©ClarendonMoms/Angelica Talan
Logan & Ella at Parc du Mont Royal (Montreal)
Montreal is Canada’s second largest city and considered by many to be “the cultural-capital of Canada.” It was recently named the UNESCO city of design and is a huge economic and cultural center. Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world. (Paris is the largest.)
Earlier this summer, my family and I took a road trip from Ottawa to Montreal, where we stayed for 24 hours. While I personally recommend spending a minimum of 3 to 5 days visiting Montreal, you can pack a ton of fun within 24 hours. Here’s an itinerary to show you how.
©ClarendonMoms/Angelica Talan
Enjoying the living room of our Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Junior Suite
©ClarendonMoms/Angelica Talan
Logan & Ella relaxing in our Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Junior Suite
Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel: At the heart of romantic and cosmopolitan Montréal where French and English meet, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth offers guests outstanding comfort and attentive service. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has a central location downtown near some of the best tourist attractions, and is a very kid-friendly (and dog-friendly) hotel. Kid-friendly features include an amazing salt water kiddie pool, a lending service for bicycles, babysitting services and kids’ programs during holidays. The suites are very spacious and plush with great amenities and luxurious bath products. A cool piece of trivia: The hotel reached worldwide fame when John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who had been refused entry into the United States, conducted their Bed-In in Room 1742 at the hotel between May 26 and June 2, 1969.The song “Give Peace a Chance” was actually recorded in this room on June 1, 1969 by André Perry. This song is the first solo single released by John Lennon, and became an anthem of the American anti-war movement during the 1970s.
Eggspectation: One of the things I really enjoy while on vacation is to talk to the locals and find out where they enjoy dining. I really like to have a “where the locals dine experience” for at least one of our daily meals. And the most popular place recommended was Eggspectation. There are five outlets in Montreal, this restaurant takes a simple egg and creates an entire menu around it. It offers delicious drinks and an ambience suitable for everyone.
Au Pied de Cochon: Founded by Chef Martin Picard, this restaurant is located at 536 Duluth Street East in the borough of Le Plateau-Mont-Royal and is considered one of the Top Restaurants in Montreal by Eater Magazine.
©ClarendonMoms/Angelica Talan
Logan didn’t realize a sunset dinner was a good idea until after this picture was taken
Toqué! Hailed as one of the BEST French-Canadia chefs by several culinary publications, Chef Normand Laprise is one of mine and my husband’s favorite chefs in the world (along side of Thomas Keller, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulod). We love Toqué! because of it’s amazing 7 course Tasting Menu—which believe it or not—we absolutely considered having with our kids. Thank-God we came to our senses and instead enjoyed a 3 course meal instead. I’m positive our kids would not have enjoyed sitting for a 3 hour, 7 course tasting menu very happily. However, if your young ones are with a babysitter or you have older kids, this is a delectable gastronomic experience for the entire family.
©ClarendonMoms/Angelica Talan
Logan & Ella in front of the Montreal Science Center waiting for Canada Day Fireworks
Happy Traveling!
If you have any questions or tips about Montreal that you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
{Editor’s Note: Thank-you to Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth for sponsoring our accommodations. All opinions are my own.}