What to do in Montréal this winter: 2025 couple’s edition
Winter in Montréal is all about sparkling snow and light, festive gatherings and spending time with the people you treasure. Which is why we’ve prepared a special guide full of relaxing and rejuvenating holiday fun and wellness activities. So, how about a dreamy getaway for two against the luminous and sparkling backdrop of the city? Read on and plan your next adventure.
Old Port and Old Montréal
You’ll love the sparkly, snowy streets of Old Montréal and its postcard-perfect setting. Relax with a coffee in the sumptuous surroundings of Crew Collective & Café, located in the former Royal Bank of Canada building, and be dazzled by its historic architecture. Next, pick up some pastries, soups and sandwiches to go from Olive + Gourmando, an excellent neighbourhood restaurant. Back outside, wander along Saint-Paul Street and browse designer fashions, curated multi-brand boutiques and tasteful art galleries. Maison Pepin and SSENSE are two amazing concept boutiques that offer an indelible feast for the eyes. Be sure to stop by Sarah Pacini and Philippe Dubuc, the crème de la crème of Québécois designers. You can also check out the new exhibitions on at the cutting-edge PHI Centre, visit the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and Museum Complex, fall under the spell of the AURA multimedia show at the Notre-Dame Basilica, created by renowned Montréal studio Moment Factory, and delve into the city’s past with our guide to Montréal's French roots.
In the Old Port, gaze out over the city from a gondola 60-metres up when you take a ride on the Grande Roue de Montréal, which promises a 28-kilometre view in clear skies. ’Tis the season to set your sights on new horizons! Back on the ground, lace up your skates for a twirl around the outdoor skating rink in the Old Port, and be enchanted by the twinkling lights and music. In the mood for some “me” time? The chic Bota Bota floating spa, anchored in the St. Lawrence River, takes pampering to whole new levels with its restorative and reinvigorating water circuits. Afterward, you can enjoy lunch at the delicious La Traversée restaurant onsite. The Scandinave Spa Vieux-Montréal is another superb option, offering you soothing treatments, sublime design and serenity in the same package.
Come cocktail hour, how about a glass of wine at one of the neighbourhood’s hidden bars? Be sure to make dinner reservations at one of the neighbourhood’s signature restaurants: Le Serpent, Monarque, L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel, Vieux-Port Steakhouse, Le Club Chasse et Pêche Restaurant Bar Salon or Graziella. You’ll also want to take a peek at the menus of Babacool, Bazart, Pincette, Buvette Pastek and Sauvage, brand-new hotspots where the on-trend crowd collects. For an exquisite winter experience, book one of the heated domes perched on the roof of the Hôtel William Gray hotel and savour exquisite culinary creations or a delicious brunch while enjoying a panoramic view of Place Jacques-Cartier, the St. Lawrence River and the Grande Roue de Montréal. Or have a blast under the stars at Igloofest, from January 16 to February 8, 2025, in its glittering and glacial setting.
When you’re all danced out, tuck into bed at your hotel, a luxe cocoon amidst old stone walls, whether it’s the chic and cozy comforts of Hôtel William Gray, Hôtel Gault, Hôtel Place d’Armes or Le Petit Hôtel, some of Old Montréal’s gems.
Downtown, Quartier des spectacles and the Village
Get your culture fix by booking tickets for exhibitions at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the McCord Stewart Museum, the Canadian Centre for Architecture and the Musée d’art contemporain. Check out the immersive experiences on current themes at OASIS immersion at the Palais des congrès de Montréal and the Société des arts technologiques. Be sure to pop by Place des Arts which features an exciting program of dance, theatre, opera and music this winter. For more winter wonder, check out this season's calendar of activities and what’s on in English theatre.
From February 27 to March 9, 2025, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE will brighten the winter season and thrill foodies and culture lovers. Beginner or experienced skaters alike can twirl around the refrigerated outdoor Esplanade Tranquille ice skating rink, free of charge, or indoors at the year-round Atrium Le 1000 skating rink. Also, be sure to catch Lumino, a pathway of interactive lights at the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, from November 28, 2024 to March 9, 2025.
Ready for some holiday shopping? Put the ultra-tony Holt Renfrew Ogilvy on your shopping radar, and revel in its luxurious finds. You can also duck in from the cold to the warmth of the underground pedestrian network and shop your way around the Centre Eaton, Place Montréal Trust, Cours Mont-Royal, Place Ville Marie or the Complexe Desjardins.
Feel like a bite to eat or a glass of wine? Enjoy the delectable menus at Renoir, the gorgeous interior of Bar George or Henri, the delicious French-style brasserie Le Pois Penché, or the Hiatus restaurant and bar (high atop Place Ville Marie). Other spots you’ll want to check out are the trend-setting Time Out Market and very popular Jatoba, Restaurant Toqué!, Restaurant Europea, Nacarat, Maison Boulud and Marcus. Finally, dine on the boreal flavours imagined by Chef Xavier Dahan in a heated outdoor dome at the Refuges du Bivouac facing the Place des Festivals. Absolutely stunning!
Quartiers du Canal and Pôle des Rapides
Head to Montréal’s very dynamic southwestern tip for a stroll not far from beautiful St. Lawrence River. Start your journey on the Promenade Wellington, a lively street in the borough of Verdun, voted “the world’s coolest street” by Time Out in 2022. This welcoming street has oodles of great restaurants and best-kept secrets (though that’s changing fast). Don’t miss the magnificent Harricana par Mariouche atelier-boutique and pioneer of recycled fur creations since 1983. You can also enjoy nearly 20 kilometres of cross-country skiing on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, then come in from the cold and pamper yourself with the steamy warmth and wellness treatments of Strøm Nordic Spa on Nun's Island, a timeless and ultra-relaxing option.
More discoveries await at Les Quartiers du Canal, which are comprised of three historic Montréal neighbourhoods: Griffintown, Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri (which made Time Out magazine’s list of the coolest neighbourhoods in 2024). What connects all three? Notre-Dame Street West, which is home to a plethora of excellent boutiques and restaurants. Our top picks include the delectable Vin Papillon, Liverpool House, Joe Beef, Le Richmond, Patrice Pâtissier, Nora Gray, Candide, Foxy or Perles et Paddock. The Atwater Market is another unique meeting place, and its relaxed feel is conducive to enjoying a glass of hot mulled wine when it gets nippy. Even better, it becomes a veritable Christmas Village in late November: exactly what you need to get you in the holiday spirit.
Immerse yourself in even more culture at Arsenal, a private contemporary art centre in Griffintown, which regularly showcases extraordinary artwork and exhibits. An unforgettable art outing, guaranteed!
Plateau, Mile-End and Outremont
These Montréal neighbourhoods are worth the detour for their charming (and often impressive) houses and extra special vibe. Linking all three is Mount Royal or the “lungs” of the city. From its summit you can soak in panoramic views of the city and get your fill of fresh air. Elsewhere, you can go on guided snowshoe walks, enjoy 22 kilometres of cross-country skiing, skate around the free outdoor refrigerated ice rink, go tube sliding and more. It’s time to get outside and play!
Discover the Plateau’s bounty of urban visuals when you book a guided tour with Spade & Palacio. You’ll be smitten with their colourful and history-rich tour along Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Go ice skating on the outdoor rink at Parc La Fontaine, where pine trees, cozy benches and twinkly lights make the experience even more magical. Window shop along Mont-Royal Avenue, Saint-Denis Street and in the dynamic Mile End where cafés, trendy restaurants and chic designer boutiques await. For brunch, lunch, supper or even coffee to go, you have an impressive list of places to choose from. Start with the Alma, Bloomfield, Rumi, Rouge Gorge, Olimpico, Lawrence (a very popular brunch spot), Fairmount Bagel Bakery or Buvette chez Simone. Let us know your impressions!
Little Italy and Villeray
Take a stroll and see for yourself why the very hip Villeray was named one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods by Time Out magazine in 2021. Discoveries include the sumptuous Jean-Talon Market, which is festooned in cheery lights during the holiday season. Grab a coffee and wander dreamily among colourful stands that will make you want to scoop up everything. Next, check out the recently revamped Plaza St-Hubert for its refreshing mix of on-trend and traditional boutiques that changes up the shopping experience. Be sure to stop by the Montreal Restaurant Plaza, a typical trend-setting Montréal brewery that offers delicious dinners for two. Those in the know know that Little Italy and Villeray have a bounty of culinary delights on tucked-away terraces. You’ll love restaurants like Vin Mon Lapin, Pumpui, J’ai Feng, Impasto, Mesón and Tapeo. Next head to Taverne Atlantic, Vices & Versa, Bar WILLS and Cicchetti. Call it a night with a leisurely stroll around the ice pond at Parc Jarry to digest your delicious meal, followed by a thrilling circus show at TOHU.
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Est de l’Île
Go to the Espace pour la vie’s newly renovated Biodôme for a mesmerizing trip through the ecosystems of the Americas that includes the tropical forest, Laurentian sugarbush, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Labrador coasts and subantarctic islands. If you have cross-country skiing equipment, the Jardin botanique offers three kilometres of groomed trails that connect to the trails in Parc Maisonneuve. Reward your effort with a bite to eat afterward at a neighbourhood restaurant like Les Canailles, Hélicoptère, État-Major, Heirloom pizzeria or take a tour of the delicious Maisonneuve Market.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Straddling two islands in the St. Lawrence River, this magnificent park is just a five-minute jaunt from downtown. It gives sports enthusiasts, nature buffs and culture lovers 25 kilometres of multipurpose trails to explore. Go skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or fatbiking, or wander to your heart’s content along paths dotted with some of the city’s most celebrated artworks, including Calder’s Man stabile. Also, listen to free podcast documentaries with the mobile app Portrait Sonore and learn more about 15 public artworks around Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame.
Around Montréal
Looking for a romantic getaway? Check out this post of the best spas, personalized tours or where to go to tap into Montréal’s creativity. With this curated list, you’ll also find restaurant suggestions for romantic dinners for two that go easy on your wallet. Lastly, check out the most Instagrammable spots in the city here and here.
Happy winter discoveries to you and your sweetie!
Original article in French by Laure Juilliard, adapted into English by Rebecca Sellers.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.