An easy escape plan from Montreal city downtown? Move away from the center on the opposite direction from Mount Royal, cross the not-so-interesting Griffintown - just my personal opinion - and you will reach the water or the ice, depending on the season. Of course you are not yet on the Saint Lawrence River but in Bassin Peel. Follow the canal in the opposite direction of the old town. You may take a tiny break and enjoy the post industrial landscape, take a few pictures and join the stream of walking, running, cycling people or skiing in the winter.
I really like this flat area, the canal, the bike path and grass or snow in between. It's a great escape path from the city downtown, perfect for jogging toward the unknown following the water and coming back later with the view on Mount Royal and the skyline.
Of course you may not be in a sporty mood; in that case, don’t worry: there are solutions and you don’t need to walk all along the canal. You can simply stop at the Atwater Market or for the more adventurous, go until the Terrasse Saint Ambroise, a local brewery with - you guessed it - a great beer selection and a lovely terrasse to enjoy your drink and the sun. The terrace being closed in the winter, you can still enjoy a hoppy drink indoors at the annexe located behind the terrasse.
Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"Trois Disques by Calder" in Montreal is one of the few remains of the 1967 Expo. Together with the others, like Habitat 67, it makes for a great bike ride...
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Their mission is to “help educate patrons on the brewing process & above all else, to brew quality, an independent beer that Montrealers can be proud of”.
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"Comptoir St-Jo" in an old building in Lachine, Montreal, has plenty of green spaces & a range of food options - I love the pistachio croissant!
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"Wishbone Art Gallery" is an oasis of freshness & gentleness in Old Montreal. It opened during the pandemic, and they're doing pretty well! Nice area too.
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"H8S Coffee Bar" is a laid-back cafe in Lachine, Montreal, is small, cozy and with an interesting decor. A great way to spend a Sunday morning!
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"Pikolo Espresso Bar" in Montreal is the place I go to for an afternoon escape from the office. I love it for all seasons. It looks like a coffee machine!
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"Cheap Thrills" in Montreal is a music store from the early '70s! If it looks chaotic on the outside, it's organised chaos inside, as a cool shop can be...
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"Summit Circle Lookout" amazing viewpoint on Montreal toward the East from Westmount, St-Henri, Verdun and more. I discovered it while jogging...
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"Léché Desserts" in Montreal hides many promises behind its pink benches and brick building! I recommend getting donuts here and going to watch the trains.
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Zab Café is a coffee roaster from Montreal that has an interesting story, four locations, and good coffee. It's small and smells of good coffee.
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"Nonnina Panini and Gelato" in Montreal is a café that offers Italian snacks & desserts - get your chocolate & peanut butter tartelette and explore Lachine!
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There are bird spotters, trainspotters... and plane spotters - and this is where they meet in Montreal! Ready for some plane spotting in YUL?
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135 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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