I was just in Montreal a couple of weeks ago, more specifically during Fourth of July weekend. My family and I took some days to explore Québec, even though this plan was met with questions. The top one was “why would you go to Canada on Fourth of July?” Well, my American friends, I truly appreciate how patriotic y’all are. The answer is simple: that’s when we all had time to go, and given that we’re not American (yet), it worked out for us.

Second question: Canada? In summer? “But like, why?” you might ask. Yes, I know, when you think of Canada you think of cold, snow, skiing. Perfectly reasonable, they’re our friends up North. However, wait until you see how absolutely breathtaking Canada can be in summer. Thank me later (or you don’t have to, whatever floats your boat).

So if you’re ready to hit up Montreal in summer, here are the best activities in the city!

 

Take a walk through Old Town and the Vieux Port de Montreal

One of my favorite things about Montreal is that it’s basically a cake with a Europe filling and an American frosting. Does that make sense? The Old Town at the center of the city seriously looks like a European city. It was seriously messing with my mind! The rest of the city is more modern, younger and still worth a visit, but Old Town really stole my heart. Take a walk through narrow streets and old buildings to feel like you’re exploring a European town. And even better, without the jet lag. Once you’re done, walk all the way down to the Vieux Port (you guessed it – the Old Port).

For my Chicago people, the Vieux Port kind of looks like Navy Pier. That’s if Navy Pier had impeccable taste, was on steroids and knew how to throw a party. There are restaurants and bars all around, not to mention the fancy food trucks. There’s a Ferris wheel, little boats to rent and a super long zipline. Oh, and the Cirque du Soleil Big Top. Which brings me to…

 

Go See a Cirque Du Soleil Show

DID YOU KNOW that Cirque du Soleil was founded in Montreal? I know, shocking! Their headquarters are actually still there, along with the École Nationale de Cirque, which is the biggest circus school in the world. Montreal is truly THE circus city, which is one of the reasons why I have been so eager to visit it for the past few years!

If you have been following my trip on my Instagram stories, you might remember that we went to see a Cirque du Soleil show while in Montreal. Now let me give you some background. Alegria by Cirque du Soleil was the first Cirque show I ever saw live, when I was maybe eight years old. I LOVED the circus back then, and I still do, but I seriously LOVED it back then, and this show especially. It became my favorite show, I knew the soundtrack by heart and when I grew up, the main theme became the music to my lyra act when I performed during summers. (If you don’t know what lyra is, you’ll know by the next section of this post!).

While in Montreal, I was able to see the new, remastered, revamped version of the show, in the city where Cirque du Soleil was founded. It was truly a crazy moment for me, one I didn’t think I was ever going to experience.

 

Head to Montreal Complètement Cirque

As I told you, Montreal is THE circus city because that’s where Cirque du Soleil was founded. But wait, there’s more! Every year in July, Montreal hosts a ten-day-long circus street festival, Montreal Complètement Cirque. It’s a whole festival dedicated to circus, with free performances and activities, all around the streets of old town Montréal! I got there just in time to stand first row for this lyra act (that’s what I used to perform!) and it was incredible!

This girl is Florence, a super cool lyra performer. The magic powers of Instagram helped me find her, so you can check her out at @florence_amar if you’d like!

If you find yourself in Montreal in July, this is my number one recommendation!

 

Visit Notre Dame de Montreal

Let’s go back to the fact that Montreal has a European filling. Yes, the cake comparison. Did you know that it also has a Notre Dame Cathedral? It kind of looks like the one in Paris (which I talked about in this post), but with thinner towers. I definitely recommend seeing it, it’s smack in the middle of Old Town so you can’t miss it. It’s beautiful and I wish I got to visit the interiors, too!

 

Check Out Some Top Brunches in the City

I love brunching. Whether I’m in Chicago or elsewhere, I just think it’s such a fun activity. Well, brunching in Montreal is a MUST. Here’s why – and the two spots you should hit up.

Bagel etc.

Bagel Etc. is an institution in Montreal. Did you know – so many fun facts in this post! – that Montreal is famous for its bagels? (If not, there’s a Wikipedia page for everything.)

Bagel etc. seems like the place to get Montreal style bagels and brunch to go with them.

There was a bit of a line when we went and I can only assume that that is probably the case very often, but it is worth it for a number of reasons. First of all, the place is just super cute, with old style décor (dare I say from the 50’s?), diner style benches and a really cozy atmosphere.

Second, I had the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had in my life in this restaurant. Seriously. I got the ones with spinach and lox served on Montreal style bagels and they were amazing.

Third reason why you should come here: it might me more relevant to me than it is to you, but singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, who I had the chance to see perform live before he died a couple of years ago, used to come here very often. It was his hangout spot. My dad and I are huge fans, so for us, it was kind of a bucket list place to check out. And you know what the craziest thing is? They sat us at the table he used to sit at. It was a mind-blowing moment for us!

 

Le Passé Composé

Le Passé Composé is known to be one of the best brunches in Montreal. You’ll find it in all the roundups and you’ll see a long line outside of the restaurants if you do try to go. The line almost scared us away, but we decided to stay. Was it worth it? Oh boy. Abso-freakin-lutely.

I got the Foie Gras poached egg, with pancetta and caramelized onions. It was delicious. It came with fresh fruit and overall made me feel like I was eating at an upscale restaurant.

If the food wasn’t enough, Passé Composé has the best outdoor patio. It felt so nice to eat al fresco in such a pretty atmosphere!

 

Try the Poutine

When in Canada, you have to eat the local food. And unless you’re willing to pour maple syrup straight into your mouth, that means going for the second most popular Canadian food item: the poutine. Now, my brother and I were raving about poutine weeks before actually going to Canada. We were that excited.

Well, let me tell you. We found a place that did not disappoint. It’s called Montreal Poutine and it’s in Old Town, an area where you’ll find that all the restaurants open late are seriously overpriced (dare I say tourist traps?). This place saved us from starvation and offered us the prettiest courtyard, some delicious poutine and tasty sangria. A total win.

 

Hike up the Trails Around the City

My good friend and Montreal resident Jayant points out that you can take several hikes around Montreal and enjoy a grand view of the whole city. Me, being a little less active, I suggest driving up. Either way, the views are truly gorgeous. Here’s a sneak peek of the scenery you’ll get out of your strenuous physical activity.

 

Visit Little Italy

You know I had to include this. And I know that you’re like “but why.” Hear me out. I have lived in Italy for almost seventeen years. Since then, I have explored all of the Little Italys I could find. Looking for, you know, a piece of home away from home. I can honestly tell you that most of them are trash. They are stereotypical and frankly inauthentic, mainly because they have stayed the way they were when Italians migrated to America in the 1900s. Now, Little Italy in Montreal is legit. It’s the next best thing after Italy itself. The supermarkets are stocked with Italian products, the food is tasty, there’s an Italian bookstore where I found my crosswords (and paid SO much money because I had to have them!), the cafés are packed with older men watching soccer and the espresso is good. I seriously felt at home there. Highly recommend.

My Italian friends will recognize this famous brand of tuna that I can never find in Chicago and always bring back from home! Also, check out this billboard of my favorite soccer team, AC Milan, right in Montreal!

 

There’s more!

There are plenty of activities still left. While we were there, the Jazz Festival was happening. The Comic Con was happening. A literal international fireworks competition was happening. Here’s proof:

You truly can’t get tired of Montreal. But if you do, you can also take a quick trip to an even more European city, Québec City. Summer in Canada is truly incredible.

Have you ever been to Montreal? Did I miss anything major? Let me know in the comments!