Montreal Day 2

We had an early rise to beat the heat on our second full day. We planned a busy day for our second full day in the city.

Coffee & Drinks

Nocturne Coffee. This was my favourite coffee of the trip. It was just a short walk from our hotel and the perfect start to our morning plans. We returned to buy some beans to take home with us!
Café Origine. We returned to this coffee shop for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. The iced coffee was the perfect way to head into the second half of our day.
Dispensaire Microbrasserie. We stopped for a late evening patio beer at this adorable brewery. I had the Petit Banc (Belgian White), and my husband had the Jean Lou (NEIPA). Both were incredible; mine was refreshing after a long, hot day.

Food

St. Viateur Bagels. Originating in 1957 and opened 24/7, this was the place to get my Montreal-style bagels. Baked in a wood-burning oven, the delicious bagels come in a variety of toppings - I opted for Cinnamon Raisin and Rosemary & Sea Salt. We picked these up the day before, and I had the Rosemary & Seasalt to start my day.
Schwartz's Deli. I had to make a stop at this infamous Montreal establishment. I, of course, had a smoked meat sandwich and added a pickle to the side. It's a strange review, but the pickle was one of the best I've ever had.
Le Central/Ho Lee Chix. Le Central was also located on Boul. Saint Laurent and is an assortment of Montreal restaurants. You can grab food and drinks from the many options and then grab a spot in the open seating. We tried out Ho Lee Chix, fried chicken with your choice of Chinese sauce and various sides.

Experiences/Sites

Mount Royal Park & Lookout. We got out early and headed toward Mount Royal Park before it got too hot. We headed up the trail, ending at Chalet du Mont-Royal with a gorgeous view of the city. We were briefly overtaken by what sounded like a stampede (it was a running club), but otherwise, it was a gorgeous walk.
Insectarium. A must-see! I was in awe of the incredible displays in The Dome. Rows upon rows of naturalized specimens organized by colour and categories, such as "Bizarre Heads." The vibrancy and intricacy of the insects is beyond incredible.
Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens was next door to the insectarium, making for a stunning day. We explored the Japanese & Rose Gardens before heading into the Greenhouse to take in the incredible arrangements of plants from around the world.
CF Montreal Game. We're more hockey fans but love to attend sporting events when we travel. The CF Montreal Game did not disappoint. The crowd's energy was contagious; we got swept up in the excitement of the game.