Travel Spotlight: Quebec - The City Experience
Last month, we wrote about all our favourite road trip spots off the beaten track in Quebec, which you can read here. In this post, to coincide with our Montreal trip at the upcoming CERC conference, we’ve taken the opportunity to explore city life in Quebec and find some of the best spots to visit in the region if you’re looking for something a little more metropolitan.
Quebec welcomes all kinds of travellers annually because it offers such a variety of seasonal activities across the province.
Let’s start with the big one…
Exploring Montréal during CERC
If you’re heading to this year’s conference, we’ve noted some of the Sprout team’s favourite places to eat, drink and sightsee whilst you’re in the city.
Some notable restaurants within walking distance from the conference include Ferreira Cafe (who have a Seafood Festival upcoming on September 19th), Bar George serving ‘classic UK fare, slapped with Quebecois cheek’ and for something a little more relaxed, grab tacos and tequila at La Cantina.
If you enjoy comedy then downtown is the place to be, Third Floor Comedy Club host live shows every Friday and Saturday night. There’s also Montréal Comedy Club with comedy jams and showcases in the heart of Central Station throughout the whole week, as well as occasional rooftop events at participating venues.
Sprout Spotlight: La Finca Café
Grab a coffee between conference events at this airy, local coffee spot. With a menu of fresh pastries, cakes and plentiful lunch options, it’s the perfect place to network with a brew roasted in Montréal.
Sprout Spotlight: Crew Collective Cafe & Co-working
Need a private spot or somewhere quiet outside of the conference to get some work done? This incredible co-working gem is housed in the former headquarters of the Royal Bank, with even the bank president’s office converted into a ‘zen room’. Get a Traffic Coffee from the main floor and book a shared bench or private office space for the weekend.
Sprout Spotlight: Le Mal Nécessaire
Just ten minutes away from the conference sits a modern, cosy bar with an exhaustive cocktail list. Le Mal Nécessaire boasts live DJ’s - all local to Montréal - every single night, making it ideal to switch off and let your hair down after a day of CERC events.
Montréal throughout the year
From the incredible architecture of Saint Joseph’s Oratory to the landscape view at the top of Mont Royal park, there are plenty of scenic opportunities in this city. With super walkable neighbourhoods like The Plateau, Old Montréal and Outremont, you can feel comfortable exploring on foot and make the most of the inviting cafes and bistros at every corner.
Montréal plays host to multiple music festivals, as well as the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival for comedy lovers. If fast thrills and sports cars are more your thing, Parc Jean-Drapeau is also home to Grand Prix Montréal every year.
Sprout Spotlight: Marché Jean-Talon
In the heart of Little Italy you’ll find a market chock full of fresh produce and local delicacies, making it an easy and affordable way to experience Montréal’s cuisine. This month, they’re hosting a Harvest Festival with cooking demonstrations and freebies for early attendees.
Sprout Spotlight: Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
There’s a reason the Montréal Jazz Festival is hosted each year, as the city offers lots of opportunity to enjoy a jazz afternoon/evening. Upstairs Jazz has multiple free and ticketed events weekly, where you can grab a drink and dinner and enjoy some of Canada’s best musicians in action.
Don’t skip this city if you’re a foodie; try a Montreal-style bagel from St-Viateur or Fairmount Bagel or head to Schwartz's Deli for their famous smoked meat sandwich.
Street art is never hard to come by in this city. A short wander around the centre will lead to incredibly detailed scenes, and according to Montreal.org, the city itself has been honing its status as ‘mural city’ for quite some time. If you’re more green-thumbed, the Jardin Botanique is well worth the visit for beautiful plants and interesting topiaries.
The heart of Quebec City
With cobblestone streets and historic architecture, Quebec City can feel like stepping into a European fairy tale. Start your exploration in Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can wander through streets lined with boutique shops and cafes. Make sure to try poutine, a quintessential Quebecois dish.
Sprout Spotlight: Chez Ashton
Arguably the most popular fast-food poutine, they have multiples locations around the city. If you’re looking for an alternative to cheese curds and gravy, the roast beef sandwich is also a favourite.
Sprout Spotlight: Morrin Cultural Centre
Celebrating 200 years this year, the Morrin Centre offers visitors a unique chance to explore the history of QC in one of the city’s first jails. Now home to a beautiful library and event space, The Morrin is an interactive, cultural experience for all ages.
Take a walk along the Dufferin Terrace, a sidewalk between the St. Lawrence River and Château Frontenac. It is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year as you’ll find street entertainers and musicians here in the summer, and active toboggan slides in the winter.
Travel the Trois-Rivieres
Trois-Rivières, located midway between Montreal and Quebec City, is a lesser-known gem that offers a more tranquil experience. With its rich history and culture, it provides a perfect blend of urban amenities and small-town charm.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the city's proximity to beautiful parks and waterways. The Parc de l'île Saint-Quentin, a short drive from downtown, offers beaches, hiking trails, and water activities. Throughout the summer they host the sunset Island Cinema, a pop-up showcasing classic movies suitable for the whole family, as well as free music concerts on occasion.
Sprout Spotlight: Boréalis Museum
The Boréalis museum delves into the region's papermaking history, amongst other things. For the rest of September, their ‘History on the Water’ excursion take visitors on an immersive cruise experience to fully embrace the past memories and emotions of the Saint-Maurice River.
Sprout Spotlight: Poivre Noir
Enjoy a leisurely meal at Poivre Noir, a riverside restaurant known for its creative cuisine using local products, and stunning views of the Saint Lawrence River.
For a sweet treat, visit the local favorite, Le Panetier, a bakery renowned for its artisanal pastries. History buffs will love the Forges du Saint-Maurice, a national historic site that tells the story of Canada's early industrial past.
Newcomers to Quebec should visit Trois-Rivières as it offers a more intimate and authentic Quebec experience compared to larger cities, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the province's rich heritage and warm hospitality. The city's manageable size makes it easy to explore, while its diverse attractions ensure there's something for everyone.
And that rounds up our Quebec adventure. Will you be planning a Canadian road trip this year or next? Make sure to keep up-to-date with our blog and sign up to receive our quarterly updates and trend papers below.
Co-founder and Managing Director, Dean, is hosting a panel at this year’s CERC in Montréal - if you’re also going to be in attendance, we’d love to connect.
Get in touch with us: hello@sprout.global
