72 hours in Montreal

With it’s European sensibilities and architecture but American influences, Montreal is the ideal weekend getaway for visitors from the U.S. Take the best of a vacation to Europe and combine it with the ease of no language barrier, direct flights from most major US cities, the value of the dollar, and the hospitality of the Canadians (who will win your heart) make this the ideal vacation getaway. My first ever foray to Canada and I was tasked with spending 72 hours in this city that I knew nothing about. I spent my time wisely and will always have fond memories.

First and foremost, I was struck by the lack of high rises, the cleanliness, the similarities of my hometown DC, and most importantly how polite everyone (and I do mean EVERYONE) we encountered was. After 72 hours I came away with the major takeaway that Canadian people (even city dwellers) are genuinely happy and optimistic people. We actually made friends with strangers, taxi and uber drivers, waitresses, and bartenders. The locals truly wanted to engage with you and were eager to make conversation. I emphasize this because that typically doesn’t happen in major Metropolitan cities here in the U.S. So not only do you have wonderful people but you have this incredible city with all it’s great neighborhoods and green spaces at your disposal.

I knew the food scene would be good because of it’s French roots but I took for granted the emphasis on sourcing fresh local ingredients all within an hour of the city. Heck we even went to a restaurant that ONLY uses locally sourced ingredients (they don’t even offer salt because there is no local purveyor). So this is a serious town for people that love to eat and drink, in fact I believe there are close to 6000 restaurants as we speak. I learned about the diversity in food reflected by the different neighborhoods via foot and two wheels. I had the best Salvadoran pupusa of my life, went to the most incredible farmers market (a real deal market not a high price hipster market) drank locally made micro brews, had the best bagel of my life (sorry NYC) and made so many new friends along the way.

This is a place that not only will I visit more often, but a place where I could see myself living…the Canadians know how to live and enjoy life! Anyone who loves just exploring different neighborhoods, the arts, music, food, shopping, museums, green spaces (there are countless parks, community gardens, green alleys) and street art.

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