Why you should spend American Thanksgiving in Montréal

It’s American Thanksgiving on November 26, and while we understand that many of our neighbours south of the border will be celebrating traditional-style, we also know that the idea of basting a Butterball and getting stuffed on stuffing might not grab everyone. Thankfully, Montréal offers some fun options for a weekend getaway – especially with the current advantageous exchange rates and the fact that we are a short drive away from the New England states. It’s the perfect time to discover our city’s amazing cultural options, great food, crazy good shopping and effervescent nightlife. Plus, everything will be OPEN. So now that we’ve talked turkey, let’s help you make plans to enjoy our fall bounty.

Getting here

Air Canada offers a lot of direct flights from US destinations, which means you can easily jet here for all our Montréal excitement. With gas prices still low, you might want to make it a road trip: don’t forget that we’re just an hour from the U.S.–Canada border.

Where to stay

We’ve got a pretty awesome Fall Sweet Deal worth checking out that gives you 50% off the second night at participating hotels, plus a coupon booklet worth $455 CDN on major activities and attractions city-wide.

You can also book a Montréal Indulges package and be wooed by the worlds of wine and gourmet food during Happy November, and benefit from $450 in discount coupons on activities and attractions at the same time.

Another option? Treat yourself to a little ooh-la-la at one of the city’s luxurious boutique hotels . Wherever you choose to slumber, we see some truly relaxing moments in your Montréal getaway future.

What to do

There’s tons going in Montréal and a great way to catch it all and save is by purchasing the Passeport MTL, a handy little city pass available in 24- or 72-hour formats ($64 and $109, respectively) that includes public transit, which lets you gobble up 14 must-see attractions at a fraction of the regular price.

History and religious heritage buffs have a treasure trove of landmarks to visit, among which include centuries-old buildings along the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, the stunningly beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica or St. Joseph’s Oratory, an imposing shrine high atop the mountain.

Culture vultures can feast on an array of exhibitions and performances ranging from visual art to dance to classical music and theatre. Be extra savvy and pick up the Passeport MTL culture. As the name suggests, this version of our city pass is specifically culture-oriented, giving you access to a slew of Montréal’s top cultural attractions with built-in city transit giving you more bang for your buck.

Montréal lives for the night and its many amazing offerings. Whether you feel like checking out hot new indie bands, dancing the night away or catching an indie flick, there is always plenty going on. Jazz and blues aficionados will love these popular venues, while you can catch a rising comic or a seasoned pro at these comedy clubs.

Being the stylish bunch, shopping is another one of our favourite pastimes. If you’re driving, you can get some “Black Thursday” shopping done on the way here or on the way back at duty-free stores, or nab some really good deals at outlets. For guys up on their sartorial stuff, L’Uomo offers duty-free for tourists shipping home. You can spend hours upon hours unearthing great finds at downtown’s Eaton Centre. In addition to some 175 boutiques and restaurants, this five-floor mall also features free Wi-Fi, the Musée Grevin (wax museum) and one of the largest food courts in North America—really handy when you get a craving. For something you can’t get chez vous, try Simons, a major Canadian department store a little further east on Sainte-Catherine Street. It showcases trendy women’s and men’s fashionwear, plus home décor too. And since you’ll be strolling along Sainte-Catherine Street, check out new faces like COS, Frank Oak and Artizia on this amazing shopping artery.

 Where to eat

When you consider the incredible size and sweep and talent of our culinary scene, not to mention its affordability, Montréal’s reputation as a gourmet destination is worth investigating. Indulge your inner epicurean with these gourmet dining options. Coming here with the gang? From swanky to cozy, these restaurants can easily accommodate groups. And since the fun of food is sharing it, you might also want to try these tasty tapas houses. It’s brewing heaven here in Montréal too: beer lovers can slake their thirst at the city’s excellent microbreweries. If you’re catching an evening show, check out these late-night spots that keep night owls well fed. And Montréal caters to late risers too with an array of places to linger over brunch. Got a sweet tooth? We strongly recommend a stop at these delicious spots for decadent pastries and yummy doughnuts.

Stayer longer?

With the gorgeous Laurentians to the north, the bucolic Eastern Townships to the southeast, history-rich Québec City to the east and the nation’s capital just a two-hour drive west, Montréal is also a great jumping-off point for fun day trips.

Happy American Thanksgiving – here!