Weekend Wanderlust For One: Solo City Break to Montreal, Canada

Editor’s Note: Weekend Wanderlust for One is a series where I give my favorite bloggers a $500 budget and ask them to plan a weekend getaway less than 4 hours away from their hometowns that lasts 3 days and 2 nights for 1 traveler. The blogger who answers the challenge this month? Gray Cargill of Solo Friendly. One of my favorite bloggers because of her shared emphasis on solo travel as well as her practical and straightforward approach to budget travel, Gray totally upped the ante on me by taking her $500 budget and leaving the country. The best part? You can totally do it too. Follow Gray on a city break to Montreal (that’s right–as in Canada) as she designs a totally fun solo weekend for less than 5 C-notes in Canada’s City of Light.

Where I’d go/Destination:

I would spend my three days in my favorite weekend travel destination, Montreal in the Canadian Province of Quebec. A two+ hour drive north (and across the border), it is the closest major city to where I live in Burlington, Vermont. Since I’ve been there several times, I chose activities I don’t mind repeating or have not done before.

How I’d get there/Transportation:

I’d drive my 2004 Subaru Legacy wagon, which gets 25 mpg highway. I can drive to Montreal and back on one tank of gas, and it costs me $45 to fill my tank when it’s at less than ¼ of a tank. Total cost: $45.

Once I’m settled in my hotel, I would park my car for the weekend for $62 US and use the Metro to get around. I’d buy a 3-day pass for $17.51 (US). (As long as I take 6 one-way trips on the pass—which I plan to–it’s worth it to get the pass.)

Where I’d stay/Lodging:

I would stay at The Hotel Y Montreal, which is affiliated with the YWCA. A single room with private bath will set me back just $180 for 2 nights (including tax). Located at 1355 Rene-Levesque Boulevard, a block from St. Catherine Street, this hotel is within easy walking distance of metro stations, restaurants, and nightlife. All rooms are non-smoking and include free high-speed Internet access. By staying here, I’m also supporting the YWCA.

What I’d do/Itinerary:

Day 1:

After a hearty breakfast, I would hit the road by 9am. Arriving in Montreal around 11:30 am (allowing for time stuck at the border), I would make a beeline to Mont Royal while I still have access to my car. Parking at the highest lot on the mountain, I’d hike up to the lodge with my lunch bag cooler and dig out the sandwich and cold drink I brought for a picnic while taking in the spectacular views of Montreal. Cost: Free.

From there, I’d head back down the hill to my hotel, check in, and park my car for the duration. Next, I would catch the metro to Old Montreal, to go to the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History. The Museum includes six structures, including a pumping station, an archaeological crypt and the Mariners House. I love digging into the past of a city. Cost: $15.45.

By this time I’d be ready for a cold drink and light snack somewhere. Cost: $5.

Next, I’d wander around my favorite part of the city, Old Montreal, stopping to watch the “street theater” at Place Jacques-Cartier. I never get tired of wandering the narrow, cobblestone streets or taking photos of buildings dating back to the 1600s. Cost: FREE.

Dinner would be in Chinatown at Restaurant Beijing, where I can get a good meal for under $20.

Before turning in for the night, I’d stop in at Hurley’s Irish Pub around the corner from my hotel for a nightcap and some live music. Cost: approx. $7.

Day 2

For breakfast, I’d walk up St. Catherine Street to the Eggspectations restaurant at the Complex Desjardins for the Boca Raton Benedict and coffee. If it’s a nice day, I’d sit out on the terrace, because there’s nothing that says “vacation” like dining al fresco at breakfast. Total with tip: $20.

Next, I’d grab the metro to station Pie-IX to go to the Montreal Botanical Gardens. I would revisit my old favorites, the Chinese and Japanese gardens, and the gardens I haven’t seen yet. I’d skip the Insectarium, because I hate bugs. For lunch, I’d grab a quick salad or sandwich (approx. cost: $12) at the little cafe on site, dining outdoors with a view of the gardens.

In the afternoon, I’d walk over to the Biodome to watch the penguins swim around like bullets in the Labrador Coast environment, and see how many colorful birds I can spot in the tropical rainforest. Because I’m visiting both the Botanical Gardens and the Biodome today, I’d purchase the “Nature Package” when I arrive at the Botanical Gardens for $17 US, which provides access to both facilities for a bit of a discount over purchasing tickets separately.

After all that walking around, I’d head back to my hotel room to relax for a bit and freshen up for dinner. Dinner would be at Le Commensal, a terrific vegetarian buffet which is a 10 minute walk from my hotel and offers an outstanding second-story view of the corner of McGill and St. Catherine Streets via floor-to-ceiling windows. Great food and great people-watching are a recipe for a terrific solo meal. At Le Commensal, meals are priced by weight, and I’m a light eater. But even if I were to go crazy, I wouldn’t pay more than their maximum dinner price of $17 US. Since it’s self-service, there’s no need to leave a tip.

Following dinner, it’s time for a waddle along St. Catherine Street (the non-seedy section) and possibly down into the underground shopping mall to walk off my meal, window-shop, and people-watch. Cost: Free.

Day 3:

After two busy days of walking in Montreal, I’d sleep in today and grab a late breakfast of coffee and pastries at the nearest bakery/cafe. Cost: $10 max.

But don’t think this is going to be a lazy day, because then I would do something I’ve been wanting to try for awhile: I’d rent a Bixi bike for an hour or two for a scenic ride along the waterfront. Cost: $5.15.

After working up a new appetite, I would enjoy lunch in the garden at the funky Cafe Santropol (cost: $20 max, cash only, they don’t accept credit cards), followed by a stroll through the Plateau area of Montreal. With a full stomach and contented heart, I’d pick up my car and luggage and be on my way out of town by mid-afternoon, having created more fond memories of my favorite Canadian city to tide me over until my next trip.

Budget Breakdown:

Transportation: $130

Lodging: $180

Meals: $111

Attractions: $32

Weekend Wanderlust for One Grand Total: $453

Note: At the writing of this piece, the exchange rate was: $1 CAD = $1.03 USD. Canadian prices have already been translated into US dollars for this article.

*The information provided in this post was accurate at the time of publication; however, these details may have changed in the interim. Use personal judgment and confirm all prices and information directly with the referenced establishments should you decide to plan an identical or similar trip.