My visit to Canada’s cultural capital was filled with incredible food, art, and history, but could I stay on budget while packing it all in?
My partner and I have dream aboutgoing to Parissince the early solar day of our kinship . Five years later , it still has n’t happened ( find fault COVID and financial constraint ) but at the death of June , we spenta hebdomad in Montreal . We design an travel plan of art museums , historic church , and bakeries to call down our romanticist fantasy of Paris , plus passel and activities that celebrated Quebec ’s unparalleled culture . Most significantly ? I had to stick to a $ 2,500 budget .
My partner and I are polyamorous , and we do n’t cohabitate or share finances . I have a theater and joint bank calculate with my husband , and we annually budget $ 3,000 apiece for tripper with other partners and/or solo travel . I expend about $ 500 on a staycation with my partner to celebrate our 5th anniversary in February , so I had $ 2,500 provide to use for the Montreal trip .
About the traveler
Job : free-lance author and paralegalAnnual salary:$41,000-$60,000 per yearLocation of hall : MinneapolisAge:37
About the vacation
Where : Montreal , QuebecHow long : Eight daysPlanned budget:$2,500
Upfront costs
Flights:$506.26 . We flew forthwith from Minneapolis - Saint Paul International Airport to Montreal and had a stop in Toronto on the way home . Hotels / lodging:$735.99 . We dissever the monetary value of an Airbnb studio apartment in downtown Montreal . Tickets:$84.33 for a tag to the Museum of Jewish Montreal ’s Beyond the Bagel food tourRelevant prior purchases:$12 for data for my Wi - Fi hotspot
Day by day
Day 1 - Sunday
full monetary value : $ 60.26My hubby drop me and my partner off at the airport ( polyamory perquisite : more the great unwashed in your life story to drive you to / break up you up from the aerodrome ) . Since it was roughly lunchtime , I got my default MSP Airport meal : a Hellenic salad with falafel from Holy Land Deli ( $ 20.93 ) and a drinking chocolate chip cookie from Angel Food Bakery ( $ 2 ) . During our flight , Air Canada was doing a special promotion offering everyone devoid vino and beer in summation to the received soda and snacks . Yay for little plastic bottle of red wine !
Once we cleared customs and immigration in Montreal , I bought an Opus menu loaded with a 24 - hour transportation liberty chit ( CA$17 , or $ 12.43 ) and we took a autobus and the metro to our Airbnb , a studio apartment business district .
We were n’t sense very challenging or all that hungry , so we walked toTzatzi - Qui , a nearby Greek eating place with a cute streetside patio , and split an starter record with calamari , spanakopita , deep-fried courgette , and feta for CA$27.14 each ( $ 19.85 ) . On holiday , my mate and I consider dessert mandatory , so we head down the street to get ice pick cones atCa Lemfor CA$6.91 ( $ 5.05 ) . We spent an hr or so wandering around Old Montreal and the Old Port , which was very touristy but also quite charming , specially as dusk come on the stone construction and sett streets .
Design by Maitane Romagosa for Thrillist
Day 2 - Monday
full price : $ 143.28The positioning of our Airbnb was groovy ( a block and a half from a underground station , a five - second walk toOld Montreal ) , and it was clean , but there were some eldritch supervision . The bedside shelves were angle downwards , so our phones kept falling onto the concrete floor . The toilet lacked trunk wash , bait or a bar to fall up towel , a garbage can , or a hair dryer . The bed ’s primal support was break dance , so the mattress sagged and we kept sliding to the in-between — cozy but not exactly contributive to a well nighttime of sleep . We concisely discussed switching to a hotel , but that was out of our budget so we decided to just make do .
fortunately , the day got expert from there , set out with breakfast at aL’Amour du Pain , a nearby bakery where I got a pear - drinking chocolate pastry and coffee cappuccino for 11.90 CA$ ( $ 8.70 ) . It was raining , and most of the museum on our itinerary were closed on Mondays , so we fill the subway to theBiodomeand I buy an access ticket for CA$23.25 ( $ 17.01 ) . The Biodome is a combined zoo and conservatory with exhibits that quicken dissimilar ecosystems — I was all about the tropic rainforest section because I love sloths and capybaras , and the penguins in the sub - Antarctic section were so much playfulness to watch . Did I postulate the capybara earring at the endowment shop ? No , but I buy them anyway ( CA$13.80 , or $ 10.09 ) .
The Biodome coffeehouse look lackluster so we walked to the close - ishMaisonneuve Marketfor tiffin , and I got a man of European olive tree , veg , and goat cheese - top focaccia from a bakery stall for CA$7.48 ( $ 5.47 ) . The rain had cleared up by this decimal point , so we walked to theJardin Botaniqueand I grease one’s palms price of admission for CA$20.75 ( $ 15.18 ) . The talkative Formosan Garden was the highlight : a tranquil pond surrounded by elegant buildings , a waterfall , and cautiously manicured miniature tree diagram .
After the botanic garden , we headed back to our Airbnb via the metro , with a stop at a convenience store to buy soap , lotion , foundation ( I forget to pack some stuff ) , and a snack - sized handbag of all - crop chips CA$38.01 ( $ 27.85 ) . For dinner , we walked toPub Saint Pierre , which combines the vibe of a historic pub , ice hockey saloon , and craft cocktail spot . We ordered a couple rounds of cocktail , gyoza , and truffle fries and divide the lozenge for CA$71.75 ( $ 52.47 ) each . For dessert , we walked to the Old Port so I could get a fancy ice cream sandwich from theFelix & Nortonfood truck I spotted the dark before ( CA$8.89 , or $ 6.51 ) .
Day 3 - Tuesday
entire cost : $ 110.43My pardner want crepe paper for breakfast , so we walk downtown toCafe et Crepeand I got a strawberry mark Nutella crepe and an iced coffee for CA$25.11 ( $ 18.40 ) . Next up was theMusee McCord Steward , with an admission cost of CA$20 ( $ 14.65 ) . The museum ’s permanent exhibit distinguish the story of the Indigenous nations of Quebec with artifacts and first - person floor , and there were two temporary picture taking showing with fashion and portrait photography — my better half has a side gig as a photojournalist so he specially appreciated that aspect .
For lunch , we hold up toMono , a delicious sandwich spot en route to our next address . My “ Lucie & Mom ” sandwich was debase with mozzarella , Parmesan , alligator pear , bracing vegetables , and pesto , and it was well worth CA$20.73 ( $ 15.19 ) .
Next up was theMusee des Beaux - arts , where the slate desk staff member asked if I measure up for the brush aside under-30 admission . My twenty dollar bill have faded into the rearview mirror so I purchased a even admission for CA$24 ( $ 17.58 ) . The Musee des Beaux - arts is mammoth — it ’s the largest art museum in Canada by heading place — with five different buildings connected by underground tunnels . Our scheme with graphics museums is to cover a few areas that interest us rather than trying to see it all , so we focused on late 1800s - early 1900s European nontextual matter , the Cabinet of Curiosities , and Inuit art . Our favorite discovery was a Salvador Dali chess set with finger - work small-arm model on Dali ’s and his married woman ’s genuine finger .
Photos by Stacy Brooks
After a few hours , museum fatigue set in and the on - internet site cafe await sad , so we left for the dry pint - sizedCote Bar a Cafeand I get a deep brown chip cookie and a effervescent hibiscus drink for CA$12.57 ( $ 9.21 ) . We spent the eternal sleep of the good afternoon tramp aroundMont Royal Park , which has a scenic standpoint over downtown Montreal and slew of trails . On the way from the ballpark to the metro , we stopped at a neighborhood market stock and a bakery to cull up dinner : cheese , strawberries , and a baguet for CA$14 ( $ 10.27 ) . I also stretch my Opus card with a seven-day transit pass for CA$30 ( $ 22.02 ) and got mucilaginous candies from a gismo store for CA$4.24 ( $ 3.11 ) . I firmly think that gummies taste better outside the US .
We pass the evening at our Airbnb watchingBodieson Netflix — perhaps not the most electrifying holiday action , but since we do n’t cohabitate it was really nice to have some low - central clip together .
Day 4 - Wednesday
Total cost : $ 249Our unofficial goal for the stumble is to eat as many pastries as potential , so we headed toLe Petit Dep , a picturesque coffee shop and endowment shop stocked with Quebec - give rise goods . I find a hot chocolate croissant and cappuccino coffee for CA$10.06 ( $ 8.49 ) . The croissants are so bloody good in Montreal .
TheBasilique Notre Damewas just down the street so we stop over in for a quick sojourn . Admission felt a little spendy at CA$16 ( $ 11.74 ) , but it must be incredibly expensive to preserve a historical church building so I ca n’t begrudge them . Neither of us is Catholic but we apprise the serene and beautiful surroundings , including a soaring blue cap paint with golden whizz and elaborate wood carving .
Next up was aPointe - a - Calliere , an archeology and account museum , with an admission fee of CA$27 ( $ 19.82 ) . The museum is build on top of an turn up archaeological internet site , so you may see the ulterior continue of build basis and sewers as you learn about the urban center ’s chronicle . There are several models and interactive exhibits that bring Montreal ’s account to life — the touchscreen game about historical firefighting is in all probability intended for 10 - year - olds , but we ’re youngster at heart .
Photos by Stacy Brooks
For tiffin , we off upBoulangerie Cavistewhere I got an enormous piece of olive gelt and a croissant bankroll filled with pistachio pick for CA$24.13 ( $ 17.71 ) . Next , we crop up into Notre Dame de bon Secours Chapel , the old church building in Montreal — admission to the church is free , but I want to mount up the tower to see the view so I bribe a ticket to theSite Historique Marguerite - Bourgeoys museumfor CA$14 ( $ 10.27 ) .
We both love walk around and people watch over , so we film the tube to the Mont Royal neighborhood and spent the good afternoon wandering down Avenue du Mont - Royal , one of Montreal ’s seasonal walker streets . Each summertime , several of Montreal ’s streets close to cars and transform into pedestrian nirvana , with supererogatory seats and sidewalk cafes . It ’s adept , and I wish we did something standardised in Minneapolis .
Day 5 - Thursday
full cost : $ 15.59We lovedL’Amour du Painso we give way there again for breakfast , and this fourth dimension I ordered a cappuccino and a raspberry - chocolate danish ( CA$11.30 , or $ 8.28 ) .
Our main activity of the 24-hour interval was theMuseum of Jewish Montreal ’s Beyond the Bagel nutrient tour , which we booked in advance . The four - hour walking tour covered the history of Montreal ’s Judaic community and Judaic donation to the city ’s culinary art , especially bagels and smoke meat sandwiches . Our spell guide was great , and the places we turn back at were engrossing : St - ViateurandFairmount , so we could equate the two O.G. Montreal beigel bakery , as well asSchwartz’sfor smoke meat sandwich , Wilensky ’s Light Lunch , Cheskie ’s Bakery , andHof Kelsten . We prepaid for the go , but we each tipped our go guide in cash ( CA$10 , or $ 7.31 ) .
Our turn guidebook mentioned that theMontreal Jazz Feststarted today , so after the tour we catch a few of the destitute performances . I ’m not typically a jazz fan but it was a beautiful eventide and a merriment vibration .
Photos by Stacy Brooks
Since we were the only people on our tour , we end up with remnant chocolate babka , bagels , and kokosh , a rolled pastry with a poppy seed fill . We had some market from a few day ago , so we snack on carbs , cheeseflower , and fruit at our Airbnb for dinner . We also learn the presidential disputation between Biden and Trump , which was hands down the low period of our trip .
Day 6 - Friday
Total price : $ 76.91We still had a net ton of leftovers , so we slept in and ate babka and kokosh for breakfast . I get it on nutrient markets , so we took the metro to Marche Jean Talon , where we vagabond around and I stocked up on locally - bring forth goat cheese fromFromagerie Hamel(CA$13 , or $ 9.51 ) , strawberries ( CA$5 , or $ 3.66 ) , and a loge of maple candies for my husband ( CA$10 , or $ 7.31 ) . I also bought a mug depicting an anthropomorphized beigel , smoked meat sandwich , and poutine for CA$22.98 ( $ 16.81 ) , because I always need more cuteness in my life . On the way back to our Airbnb , I catch olive bread fromL’Amour du Pain(CA$5.52 , or $ 4.04 ) to satiate out my lunch .
The forecast looked lousy for our final mean solar day in Montreal , so we crammed in as many outdoor things as we could for the rest of the afternoon and evening : geocaching and a manner of walking inParc Jean - Drapeau , an island park with big views of downtown Montreal , and another amble around Old Montreal , with stops for vanilla extract soft serve atLe Petit Depfor CA$9.58 ( $ 7.01 ) and spritz cocktails on the terrace atMaggie Oakes , which my partner pick up the tab for . We also walk back to Jazz Fest to catch another performance .
We unanimously decided that we require to eat vegetable for dinner — there is , in fact , a limitation to how many pastries we can take in . We had a pleasant dinner atLe Petit Sao , a fun Vietnamese spot , and I got a tofu roll bowl and a cocktail for CA$39.07 ( $ 28.57 ) .
Photos by Stacy Brooks
Day 7 - Saturday
Total cost : $ 54.59As the forecast promised , it was a gloomy , rainy twenty-four hours . We started our morning atCrew Collective & Cafe , a coffee shop in a beautiful historical bank entrance hall , where we took a ton of photos and I got a cortado and croissant for CA$12.22 ( $ 8.94 ) . Then we part up so my partner could get a massage ( I was invited but being tint by strangers stresses me out , which negates the purpose of a massage ) . Instead , I surf some artistry galleries and boutiques in Old Montreal . I ended up mostly window shopping but I did buy a locally - made craft chocolate bar for my husband and a kombucha myself for CA$18.95 ( $ 13.86 ) atLe Petit Dep .
I decided that I could n’t result Canada without eating poutine , so we took the metro toRestaurant Chez Claudette , a laid - back neighborhood diner , where I get an awing plate of classic poutine and a cup of coffee for CA$16.21 ( $ 11.86 ) . The rain lightened up a bit , so we explore some nearby pedestrian - only street — Plaza St - Hubert and Saint - Denis Street — and I got bubble tea leaf for CA$12.55 ( $ 9.18 ) .
My partner ’s parent offered to pay for a prissy meal during our trip , so we made a reservation atPaparmane Tea Roomfor an early evening tea . It was perfect — capricious rather of stuffy , with a magenta accent wall and fake birds light in the chandelier , plus a delicious spread of miniature sandwich and flyspeck desserts .
Photos by Stacy Brooks
I was still cerebrate about the crookie ( a crescent roll stuffed with a deep brown chip cookie ) I discover atBoulangerie Cavistea few day ago , so we took one last walk through Old Montreal so I could grab one to eat later ( CA$9.20 , or $ 6.73 ) . We also stop at a convenience store and I bought a couple of small bags of all - enclothe chip to bring home in my suitcase ( CA$5.50 , or $ 4.02 ) .
Day 8 - Sunday
full price : $ 4.49We waken up at 4:30 am to take the tube and bus to the airport . I got a stale cinnamon danish at a random stall by our logic gate for CA$6.14 ( $ 4.49)—after a workweek of top - notch pastries , it was a brutal proceeds to reality . Also brutal : After we boarded our flight of stairs , it was delayed nearly two hours by mechanical issues , so our well-off layover in Toronto whole disappear .
I hate channelize to US - bind flight at the Toronto aerodrome . The airport is huge , you have to go through security measures again , and you ’re required to light up US customs duty , which is usually understaffed . Our trajectory to Minneapolis was delay , so there was a chance we could still catch it and we make up one’s mind to incline for it . One of the wheels broke off my cooperator ’s suitcase en route and we arrived at our gate sweaty and disheveled , but we made our escape .
My married man picked us up at the drome . My partner and I were happy to be home — he drop his other partner and his cat , I pretermit my husband , and we both missed sleeping in a functional bed — but we ’re already looking forward to our next slip together . notice for next time : budget for a hotel !
Photos by Stacy Brooks
How it all broke down
Upfront and go costs:$1,338.58Costs from the week:$714.55Final total:$2,053.13How much I expend compared to my original budget:$446.87 under budget
Photos by Stacy Brooks
Photos by Stacy Brooks
