Montreal, Quebec

Canada’s second most-populous city, Montreal is the place to be in Quebec. Rich in culture, cuisine and activities, Montreal is home to a number of globally recognized festivals and events, such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, which is the largest jazz festival in the world, the Just for Laughs festival, the largest comedy festival in the world, and Les Francos de Montréal, the largest event devoted exclusively to French music. Nature lovers can enjoy outdoor attractions like Mount Royal Park or the Montreal Botanical Garden, while those seeking more thrills should spend an afternoon at La Ronde Amusement Park. During the colder months, Montreal’s Underground City offers refuge to tourists and citizens alike as a place that links together shops, restaurants, metro stations and thousands of other businesses without the need to brave the outdoor weather. While there are countless activities to explore in Montreal, the food is often this city’s main attraction. The cuisine is a blend of Haitian, Middle Eastern and, of course, French dining that makes this city an exceptional place to eat. Essential restaurants to try to include La Banquise, which serves 30 types of poutines, Fairmount Bagel, which is rumored to serve the best Montreal Bagels since 1919, and the Cabane à Sucre, or Sugar Shack, which serves authentic Canadian meals and freshly made maple syrup for diners to enjoy out of the bottle or frozen on a stick!