If you’re a New Yorker looking to spice up your life, why not travel to another world that actually isn’t that far away from home? Loaded with culture, delicious food, trendy fashions, and a thriving music scene, Montreal is an incredible international travel destination that is only a one-hour flight from NYC.
Here Are 5 Reasons Why Every New Yorker Will Feel Right At Home In Montreal:
MONTREAL’S VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS
Like New York, a rich immigrant history has helped to shape Montreal’s character and peppered it with colorful and unique neighborhoods that flow from one into other. Some neighborhoods for New Yorkers to explore are the trendy Plateau Mont-Royal, the artsy Mile End, the Gay Village, the Old Port, and Little Burgundy.
A FLOURISHING MUSIC SCENE
Arcade Fire, The Stills, Duchess Says, Grimes, and the Barr Brothers. These are just a few of the hot bands coming out of Montreal these days. If you love music then you will definitely love Montreal. La Sala Rossa and Casa del Popolo are two awesome venues where you can catch a live show while you’re in town.
IMPRESSIVE MUSEUMS
Montreal is a city that celebrates the arts with many inspiring museums that are overflowing with colorful collections of art. New Yorkers will love The Musée des Beaux Arts which boasts some of the finest paintings in Canada and the Musée d’Art Contemporain which contains the largest collection of art by Quebec artists.
BAGELS, BAGELS AND MORE BAGELS
All New Yorkers absolutely must check out Montreal’s version of a bagel. Specializing in a slightly sweeter and smaller bagel than what New Yorkers may be used to, Montreal’s bagels are in a league of their own. Get them while they’re hot at St. Viateur or Fairmont Bagels.
A FOODIE’S FANCY
Montreal is a phenomenal food town with thousands of excellent restaurants to choose from. Be sure to arrive in Montreal on an empty stomach and dive right into Montreal’s vibrant, urban, and international food scene.
Here Are Our Picks For The Best Restaurants In Montreal For New Yorkers:
Every New Yorker must eat at one of Montreal’s most notable restaurants, Au Pied de Cochon. The chef/owner Martin Picard is a big star on the Canadian food scene and you absolutely must check out this Plateau hotspot. Be sure to try the chef’s version of some classic Québécois dishes such as the pouding chomeur, ragout de boulettes and poutine.
Le Garde Manger in Old Montreal is an excellent restaurant if you’re a New Yorker on a romantic getaway in Montreal. This hip restaurant’s chalkboard menu offers up the perfect blend of great food and mouth-watering dishes. Consider it dinner with a punch as the restaurant transforms into a trendy supper club as the night wears on. After dinner consider a romantic stroll along the magical cobblestone streets of the Old Port.
No New Yorkers should leave Montreal without trying its infamous smoked meat sandwiches. Bite into and enjoy America’s cousin to pastrami at Schwartz’s, a traditional Jewish delicatessen on St. Laurent Blvd. Order your smoked-meat fat or medium-fat for a juicy stack of brisket that rivals anything you’ll find in New York.
A few other notable Montreal restaurants that New Yorkers would appreciate are Joe Beef, Liverpool House, Vin Papillon, Le Serpent, Le Filet, Hoogan & Beaufort, Le Diplomate, Moleskine and Le Fantome.
Treat Yourself With A Massage While You’re Away
Need to relieve your pent up stresses and unwind after a tiring, stressful week in New York City? Put your mind at ease at Le Penthouse in Montreal. This five-star gentleman’s parlor offers its guests a truly unique massage experience that is simply unforgettable. Relax in one of their private and luxurious suites, and enjoy some uninterrupted personal attention from one of their glamorous hostesses. Le Penthouse is the most decadent relaxation haven north of the border that you absolutely must try.
How To Get To Montreal From NYC
Montreal is a quick hop, skip, and jump from NYC. There are many direct flights from New York City that will get you there in just over an hour. If you’d rather drive, grab your passport and head north on I-87 to the Canadian Border. The drive takes about 6 hours, depending on the border traffic. If you prefer trains, Amtrak will take you from Penn Station to Montreal in a little more than 10 hours.