A Cozy Couples' Weekend in Quebec

Montreal

• Old Port: Originally a significant fur trading post in the 1600s, Old Port is essentially what Montreal developed around. Today, you can take a picturesque stroll on the waterfront while sipping coffees with a looming Ferris wheel beyond.

• Shopping in Vieux Montreal: Romanticize a simpler time. This is where you’ll find the cobblestone streets, designer boutiques, and intimate little bistros where you can hide away and sit for a few hours.

• Notre Dame Basilica: In the heart of Vieux Montreal stands this imposing Neo-Gothic church. For architecture lovers, I recommend a tour of the inside. For a really special evening, book tickets to Aura, an immersive light experience that plays off the intricate architectural details of the cathedral.

• Mount Royal Park Loop Trail and Overlook: Nothing gets the heart pumping like an incline hike. Head north through the city into Mount Royal Park. Hike the loop trail and climb the stairs to the Kondiaronk lookout. When you reach the top, share a kiss with panoramic views of the city amongst the stunning color of the foliage (if visiting in fall).

Quebec City

After a scenic three-hour train ride north, you’ll find yourself in Quebec City, a quaint city with heavy French influences from its founding that still stand today. Pro tip: Splurge for first-class tickets so you can share lunch and a red wine toast while taking in the views.

• Shopping and exploring Vieux Quebec: Spend hours meandering together through the charming avenues of Rue de St. Louis, Rue des Jardins, Rue Saint Anne, Rue Saint Jean, and Quartier Petit Champlain. You can start at the citadel and work your way down to the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, stopping in and out of eclectic restaurants and boutiques offering everything from Christmas ornaments to high-quality cashmere, wool, and furs.

• Tea at the Fairmont: Thursday through Saturday, you can book afternoon tea at the historic castle-turned-hotel. Luxuriate over courses of tea, scones, biscuits, and pastries that’ll leave you feeling like Marie Antoinette herself.

• Saint Roche: If you bond the most from new experiences, check out the off-the-beaten-path Saint Roche neighborhood. This vibrant area boasts a stretch of art galleries, boutiques, gourmet food stores, and excellent restaurants.

• Ile d’Orleans: For foodies visiting in the summer, the small island of Ile d’Orleans is a breath of fresh air away from the bustle of the city. I recommend hiring a driver to take you to wineries, cheesemongers, berry farms, and the chocolaterie.

• Hiking: If visiting in summer or fall, you’d be remiss not to enjoy the nature surrounding the city. A short drive to Parc National Jacques Cartier or Montmorency Falls is just enough to spend a few hours hiking through the gorgeous foliage or zip-lining across the massive waterfall.

• Strom Spa: No couples weekend would be complete without some one-on-one relaxation. Strom is a Nordic spa located outside the city center on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River. I recommend starting with a couples' massage in the late afternoon, followed by a float in one of their several thermal pools. After, have dinner at Nordique in your robe and slippers before returning to the pools for a soak or sauna. It’s a great activity to do together the night before you leave. You’ll fall into bed blissfully relaxed and ready for sleep.

Montreal

• Monarque Brasserie: For the couple celebrating something special, try French bistro classics served in an elegant, modern dining room.

• Schwartz’s Deli: For the couple that enjoys a local experience, don’t lose heart when the line is long. This is a traditional must-visit in Montreal for their smoked meat sandwiches. Dining is family style, so be prepared to put your phone down and strike up conversation with a stranger.

• Fairmont Bagel and St Viateur Bagel: For the bread lovers. Montreal bagels are their own unique style—sliced thin, crispy on the outside, soft and pillowy on the inside, and piled high with schmear. These two haunts are said to be the best two in the city.

• The Coldroom: For the couple that likes to slip away in the dark, imbibe in incredible cocktails in a speakeasy hideaway.

• Stash Cafe: For the couple that enjoys a quiet moment, this is a sneaky good place to cozy up against the cold and warm yourself with hearty Polish dishes seated in traditional church pews.

• Graziella: For the couple toasting a milestone, savor fine Italian dishes paired perfectly with sustainable wines and surrounded by contemporary artworks.

Quebec City

• La Clocher Penche: For the foodie couple, this spot may seem minimal and unassuming, but the creative menu will keep surprising you until the very end.

• Jjacques: For the couple that always starts the party. If you can persevere and eventually find this speakeasy spot, it’s a buzzy way to close out the evening. Snuggle up in the ambient lighting and share a few cocktails while swapping laughs with the bartenders.

• Le Clan: For the rustically chic couple, sink into this restaurant’s hunting lodge surroundings and sample their locally inspired menu.

• Nina Pizza: For the couple that loves a pizza night, cozy up to the bar and share a freshly thrown pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven paired with a few glasses of red.

• Paillard: For the couple that can’t do mornings, the ham and cheese croissants here are worth getting out of bed for.

• Bistro Hortus: For the couple that enjoys a sustainable moment, you’ll love this true farm-to-table restaurant with rooftop gardens where they source their own honey, herbs, and vegetables. Stop for dinner or even a quick cocktail while you’re exploring Old Quebec City.

• Chez Temporel: For the laid-back couple. Truly no frills at all and just a few tables, this unassuming French bistro serves one of my favorite escargots and some surprisingly great espresso martinis. A great place to unwind and recount your day together.