An Ideal Couples Weekend Getaway
Montreal – located in the French-speaking province of Québec, Canada – has long been on our travel bucket lists. The city’s charm, European feel, and proximity to the US makes it a perfect destination for couples. Fortunately, the stars aligned when our significant others read about the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival that takes place in the heart of the city every July. With the boys on board, we created the perfect itinerary for our couples weekend getaway.
We found traveling from Thursday through Sunday to be a perfect amount of time to get acquainted with the city. Below is our itinerary at a glance:
Itinerary: 3 Days in Montreal
- Thursday: Arrive Late Afternoon
- Check into Airbnb in Old Town
- Cocktails at Le Speakeasy
- Contemporary Japanese Dinner at Marusan
- Friday: Explore Old Town
- Saturday: Relax and Spa
- Jazz Brunch at Modavie
- Rooftop Cocktails at Terrasee William Gray
- Mid-afternoon Spa Day at Bota Bota
- Casual Dinner at Bevo Bar and Pizzaria
- Late Night Cocktails at Bord’Elle
- Sunday: Depart Late Morning
- Bagels to go at Tommy
Day 1: Arrive (Thursday)
We arrived late afternoon on Thursday and dropped off our bags at our cozy Airbnb apartment. Perfectly situated in the heart of Old Montreal, our home base made us feel as if we had transported to a charming city in Europe. Anxious to explore our surroundings, we headed outside and wandered along the cobblestone street to see what this beautiful destination had to offer.
With an unexpected downpour, we beelined for an awning where we attempted to stay dry while seeking cover. Luckily, our search led us to Le Speakeasy. Located behind the facade of an ice cream shop, this trendy speakeasy set the tone for the weekend. We enjoyed a few craft cocktails before heading to dinner at Marusan. If you are looking for a dining option with a simple, contemporary vibe then this place is for you. Overall, our group enjoyed the traditional Japanese menu, but I must admit this place was not the best option for vegetarians.
Day 2: Explore Old Town (Friday)
Morning: Outdoor Patio Brunch
After a good night’s rest, we woke up bright eyed, bushy tailed, and ready to explore. We took a quick stroll down McGill Street and landed upon the perfect brunch spot in the heart of Old Montreal. Le Cartet immediately won us over with its French-inspired cuisine and intimate patio perfectly equipped for people watching. We ordered a bottle of French rosé and let time pass as we took in the sights and sounds of Old Town.
Afternoon: Meander Through Old Town
From there, we decided to put away our phones and get lost in the city. As much as we both love itineraries, there are times when having no plan turns out to be the best plan. Old Montreal, with its European flare, is arguably one of the best places to meander. We stumbled upon a charming Christmas Shop, Noel Eternal, which was great because we love to collect ornaments from every place we visit.
With all of the walking we managed to work up an appetite for a late lunch. We stumbled upon a charming building with an entrance lined with a floral archway that caught our eye. It happened to be a vegan restaurant, and for us, it was “Lov” at first sight. Our meal at Lov was hands down one of our favorites of the weekend. Not only because it happened to be a vegan but also because of its aesthetically pleasing ambiance. Even our husbands – who are both carnivores – devoured their meals. We lucked out with timing since we dined at an odd hour. However, if you decide to visit, we strongly recommend making a reservation!
Evening: Just For Laughs Comedy Festival
After a wonderful afternoon exploring Old Town, we made our way back to our Airbnb to freshen up. That evening, we dined on the intimate patio of Darbar, an upscale Northern Indian restaurant. Since we both share a love for Indian food, we couldn’t miss an opportunity to indulge! Needless to say we were pleased with our meals. From there, we headed on to the much anticipated Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. We caught the Ethnic Show at the tail end of the festival, which celebrated multi-cultural comedians from around the globe. If you happen to be visiting Montreal in July, you should definitely check it out!
Since no trip to Canada is complete without poutine, we capped off our evening at Le Banquise. Open 24-7, Le Banquise offers over 30 different varieties of the traditional Canadian dish. Our favorite part – the options could be made with vegan cheese and/or sauce, so no FOMO for us!
Day 3: Relax and Spa (Saturday)
To kickstart our Saturday, we made a reservation at Modavie for their Jazz Brunch. Since we still had some time to kill post brunch before our spa appointments, we made a pit stop for cocktails at the contemporary rooftop of Terrasee William Gray.
After enjoying a few beverages (we recommend the “William Spritz”), we made our way to Bota Bota, a spa completely built on a boat, for a three hour treatment. Read more about our full experience here.
Feeling completely zen from our spa experience, we decided to grab gourmet pizza to go from Bevo Bar and Pizzaria in Old Town. If you are searching for a restaurant with great outdoor seating, Bevo’s patio located on a pedestrian-only cobblestone pathway makes for a great option.
After our casual pizza dinner, we managed to catch a second wind and made our way to Bord’Elle for an impromptu nightcap. This up-beat nightclub had an eclectic 1920s vibe and acrobats hanging from the ceiling, which made for an unexpected surprise!
Day 4: Return Home (Sunday)
Sunday came around quickly but we had one more stop in Old Town before hitting the road. We walked a few blocks to Tommy, an intimate cafe serving breakfast, lunch and speciality cocktails. We enjoyed some delicious espresso at the bar and ordered gourmet bagels to go. It was the perfect wrap to our weekend getaway.
Have you been to the charming city of Montreal? We’d love to hear about your experience! We hope you are inspired by our 3 day weekend itinerary!
