You may know this, but Montreal is one of our favorite cities and we love exploring its neighborhoods and rediscovering it all year long. Through its excellents restaurants and must-see cultural events, you’ll definitely find your next date night idea among our suggestions. Here are 10 activities ideas for your next romantic winter getaway in Montreal!
1. Dinner under the stars at the Terrasse William Gray
Since November, Terrasse William Gray has been in winter mode to offer you an exceptional gastronomic experience in a geodesic dome. Housed on the 8th floor of the Hotel William Gray, you can enjoy an evening under the stars, a sublime view of Old Montreal and discover their delicious 5-course menu. The different dishes are prepared from ingredients from local producers and will evolve according to different monthly themes until April.
Able to accommodate 4 to 8 people, the heated domes are also available for brunch, in a 3-course formula, during the weekends to experience the winter terrace under the rays of the sun! Whether for dinner or for brunch, it’s truly a magical experience to try this winter for an unforgettable moment!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
2. Skating in the heart of the Old Port of Montreal
Open since December 14, 2024, the Old Port of Montreal skating rink is an idyllic spot for a romantic evening under the stars. You can even take the opportunity to take a ride on the Ferris wheel and admire the city light up from the air after your skating session.
To add even more atmosphere to your evening, enjoy the DJ nights on ice, every Friday from January 10 to February 14, 2025. A rest up area with Adirondack chairs and fireplaces to warm you up are also available for a little more comfort. And if you don’t have skates at home, don’t worry, you can rent them directly at the rink in addition to having access to free lockers (you just have to bring your padlock).
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
3. Winter walk in the most beautiful parks of Montreal
Montreal has no shortage of natural spaces that allow you to take a pause from the frenzy of life for a nice walk. Maisonneuve Park is our favourite for its quiet trails and cross-country skiing, but each of the city’s neighborhoods offers great options for a winter stroll. Be sure to stop by Jarry Park in Villeray or Lahaie Park and Lafontaine Park in the Plateau-Mont-Royal for some fresh air this winter.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
4. Attend an exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts
Whether it’s the first Sundays of the month for free Quebec’s museums admission or the $15 Wednesday evenings, any occasion is a good one to explore the different rooms of the Museum of Fine Arts. This winter, several exhibitions will be presented, including Two by Two, Together, showcasing a selection of works that have been acquired by the MMFA over the past five years.
The Museum’s exterior is also in the spotlight thanks to ulitsuak | marée montante | rising tide by artist Glenn Clear, the first Indigenous artwork designed specifically for the MMFA’s outdoor space. In addition to the temporary exhibitions, you can also visit the various collections of local and international art during your visit. And if you want to experience the Museum of Fine Arts differently, keep reading; you won’t be disappointed.
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5. Try a restaurant that makes you travel
One of the best city to explore the gastronomy from all around the world, a romantic getaway to Montreal isn’t complete without stopping at one of its many restaurants that will take you on a journey. A few steps from the Museum of Fine Arts, you’ll find the magnificent and equally romantic Ristorante Béatrice for an Italian evening.
Want to explore more around the neighborhood of Griffintown? Head to India Rosa to enjoy the best of Indian cuisine. If you’re passing through Mile End, head to Pamika to get transported to the heart of Bangkok and discover Thailand’s specialties. And if you’re looking for more ideas, check out our article listing more than 20 gastronomic addresses that will transport you to the ends of the earth during your next romantic evening in Montreal.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
6. Relax in urban spas
To pamper your skin after facing the cold outside, there’s nothing better than a day of relaxation in the best urban spas in Montreal. For high-end treatments, the William Gray Spa, located inside the hotel of the same name, offers luxurious facilities including a halotherapy room filled with Himalayan salt, a warm quartz massage bed and a Spa Wave sound therapy system. Not to mention their Finnish sauna, steam room and herbal sauna.
Crédit photo: Spa William Gray
For a spectacular view of the metropolis, head to Bota Bota, an overwater spa that is a dream come true with its exceptional location, but also with its magnificent relaxation stations and varied treatments.
7. Touring the best cafes in Montreal
Montreal is full of cafés, each one prettier than the last, and winter is the perfect season to tour them all and warm up with their gourmet creations. Here are some of our favorite addresses throughout the city:
- Old Montreal: Crew Collective for the feeling of drinking coffee at Gringotts, Tommy Café for their excellent lattes, Olive & Gourmando for their Cubano sandwich
- Griffintown: Le Petit Dep for its inspiring atmosphere and its pastries
- Villeray: Rosa Café for their dirty chai and the best bombolonis, Pastel Rita for their idyllic setting
- Hochelaga-Maisonneuve: Hélico for its perfect chai lattes and its unbeatable breakfast sandwich, the Supernat for its beautiful working space and its delicious natural wines to discover
- Mile-End: Café Alphabet for its Freddo cappuccino, perfectly creamy that will transport you straight to Greece. Also take the opportunity to visit Bernie Beigne just across the street, it’s worth the detour if you have a sweet tooth!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
More coffees recommendations:
- Rosemont: Pista, Station W
- Plateau-Mont-Royal: Darling, Myriade
- Downtown: Café Parvis, Pikolo Espresso Bar
- Petite-Bourgogne: September Café
- Mile-End: Café Olimpico
8. Enjoy gnocchi on the go in Mile-End
With our freezing winters, you’ll definitely need a little warm and comforting break during your romantic getaway to Montreal. One of our guilty pleasures will always be the famous gnocchi from Drogheria Fine in Mile-End. At only $5, it’s the perfect snack on the go to warm you up on a cold day and feel like you’re in a small Italian town on the Mediterranean for a moment. With their soft gnocchi and homemade sauce, you can’t go wrong.
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9. Enjoy the city at night at Montréal en Lumière
A true classic of Montreal winter evenings, the Montréal en Lumière festival returns for its 26th edition from February 27 to March 9, 2025. Whether inside for a show, on the Place des Festivals or for the gastronomic experience of the event, you’ll find what you are looking for to spend a most complete romantic evening. If you want to live the Montréal en Lumière full experience, get ready for the night of March 1st, 2025, with the classic Nuit blanche which explores the theme of POP this year!
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10. Attend a candlelight concert with Fever
For a romantic winter evening in Montreal, Candlelight concerts by Fever are definitely one of our favorite activities. Whether you’re a fan of the hit TV series Bridgerton, film music, classical music or iconic bands like Queen, Coldplay or Pink Floyd, you’ll definitely find a concert that will please you to enjoy a candlelit evening in the city’s iconic venues.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
We hope our recommendations will help you have an unforgettable weekend for your next romantic getaway to Montreal!
Happy romantic weekend getaway in Montreal!
*Some activities have an affiliate link that allows us to have a small percentage discount if you make a purchase, but rest assured that everything you will find in our list of activities has obviously been tested on our side! In short, only our favorites!