There's something special about long road trips...

 

The slow stretch of highway, our favorite playlists, podcasts, the small towns you blink through, and the anticipation of arrival. In early September, Will and I packed up the car in Massachusetts and headed north for a long weekend getaway to Montréal, Québec—our first time entering Canada by car. (My first time visiting Canada—ever)! We’ve both explored the Burlington, Vermont area plenty of times, so the familiar drive through both New Hampshire and


Vermont were beautiful as ever—rolling hills, farm stands, and changing skies.


Nothing quite prepared us for how rural the southern region of Canada felt once we crossed the border. The entry point had no line (a small miracle), and suddenly, we were surrounded by wide-open farmland for miles. Peaceful. Quiet. A soft intro into what would become a whirlwind weekend in the heart of Montréal.

View through window of historic stone building with turquoise window frames and exterior fire escape staircase.
Pink neon sign illuminates a dark brick wall exterior of a bar with glowing windows and string lights at night.
Historic cobblestone street in downtown Montreal with old stone buildings and modern office towers in the background.
A minimalist white bedroom with unmade bed, floor lamp, and natural light streaming through a small window.
Two fresh Margherita pizzas with bright red sauce and basil leaves served on a rustic wooden counter by a restaurant window.

Crossing the Saint Lawrence River

into the old city felt like time-traveling.

From farmland to stone-paved streets... We checked into Sonder Apollon, a small, thoughtfully designed apartment-hotel tucked behind Buvette Pastek on rue St. Paul. It felt like our own little home base in Old Montréal. A private elevator, cozy room, and thankfully—minimal street noise. For the price, it was exactly what we needed.


Our first night out included wandering Sainte-Catherine Street, admiring musicians playing under the glowing arches of Notre-Dame Basilica, and catching glimpses of The Ring downtown. Slice + Soda became our late-night comfort food stop, and yes, we absolutely walked miles more than intended—but that’s our travel style.

Wandering with No Agenda

Cozy rustic cafe interior with hanging woven lamps, potted plants, and a wooden counter displaying decor items.

We’re not itinerary people. We’re wanderers, museum people, sidewalk photographers. The next morning, we got lost (intentionally) and stumbled into Place d’Youville, an old square in Vieux-Montréal. We sipped coffee and sampled pastries at L’Amour du Pain, before exploring the dreamy interiors at Maison Pépin—one of the city’s most inspiring bohemian lifestyle shops.


We continued on foot (our go-to method), capturing the city’s architecture and soft light. We toured the Silique Notre-Dame de Montréal, a gothic revival masterpiece with stained glass that tells deeply spiritual stories. From there, we wandered down to Bota Bota Spa-sur-l’eau, admiring its floating serenity in the port. Just across the river, Habitat 67 stood like a modernist sculpture—brutalist but beautiful.

A large circular sculpture frames illuminated skyscrapers and office buildings in a downtown cityscape at night.
Historic stone buildings with tall windows and black awnings line a narrow urban street in Montreal's old district.
Person standing on wooden boardwalk overlooking river with bridge and trees in background under blue cloudy sky.
Montreal City Hall illuminated at dusk with glowing windows and ornate architectural details against a darkening sky.
View of Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal with its Gothic architecture and twin towers under a blue sky with white clouds.
Two people take a selfie in front of a large white Ferris wheel against a blue cloudy sky.
Industrial silos and buildings along calm waterfront with moored boats under cloudy sky in port setting.
Historic building with ornate Victorian architecture and domed clock tower stands among modern buildings in urban setting.
Historic industrial building and grain elevator along an urban waterfront with ornate lampposts and cloudy skies in Montreal.
A curved turquoise path painted on a sidewalk with benches and planters along an urban street on a cloudy day.
Railroad crossing signs and warning lights against historic buildings in a European city center.
Red Canada Post mailbox covered in graffiti tags against a stone wall with purple flowers and greenery.
Stone building with three dormer windows on a traditional pitched roof against cloudy sky.
Historic cobblestone street lined with weathered buildings featuring green-trimmed windows in an old European city district.
Historic stone building facade with three dormer windows, green copper roof, and black lantern flanking entrance at 221.
Person walking past modern glass bus shelter with yellow posts near historic stone building in urban setting.
Historic stone buildings line a street in Quebec City with parked cars including a vintage Volkswagen van in the foreground.
Railroad tracks curve through urban landscape with tall buildings and evergreen trees against cloudy sky in downtown setting.
A plate of poutine topped with gravy and mushrooms sits on a wooden table next to a glass of beer.

Eating Our Way Through the City: Sweet Buns, Crepes & Poutine


Montreal’s Chinatown was a delicious surprise. I devoured sweet buns from Pâtisserie Coco—highly recommend if you find yourself nearby—then wandered (still snacking) back toward rue Sainte-Catherine for my first-ever Montreal crepe. I’ll admit, I’m loyal to my mom’s recipe, but this one was still worth the try.


Later that night, with our legs barely working, we found just enough energy to head down to Bonsecours Market under the stars. And yes—we capped it off with a slice of home from Domino’s… because travel is also about those quirky little comforts.


But our final mission? Poutine. As if the universe was guiding us, we stumbled upon Montréal Poutine, a laid-back courtyard pub with views of old stone buildings and—oddly enough—a giant ET statue above the door. It was everything we hoped for: salty, rich, and almost impossible to finish (though I gave it my best effort).

A person stands in a narrow stone corridor outside an old doorway with a lantern mounted on the wall.

Markets, Bridges

& Local Moments

Charming storefront with mint green doors and windows, decorative ironwork, and hanging planters on a city street.
Stone building entrance with turquoise blue doors and windows adorned with pink flower arch display in Montreal's old town.

The next day, we ventured back down rue St. Paul. Construction near our end of the block made for some tricky navigation, but once clear, it opened into the most charming stretch of cafés, home goods shops, and boutiques. A few standouts: Le Petit Duck Shop, Le Magasin Général du Vieux-Montréal, and Maison MARGAN. I was tempted to buy everything, so for budget’s sake—I mostly window-shopped.


We strolled through Bonsecours Market again and made our way to La Grande Roue de Montréal, an area full of family-friendly fun: food trucks, parks, ziplining, and shops. Behind the park, the riverside walkway gave us gorgeous views of the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the Clock Tower, and even The Biosphere in Jean-Drapeau Park across the water.


At the Jacques-Cartier Pier, I snapped portraits of Will as the area emptied—those golden, quiet travel moments I love. Coffee in hand, we sat on Rue Common, people-watching and soaking in the city’s effortless fashion and rhythm.

A person standing on a wooden deck overlooking a river and bridge on a sunny day with fluffy clouds in the sky.
Autumn trees frame an industrial waterfront with shipping containers and cranes along Portland's Willamette River on a cloudy day.
Person with long wavy hair looks out over waterfront railing with bridge and lighthouse visible in background.

Before our

journey home...

We picked up our car from a nearby garage and started our journey south. But not without one final stop: Belleville Bakery in Burlington, Vermont. A sweet way to end a weekend of flavor, culture, and connection.


Next up, I’ll be sharing our recent stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida—another weekend adventure full of sun, spa, and a little luxury.


Until then, thanks for traveling with me.

Of light & craft
Large river with a bridge and walkway under blue skies with puffy white clouds in Montreal.

What I loved most

Traveling with someone who shares your pace and values turns a quick trip into something unforgettable. Will and I love to experience places slowly—walking, observing, soaking it all in. We didn’t do everything. And that’s okay. Because we felt the city. And we’ll be back to do more.