Overview

Montreal follows Paris as the largest French-speaking city, and the resemblance only begins there. It’s a gastronomical dream, a cultural mecca, an architectural wonder. With a passion for design weaved into its streets and businesses, Montreal has earned a place in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Beautiful and intriguing design is cultural, and you don’t have to look far to discover it: The spaceship-like Olympic Stadium, Canada’s largest church Saint Joseph’s Oratory, and “Man, Three Disks,” a bigger-than-life art structure that reaches down and up like a star.

Montreal itself is a star in the sense that it leads the way in the culinary arts. Per capita, it has more restaurants than any other city in North America. It’s not overkill; it’s demand. After dining once, you’ll come back for more, too. For exquisite taste, dine in the shadow of Christ Church Cathedral, where everything comes in threes. You can experience the catch of the day or foie gras in three different culinary preparations. Get a reservation at Le Magnan to swallow some of the most succulent roast beef you could find and Quebec’s favorite poutine, a dish of fries, cheese curds and gravy. It’s easy to find local microbreweries, local produce at public markets or international cuisine. The only requirement is to eat a bagel before you get on your plane.

Between the food and the entertainment, it will be hard for you to pull yourself away. Montreal is a hotbed of circus talent, sport lovers and LGBT events. While you’re here, shop at chic boutiques, pause at a gorgeous hillside cemetery, creep through the Insectarium at the Biodôme, catnap on the grass of a peaceful garden, sit and pray in Notre-Dame Basilica’s blue and gold interior, and kayak through Lachine Canal. It’s impossible to leave this city uninspired.