Montreal has been calling our names for years – that tantalizing promise of European flair without crossing an ocean. After spending a week exploring Quebec’s largest city, we can confirm it lives up to every expectation and then some.
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Getting There and Getting Around
We stayed at Montreal South KOA Journey, about 30 minutes outside the city. While the campground had small sites typical of private RV parks, it offered excellent amenities including dish washing stations (a camping game-changer) and surprisingly good Starlink reception in the open field setting.
Pro tip: Don’t rely on the commuter train schedule if you want flexibility. We found driving into Montreal surprisingly manageable – nothing like navigating New York or Chicago. Using a parking app to reserve spots in advance saved us both money and stress, especially since some garages have vehicle size restrictions.
Must-Do Experiences
Notre Dame Cathedral
Private Walking Tour
Our three-hour private tour with Lokafy proved invaluable for getting oriented. Guide Tomas took us from the heights of Mount Royal (prepare for serious steps – the view is worth every one) down to Old Port, covering the city’s diverse neighborhoods and rich history. The panoramic vista from Mount Royal remains Montreal’s most Instagram-worthy spot, though expect crowds at sunset.
Museums Worth Your Time
The Musée des Beaux-Arts (Museum of Fine Arts) surprised us with its scope – multiple buildings connected underground house impressive European and Canadian art collections. Plan more time than you think you’ll need.
The Montreal Museum of History and Archaeology offered something truly unique: exploring the actual underground foundations of old Montreal while learning about the city’s evolution. Walking through the former sewer system (don’t worry, it’s clean now) with atmospheric lighting felt like time travel.
Notre-Dame Basilica
The modern lighting system of Montreal’s Cathedral creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere during daytime visits. We chose the regular tour over the evening light show, but both options looked compelling. The hidden lighting fixtures bathe the altars in ethereal blue tones unlike any church we’ve visited in Europe.
St. Lawrence Boat Tour
We believe in getting out on the water when visiting new destinations and our surprisingly private afternoon boat tour let us see the city from a new perspective.
Food Adventures
Montreal’s culinary scene centers around two iconic items: poutine and smoked meat. We embraced both wholeheartedly during a Mile End food tour, discovering everything from perfectly textured Montreal bagels (sweeter than New York style, with larger holes) to incredible homemade gnocchi with sauce so good we considered smuggling it across the border. Be sure to check back next week as I detail the food of Montreal!
Language and Culture
Most Montrealers speak both French and English, making navigation easy for English speakers. The initial jarring moment of being greeted in French quickly gives way to seamless communication. For future visits, we’d love to learn enough conversational French to make those transitions more graceful.
Why Montreal Matters
This city offers something increasingly rare: authentic cultural immersion without extensive travel. The blend of French Canadian heritage, modern cosmopolitan energy, and genuine food culture creates an experience that feels both foreign and accessible. Whether you’re seeking European architecture, world-class museums, or simply the best poutine outside Quebec, Montreal delivers on every front. Plan at least a week – this city rewards deeper exploration beyond the obvious tourist attractions.
Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read more about this trip check out the Chasing Summer Road Trip page. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here.