Montreal is one of our favorite cities in Canada and possibly across all of North America.  It is a major city with a small community, European vibe.  A historically industrial city, Montreal was once the commercial capital of Canada.  Situated on the St. Lawrence seaway in the province of Quebec, Montreal provides visitors with a wide range of architectural and natural sites to enjoy.  Montreal’s industrial history is very evident in many of the up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Montreal was also home to the 1976 Summer Olympics.  Many of the venues and sites are available for visitors to this day, including the Olympic Stadium and Olympic village, which have been renovated into apartments.  Many of the large industrial buildings, along the canals, have also been restored into trendy lofts and condos, some with mixed-use including commercial, restaurants, and the like.  Many of these can be found on Airbnb and VRBO.

Montreal has been designated as a Unesco city of design, which is indicative of the high level of design and creative talent in the city along with the government’s focus on enhancing Montreal’s quality of life using modern and progressive design principles.  Home to the famous Cirque de Soleil and the Just for Laughs festival, Montreal has a diverse and vibrate culture that is a blend of French Canadian traditions and modern pop culture trends.

Montreal’s Climate

It’s always wise to check the weather forecast when you’re planning to visit Montreal.  Each of our three visits to the city had very different weather.  From cold and windy, to warm and humid, Montreal’s weather can vary widely, even during the same visit.

In general, the summers are warm to hot, with a typical maximum temp of about 80 F or about 27 C.  Winters are typically cold with abundant snowfalls from October through April, with the coldest months between December through March.     The spring and fall transition seasons can be wet and cold or they can be warm and pleasant.

When planning to visit Montreal in the summer months from June and September, you should plan for hot and steamy weather.  Temperatures in the mid-80s F and typically high humidity levels can leave you feeling warm and sticky outdoors.  Evening weather can be cool in the summer months and temps will be lower as you get closer to the water.  In the winter, be sure to pack your cold-weather gear, especially between December and March, which is when the majority of the snowfall occurs in the city.  Montreal can get as much as 12 to 20 inches of snow each month during the winter.  A great time of year for winter sports enthusiasts.

It’s always best to dress for variability in the weather.  Warm temps can become cooler in the evenings and winter weather can be suddenly very cold and snowy.  If you enjoy the outdoors, Montreal is a great place to visit as it has weather that supports pretty much any outdoor activity, during the right seasons.

Tips for Deciding When to Visit

The majority of the many festivals and similar events take place in the summer months.  Visit the What’s Happening in Montreal page for up-to-date information on events and schedules.

Summer is by far the busiest season for visitors.  The city is very accessible by foot, making it very popular during the warmer to moderate months.  Prices for accommodations will be higher as a result of the higher demand.

The winter months are colder and have far fewer visitors.  If you’re a fan of winter outdoor activities, the winter season in Montreal is perfect.  If you’re not accustomed to the colder temps, don’t be afraid!  Dress for the occasion and you can explore the many unique experiences the city has to offer and significantly reduced prices.

In our opinion, the best time to visit Montreal to enjoy pleasant outdoor temperatures and a robust list of activities is during the summer from June through August.  Temperatures during this time range from the mid-70’s to the high 80’s.  Beware that the humidity can be high so it may feel warmer.  The summer is also the time for many festivals and sporting events including the Montreal Jazz Festival, the French Music Festival Les FrancoFolies, and the Montreal Grand Prix.  The Just For Laughs Comedy Festival is another super popular event that also occurs in the summer months.  The one downside to a summer visit to Montreal is that the crowds can be larger.  If you prefer to avoid the crowds or the potential humidity September and October could the better choice.

Montreal’s Culture

The culture and vibe in Montreal are unique among Canadian and perhaps North American cities.  We love Montreal’s combination of a small city feel with all of the benefits of a big city. The city is well known for its European and cosmopolitan vibe.  The language preference is definitely French first, but English is well understood and people are definitely accommodating.  Most signage will have French with English as well.

During the summer months, the city has largely an outdoors-first approach to activities.  Picnics, outdoor parties, and events are very common while walking the trails or visiting the city’s many parks.  There is also much to do in the winter, as Montrealers have long ago learned to adapt to their environment.  Skating on canals, show shoeing, walking the parks (which can be exceptionally beautiful after a snowfall!) and nearby skiing are among the many things to do during the colder months.

Montreal is also known as having one of the most progressive and eclectic food scenes in all of Canada.  The ethnic origins of the food culture along with the many apparent adaptations make for very interesting and delicious dining experiences.  While dining in Montreal you can find everything from poutine (french fries doused with gravy and cheese curds) to Montreal-style bagels, and fine dining.  Check out our foodies’ post covering some of our favorite Montreal food-related establishments.

This European vibe combined with the typical Canadian politeness and friendliness makes for a very friendly and enjoyable visit, any time of the year.

Top 5 Parks to Visit

Montreal is a great city for those that like the outdoors.  There are plenty of outside activities to enjoy year-round, with many of them centered around the large number of parks within the city limits.  Here are our top 5 favorite parks to visit during your time in Montreal.

1. Mount Royal

Montreal’s most famous park is, in fact, well understood to be the primary reason the city got its name.  Mount Royal is located just west of the center of the city.  Mount Royal, which was designed by the same fellow that contributed to the design of New York’s Central Park is a lush oasis in the center of a busy city.

The park, which is the highest elevation in the city, provides spectacular 360-degree views of the city from any of its three peaks, which are between 650 and 750 feet (200 to 233 meters) above sea level.  Inside the park you will find miles of walking and hiking trails, Beaver Lake provides a great location for picnics or other gatherings and a wealth of natural greenspace in the heart of the city.

Mount Royal is also a center of many social events and activities all year round.  During the summer a Sunday afternoon visit may find yourself enjoying the “Tam Tam Jam”, which are weekly pop-up gatherings of people playing hand drums.  You will often find large groups gathered to enjoy food and music and each other’s company.  Occasionally there are outdoor concerts in the park during the summer months as well.  During the colder, winter months snowshoeing, tobogganing, cross country skiing, and skating on Beaver Lake.

Use this link for directions to Parc Mount Royal.

2. Lachine Canal

Found in southwestern Montreal, the Lachine Canal is a 9 mile (14 km) urban waterway originally designed for the transport of freight during the city’s industrial time period.  The park provides a long, narrow green space that parallels both sides of the canal.  The Lachine Canal park provides miles of paved or gravel walking or biking trails that are heavily used all year round.  The canal is a great place to walk, bike, or picnic and, in fact, includes many activities such as bike rentals, kayak, and pedal boat rentals,  and numerous places to stop and grab an ice cream or throw down a blanket and just chill.  During the winter months, you can walk the trails, enjoy a 1.5 mile (2.5 km) snow-cleared path, or even rent a fat tire bike for a unique winter experience.  Dress for the conditions and you can enjoy the canal park regardless of when you visit Montreal.

Directions to find your way to the Lachine Canal park.

3. Esplanade of the Olympic Park

Located right next to Montreal’s Olympic Park, which was the site of the 1976 summer Olympics, the Esplanade is a unique open park space that hosts many cultural, sporting and entertainment events throughout the year.  Given its proximity to the Olympic stadium site, a visit to the Esplanade also provides an opportunity to enjoy several of the facilities once used by the world’s best athletes.

More information on the Esplanade at the Olympic Park.  Find your way there.

4. Parc La Fontaine

Parc La Fontaine is another greenspace located close to the heart of the downtown Montreal region.   The park provides a beautiful environment to escape the busyness of the city center while still having convenient access to many restaurants and shops.  There is also an outdoor theatre that frequently hosts entertainment events.  You can enjoy the park’s namesake fountain during the summer months or skate on the pond during the winter.  By now I’m sure you’re getting the idea – Montrealer’s love to skate in the winter!!  Regardless of the season, visit Parc La Fontaine and you will experience the essence of Montreal’s hip urban culture vibe.

You can find more information on the Parc La Fontaine page.  Directions to find your way there.

5. Parc Maisonneuve

A large and grassy park that was originally a farm, Parc Maisonneuve provides many outdoor activities that can be enjoyed all year round.  The typical winter season activities such as cross-country skiing, sledding, and skating are available.  During the summer there is a track that is used for training by cyclists and inline skaters, as well as trails to walk or enjoy a more casual bike ride on the 1.9 miles (3.1 km) path.  Connected to Montreal’s extensive network of bike paths, the grassy areas also provide an excellent spot to picnic or sunbathe during the warmer months.  The park also includes an area that was once a public 9-hole golf course and is adjacent to a beautiful botanical garden.

Parc Maisonneuve directions can be located here and more information about the park is found on their web page.