weekend warriors // an autumn getaway in montreal
As you may have already realized, we are big on weekend getaways around here. It doesn’t matter what season! Give us a long weekend and we’re happy as traveling clams. The latest addition to my long list of NYC-friendly destinations? An autumn getaway in Montreal.
Back in July when I started to eagerly anticipate autumn (normal), the hubs and I decided to book our first fall getaway of the season. Come mid-September, we would fly up to Montreal to celebrate our second anniversary. Sure, it’s still fairly warm in New York in mid-September, but those Canucks hunker down for winter on, like, November 1st, right? Wrong.
The weather was decidedly un-fall like. We, of course, packed as though we were spending our weekend in an actual corn maze, so that was a slight issue, but whatever. At the end of it all, one thing was clear: Montreal is, in fact, the perfect autumn weekend away.
Let’s discuss.
The Food.
Holy GOD, the food. It was lucky that we walked almost everywhere, because serious carboloading occurred. It’s the perfect city to get started on your winter weight! We kicked off with the (LONG) journey to St. Viateur Bagels. Before we get to the good stuff, I am telling you fools here and now: not even wasting my time posting “bagel” photos. We can all agree to disagree, but this New Yorker is here to tell anyone who enjoys that nonsense: THOSE ARE NOT BAGELS.
Luckily, the poutine at La Banquise turned my life right around.
Then there was a pile of smoked meat in front of me at Schwartz’s.
And we closed out day one with the tasting menu at Toqué!. The exclamation point is part of the name, hence the double punctuation. See?
Not pictured: the ridiculously amazing meal on night 2 at Chez l’Epicier No. 311. Was too busy eating to take any photos (and also too busy spying on the poor guy next to us who was stood up by his date) but YUM, YUM, YUM. Go to there.
The window shopping.
The hubs and I aren’t huge shoppers when we travel, but on our first morning, we strolled down Boulevard Saint-Laurent and there were TONS of adorable little stores along the way. Vintage shops, clothing boutiques, and stores full of housewares that made me want to pick up and move into a five story house that I could fill with tchotchkes. The best out of all of them?
It was like Jonathan Adler moved out of his lofty New York apartment and into a charming French farmhouse and asked my dreams for decor tips. V de V, please oh please start selling things online and ship them all to me?
Vieux Montreal & Vieux-Port de Montreal.
I spent the first day a little confused. From everything I’d heard, Montreal is basically the Paris of Canada–whatever that means. Though we definitely saw the European influence, we were seriously baffled by all the Parisian comparisons.
That is, until we finally made it to Vieux Montreal.
The hubs and I shared a collective, “OOOoooooohhhhhhh….” immediately upon arrival. It was even more Parisian at night:
Now imagine that with all changing leaves and crisp autumn air!? I know.
Also happening? The Tall Ships were in town.
They took it REALLY seriously (and thus, I could not):
While these lads discussed important things like whiskey and wenches, a French-speaking bluegrass band sang old timey songs onstage, also in full pirate costume. I KNOW.
The hotel.
Way back at TBEX, I won a $500 gift card to any Hyatt in the world thanks to RoomKey. I never win anything! We’re not usually Hyatt people, but we booked ourselves a room at The Hyatt Regency Montreal. Reviews were solid, location was great, it was seemingly perfect.
Lo and behold, we received a very disconcerting email just one week before our trip. Apparently, Hyatt hotel employees were on strike and the hotel would be functioning completely through the management. Though this wouldn’t affect everything, it meant no room service (fine), limited restaurant hours (whatever), and limited maid services (catastrophe).
Naturally, we called the hotel to ask how we can make sure this didn’t negatively impact our weekend. This was the result:
Yeeaaah… I’m aware I’m “the romantic” and all, but no thanks, Hyatt. Luckily, this was also included:
AND this:
As we all know, a higher floor = better view = #1 way to this girl’s heart.
I must say: the management team handled things incredibly well. We genuinely didn’t notice a difference (except for all the sweet extras…and the rose petals), and when we learned that a wedding was happening at the hotel that weekend, we realized that they had much bigger priorities to handle. Hopefully the bride felt taken care of as well, because I can’t imagine the stress that she must have felt. (Especially because we saw her hubs-to-be and his groomsmen trying to put together the ceremony arch… girlfriend was not marrying Mr. Problem Solver).
Obviously, the strike ended the day we left, but I’m still glad we were at the Hyatt. Vieux Montreal was my favorite part of the city without a doubt, but as first timers, the location of the Hyatt allowed for easier walks to other major sites in the city (i.e. Schwartz’s) and was really close to the extremely easy-to-use metro system.
Other stops we made along the way?
Mont Royal
Montreal Tower & Parc Olympique (tres bizarre!)
Île Sainte-Hélène
I know this is our pretty much our mantra, but honestly? I could have done without most of the “attractions.” The hubs and I explored most neighborhoods on foot, and we loved strolling through the different neighborhoods and eating, eating, eating.
Also, their “Go” sign features a seriously saucy little pedestrian to lead the way:
In such a pedestrian-friendly city, I was reminded of why, in past years, we’ve always traveled in October. When the weather is cool and crisp, it makes exploring anywhere on foot just that much better.
Added bonus? Meat sweats from Schwartz’s are a little more bearable in colder temps.
xo!
the romantic
22 Comments
_theHubs
Going up the world’s longest inclined tower (such a weird distinction) was one of the oddest tourist activities ever, but it was cool that Bruce Willis was filming in the Olympic Stadium while we were there… this got a LOT of Canadians very excited.
Also, I will reiterate the awesomeness of Montreal’s food scene!
Lazy Travelers
i didn’t even mention bruce willis because i’m still mad we didn’t actually see him.
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Leah Travels (@L_e_a_h)
1. I’m a big fan of corn mazes. Thanks for reminding me.
2. Tell me about cheese curd. I’m curious. Is it like a thick cottage cheese or what?
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Lazy Travelers
cheese curds are… squeaky. like the consistency of the curds in cottage cheese but without the creaminess. i literally can’t imagine them with anything else other than poutine, but they’re good!
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Lindsay
Love this post! I’m off to Montreal next weekend and reading this just got me that much more excited for my trip 🙂
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Lazy Travelers
ahh you’ll love. enjoy and can’t wait to read about it! EAT EVERYTHING.
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@mrsoaroundworld
Oh wow, thank you very much for this. Now I need to go back to Montreal. I have been twice and loved it – it’s been way too long. Seriously, I am going to discuss with Mr O the possibility of a Canadian adventure. Will you meet us there?
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Lazy Travelers
yes, foodie tweet up! i would go back just for the poutine.
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D.J. - The World of Deej
I’ve always wondered how hotels get by during strikes, and it seems the Hyatt did very well by you. Guess that’s reason #427 why I don’t work in hotel management anymore:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..The Tree-to-Tree Adventure at Tallahassee Museum
Lazy Travelers
yeah, i can’t imagine how the staff who continued to work through the strike must have felt, but was seriously impressed by how professional and on top of things they were. totally changed my impression of hyatt.
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The World Wanderer
I love Montreal and this post reminded me why. I haven’t been in years, but I’m thinking I need to make the trip back very soon!
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Lazy Travelers
it was the perfect getaway from new york!
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Debbie
Haven’t been to Montreal yet — it’s on the list and your post definitely makes us want to go even more. Can’t wait until we get there! 🙂 Great photos and now I want a poutine!! 😉 Great photos!
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Lazy Travelers
i’m positive you’d love it! and it pretty much guarantees a lifetime of poutine cravings.
Lazy Travelers recently posted..no travel required (/allowed)
Pola (@jettingaround)
Sounds like a GREAT weekend getaway! And happy anniversary! 🙂 There were two things I really liked about MTL: Mount Royal and Old Montreal. And yes, carbs had to be walked off!!
P.S. Rose petals, huh? That just means more cleanup. 😉 But nice of them.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..Photo of the Week: A Parisian café
Lazy Travelers
thanks pola!! and yes, def thought the same thing about the rose petals.
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lola
ok ok who EVER like the rose designs on the bed?! it screams cheesy. now…i DO like pirates muy mucho! hmmmm…need to time my visit to Montreal just right. OUI i do!
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Lazy Travelers
this is going to required some serious research–not sure when the pirates ARRRRE due back in montreal! (see what i did there?)
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Traveling Ted
Never have been to Montreal, but I would be interested in seeing the comparisons to Paris. Glad to hear the stay was not too affected by the maid strike. Were the maids out picketing in their uniforms? Where are the pictures of that? I would be in Montreal in a second to see maids striking.
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Lazy Travelers
unfortunately no, no picketing maids. if there were, i promise i would have provided photos.
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Edna
This looks like a fabulous weekend! I never thought much of visiting Montreal before, but now it’s on my list — especially for the poutine!
Edna recently posted..The 5 best things I ate in Paris: October
Lazy Travelers
you would love–especially all the ridiculous food options!
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