant.

The area which is now Fort Collins has been the traditional homelands of many Native American cultural groups, including the tribes today known as the Ute, Comanche, Cheyenne and Arapaho.

As European-Americans pushed west, many of these tribes were decimated by disease and the encroachment of their lands in northern Colorado. After the Colorado War in the 1860s – during which an alliance of Native American tribes fought against US encroachment, culminating in genocidal massacres of Native Americans in Colorado and Wyoming – many Native American tribes left the area or were forced onto reservations in neighboring states.

Fort Collins itself was founded in 1864 as a military fort and originally called “Camp Collins,” after Lt. Col. William Oliver Collins, a Union cavalry officer and one of the commanders of the Colorado War. Camp Collins was built to protect the Colorado section of the Overland Trail, a prominent wagon trail for settlers traveling out west and that was originally Native American hunting and traveling routes. 

The camp was washed away within a year during a flood and the fort was built on higher ground at what is now Old Town Fort Collins.

Later the same year, European-American settlers began to arrive, including 64-year old Elizabeth “Auntie” Stone, the only European-American woman in the camp for a whole year, who ran a mess hall and eventually opened the city’s first hotel, first grit mill, and first brickyard. Auntie Stone is now known as the Founding Mother of Fort Collins since she was instrumental in starting the first school, advocating for women’s rights and encouraging other European-Americans to settle in the city.

When Auntie Stone passed away at 94 years old, all business closed during her funeral and the firehouse bell tolled 94 times in honor of her life. You can visit her original cabin at Heritage Courtyard in Library Park.

Fort Collins ultimately developed as an agricultural city thanks to the Colorado Central Railroad. In 1879 the Colorado Agricultural & Mechanical College, now known as Colorado State University, began building the school. In fact, if you visit CSU today, you can see the railroad cutting through campus. It’s even made me late to class a few times!

You can learn more about the history of the area, including more about the first peoples who call the area home over 13,000 year ago, at the  Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

Things to Do in Fort Collins

My city has many perks that you just can’t find anywhere else! We also are very close to the mountains and have our own beautiful reservoir, hiking trails, and many vibrant businesses. Have I convinced you to visit, yet?

If you are taking a trip here, I’m going to share with you a local’s guide to the best places and activities you HAVE to do when visiting.

Explore Old Town

Old Town Fort Collins is one of the prettiest and best-preserved downtowns you’ll find anywhere in the country, with wide European style walkways strung with lights and surrounded by charming facades. In fact, Old Town’s historic buildings along Walnut Street served as the inspiration for Disneyland’s Main Street!

Old Town is where the original business center of Fort Collins popped up around the fort way back in the 1860s, and modern-day Old Town is a still the heart of the city. On weekends you’ll find street performers, musicians, and just generally a good time. And in the summer, there are live performances and music in the Square!

The many Ghost Signs – faded, hand-painted advertisements of stores long out of business – found in Old Town demonstrates how old Old Town is and makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

Fort Collins also has a claim to Hollywood fame with the childhood home of Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Academy Award (Gone With the Wind in 1940), to be found on Cherry Street in Old Town Fort Collins.

• Stop into local shops: Old Town is lined with charming locally-owned shops and boutiques. I love The Cupboard, a kitchen store full of cute decor and fancy kitchen gadgets – and yummy chocolate! And I really like Wear It Again Sam, a thrift store full of awesome vintage finds.
• Grab a beer: You’re never more than a few steps away from a brewery in Old Town! Equinox Brewing, Coopersmith’s Brewery and Pub and Pateros Creek Brewing Company are all centrally located.
• Get some dessert: Kilwins. They sell chocolate, delicious fudge, ice cream, and many more desserts. I also recommend Old Town Churn. Old Town Churn is the sister store to Little Man Ice Cream in Denver. They make homemade ice cream and always have different flavors and different combos for you to try! Try Salted Oreo and Foco Choco!

Brewery Hop

Fort Collins is home to and well known for its many breweries. From big names such as New Belgium, to smaller local breweries like Zwei Brewing Co, there’s a brewery here – or nearby – for every palate.

It’s hard to narrow down the top breweries in Fort Collins – here’s a complete list of them – but these are the top 3 that I’d recommend to a first-time visitor:

• New Belgium: Best known for Fat Tire Amber ale – which, fun fact, is a certified Carbon Neutral beer – the brewery here is also home to the largest small-batch sour beer barrel aging program in the country. Yum! Not only does New Belgium have delicious beer, but they also regularly host events and have a great outdoor area to enjoy your drink. New Belgium is also home of the Tour de Fat, which is inspired by the Tour de France – only a lot more drunk and a lot more fun! Once a year, at the end of summer, the roads around Old Town are closed for drunk people in costumes, riding their bikes to the bars. It’s quite a sight and quite a lot of fun! If you’re in Fort Collins for this event, I highly encourage you to participate.
• Odell Brewing: Fantastic beer and, in my opinion, the best brewery patio in Fort Collins. They also often have food trucks and live music outside too! Try their flagship beer, 90 Shilling.
• Prost Brewing: A German-style brewery and biergarten! Try their Helles for a light beer or Dunkel for a dark beer – and of course, a giant pretzel. They’re super yummy.

Not sure where to start? How about doing. them all, in order? This brewery hop guide from Eater organizes each stop geographically into an epic bikeable or transit-able brewery hop.

If you really want to experience Fort Collins like a local, book a Bike and Brewery tour! Go on – it’s local tradition.

Explore Colorado State University’s Campus

CSU has a rich history to match the history of Fort Collins. Established in 1870 as an agricultural college (hence the giant white letter ‘A’ proudly displayed on the western hillside of Fort Collins – it’s a yearly tradition that CSU freshmen repaint the ‘A’ into the hillside ), Colorado State University has many engineering and architectural examples of the late 19th century.

This includes the picturesque Oval Drive, which was designed by civil engineering students and faculty as a model to demonstrate how roads could be built from native materials. And speaking of which, that’s the first place we recommend visiting on campus!

Stroll through The Oval

The Oval at Colorado State University is a hidden gem in Fort Collins. It’s a beautiful and serene place filled with grass and 100-year-old Elm trees. It’s a lovely place to have a picnic or take an autumn stroll in the cold crisp air surrounded by colorful fall foliage!

The Oval is located on the CSU campus but is super easy to get to and is in an area that isn’t usually very populated. I recommend going on the weekend or after 4 PM, when parking on campus is free! If you go earlier, you can park on a public street nearby and walk over if you want to avoid paying for parking.

• Local Tip: If you walk over to the oval, stop by Mug’s Coffee Shop and grab a mug of fair-trade coffee to sip as you stroll.

Watch a Football Game at CSU’s New Stadium

If you’re visiting during football season, one of the best things to do in Fort Collins is to go to a game and cheer on the CSU rams!

The CSU Canvas football stadium is a beautiful football stadium, and I’m not just saying that because I’m biased. Most students (myself included) were actually a bit grumpy about the stadium being built on campus, mostly because it resulted in less parking than we already had.

The stadium was finished when I was a senior and I got to be one of the first people to see football games there. And let me tell you, it’s gorgeous! It’s a much more professional and modern stadium than the one being previously used.

If tailgating is more your style – or more in your budget range – the free Coors Light Ram Walk Tailgate has everything from live music to beer to big screen TV’s. Just be sure to wear green! You can enjoy the tailgate for several hours before the game starts.

• Just a warning: if CSU scores, they set off a cannon and it can be a little surprising at first. It always makes me jump! So if you hear cannons and it’s football season … you know why. Go Rams!

Meet a Ghost

Fort Collins has a storied and complex history, and that means one thing: host stories, Fort Collins has been rated as the third most haunted city in the U.S. (behind Savannah and New Orleans). There are plenty of spooky spots to go in search of Fort Collins’ most infamous deceased residents!

Here are a few places where you just might get a creepy encounter from beyond the grave:

• Walrus Ice Cream in Old Town has its own cheeky ghost, a charming businessman from Fort Collins’ past named Charles Dinnebock (now known as “The Walrus Man.”) But that’s not all: tunnels beneath Walrus reportedly served as the underground entrance to the shop’s neighboring morgue, mausoleum and crematorium. Ooooh, spooly! Even if you don’t meet the seductive Walrus Man, you might as well visit for some ice cream.
• The Avery House: Built for one of Fort Collins’ most prominent families in 1879, The Avery House is now a history museum and National Historic Landmark with a beautiful historic costume collection and restored rooms that allow visitors to step back in time. But beware: you might just counter the unhappy spirit of a child in the middle upstairs bedroom…
• Nature’s Own is one of my favorite shops to explore in Old Town Fort Collins. It’s a nature and science store full of different types of rocks, geodes, and fun things to look at. But beware: there’s a resident ghost immortalized in one of his paintings in the back of the store…. but as you approach, he disappears.
• The Fort Collins Museum of Art: You’ll find more than collections of art here – the museum was built at the site of Camp Collins’ first cemetery back in the 1860s. Nobody knows how many bodies are still buried underneath, but at least one – nicknamed George – still haunts the basement.

For true ghost hunters, the comprehensive guide to the Ghosts of Fort Collins is written by a tour guide who led ghost tours through Old Town.

The book tells the stories of the haunted corners and dark history of the city, known as one of the most haunted cities in the country. Read it before your trip and you just might find yourself recognizing creepy haunts all around town!

Visit Horsetooth Mountain & Reservoir

When visiting Fort Collins, look West, and if you see a huge rock (basically the top of the mountain) that looks like a horse’s tooth, that’s it! At its base you’ll find Horsetooth Reservoir, a six and a half-mile long reservoir just eight miles west of downtown Fort Collins.

When full, the Horsetooth Reservoir’s expansive 1,900 acres of water offers visitors a stunning place to camp, swim, boat, SUP, fish, kayak, even scuba dive.

The reservoir is named after nearby Horsetooth Mountain, a craggy rock outcropping just west of the reservoir. You can hike to Horsetooth Mountain and enjoy the expansive views of the reservoir, Colorado Front Range, and Fort Collins via trailheads at the reservoir. 

According to Arapaho legends, this iconic rock formation is the body of a slain giant, who used to watch over the ‘Valley Of Contentment,’ the valley that is now flooded by Horsetooth Reservoir. The giant prevented the tribes from hunting in the Valley of Contentment, causing the people to starve.

One night, a warrior from one of the tribes took a magical tomahawk and killed the giant while he slept so his people would be saved. The giant’s body turned to stone but you can still see the gashes of the tomahock’s fatal blows on what is now known as Horsetooth Mountain.

There’s a lot you can do at Horsetooth Reservoir: you can drive around it, pull over and watch the views, take in the sunrise or sunset, look out over the city of Fort Collins, mountain bike, paddleboard, swim, hike, kayak, go boating, rock climb, or run on a trail. Horsetooth has it all.

In the summertime, I love going down to the shore and spending the day in the water, or renting a boat from a local marina and going out on the lake with a few friends. You can also hike and mountain bike on the multiple trails in the surrounding 2,000 acres of public lands.

Here are the best things to do at Horsetooth Reservoir & Mountain:

• Watch the sunrise: For the best sunrise view of Fort Collins, go on a hike to the top of Horsetooth rock! For a sunrise hike to the top, you’ll need to leave your house at 3 am, but it’s so worth it to see the sunrise behind the city. You’ll see Fort Collins on one side, and on the other Colorado’s stunning nature that honestly looks like something out of a movie.
• See a waterfall: The hike to the waterfalls is 2.9 miles and is an easier hike than Horsetooth Rock. They’re both beautiful hikes and if you have a few days available to go hiking, I would recommend doing both!
• Go Bouldering: Colorado has incredible rock climbing and bouldering, and Fort Collins is no exception! Check out some of Colorado’s best bouldering areas at Rotary Park. 
• Drive to the top: When the weather is cold – or you’re not up for athletic activity – you can take a drive up to the top and check out the views or watch the sunset. It really is something special.

Note that you will need an entrance permit ($9/per vehicle) if you intend to visit!   

Go on an Outdoor Adventure

Colorado is best known for two things: beer, and outdoor adventure. Fort Collins has both in spades. In addition to Horsetooth Mountain, here are more opportunities for outdoor adventure!

Pineridge Trail

Pineridge Trail is a 4.1 mile long loop through the rolling foothills of the Pineridge Natural Area just west of the city. The trail is rated as easy, with little climbing or elevation gain, it is mostly exposed and loops around the Dixon Reservoir (and is a great place to spot prairie dog colonies!).

The Pineridge Natural Area was one of Fort Collins’ first protected natural areas and is a great place to see wildlife.  I recommend walking up the dam to get a pretty view!

Poudre River Trail

Poudre River Trail is a 21-mile long paved trail that meanders along the Cache la Poudre (pronounced pooh-der) River and through several large parks and wildlife areas.

The Cache la Poudre River (known more simply as the Poudre River) is thought to be named after French-Canadian trappers hid their gunpowder near the river’s banks during a blizzard in the early 1800s. 

While exploring the trail, you can also look for wild turkeys at the Kodak Watchable Wildlife Area and learn about the history of the area at the Poudre River Learning Centre. You can also rent a bike or scooter in town and take it for a ride on this path!

Cache la Poudre River Canyon

About 1 hour northwest of Fort Collins, the Cache la Poudre River Canyon is a hidden gem, with opportunities to go whitewater rafting (class I-V rapids) and hiking to explore its distinct cliffs, rock formations, and wide variety of native flora. Many visitors compare the canyon to Rocky Mountains National Park, only without the masses of tourists.

One of the best hikes in the Cache la Poudre River is the hike to Greyrock – pictured above – whose trailhead is less than 20 minutes from Old Town Fort Collins. There are two trail options: the Meadows trail (7~ miles) and the Greyrock Summit trail (6~ miles), which both offer stunning views.

You should know that this hike is a bit challenging: you’ll gain 2,000 feet of elevation to a summit sitting at 7,480 feet, and there’s a little bouldering toward the end. But the payoff is worth it for the amazing views of the Poudre River Canyon!

• Outdoor Adventure Tip: One of the best campgrounds in Colorado is about an hour away from Fort Collins along the banks of the Cache la Poudre River! Find out more in our Colorado camping guide.

Driving through the canyon also means you’ll be taking one of Colorado’s many scenic roads! Which brings us to our next thing to do in Fort Collins…

Take a Scenic Drive

The Cache le Poudre Scenic Byway follows a route that was once used to connect the northern plains of Colorado with the Green River settlement in Utah. Today, the scenic drive begins in Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287, heads northwest until it intersects with Colorado Highway 14 in Bellvue, then winds up the rugged and scenic Cache la Poudre River Canyon.

As you drive, keep an eye out for whitewater swells in the crystal-clear river below and bighorn sheep on the rocky cliffs up above!

If you keep driving up through the canyon, you’ll eventually make it to alpine meadows and Cameron Pass, which sits between the Rawah Wilderness and Rocky Mountain National Park and offers sweeping views of the beautiful North Park basin surrounded by mountain peaks. Turn around and head back to Fort Collins here, or continue on to Walden!

• Travel Tip: If you do drive the full route from Fort Collins to Walden, allow 3 hours each way and give yourself plenty of time to return before dark.

Get Some Delicious Food (& Drinks)

After a long day of hiking and outdoor adventure, hit the town for some delicious food.

• Farm-to-Table: The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm serves perfectly plated, carefully crafted, home-grown deliciousness from their 19th-Century farmhouse in the heart of the beautiful Jessup Farm Artisan Village. Try the green chile mac & cheese, buttermilk battered fried chicken, and truffle-parm brussel sprouts!
• Cheese (& Other Stuff): The Fox and the Crow is a bistro and cheese shop specializing in, mostly, cheese. Head here for twists on delicious cheese classics like mac & cheese (ahem: roasted butternut squash, brown butter, blue cheese, and maple syrup, omg) and grilled cheese (try the Apple Pie grilled cheese).
• Pub Fare & Burgers: Coopermith’s Pub is a FoCo staple, located right in the heart of Old Town Square. Order a burger, fish & chips or bangers and mash with a craft beer and play pub games like billiards and shuffleboard.
• Mexican: Cafe Mexicali makes their food from scratch and their (giant) burritos are phenomenal. Lupita’s is the best budget-friendly place to try a Colorado Southwestern classic: green chile sauce. The chile rellenos, burritos, and chimichangas are best smothered in delicious green chile sauce!
• Pizza: Hey, you’re in a college town, remember? Fort Collins has some AMAZING pizza. It’s my favorite food and I’m picky about my pizza. Krazy Karl’s is well known around town and CSU for having the best pizza in town! For budget-minded folks, Krazy Karl’s does a deal on Mondays and Thursdays where you have to beat the clock. So, starting at 5, if you call and order a 1-topping pizza the time is what you pay. So, for example, if you call and order your pizza at 5:25, your pizza will cost $5.25 plus tax! Whatever pizza you choose to get, make sure you get cream cheese on it. It may sound gross to you, but trust me, it’s actually amazing! Another CSU favorite pizza place is Pizza Casbah. They sell New York-style thin crust pizza and it’s seriously so good – and SO inexpensive.

Visit a Coffee Shop

Nothing goes together more than college & football games, except maybe college & drinking a lot of coffee because you barely got any sleep and you’re going out with friends later tonight. So pretend you’re still a sleep-deprived student (and not just a sleep-deprived adult) and hit up one of Fort Collins’ best coffee shops!

• Bindle is a very cute coffee shop located at Jessup Farm. Don’t worry, it’s not a farm. It’s a quaint shopping area you can visit! They have restaurants, shopping, and my favorite: Bindle. Bindle is a fun place to go for an hour or two and just relax. The coffee shop is very aesthetically pleasing and has really delicious coffee and desserts.

• Alley Cat is a Fort Collins staple. It has a cool bohemian vibe and features artwork from various artists on the walls and ceiling. They are open 24 hours and is a great place to go play cards or a board game and hangout. I highly recommend their chai shake, it’s amazing.

Have Some Old-Fashioned Fun

When it comes to nightlife, some of the best things to do in Fort Collins are good-old vintage fun!

See a Movie at a Drive-In Theater

If you’re visiting in the summer, watching a movie at the Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater is a must! Although the movies that play are usually new releases, it’s a classic drive-in theatre experience: you park your car before the sun goes down, in a row with other cars facing a giant screen, you tune in to the radio to hear the movie, and you get to watch a movie from the comfort of your car when the sun goes down.

Just like a typical movie theatre, there are bathrooms and concessions like popcorn and candy.

I recommend getting there a bit early to avoid the long line. To make things extra-cozy, many people bring chairs, and some make their trunks super cozy – but I typically sit in the front seat of my vehicle with some popcorn, my puppy, and a cozy blanket from home to watch the movie.

Sip an Egg Cream at a Soda Fountain

The Union Bar Soda Fountain may seem a little outdated on the surface, but it’s imbibed (get it) with modern-day class. And yes, what I’m trying to say here is that there are boozy milkshakes.

Split a maple egg cream or root beer float and a plate of green chile cheese fries… or really lean into the college atmosphere and down a cognac, espresso, and oreo shake with a green chile breakfast burrito at 10am like the champion you once were.

Play Vintage Arcade Games

Pinball Jones is one of my favorite date spots in Fort Collins. It’s an arcade and a bar. How much better can that get?

They have several pinball machines, but they also have vintage arcade games you can play! One of my favorite games dates back to the 1960s!

They have two locations, they’re both great, but the one in Old Town Square is my favorite.

Where to Stay in Fort Collins, Colorado

When visiting Fort Collins, the best place to base yourself is in centrally located Old Town. You’ll be walking distance from FoCo’s best shops, restaurants, and coffee shops, and surrounded by Disneyland-esque charm.

Here are a few options for places to stay in Old Town Fort Collins:

• Boutique Hotel: The stunning Armstrong Hotel has been around for 95 years, but it looks incredibly modern. The hotel is pet friendly – they even have an adorable resident cat named Oreo! During your stay, head underground – and step back in time – with live music and craft cocktails at Ace Gillet’s Lounge.
• AirBnB: This charming Old Town Victorian Cottage dates back to 1903 (so, probably haunted?) but has restored from Victorian glamour to cottage-core cute. This cozy tiny house with a mod black-and-white style is located in Fort Collins’ funkiest little neighborhood, Buckingham, and is literally steps away from both Odell’s and New Belgium, while only half a mile’s walk from Old Town. Your stay also includes bikes to get around town! For more options, browse AirBnbs in Fort Collins.
• Hostel: Yep, Fort Collins has a budget-friendly hostel! Although The Solarium looks more like a boutique hotel, with beautiful gardens and a sun terrace.

About Our Contributing Writer: Ali is a lifestyle blogger who is obsessed with all things travel, money smarts, and personal growth! She lives in Colorado and loves seeing the world any chance she gets. When she’s not blogging or traveling you can find her drinking a glass of Pink Moscato and watching Schitt’s Creek and cuddling with her puppy and planning out her next vacation on Pinterest! You can click here to check out Ali’s lifestyle blog for the best travel, money, and life tips, and her Facebook page

Interested in writing us a post for us? Take a look at our contributor guidelines and pitch us your idea!

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Are you looking forward to visiting FoCo? Which one of these things to do in Fort Collins are you most excited about? Drop us a comment below!

Psst: Planning a trip to Colorado? Take a look at some of our other posts.

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Our Top Travel Tips & Resources

Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our complete guide to trip planning.

• Face Masks: Scientific consensus demonstrates wearing face masks protects both yourself and those around you from viral spread! We love these reusable face masks because they’re ethically made with sustainable materials and budget-friendly.
• Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Skyscanner or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.
• Accommodations: We usually stay in mid-range boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). Depending on the destination, we also love staying in AirBnBs. We’ve also used TrustedHousesitters as both hosts and travelers.
• Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance.
• Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.
• Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.
• Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place using public transit. When we book a rental car, we use Kayak to find the best deal.
• Luggage Storage: Checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover? Use Stasher to safely store your luggage while you’re running around. Be sure to use the code PW10 for 10% off your booking!
• What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

Softly falling snow. Hot mulled wine. Sticky maple taffy. Montreal, Canada is a winter wonderland, and one of the best places to visit for winter cheer!

As Californians, there’s nothing more exciting to us than traveling somewhere cold and snowy – especially if there will be Christmas Markets. Christmas just doesn’t feel right without a cozy mug of mulled wine and a blanket of snow! But while we love hopping on a plane and flying to Europe – the reigning champion of Christmas Markets – let’s face it: it’s not always feasible.

So instead, this year, we boarded an Amtrak train in New York City and headed up to Montreal, Canada! To our delight, Montreal is every bit a charming winter wonderland – complete with Christmas Markets and delicious treats. Plus, we were introduced to a Canadian winter tradition that immediately won us over: cabane à sucre, aka Sugar Shacks!

To be honest, we didn’t know much about Montreal before our trip. We had no idea that Montreal is actually an island 5 times larger than Manhattan, or that it’s second only to Las Vegas in hosting bachelor and bachelorette parties in the world (the legal drinking age is 18 – the lowest in North America). And while we knew Montreal-style bagels were a thing, we didn’t realize how good they are.

Y’all: we learned so much. And now we’ve stuffed it all into this massive guide to Montreal in the winter! Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip, from what to pack to the best things to do in Montreal in the winter.

Looking for more winter travel inspiration? Take a look at some of our other winter posts to help you plan your winter getaway:

Montreal Winter Travel Tips

Before you book your trip, here’s what you need to know about visiting Montreal in the winter.

• How cold is Montreal in the winter, really?

There’s no way to sugar-coat this (get it? Because sugar shacks?? eh?!?!): Montreal in the winter is cold. Average temperatures in December and January range around 20 degrees, meaning there is a high likelihood of snow, slush, or ice. Which, personally, we consider a plus! 

That said, if you bundle up and wear the right clothing, and you’re spending most of your time outdoors walking, exploring, adventuring, and otherwise moving your body, you’ll be just fine! We’ve included specific, tried & tested cold-weather suggestions for your trip in a “what to pack” section below.

• Why should I visit Montreal in the winter?

We got a lot of skeptical looks when we announced our plan to visit Montreal in the winter. We get it – we’ve heard wonderful things about Montreal in the spring and summer. And while we can’t compare seasons, in our experience winter in Montreal offers plenty of opportunities.

Advantage number one: winter in Montreal is the tourist off-season! As budget travelers, we love traveling during off-season because it means fewer crowds, emptier streets, and cheaper prices.

Advantage number two: Montreal is a foodie city with stunning natural scenery and parks. Which, to us, translates into playing in the snow all day and then stuffing our face with comfort food and warm beverages. 

Advantage number three: it’s Christmassy AF. We visited Montreal between Christmas and New Years, when the city was still decked out in stunning Christmas displays and windows were bedecked in wreaths and pine boughs. The crunching snow – er, slush – beneath our winter boots only enhanced our Christmas cheer. Plus, Montreal’s Christmas Markets rival Europe’s. Need we say more?!

If you’re looking to experience Montreal on a budget and you don’t mind a little bit of snow and ice, Montreal in the winter is a magical weekend getaway – and easily accessible from much of the East Coast by train!

• Do people in Montreal speak English? 

Although the most commonly spoken language in Montreal is French, most people in Montreal will have no problem speaking to you in English. In fact, around 20% of the city’s population speaks English at home. 

During our visit, we had no trouble finding English speakers, even though we heard otherwise before our trip. 

• Did you say you took a TRAIN to Montreal?

Yes! We boarded the Adirondack Amtrak train in New York City. The trip to Montreal took about 10 hours, but we had plenty of legroom to stay comfortable. Plus, the scenery outside as the train wound through the Hudson Valley was stunning!

We took advantage of the WiFi and copious surface space to work during the ride. Honestly, I would never fly again if I could take trains everywhere. And it’s usually much cheaper than flying!

We also combined our trip to Montreal with a trip to Quebec City – the two are easily linked with a short flight or another scenic train ride.

Train Travel Tips: Arrive at Penn Station super early – there are no reserved seats, so the early bird gets the best view. You’ll need to stand in TWO lines, a Canada Check-In line and then the actual line to board the train.

• Do I need a car in Montreal in the winter? 

No, you do not! We didn’t rent a car for our trip to Montreal. We took a train from Quebec City and used public transportation during our stay. 

That said: if you do rent a car, make sure you are familiar driving – and parking – in snow and ice. To be on the safe side, we recommend upgrading to a car equipped with snow tires.

• How to get around Montreal without a car? 

Montreal has excellent public transportation, so navigating within the city is easiest to do via transit and on foot rather than by car.  Just make sure you have warm, comfortable winter walking boots (like these) or at the very least thermal insoles.

You’ll want to carry plenty of change – like, coins – for bus fare, or you can pre-purchase OPUS public transport tickets, including 1 day of unlimited travel around Montreal for $10 CAD.

If you fly in, look for an automatic ticket dispenser at the international arrivals terminal in the airport. The budget-friendly 747 bus line runs 24/7 from the Montreal airport into the city center and includes unlimited travel on public transport for 1 day within Montreal.

What to Pack for Montreal in the Winter

Fun fact: Beanies are called tubes in Montreal! Why? We haven’t the slightest clue! But we do have a bunch of tips for what to pack for Montreal in the winter to stay warm and toasty. Including tubes.

Have you heard that saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing?” Well, it’s totally true. Don’t get nervous looking at the weather for your Montreal winter trip, cuz you’re going to be WELL prepared – and you might not even need to bring a big suitcase! I was able to pack for our 2-week winter trip in Canada in a single carry-on bag.

Packing light for winter travel sounds like an oxymoron – cuz you know, winter clothing is heavy and bulky – but actually, it’s totally possible to stuff everything you need into a carry-on! The beauty of winter travel is that 99% of the time, all anyone is going to see is the very outer layer of your clothing. So as long as you’ve got clothes that can withstand being worn over and over again, you really don’t actually need to bring very many items (ssh, we won’t tell anyone that you’re rewearing the same sweater for 2 weeks straight).

To maximize our packing efficiency, we’ve learned to be really selective about our textiles (thanks in no small part to my degree in Fashion Design, which taught me all about the scientific properties of a whole bunch of fabrics). For example, merino wool is super warm, incredibly soft (no, it’s not itchy!) and much more lightweight than other synthetic fabrics, as well as being naturally antibacterial, which means you can re-wear it without the re-wear funk.

We recommend wearing a merino wool base layer underneath your clothing every day during your Montreal winter trip – that means that the layer closest to your skin should all be made from merino wool. Or, if wool isn’t your thing, wear an equally insulating textile like hemp or silk. Avoid non-insulating fabrics like cotton, and remember that natural fibers are pretty much always better than manmade textiles like polyester.

After your base layer, you’ll need to add on at least 1 additional layer before your outerwear, like a pair of pants and a sweater. On REALLY cold days, where the temperatures are below 10 degrees, we recommend adding on another base layer before your clothing layer & outerwear. For more winter travel packing tips, head over to our Cold Weather Packing Guide.

Here are our tried and true travel essentials for winter travel.

• Merino Wool Base Layer Leggings: These super comfy 100% wool leggings function just like long underwear. They’re made of soft, super-luxurious wool and make your legs feel like they’re being hugged by an extremely soft sheep.  Jeremy has this pair. You’ll likely need to wear these underneath your pants every day during your trip.
• Merino Wool Base Layer Undershirt: Laying is crucial when it’s this cold, and you’ll need to start with a layer of insulation on top and bottom. Although sometimes I can get away with a short sleeved or even sleeveless undershirt, in Canada we both needed to wear a layer of long-sleeved wool. This is mine and this is Jeremy’s.
• Wool Socks: Make sure you don’t just have run-of-the-mill acrylic socks for Montreal. It gets COLD AF there, and most socks won’t keep your feet warm while you’re exploring! Instead, bring socks that are primarily made of soft, heat-regulating wool, like these or these. I recommend 2 layers of socks – no more, no less.
• Warm Walking Boots: We recommend boots that can withstand ice or snow, are totally waterproof, and are comfortable enough to walk in for HOURS. Sounds darn near impossible, right? Well, it’s not. We’ve found the best boots for winter, and we’re OBSESSED with them (and yes, we both have the same ones. Because we’re kinda gross like that). They’re cute, they’re insanely comfortable, they’re waterproof leather and lined with shearling to keep your toes toasty warm, and they’re extremely lightweight and foldable so you can stuff them in your bag when you travel. Oh, and they have thin and flexible soles that let your feet function as if you were walking around in the cold completely barefoot!  Note: you might find yourself in need of some calf strengthening if you’re not used to barefoot-style soles. We can’t recommend these boots enough. They’re made to last and they’re worth every cent. Here are my boots and Jeremy’s boots. You can read more about them in our round-up of our favorite travel shoes for women or for men.
• Travel Jeans:  My favorite travel jeans have 6 POCKETS. 6!! And 2 of them are zipped and hidden inside other pockets, for extra pickpocket protection. They’re super stretchy and buttery soft, dry quickly even after walking through the snow, and roomy enough to layer over an insulating base layer. They’re cozy enough to wear on a plane, stretchy enough to accommodate that 5 extra pounds of holiday weight I always seem to bring back home with me, and they’re super cute! We’re both obsessed. You can get a pair of men’s or women’s jeans on the Aviator USA website.

• Warm Flannel Shirt: I’m in LOVE with the MerinoLux flannel button-down from Royal Robbins. It’s stretchy, it’s cozy, it’s blended with merino wool (yassss) and most importantly, it’s warm AF and super breathable. It’s also wrinkle resistant, odor resistant, and moisture wicking, and has a hidden zip pocket – so basically everything you could ever ask for in a flannel shirt. I’ve been searching for the perfect flannel for YEARS (you know, like one that didn’t give me that annoying button-down boob gap and allowed me to actually cross my arms) and this is The One. I love it! Here’s mine and Jeremy’s.

• Lined Leggings: On incredibly cold days, I add an extra layer of insulating warmth by throwing a pair of lined leggings on over my base layer and under my jeans (I’ve also worn them without extra pants on top of my base layer because leggings are real pants, fight me). I have two pairs of warm lined winter leggings, one lined with merino wool and one lined with fleece.
• Warm Hat: A warm tube/hat is an absolute necessity for chilly Montreal in the winter. It also doubles as a super cute accessory! You want a hat that will stay on your head even in blustery gusts of wind and keep your ears nice and warm – bonus points if it’s lined.
  Warm Coat: Your jacket is arguably the most important thing you’ll bring to Canada in the winter other than your shoes. It has a big job – namely, keeping you warm but not sweaty, allowing you to actually move your arms, and letting you explore for hours without feeling heavy or restrictive. Plus, it’s gonna be in almost all of your photos.  I have a beautiful camel-colored A-line wool coat like this one that I usually wear on winter trips, but for this trip I switched it up and brought along this cozy fleece-lined coat. Jeremy wears a wool-blend coat similar to this one and this one.

• Packable Down Jacket: Jeremy and I each bring two jackets each on our winter trips: our heavy/bulky coats, and a lightweight, travel-friendly packable down jacket. It’s perfect for those days when I want the freedom of not wearing a big heavy coat, and it’s also a fantastic added layer of warmth on super cold days. For this trip, I brought this down jacket and Jeremy brought this down jacket.
• Gloves: Don’t go outside in Canada in the winter without gloves on – we actually needed two pairs most days! Jeremy and I both have these wool gloves that work with touchscreens, because let’s face it, I have a hard enough time using my phone without wearing gloves. Over those gloves we layer on a thicker pair that allows us to do things like throw snowballs at each other.
• Scarves:  I LOVE a chunky scarf. They’re my favorite accessory! And you will absolutely need a good scarf for a trip to Montreal in the winter. I love this super soft scarf from Royal Robbins, which is blended with wool and turns into a cute shawl or infinity scarf with a few well-placed buttons. I’m also a big fan of scarves that are big enough to double as blankets, like this one or this one.
• Day Bag: You’ll want a bag with you to store things like extra layers, your camera, a phone charger, and souvenirs – you know, the essentials. I carried this day bag with me every single day packed with my packable down jacket, an extra pair of gloves, and anything else I needed for the day. We also have this theft-resistant camera bag specifically for our camera gear, because we’re extra AF professional bloggers or whatever. If you don’t have like … camera gear, you probably don’t need it, but if you do, it’s REALLY nice.

Where to Stay in Montreal

We recommend basing yourself near Old Town, as this is the most walkable and picturesque part of town! Here are a few suggestions for where to stay in Montreal in the winter:

• AirBnB: We stayed in a centrally located, budget-friendly AirBnB during our trip. Check out this skylight-filled loft, converted from an early 19th-century factory (aka exposed brick and high ceilings) and located right off Saint Paul Street next to Norte-Dame Basilica – you can hear the bells rolling from the loft! We also love this Historic 18th century apartment with a fireplace (and four beds!) built before Canada or the US were even countries. With hardwood floors, a cozy wood-burning stove/fireplace, and modern decor, this apartment is located on a cobblestone street across the street from Notre Dame de Bonsecours, the Bonsecours Market, and Maison Pierre de Calvet – meaning the view out the window has been the same since 1847. How cool is that?
• Boutique Hotel: We love Gingerbread Manor: A charming 19th-century Victorian-style bed and breakfast with individually decorated rooms located within walking distance to Mount Royal Park and Old Montreal. We love everything about this adorable hotel, but we’re possibly most excited about the constantly-changing breakfast, featuring mouth-watering dishes like banana walnut pancakes, apple-cinnamon waffles, and white chocolate orange pancakes!
• Bed & Breakfast: The Auberge Bonsecours Bed and Breakfast is in a beautiful bricked building which used to be a stable but has since been converted into a six-room B&B. You’ll find angled rooms full of character, an open courtyard, and a generous breakfast. Best of all, the b&b is located right on Saint-Paul Street in the heart of charming Old Town!

Things to Do in Montreal in the Winter

Now that you’ve got everything you need to prepare for your trip, here are the best things to do in Montreal in the winter during your visit!

Visit the Christmas Markets

Mulled wine, sugar pie, and Christmas Cheer: there’s nothing like visiting a Christmas Market during the holiday season! We’re obsessed with European Christmas Markets, and Montreal’s are every bit as magical (and much closer to home!) 

You’ll find everything from seasonal delicacies (ahem: sugar shacks!) to handmade gifts and trinkets to zero-waste supplies – enough to shop local for everyone one your list! Or just yourself. We get it.

Montreal’s Christmas markets start early, with the first seasonal markets opening up in November. For specific dates and more information, click here. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Merry Montreal (mid December until New Years): Located at Champ-de-Mars in Old Montreal, Merry Montreal provides traditional holiday activities alongside public art displays, regional food tastings, and evening street parties all for free! If you stay over the holiday period, it’s a perfect place to ring in the new year, with fireworks, music, and amazing food and drink offerings from all over Quebec. 
• Christmas in the Park (end of November to 24 December): Located in three parks in downtown Montreal – Place Émilie-Gamelin, Parc des Compagnons de Saint-Laurent, Parc Lahaie. Christmas in the Park is open every day during the holidays, offering visitors live performances, snuggly sleigh rides, old-fashion Christmas tree markets, and cosy cottages full of food, drinks, and trinkets to buy. 
• Montréal’s Christmas Village (Weekends from late November to the weekend before Christmas): Located at Atwater Markets (Lionel-Groulx Metro Station is a 5-minute walk away), Montreal’s Christmas Village offers Christmas delights to young and young at heart, with over 50 cottages offering handmade crafts, and foods.
• Nutcracker Market (late November to early December): over a 100 exhibitors converge at the main shopping area of the Palais des Congrès (Montréal’s enormous convention centre) to offer holiday decorations, artesian foods, jewelry, toys and much more. Even cooler? Proceeds from the market fund ballet lessons to around 2,800 underprivileged children. 
• Weihnachtsmarkt (first weekend in December):  an authentic German-style Christmas Market near Place des Arts, St. John’s Lutheran Church. Shop for handmade Christmas crafts and indulge in sausages, irresistible German pastries, and – of course – Glühwein (mulled wine). Frohe Weihnachten!

Explore Old Montreal

Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal) is considered one of the best-preserved old town centres in North America, with buildings dating back to the 1600s. Now, its winding cobbled streets are home to lively cafes, plazas, museums, and boutique stores!

We recommend spending a day doing a little self-guided walking tour of Old Montreal. Here are the best spots in Old Montreal to include:

• Notre-Dame Basilica: Notre-Dame Basilica is a 19th century Gothic Revival-style building and the city’s oldest Catholic church. Also, and arguably most importantly, it’s where Celine Dion got married! While the outside may not be all that impressive, the interior is awe-inspiring with its shades of blue and gold, stained-glass windows, intricate wood carvings, an assortment of sculptures, and a 7,000-pipe organ. Check out the church’s event website to see if there are any concerts that coincide with your visit. 
• Place d’Armes: originally built in the 17th century, this square is home to some of Montreal’s most striking Art-Deco buildings and historic sights, including the Bank of Montreal (the oldest banking institution in Canada). The square is dominated by a 19th-century statue of Montreal’s founder, Paul de Chomedey, but is also adorned with quirky public art. See if you can find a sculpted man with the English bulldog and the sculpted woman with the French poodle while you are there!
• Champ-de-Mars: this open park located behind City Hall is a great place to take in the surrounding architecture of Old Montreal. Before the 19th century, Champ-de-Mars was a military parade ground. If there isn’t too much snow, you may be able to spot two lines of stone walls running through the park – these are the remains of Montreal’s original fortifications. 
• Place Royale: this small, elevated square is the site where the area’s very first fort, Ville-Marie, was built in1642. The area was then used as a market and then the forecourt of the 1836 Old Customs House. It is also linked to the Pointe-à-Callière Cité d’archéologie et d’histoire de Montréal, and excellent historic museum, by an underground passage!
• Saint Sulpician Seminary: built between 1684 and 1687, the Saint Sulpician Seminary is the oldest building still standing in Montreal (and home to the oldest private garden in North America). This impressive U-shaped building is a prime example of the architecture of New France and is still home to the members of the Society of Priests of Saint-Sulpice. You can tour the Seminary for a small fee and learn about its inhabitants and the spread of Catholicism in Montreal. 
• Saint Laurent Boulevard: Montreal’s Main Street! Wander past looking in anywhere that strikes your fancy, but be sure to make a stop at Eva B Vintage Store. Arguably one of the best vintage stores on the east coast of North America, Eva B is a quirky three-storied thrift shop located along Saint Laurent Boulevard. Bedecked with street art on the outside and full of one-off treasures, Eva B is a great place to browse, listen to music, and drink coffee at their in-shop cafe.
• City Hall/ Rue Saint Paul/Marche Bonsecours: Rue St-Paul has SO much to see, that we thought it deserved its very own section….

Explore Rue Saint-Paul

Montreal is best explored on foot – yes, even during the winter! Of course, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing warm clothing and comfortable winter shoes (we recommend these). But once you’re all bundled up, walking will keep you warm and toasty.

The best place to explore by foot is Rue Saint-Paul, the oldest (and most iconic) street in Montreal. This street has over 2,400 years of history – some of its cobblestones pre-date the entire United States!

Approximately one mile long, Rue Saint-Paul was first built in the 1670s and was the center of North American fur trade for decades. As Montreal grew, warehouses sprang up as residents left the Old Montreal area, and by the 1950s, the street was rather run down and industrial. 

However, in the 1980s, there was a revival of interest in the historic streets and corners of Old Montreal, including Saint Paul. The street is now home to some of the city’s most-known landmarks, cosy cafes, fine dining, hotels, hipster offices, and boutique shopping.

We suggest spending a morning or afternoon wandering down the street and popping into anything that looks interesting. Here are our suggestions for where to explore:

• Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel: This is the oldest chapel in Montreal and is also known as Montreal’s sailors’ church – there are miniature boats hanging from its ceiling! Don’t skip out on climbing up the chapel tower, which offers one of the best views of Montreal (more of those in our suggestions below).
• Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum: the museum includes a 2,400 year old archaeological site in its basement, and explores life during the early days of Montreal, including celebrating the city’s first and most celebrated teacher, Marguerite Bourgeoys. 
• Marché Bonsecours: the silver dome of Marché Bonsecours, a 19th century market house that once served as the City Hall, has become an iconic symbol of Old Montreal. Window shop its many art galleries and boutique stores, or grab a bite at one of the restaurants or cafes
• Place Jacques-Cartier: Old Montreal’s central plaza and home of a charming Christmas Market, Place Jacques-Cartier is worth the stop to see some stunning 19th century architecture, including a towering Nelson’s Column and the City Hall – home of the upper balcony where the French President Charles de Gaulle yelled “Vive le Québec libre!” in 1967, escalating the secession debate of whether Quebec should seek sovereignty from Canada. 
• Galleries, Cafes & Shops: Browse through one of the many bouquet stores and galleries, such as Iniuit art gallery, Elca London, which has a range of textiles, sculptures, paintings, and drawings from Iniuit artists. And be sure to stop at charming La Petit Dep for a delicious cup of coffee!

Stuff Your Face with Montreal Specialties

Listen: Montreal is a foodie city. Don’t hold back! Leave your tight-fitting clothes at home! Here’s all the things you need to eat in Montreal before you leave (seriously – like, print this out and make a checklist).

• Bagels: I would hop on a plane right now and fly to Montreal JUST for its bagels. Unlike the inferior bagels we have in the States (yes I SAID IT), authentic Montreal bagels are boiled in honey water and baked in wood-fired ovens, giving them a deep, rich, slightly sweet crunchy crust. Order whatever is freshly made at Fairmount Bagel or St. Viateur, the two most famous bagel shops in Montreal. Each are open 24 hours, and if you don’t want to stand in line, go at 3am. Don’t forget to bring cash!
• Smoked Meat: Montreal  is famous for smoked meat, specially spiced and aged over a week. Try it at Schwartz, a famous spot and at 90 years old, the oldest deli in Canada. We recommend a smoked meat sandwich, some fries, and a cherry coke on the side. And yes – it’s worth waiting in line!
• Maple Syrup: Two-thirds of the world’s maple syrup is produced right here, in the province of Quebec. Statistically, the province of Quebec consumes more maple products per capita than anywhere else in the world! Try it on any menu, and bring some home from Delices Erable & Cie, a shop with tons of maple treats of every type and of course, samples! 
• Dragon Beard Candy: One of the only places in the world outside of Hong Kong to get Dragon beard candy, an ancient treat, is in Montreal Chinatown. The stand here opened in the early 1990s, and the owner claimed this was the first in North America to sell it!
• Poutine: This quintessential Canadian dish didn’t actually catch on in Montreal until the 1990s, but it’s everywhere now! In Montreal, locals say the key to great poutine is squeaky curds – if the cheese doesn’t squeak, the curds are wrong. You can try authentic Quebecoise Poutine at La Banquise, a local favorite. There are 30 flavors to try – and there’s usually a line out front! Tip: the portions are HUGE – definitely split your order.
• Pudding Chomeur: this French Canadian classic, which translates to “unemployed man’s pudding”, is a delicious dessert with maple syrup and heavy cream, poured over cake batter and baked. If it’s done right, it’s a moist, delicious cake. Try it – along with other local favorites, including baked beans and tourtière -at  La Binerie Mont-Royal,
• Anything and everything at a sugar shack (cabane à sucre): From February to April, locals and visitors alike flock to sugar shacks to consume rich, heart-stopping traditional Quebec dishes Tourtière (like a meat pie), Christ’s ears (deep-fried pork fat), pea soup, and maple syrup pie. A must-do experience at a sugar shack is sampling hot drizzled maple taffy on snow. Sugar shacks pop up around the city around February but, if you have a car, you can experience a real – and incredibly cute – sugar shack anytime of the year at Sucrerie de la Montagne, about a 40-minute drive from Montreal.
• Kouign Amann: How can I explain the pastry perfection that is a kouign amann? Imagine buttery, sugary, flaky wheels of croissant-sugar-butter-heaven with a soft, custardy center and a crunchy caramelized exterior. Are you drooling yet? Try a slice at Pâtisserie Au Kouign Amann. Just be sure to arrive before noon or they’ll probably be sold out!

Take a Tour

One of our favorite ways to experience a city is by taking a guided tour. You’ll learn about history and local culture, find secret spots you’d never discover on your own, and get to see the city all at the same time.

We make it a point to take a guided tour or two whenever we visit a new city! Here are our recommendations for tours in Montreal.

Take a Montreal Food Tour

We love taking food tours because we love to eat and we love to learn! So why not do it at the same time? Food tours offer a historical walking tour of the city while eating at the same time. We call that “efficiency.” Plus, it will really help you check thing off your “must-eat” list.

It should come as no surprise during our winter trip to Montreal, we chose to take a food tour of Montreal – and here are a few that we’ll be doing on our next trip:

• Old Montreal Food Tour: This 2.5 hour walking tour goes throughout Old Montreal and covers all the major sites, diving deep into Montreal’s French culinary heritage while tasting treats like smoked meat, pâtés, and macarons!
• Montreal Jewish Food Tour: Montreal is the birthplace of many of the world’s most famous Jewish foods! Ahem: bagels?! Smoked meats?!? You’ll try them all on this tour, and learn about Montreal Jewish history as well.
• Montreal Afternoon Tea Tour: Yep, Montreal is big into tea. They’re both French and British, remember? During your tour, you’ll explore Montreal while learning about tea ‘mixology,’ Montreal’s tea traditions, meet tea growers, visit a tea salon, and of course, taste a diverse range of delicious tea.
• Haunted Pub Crawl: Montreal has a thriving pub and nightlife scene (after all, it is second only to Las Vegas in the world for bachelor parties). Take a unique spin on a pub crawl on this creepy haunted tour, which visits three of the city’s most haunted pubs and learning about the dark side of the city’s history along the way. 

Take a Montreal Walking Tour

• Old Montreal Winter Walking Tour: Explore the delights of Old Montreal under a blanket of snow! Walking through historic squares, tour noteworthy buildings, and admire artwork as you take this winter-specific tour of Montreal’s top spots
• Beyond the Basilica: A Walking Tour of Montreal: Two-and-a-half hour walking tour through the historic Old Montreal to the borough of Plateau Mont-Royal, including beverages and snacks. Visit the ornately decorated Basilica then wander the streets of Old Montréal while learning about the city’s history, checking out its street art, and making stops in the entertainment district and Chinatown.
• History Walking Tour of Old Montreal: Learn more about the history of Old Montreal while seeing its most famous sights during this budget-friendly walking tour of either the east or west end of Old Montreal.
• Montreal History Guided Sightseeing Cruise: take a 1 ½ hour cruise along the St. Lawrence River while learning about the history of city and admiring the skyline of Old Montreal! Just be sure to bundle up.

Play in the Snow

Montreal is a winter wonderland, with several well-maintained parks that offer fantastic opportunities for snow sports and fun. If we had to pick just one recommendation,it would be spending a few hours at Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park, Montreal’s largest park. You’ll find snow sports, sledding, carriage rides, and even an authentic cabane à sucre! Although it is located outside of the city, there are occasionally free shuttles – more information here.

We’ve got a few more suggestions for snow fun – pick your favorite winter activity:

• Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is essentially just hiking, but on top of the snow! It’s low risk and requires little athletic skill …so we love it. You may need to rent special gear, but it never hurts to bring along a pair of travel-friendly crampons that can slip over your favorite hiking shoes. You’ll find self-guided snowshoeing trails at Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park and Nature Park of L’Île-de-la-Visitation. If you prefer a guided tour (we do, because we are not great at following a trail that’s covered in snow) Mount Royal sometimes offers snowshoes tours and winter hiking around the Parc du Mont-Royal on winter weekends – check out their Facebook page for up-to-date information!
• Cross-country Skiing: Flying downhill on skis is one thing, but zooming through the countryside is a totally different athletic challenge and a great way to explore Montreal’s snowy winter wonderlands. Parc du Mont-Royal, the Montreal Botanical Gardens, and Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park all offer cross-country skiing trails.
• Snow Tubing: You can rent snow tubes at Mount Royal Park or Parc Jean-Drapeau throughout the winter. If you’re able to drive a bit outside of the city proper, there are tons of opportunities for snow tubing – here’s a great list. The best option for tubing enthusiasts is about an hour and a half away: Les Super Glissades St-Jean-de-Matha has 17 tracks dedicated to snow tubing and 13 tracks dedicated to snow rafting!
• Snow Scooters: Try your hand at snow scooters, snow bikes, or snow tubing at Voiles en Voiles, an outdoor adventure park. 
• Downhill skiing: Only 9 kilometres from Montreal, Saint Bruno is a great spot for beginner skiers, with lots of instructors and course options to get you comfortable on moguls in no time. For those with more experience, the best ski resort near Montreal is  Mont Tremblant, one of the top ski resorts in Eastern North America. It’s located about an hour and a half from Montreal, but accessible by bus. The ski resort offers multiple slopes for both beginners and intermediates!
• Snowmobiling: Take a snowmobiling guided tour and explore frozen plains, lakes, and forests just one hour from Montreal! You can choose between a morning or afternoon tour – all safety equipment and extra warm clothing is included. Note: you will need a car to reach this tour, which is about an hour drive from Montreal.

Go Ice Skating

There is possibly nothing more magical than gliding on a frozen pond underneath twinkling fairy lights. Actually, scratch that – the post-skate hot chocolate might actually be more magical.

Ice skating is as Canadian as curling or ice hockey, and Montreal is the ideal place to try out your triple axle (or just perfect the art of falling on your bum instead of your face). There are over 150 public ice skating rinks in Montreal alone! 

You can rent skates at many parks, skate on public ponds, and visit ice rinks throughout the city. Here are our top picks for one of the most quintessential Montreal winter activities:

• Parc La Fontaine: This beautiful outdoor frozen pond is the most magical place to go ice skating in Montreal, because it’s lined with trees draped with sparkling fairy-lights! Located right in the city’s Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood in the heart of the park, you’ll find ice skating on the rink and on paths winding throughout the park. Skating is free if you bring your own skates, but you can also rent on-site. Also, and very importantly: Espace La Fontaine restaurant serves a delicious hot chocolate along with stunning views.

• Old Port Skating Rink: Rent skates at Patin Patin and take in the views of the river, old ferris wheel, and the city skyline at the Old Port Skating Rink. 
• Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier: At this wooded park, a frozen pathway circuit weaving in and out of the 27-acre park offers a fantastic challenge for confident skaters. There is also a traditional rink – and two ice hockey rinks if you want to try your hand! When in Canada, eh?
• Beaver Lake at Mount Royal: Rent some skates and enjoy this delightful outdoor lake in Montreal’s iconic park! There is also an enclosed ice rink nearby if you prefer. And, crucially: you can warm up with a hot chocolate and other treats at the near-by Lac-aux-Castors Pavilion.

Visit a Food Market

There’s nothing more French than picking up each of your groceries at 8 extremely specific shops, and then strolling home with a baguette tucked under your arm while sniffing a bouquet of fresh flowers with a jaunty little beret perched atop your glossy hair.

At least, I would imagine. Personally, the closest I ever get to feeling French is dunking a wheel of brie in a jar of nutella while loudly singing “Foux du Fa Fa”. But visiting a food market in Montreal is a close second!

• Travel Tip: Learn how to navigate Montreal’s food markets like an expert with a food market tour of Montreal! You’ll sample delicious specialties from local vendors while learning all about what makes up Canada’s varied food scene.

Montreal has several wonderful European-style food markets, full of fromageries and patisseries and whatever the French word for “shop full of Maple things” would be (érable-erie?). Put on a beret and visit these Montreal markets:

• Jean-Talon Market: one of North America’s largest farmers’ markets and one of the oldest markets in Montreal. During the winter, walls are erected around the usually open-aired market, so you can escape the winter chill and shop through the stalls of butchers, bakers, fishmongers, maple syrup purveyors, and grocers at your own leisure. Open from 9am-6pm on weekdays and from 8am-6pm on the weekends 
• Marché Atwater: Located in one of the most beautiful Art-Deco buildings in the city, the Atwater Markets have been offering gastronomic treasures to visitors since 1933. Stalls are passed down through the generations, with merchants offering fresh and locally grown or processed foods all year round. Be sure to try out the artisan cheeses, such as the gouda from La Fromagerie Atwater, dried local fruits, and freshly-baked pastries!
• Marché de Lachine: the smallest of Montreal’s “big five” public markets is open year-round. This market has the makings of a delightful pit stop during a day of cycling or strolling by the ​Lachine Canal if only to taste the ridiculously delicious chocolates, croissants, and assorted pastries sold on location by Marius et Fanny. Just head up the Lachine neighborhood’s 18th avenue past one block and you’ll reach it.
• Marche Bonsecours: housed in a stunning 19th century building in the heart of Old Montreal along Rue Saint Paul, Marche Bonsecours is an artisanal shopping center. Browse through boutiques with unique pieces from local fashion designers, as well as art galleries, souvenir shops, and exhibition halls.
• Marché Maisonneuve: Another of Montreal’s smaller “big five” public markets,  the market is located in a historic building. You’ll find a cafe, flower & cheese shops, and more for a slice of French life.

Take in the View

Montreal is simply stunning! To find the best views of the city for a picture-perfect moment, head to one of these scenic spots.

• For the best vantage point of Montreal’s downtown skyline, hop on a river shuttle and float down the St. Lawrence River to visit its other islands.
• You’ll find sweeping birds-eye views of Montreal from the top of Canada’s largest ferris wheel – sorry, observation wheel – at La Grande Roue de Montréal. It may sound cold, but it’s not: the ferris wheel is outfitted with cozy winter cabins. We recommend picking up a ticket online in advance to avoid waiting in line.
• Musee Marguerite-Bourgeoys: The highest view of Old Montreal can be seen from the tower of the chapel at this historic museum. Climb the museum’s wooden spiral staircase where the surrounding views of the river, neighbourhood, and the aged, glittering dome of the Marche Bonsecours is said to have inspired Leonard Cohen’s song “Suzanne.”  
• Montreal Tower in the Olympic Park: built for the 1976 Olympic Games, the Montreal Tower is 541 feet tall and leans at a 45 degree angle, offering visitors sweeping vistas of the entire city and the St. Lawrence River. You can reach the top via a two-minute ride in a glass funicular – we recommend buying a ticket in advance.
• Mont-Royal Chalet: This mountain just west of downtown Montreal is the namesake of the city – Mont-Royal, Montreal, get it? – and remains a beautiful park to explore (or sled, ski, or ice skate) in the middle of the city. It’s also home to the best view of Montreal! During the winter, Mount Royal is an ideal place to take a break from the city, wander to the summit for some of the best views of the city, take a guided winter trek (try the City Lights evening tour on Fridays and Saturdays in the winter!), and then warm up with a hot chocolate at the small bricked Cafe des Amis.  If its winding paths, public art, and open spaces remind you of another famous green space, it’s because Mount Royal was designed by the same person who designed Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted. The park is also steeped in history: in 1535, Jacques Cartier climbed up this mountain and named it Mount Royal.

During our trip, as always, we asked locals for recommendations to include in our post. One helpful taxi driver suggested an entire self-guided tour of the best views in Montreal! 

Here’s how it works: first, take a taxi, Lyft or Uber to Mont Royal. Then, ask them to circle Summit Avenue and Summit Lookout – you’re looking for this spot. Finally, ask your driver to take you to St Joseph’s Oratory. If you give this a try, let us know how it goes!

Learn About Montreal’s History

What we now know of as Montreal is an island at the confluence of two rivers, the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. The city was founded by the French in the 1600s as a fur trading post, but there have been peoples living in modern day Quebec much longer–for about 3500 years, in fact. 

Montreal has a fascinating relationship with the rest of Canada, with certain factions of Quebec advocating for the province to be independent dating back to the 1960s. You can learn about this and other local history, including First Nations people, at the Centre D’Histoire de Montreal. 

• Travel Tip: Download the free Cite Memoir app to interact with figures from Montreal’s history through projections around the city!

Here are a few suggestions to learn more about Montreal’s history, both pre and post-Colonization.

Learn About Montreal’s Indigenous Culture & History

There are ten Indigenous nations in the state of Quebec: The Cree, Mi’qmaq, Naskapi, Algonquin, Montagnais, Abenaki, Mohawk, Attikamekw, Huron and Malecite. 

Although the Indigenous peoples of Quebec have not been recognized historically, the City of Montreal recently updated its Crest and added a white pine for first Americans, joining French, British, Scottish and Irish symbols and acknowledging the importance of First Nations peoples in the area.  

There are still Indigenous communities in Montreal, and opportunities for Indigenous-focused tourism which supports and benefits them. Check out the Mccord Museum’s rotating and interactive exhibits to learn about the local First Nations people or make a stop at the Musee de Abenakis , a museum devoted to the culture and traditions of the Abenaki First Nation founded in the 1960s.  

Learn About Montreal’s European Culture & History

Montreal, along with the rest of French Canada, has a fascinatingly complicated and unique cultural makeup that comes from a historical melting pot of French, British and Indigenous peoples.

The first European to arrive in Quebec was explorer Jacques Cartier in 1635; the first French Settlers arrived a few years later. The French refined for over a century, until Montreal was captured by Britain in 1760 and remained under British rule until Canadian Independence.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Montreal is the Mount Royal Cross. The original Cross, made of wood, was erected in 1643 by Paul de Chomedey. Chamodey was a French general who founded the City and he erected the cross to  thank God for sparing the community from major floods. It became iconic of Montreal, and it got an update in 1924: the cross is  now made of steel and lit up at night to the delight of visitors. 

• Fun Fact: No building in Montreal is allowed to be higher than the Mont Royal Cross – this is why there are no soaring skyscrapers in Montreal!

Relax in a Nordic Spa

Three words hot, cold, relax. That’s the basis of a Nordic spa cycle, which is something I’ve come to associate with cold destinations ever since jumping into a freezing cold fjord from a sauna in Norway. To my shock and surprise, I loved it!

Skeptical? Science and Nordes both agree: traditional Nordic spas – aka “thermotherapy” or “hydrotherapy” if you’re fancy – is AMAZING, and a wonderful way to relax and help your body adjust itself to freezing cold temperatures! 

By dipping yourself into hot-water baths or heating up in a sauna, you’ll find that you’re newly comfortable relaxing in Montreal’s freezing cold air wearing nothing but a bathing suit or a fluffy robe, like some kind of Scandinavian goddess. All for much, much cheaper than a day at a spa in the states! It’s one of the best Montreal winter activities.

Montreal offers several Nordic spa opportunities:

• Bota Bota Spa: A unique family-run spa on the river with views of the city. It’s built on an old refurbished ferry boat, with each floor having at least three different kinds of spa treatments to try. You just sort of wander around the ship jumping into pools and such – their water circuit includes hot (saunas & steam baths), cold (plunging into the river, cold baths, showers), and relaxation (hanging chairs, hammocks, and bean bags) steps. There is also a floating sauna directly on the water! Prices start at $45 USD during the winter season (excluding Christmas period).
• Strøm Spa Nordique: Rejuvinate in outdoor Norwegian-style thermal baths on Nun’s Island. You’ll don a cozy robe and wander through various heated whirlpools and waterfalls and steam baths, all while taking in the stunning open-air view of the river. We visited a Strøm location in Quebec City and it was magical.
• Scandinave Spa Montréal: This traditional, completely silent Scandanavian-style spa experience is located right in the heart of Old Montreal – only a 5 minute walk from the Place d’Armes metro station. Prices begin at $60 CAD to use the Scandinavian bath treatment (a cycle of heat, cold rinse, and relaxation).

Attend a Winter Festival 

If your visit to Montreal falls in December, you’ll have plenty of Christmas Markets to explore. But if you’re planning a trip to Montreal after New Years, we recommend timing your visit to overlap with one of Montreal’s many winter festivals! Here are a few to check out:

• BARBEGAZI festival: Usually held over two weekends in January, this festival transforms the city’s Olympic Park into an open-air action sports arena, complete with an obstacle course, wood chopping, skating, and a Christmas tree tossing competition. 
• Fête des neiges de Montréal: For four weekends in January and February, this outdoor festival held in Parc Jean-Drapeau celebrates outdoor winter fun! The festival has a wide range of unique winter activities, including sliding on an ice boat, dog sled rides, and axe throwing. One of the highlights is a giant zipline through the wintery wonderland of Parc Jean-Drapeau. There are plenty of food and drink stalls to warm up at and try regional specialties as well.  For more information on planning your festival weekend, check out this in-depth guide to the festival.
• MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE: At the end of Feb/early March, indulge in fine dining, live performances, and luminous public art during this festival in Quartier des spectacles. There is also an outdoor area with ice slides, stages, and a Ferris Wheel to take in the lighted spectacle. 
• Igloofest: described as the coldest musical festival in the world!, Igloofest transforms Montreal’s Old Port into a giant EDM party, complete with heated dance floors, an “Iglooswag” snowsuit competition, an on-site ice bar with home-grown libations, such as caribou — a mix of whisky and maple syrup—, mulled ciders and specialty (read: alcoholic) coffees, and of course, igloos!

Take a Day Trip from Montreal

Frozen waterfalls. Rustic sugar shacks. Even more Nordic spas (yes, we’re obsessed). Here are some of the best day trips from Montreal in the winter:

The Laurentians Mountains: Winter Fun & Nordic Spas

Located north of Montreal, the Laurentians Mountains area boasts stunning peaks, rivers, and hundreds of lakes.

You can spend the first half of the day downhill skiing, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing and the second half of the day unwinding at one of the area’s many Nordic spas – like the Polar Bear’s Club. You’ll relax in outdoor heated pools while you soak up the views of surrounding forests and snowy plains.

Getting to and around the Laurentians is most easily done by car – it takes between 1 ½ to 2 hours to get there from Montreal. If you don’t want to take a car, you can join a Laurentian Mountains Day Trip tour that includes village visits, stunning mountain vistas, and a river cruise.  

Mont Tremblant: Snow Sports

Mont Tremblant, one of Canada’s top ski resorts, is only an hour and a half from Montreal, making it a perfect day trip to enjoy the snow, including downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, snow tubing, or just soaking at their spa. 

To visit Mont Tremblant, you can book the L’Express du Nord coach every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the morning with an included return in the evening. If you prefer to rent a car, the trip should take around 90 minutes.

Quebec’s Eastern Townships: Food & Booze

Foodies, renting a car and day-tripping to the Eastern Townships is a must. Within these small towns and villages just one to two hours from Montreal, you’ll find microbreweries, vineyards, and a host of delicious cheese factories! 

You can also snowshoe or cross-country ski through the many national parks in the region and enjoy the stillness of snow-capped forests. 

Montreal Reading List

Fellow nerds: study up before your trip with these books that are either set in or about Montreal!

• The History of Montreal: The Story of a Great North American City: This book weaves the story of Montreal from prehistoric times, the establishment of the Iroquoian community of Hochelaga, to the bustling 21st economic metropolis of today. The book unpacks the diverse social, geographic, economic, political, and cultural forces that have driven the city’s development, including the French, British, and American influences that have shaped Montreal into what is today. 
• This Place: 150 Years Retold: This brilliant graphic novel anthology by Indigenous artists explores First Nation peoples’ experiences since Contact. Stories of both the past and the future are woven together in intricate illustrations.
• The Tin Flute: The story of an impoverished family and their search for love in Montreal’s Saint Henri neighborhood during the Second World War. 
• The Favorite Game: In this semi-autobiographical novel, songwriter Leonard Cohen (himself a son of Montreal) tells the coming-of-age story of Lawrence Breavman, the only son of a Jewish family in Montreal. 
• The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz: this humorous novel tells of Duddy, an amoral, hilarious, scheming, lying protagonist from a third generation Jewish immigrant family in Montreal.

Are you ready to throw on your cosiest layers, eat delicious French food and feel all European (without actually going to Europe)? What things to do in Montreal in the winter are you most excited about? Drop us a comment below!

Looking for more places to visit in Canada in the winter? Check our other guides:

Want more winter trip ideas? Take a look at some of our other posts, or browse them all!

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Printable Winter Packing List

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