Fall 2024: Discover Montréal solo this autumn!

Outdoor Autumn The city
Plateau-Mont-Royal  - Parc La Fontaine
Mark Andrew Hamilton

Mark Hamilton

You haven’t seen autumn until you’ve seen it in Montréal! Transformed into a canopy of vibrant reds, oranges and yellows, the local vegetation changes into its autumn colours and the city prepares itself for another season of unmissable fun and unforgettable experiences. The fall musical and arts festivals calendar remains packed to the brim, and the city’s markets and parks are full of locals taking in Montréal’s eye-popping fall wardrobe—and showing off some of theirs too. And while cuffing season may be in full effect, fall is the perfect time for some solo explorations—there’s few things finer than an autumn in Montréal all to yourself! Here’s some of our tips for a great city getaway—party of one!

Plateau-Mont-Royal - Square Saint-Louis

By foot, by bike and by bus

Whether you’ve arrived by air, land or sea, Montréal is a city best discovered by foot, atop two wheels or on public transport. Fill up your Instagram with postcard-pretty nature shots on a reinvigorating autumn walk through some of the city’s favourite parks and forested areas. Cyclists will love the city’s bucket list bike rides that take riders through some of Montréal’s most memorable neighbourhoods and along the banks of the picturesque St. Lawrence River. And the city’s easily navigated public transport system also offers some unforgettably picturesque routes if you’d rather sit back and let someone else do the driving!

fall is the perfect time for some solo explorations

Start at the beginning in Old Montréal

Montréal’s walking tour options are a perfect way to get the lay of the land before heading out on some self-guided exploration. And a great place to start is where it all began—historic Old Montréal. Home to more than just the city’s most iconic historic sites, you’ll also find some of the most cutting-edge galleries and restaurants throughout Old Montréal’s cobblestone streets.

FUEL UP:

  • Prepare yourself for the epic arched ceilings of Crew Café, named one of the most beautiful in the world
  • The charmingly old school Le Petit Dep, now with multiple locations around town each just as photogenic as the last
  • Mingle with local laptop creatives at hipster haven Tommy
  • People watch and discover new music at Paquebot Vieux MTL
  • Keep up with the culinary scene at the foodie must-eat Olive et Gourmando
  • Explore the plant-based wonders at LOV (which stands for Local, Organic and Vegetarian)
  • Take in some 5-star Japanese cuisine at stylish Flyjin
  • Spoil yourself with a cocktail at the tucked-away Coldroom
Fonderie Darling - Quartier éphémère

CULTURAL MUST-SEES:

And when it comes to Old Montréal, even if you’re travelling solo you’re never alone—projected on façades, storefronts and alleyways, Montréal en Histoires – Cité Mémoire brings the neighbourhood’s ghosts and their stories back to life every evening at dusk. Download the app to trigger the projections and connect with history 1-on-1.

Montreal Fall

It’s always primetime in Downtown Montréal and the Village

Long a cultural hot-spot, Downtown Montréal (and it’s Golden Square Mile and Quartier des Spectacles neighbourhoods) are home to some of Canada’s best museums and shopping. And amid the skyscrapers and buzzing commuters, there’s postcard-pretty green spots like Dorchester Square and Place du Canada perfect for a picnic break or a bit of people-watching.

MUST-SEE MUSEUMS:

Holt Renfrew Ogilvy - Suite de shopping personnalisée

LET’S SHOP!:

DOWNTOWN CHOW DOWN:

Plateau-Mont-Royal - Avenue Coloniale

Foster some #FOMO in the Plateau, Mile End and Outremont

While they exist side-by-side geographically, Outremont, the Plateau and Mile End are each uniquely distinct with their own original flavours. Home to some of Montréal’s cafés, shops and restaurants préféré (or favourites), these are the ideal neighbourhoods to fully immerse yourself in local living, and the brightly coloured building sides of the area (thanks in large part to the annual MURAL Festival) are Instagram-ready.

Drogheria Fine

EAT UP:

GET YOUR WALK ON:

Jean-Talon Market

Keep it real in Little Italy and Villeray

Put simply, Little Italy and Villeray is where Montréalers come to eat. Influenced by the city’s Italian community, there’s a mouthwatering variety of restaurants and food shops that will leave you wishing for an extra inch of room in your belt.

MUST-EATS:

STOCK UP YOUR KITCHEN:

  • There’s always something unique at arloca, specializing in Québec design
  • The mind boggles at the selection of utensils at Quincaillerie Dante
Atwater Market

A river runs through Les Quartiers du Canal

The neighbourhoods of Griffintown, Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri are intersected by the historic Lachine Canal, and also home to Montréal’s Antique District. The area is also home to many of Montréal’s groundbreaking new startups and tech firms, and local cafés are full of telecommuters and students. 

MUNCHIES: 

  • Atwater Market is one of Montréal’s busiest markets, with an iconic clock tower and hanging lights 
  • Grab a snack at Le Marché Italien Le Richmond and enjoy on a patch of canal-side grass 
  • Enjoy one of the creative meal options at Foxy 
Mural ETTENNAOJ - Mural by Jason Botkin - Produced by MU 2017

Verdun brings the up and coming

In recent years, the riverside Verdun neighbourhood has stepped up its game, with its Wellington Street named one of the coolest in the world. Founded in 1671, it’s one of Canada’s oldest settlements—but given its vibrant forward-looking scenes, you’d never know it.

TAKE IT EASY:

  • Verdun Beach is a sandy oasis perfect for a bit of relaxing and watching the St. Lawrence river roll by
  • The Strøm Nordic Spa on Nun’s Island is an ultimate in self care

SHOP AS LOCAL AS IT GETS:

  • Created by Verdunners Samuel Leroux and Alexandre Desabrais, Solios Watches are made from sustainable elements and run on solar power to boot
  • Founded in Verdun in 1918, Harricana by Mariouche has been recycling high fashion pieces into new creations for over a century—and their actions have saved an estimated 1,200,000 animals in the process
  • Marilyne Baril’s Marigold fashion line is 100% Montréal-created and constructed
Montréal Botanical Garden – Espace pour la vie - Gardens of Light

Get up-and-coming in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Montréal’s working class and urban wilderness collide in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, where huge leafy expanses co-exist side by side with row housing and homey shopping streets. Solo explorers looking for a truly local experience will find it here, and friendly locals abound.

NATURE IN THE CITY:

WHEN HUNGER STRIKES:

Montreal Fall

Explore off-island

Situated in the waters of the St-Lawrence River, the Parc Jean-Drapeau's twin islands were created from the earth removed in the construction of Montréal’s Métro system. Built for Expo67 (including Habitat 67), these parklands are now home to the Formula 1 Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, the La Ronde amusement park, the Casino de Montréal, myriad hiking trails and a bevy of local animals. A peaceful getaway from the city – not to mention a great spot for some last snaps of Montréal’s skyline – it’s a great end to a solo city excursion.

Original article in English by Mark Hamilton, adapted into French by Alex Gauthier.

Mark Andrew Hamilton

Mark Hamilton

Mark Hamilton is the community director for QueerMTL, an internationally-touring musician with his projects Woodpigeon and Frontperson  and a graduate studies student of history researching LGBTQ+ activism in the city. He’s lived in Montréal since 2015, during which time he’s most often spotted atop a BIXI bike usally running a few minutes late.

See articles by Mark