One-Way Distance: 371 miles (~6 hours)
Where to stay: Top rentals or the historic modern Le Mount Stephen, where morning breakfast in the stately Bar George—filled with beautiful woodworked walls and an intricate marble-laid fireplace—is a must.
Crossing the land border with Canada is pretty simple — just remember to pack your passport, and you can be off from sweaty Gotham to the cooler climates of Quebec. Thanks to Quebec’s French influence, the city feels like a faraway land. As a melting pot of other cultures today, the city is, not surprisingly, a destination that will impress even the most discerning New Yorker foodies. Here’s a few to add to your hit list: a decadent brunch at the recently opened Shay, a stylish modern Middle Eastern restaurant in Griffintown that serves twists on avo toast, shakshuka and mouth-watering baklava pancakes; Joe Beef, for quality cuts of meat but really everything else served in a charming setting with a backyard dining area; and the blind tasting menu at Pastel, which changes regularly, is out of this world, and well—we won’t spoil anything more. On a trip to Montreal, stroll through Mile End for boutiques and restaurants heavier in fashion, art, design and decor, plus overall neighborhood cuteness akin to Williamsburg; cruise Old Town Montreal for more of the same, with a more romantic setting filled with 17th-and 18th-century architecture that will make you swear you were in Europe.
New Yorkers also will appreciate a stop at Holt Renfrew, a hybrid between Saks Fifth Avenue and (R.I.P.) Barneys which has favorite luxury brands and new ones not available in the States; Ssense, one of our fave Canadian e-comm retailers also has a concept gallery in Old Montreal since they’re headquartered there, and the store is eye-poppingly cool. Scandinave Spa, a handsome spa with a great water circuit and excellent masseurs is a great place to kill time regardless of what the weather is like outside.
