From urban hikes to historical architecture, there's a lot to love about Montréal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
I recently spent one day in Montréal, Québec, during a train trip through Eastern Canada.
I explored downtown, Old Montréal, and Mount Royal, which is a small mountain in the city.
I loved the city's contrasting architecture, urban landscape, and poutine. I can't wait to go back.
I recently traveled from my home in NYC to Montréal, Québec, for the first time during a train trip through Eastern Canada.Insider's reporter explores Montréal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
Montréal is the largest city in Québec, an eastern province of Canada. It's also the second-largest city in Canada after Toronto, according to the Council of Europe.Montréal is city on the east side of Canada.
I spent roughly 24 hours in Montréal. Since my trip was so short, I stayed in the Vogue Hotel in the downtown area, near the train station to make the most of my time.Downtown Montréal on a summer day.
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At the Vogue Hotel in Downtown Montréal, I was within walking distance of Old Montréal, Mount Royal, and the Underground City. I only took one cab to grab a bite at a poutine restaurant, La Banquise.A map of everywhere the author went in Montréal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
The first thing that intrigued me about Montréal was how much green space I saw, even in the most urban areas.Trees amidst buildings in Montréal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
Throughout Downtown Montréal, I spotted greenery in every direction, from unique landscaping on buildings to lines of trees.Greenery drapes down a building in Montréal.
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In between blocks of skyscrapers, I found shaded squares to cool off, too. According to a 2021 city report by Park People, Montréal has 1,300 local parks.A shaded park in the middle of Downtown Montréal.
What struck me most about the trees was how much variety I saw. There seemed to be several different types planted together.A variety of trees in a Montréal neighborhood.
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West of the downtown area, I also enjoyed visiting lush Mount Royal, a small mountain in the middle of the city with 400 stairs leading to a viewpoint overlooking Montréal.A crosswalk in front of the base of Mount Royal.
The entrance of the park was a 30-minute uphill walk from my hotel. It took me another half hour to climb the stairs that traversed the mountain.Views from the trail leading to the top of Mount Royal.
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The walk was tiring, but when I got to the top of Mount Royal, I thought it was totally worth it for the all-encompassing views.The summit of Mount Royal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
From the top of Mount Royal, I could see the whole city and I wished for more time to wander specific streets.A view from the top of Mount Royal.
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I did get the chance to wander the downtown area and Old Montreal, though. There, I noticed another cool thing about this city: the contrasting modern and historical architectural styles, from Art Deco to Gothic Revival, according to Culture Trip.Various architectural styles in Downtown Montreal.
Downtown, I also spotted historic structures that stood out next to modern skyscrapers, like Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, one of the largest churches in all of Québec, according to the same source.The side of Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral, in Montréal.
Another building that stopped me in my tracks was the Sun Life building, which I later found out secretly stored British gold during the second world war, Culture Trip reports. The building's old-world architecture impressed me because it was taller than some of the more modern skyscrapers.This side of the Sun Life building in Montréal.
Another thing I love is bookstores. Window displays for these stores made me pause when I saw familiar titles written in French, like "The Little Prince." I didn't have time to shop, but next time, I'd like to go inside some of the bookstores I walked by.A bookstore in Montréal.
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Heading east from downtown, I could tell I had reached Old Montréal when the streets turned cobblestone, which made me feel like I was in Europe. The stone streets date back to the 1800s, according to the Montreal Gazette.Streets in Old Montréal.
Around Old Montréal, I saw several museums and historical buildings that I longed to go inside of because they looked so cool on the outside.A museum in Old Montréal.
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Next time I'm in Montréal, I plan to find accommodations in Old Montréal so I can learn more about the city's history.A courtyard in Old Montréal.
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Another area I found fascinating was the Underground City, which is actually a horizontal building full of shops and passageways that connect to underground metro stations over a 20-mile radius.Inside the Underground City.
The Underground City is meant to save pedestrians from the outdoors during harsh winter months when temperatures drop to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Since I visited on a beautiful day, I found it mostly empty.The author explores the Underground City.
I want to go back in the winter to see it when it's more lively and full of people, and to take advantage of its main purpose to limit time outdoors.The Underground City on a quiet summer day.
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My last stop before leaving Montréal was La Banquise, a Poutine restaurant where I tried the Canadian delicacy of fries, cheese, and gravy for the first time.Poutine from La Banquise in Montréal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
The fries were crispy and greasy — just like I like them. I thought the gravy was reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinner, and the curds added a unique texture without adding too much flavor.A close up of a bite of poutine.
Joey Hadden/Insider
All together in one bite, I could see why this dish was so popular and comforting. I found it to be warm, filling, and nostalgic and it transported me back to Thanksgiving dinner.The author enjoys her meal.
Joey Hadden/Insider
When I left Montréal, I thought my trip was too short. On my way to my next destination, I decided I'd be back soon for the architecture, the greenery, and of course, the poutine.The author takes a selfie in Downtown Montréal.
