The Urbanist Travel Guide to Montreal

If you’re visiting Canada as a person who likes dense, lively cities, our #1 recommendation is Montreal. It’s the strongest city for bike culture and infrastructure and it’s miles ahead on car-free streets and other pedestrian improvements, especially in the warmer months. Toronto and Vancouver stack up pretty well on transit so we can’t say that Montreal is the best there, but it’s unique with the Paris-inspired metro that’s full of interesting architecture and art.

Keep Urbanity rolling:

[eahiv]

Montreal is the urbanist crown jewel of North America. I visited in summer 2023 and was blown away, it’s definitely one of my favorite cities, amazing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, good transit, beautiful architecture, fantastic food and friendly people

[conorreynolds]

We went last summer and loved it. The sheer number of people out on Mont Royal Avenue on a Tuesday evening was shocking. Cars stopped for pedestrians consistently. I (an American) wish I spoke French so that I could even dream of working and living there. It’s difficult to console myself with changing where I live when it’s as backwards as metro Detroit is.

[AnouMr]

We are very lucky to have you guys as online ambassadors for our city. I think you help those who live in Montreal notice some of the things that make it interesting from an urbanistic point of view, and you definitely make lots of people in the English-speaking world more curious about our city. I am glad you chose to live here!

[hiromiarash]

OMG, I’m literally heading to Montreal in less than 24 hours! This video is literally made for me lol

[DejanOfRadic]

If you live in Toronto, the bike ride to Montreal is 5 or 6 days of lakeside and riverside no hills, and littered with lovely little towns and beaches

[jackthomas]

I'm literally moving to Montréal tomorrow. Great video timing!

[RandySailer]

Just got back from an 11 day visit to Montreal. We drove from Massachusetts, parked our car in the alley behind our Airbnb and didn’t drive our car until left on our trip home. We were in the area between the Rosemont and Beaubien metro stations and walked and took the Metro everywhere. The biking facilities were obviously great and their heavy use confirmed that. We went from the Jean Talon Market/ Little Italy to Atwater Market, Old Town, the Village and of course Miles End and East towards the Olympic area. All very bikeable and walkable except for parts of old town and some of the waterfront. Wish we could have watched this video 3 weeks ago!

[mattslaboratory]

I visited Montreal several times when I was living in Ottawa in the early 1970's (saw a couple Expos games), and it is clearly changed a lot. Good to see. I'd like to see a video that describes the activism that led to so much urbanist investment there.

[roberthicks]

This is an excellent quick overview of my favourite city in North America, a fine primer especially for people who are making their first visit. I discovered Montreal for myself decades ago and have returned again and again since. I recommend it for anyone looking for a walkable urban getaway with style, liveliness, and the sort of amenities one should find in every larger city on the continent, but are in fact lacking in most. I like that OhTheUrbanity is frank about winter which is a central and definitive fact for Montreal. I've visited in frigid February as well as sweltering July. But September through early October is when I've found the city to be at its best. People there are welcoming and helpful. Le fait que je sois déjà francophile m'aide, mais ne vous inquiétez pas. Quel que soit l'endroit où la monnaie est échangée, ils parleront probablement anglais! Amusez-vous bien! Have fun!

[marni_the_wolf]

As someone who has lived either in Montreal or on the "South" shore for the past thirty years, this is a great video for first time visitors to the city. Keep up the great videos!

[SnapDash]

Great video!
I lived in Montreal for six months (helping out with the REM project!) and never ran out of places to explore and things to do, despite getting out and about several times a week. I am excited to visit again someday. In addition to all the things noted in this video, the sheer amount of public art is really impressive.

[critiqueofthegothgf]

the amount of green space is envious; the parks are absolutely gorgeous

[test]

i love Montreal. i love the foods, cycling and arts cultures...but i love the friendly people above all.

[waisinglee]

Wow...Montreal has really changed since I left in the early 1990s!

[bengt_axle]

If you are flying in with your bike, It is possible to ride your bike from the airport to downtown, but you must be careful to pick the right route to get the bike path. From the airport, ride along Roméo-Vachon, Niverville and rue Cardinal, enter the Dorval station (not Via) parking lot and then walk your bike through the tunnel to pass under two rail tracks. From train station ride across Dorval circle (very short but tricky) and towards Lakeshore and take a left on Dawson, following bike lane. From that point on, just follow the Lachine canal (East direction) all the way downtown.

Bikes are tolerated on the métro during off peak hours and when there are no special events, in the front car of the train. You can also take the commuter train from Dorval station with your bike, but it may not be so easy to lift everything in the train, if you're by yourself. An alternative may be Via rail, which is very close by and better set up for luggage. Bike theft is common, in the city so use Bixi or lock your bike up, if you must be away for a short period.

[Jaelle]

I've just discovered your channel and I'm so passionate about it! As a new urbanism aficionado and a francophone born and raise in Montreal, I needed some content like yours! Your travel guide is SOOOO on point. Thanks!

[juliapoelstra]

Incredible timing. I'm currently in Montreal and just took part in the Tour de L'Île de Montréal. Thank you for the tips! I have two more days with my bike

[Krommandant]

Being a Montréal resident, I can always recommend riding along the Gouin Boulevard cycle path, all the way to the north east wedge of the island to see the most beautiful sunsets in a wild forested or park setting.

There are many parks, places to rest and public fountains to drink from along the way. Bring your picnic and it's a fun family activity with zero hassle. ❤

[Larsoff]

Awesome video, I wanted to add every year Montreal had the tour de l'île bike ride where they close off the streets and thousands bike around montreal. It's super fun and non-competitive, so you go at your own pace. This year there was a 25km and 50km route. It is honestly one of the best events in Montreal period and if you happen to plan your trip in advance to attend, you won't be disappointed

[Ralore]

I’m visiting there this summer because of your channel so cool to get a travel guide a month before absolutely love your content through the years thanks