Continue your exploration once night falls and head to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. While impressive both inside and out, a truly unique way to gaze upon this French-inspired, Gothic Revival-style church is with the AURA Experience. Book tickets in advance for this stunning show of lights and imagery projected onto the walls inside the church and coordinated with orchestral music. Top off your evening with dinner at Holder, a buzzing French brasserie that offers excellent food, service and ambiance. For a nightcap, Old Montreal is full of seemingly clandestine speakeasies like The Coldroom that are well worth a visit.

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Discover another cultural neighborhood by starting your morning at one of the many cafes in Montreal’s Little Italy. Opened in 1956, Caffè Italia serves strong espressos alongside mouth-watering paninis and pastries. Grab something to go, then head to Jean-Talon Market, one of the largest open-air farmers markets in North America. Take your time meandering through the stalls of more than 300 vendors and pick out your favorite local delicacy as the perfect souvenir, like a bottle of sweet Quebec maple syrup.

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Head to Mile End — a multicultural and art-filled hub often described as Montreal’s hippest neighborhood — and spend the afternoon with Local Montreal Food Tours, a company that specializes in showcasing the city’s best eats. On this walking tour, you’ll make at least six stops to nibble and sip on local favorites like the Montreal-style gravlax sandwich. Along the way, your guide will also tell you all about this trendy enclave.

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Montreal is a dream for wine lovers — from the casual partakers to the aficionados. Kill two birds with one stone with dinner at one of the many wine bars around the city. Vin Papillon is a popular choice, serving a vast number of vintages alongside enough small bites to fill you up for a meal. Just be sure to make a reservation (or pack your patience!) because this place is almost always busy.

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Fuel up for the day with a stop at Cafe Myriade. With four outposts across the city, head to the Le Plateau or Mont-Royal locations for seasonally rotated coffee and fresh pastries baked in house. Next, make your way to Mount Royal Park. The sprawling 494 acres (200 hectares) are perfect for a leisurely morning walk or a serious workout. Don’t miss Kondiaronk Belvedere, the park’s postcard-ready lookout point that is accessible by stairs or trail and offers stunning mountaintop views overlooking the city.

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After working up an appetite, get ready for a hearty lunch at Dunn’s Famous. It’s one of the best places to try poutine, a quintessentially Canadian dish consisting of french fries, gravy and fresh cheese curds. Be sure to leave room for a sandwich because this family-owned restaurant has been famous for its smoked meats since 1927. Afterwards you can indulge your appetite for culture by appreciating the extensive collection of artwork — from sculptures and paintings to multimedia magic — at the nearby Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

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Nestled on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Verdun is the perfect neighborhood for an evening stroll, with plenty of green parks and waterfront paths to explore, plus centuries-old architecture to admire. If you visit during the summer months, be sure to bust a move on the outdoor dance floor at Parc de l’Honorable-George-O’Reilly, where you’ll find daily social dances, including salsa, tango, country and Zumba. For shopping and dinner, head to Promenade Wellington, where the foodie delights include everything from French to Cambodian cuisine.

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For your last breakfast in Montreal, grab a table at Le Cartet for one of the specialty grilled cheese sandwiches filled with duck confit or maple pulled pork. Be sure to pack a bathing suit for your final day because we recommend ending your getaway on a relaxing note with a visit to Bota Bota, a floating spa docked in Montreal's Old Port. Make your way through the hydrotherapy circuit while enjoying views of downtown, Mount Royal and the historic Old Port. Book a massage for an extra dose of relaxation.

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Make time for lunch back in Mile End. Falafel Yoni and Harbin Dumpling are both perfect for a final taste of the city’s international food scene, or try Montreal’s famous bagels, which are said to rival those of New York. Stock up on bagels from Fairmount Bakery, the city’s first bagel bakery, or from St-Viateur Bagel Shop, a spot known for poaching bagels in honey water. Freeze these tasty treats when you get home and savor them slowly until your next visit to Montreal.

Photo Credit: ©Laurene Tinel via Tourisme Montréal