(discover downtown) There’s always something happening for free at the Quartier des Spectacles in the downtown core. Outside, make some music with the illuminated outdoor installation Iceberg and watch for video-projection art on the sides of buildings, part of the high-tech Luminothérapie art exhibition. Inside in the centre of the Place des Arts complex until February 3, see photography exhibition Finzi Pasca, Dali & La Verità, of and inspired by the Salvador-Dali-focused stage show La Verità, opening at Place des Arts in January.

(cool outside) Outdoor enthusiasts love Montreal in winter – when you’re cross-country skiing, playing hockey, skating or into any winter sports, the cold just doesn’t seem to matter as much – and if you’ve got your own equipment, much of it doesn’t cost a thing. Skating in Parc Lafontaine, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Mountain, or simply walking through the city are all free all the time, and there’s plenty to see too. Walk around Old Montreal and be sure to look into the sky on New Year’s Eve at midnight and on January 5 at 8 p.m. to see the Telus Fire on Ice fireworks. And the all-new Olympic Park Winter Village is free for everyone, with a skating and hockey rink, a toboggan run, activities for kids, a snowy tennis tournament on January 5, a “Funky Karnaval” music and dance performance January 5-6, and more – and while not free, on Saturday, January 5, several of Montreal’s food trucks will serve up delicious food, from burgers to gourmet dishes.

(art activities) Admission is always free to the permanent collections at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where new exhibitions open this January: see an array of works by Impressionist artists, Taiwanese artist Chih-Chien Wang’s As Far As We Were, As Close As I Can, Iranian photographer Aydin Matlabi’s Landscape, Revolution, People, as well as paintings, sculpture, new media art and more from famed Quebecois, Canadian and international artists. On January 19, DHC/ART foundation in Old Montreal unveils Thomas Demand: Animations, an exhibition of the German artist’s films and videos, interlacing photography, architecture, sculpture and media images. Outside the downtown core, climb inside SQUEEEEQUE the Improbable Igloo, artist Alexis O’Hara’s large speakerbox igloo, where she and other artists will be performing and welcoming the public to play too from January 10 to February 17 at Maison de la culture NDG. And for a taste of what Montreal artists are up to, visit smaller galleries and artist-run centres in the five-storey Belgo Building (372 Ste-Catherine W.)

(moving images) Escape the cold throughout January at the state-of-the-art PHI Centre, a multidisciplinary arts and cultural hub in beautiful Old Montreal, where free screenings of top Canadian films such as Xavier Dolan’s Lawrence Anyways, Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell, Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, Midnight’s Children, The End of Time, and more will be shown on select evenings – admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis!

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Photo credit: © Thomas Demand, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn / SODRAC, Ottawa
Rolltreppe / Escalator, 2000, 35 mm Film Loop, 2,00 min

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Though Montreal has some truly incredible restaurants, it’s no secret that they can be pretty expensive. But, with a little planning and schedule flexibility, you can eat some of best food in Montreal at a price that won’t leave your wallet in shock…. 5 Great Resto Deals in Montreal

Leméac : Laurier is a pretty swanky street, so it makes sense that the restaurants overlooking its sidewalks are not cheap, and, during the day, this elegant French resto is no exception. But after 10pm, you can eat an appetizer and main course for $22 from a menu that includes truffle oil salmon tartare, duck leg confit and a slew of other dishes that you’d be hard pressed to find for that reasonable a price. All you have to worry about is figuring out what to do until 10. 1045 Laurier, (514) 270-0999

Club Chasse Et Pêche : I’ll start by saying that the taster’s menu (or “degustation”) I had here last summer was a dizzying culinary experience. That, thank god, someone else paid for. This spot in Old Montreal has an entrance you might miss and a comfortable, private club feel to it, but the cuisine is absolutely high-end and they have some of the most knowledgeable staff in the city. The mains (this week’s menu includes grilled octopus and spatzel) run anywhere from $14-$25 during lunch, which is a great deal considering that, during the dinner service, they generally start at $30. 423 St-Claude, (514) 861-1112

La Montée de Lait : Though they recently moved from their downtown location to a small but busy spot in the Mile-End neighbourhood, the people from La Montée were good enough to keep their lunch special intact. It’s a Quebecois-influenced French resto that features daily specials, so you’ll have to wander in with an empty stomach and an open mind to find out what’s for lunch. But, given that you can eat an appetizer and main for $20 (half of what you’d pay during dinner service), you really have nothing to lose but a great meal. 5171 Saint-Laurent, (514) 273-8846

Au Cinquième Pêché : Like Chasse et Pêche, I can still clearly remember the last meal I had in this small seafood-specializing bistro on Mont-Royal (and not just because I ate seal from the Îles de la Madeleine). Though it is one of the more affordable places on this list, their lunch special borders on the insane. A 3-course table d’hôte, with coffee or tea, for under $20??? How much was that salad you just bought again? The only catch is that it’s only offered on Fridays, so make sure to call well in advance… 330 Mont Royal, (514) 286-0123

Milos : Montreal’s most well known Greek restaurant is also home to one of the city’s most beloved lunch specials. Milos, which specializes in fresh fish cooked perfectly, is fairly expensive for dinner, but during their “Quick Delicious” lunch, available 12:00-3:00pm every Monday through Friday, you can have an appetizer (like crab cakes, octopus sashimi, spanakopita) and a main course (like organic Scottish salmon, lamb chops, lobster pasta) and a dessert (like the wonderfully named yogurt martini) for $20. 5357 Parc, (514) 272-3522

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Montreal is the perfect destination for anyone living in North America looking for a significant change of scenery without having to travel to the end of the world.  It is only an hour flight from New York or Toronto, yet feels a lot more like a trip to Europe.

On top of saving on plane ticket fees and jetlag ramifications, you’ll be happy to hear that Montreal is also a very affordable city.

With its vibrant cultural scene and bountiful summer festivals, Montreal has all it takes to offer you a memorable time without breaking the bank.

Here are some ideas for a sensational Montreal trip on the cheap!

WHERE TO STAY

Alternatives: The ‘Auberge Alternative’ is a budget boutique hostel. I truly like that place, because it started as a hostel for younger people, but now families and older travellers stay here as well. They also hold exhibitions which makes it a unique arts hostel for modern bohemian of all ages.  Reserve early!

WHAT TO DO

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (FREE): The Museum’s permanent exhibitions, such as Sacred Africa, Napoleon and Pre-Columbian Art are always free to the public. For all other exhibitions (such as the wonderful Miles Davis expo starting this week), it’s 7.50$ on Wednesdays instead of the usual15$.

Tam-Tams (FREE): The Tam-Tams of Mont-Royal are Montreal’s Sunday ritual of dance and people watching. Hundreds of people gather at the foot of the mountain (look for the Angel statue on Parc Avenue). Many of them bring their tam-tams, while hundreds of others dance to the beat or have a chill out session in the park. Insider scoop: Kirsten Dunst is in town right now, and she’s been spotted there three weeks in a row….

Montreal Jazz Festival (FREE): From June 25 to July 6, it’s all about the Jazz Festival in Montreal. Numerous free shows take place outdoors and will ensure you have a most awesome trip. This year, look out for Lionel Richie, who’s headlining the opening show of the Festival.

Francofolies (FREE): Just like the Jazz Fest, another famous Montreal festival, Francofolies, takes place at La Place des Festivals. Only this time, French Music is honored. Check out the program to discover new artists from all over the globe, singing in the language of love.

Just For Laughs Festival (FREE): The Just For Laughs Festival is known for having launched the career of some of today’s most successful humorists (Jimmy Fallon loves Montreal).  You will need tickets for certain shows, but the greatest part of the festival takes place outside, on St-Denis Street, which is closed to traffic and absolutely free of charge.

Fireworks (FREE):  L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec is the largest pyrotechnics competition in the world. Every Saturday, the Montreal sky lights up, gracieuseté of one of the eight participating countries. Head to Place Jacques Cartier in Old Montreal for a great view and a vibrant evening.

Walk on Mount-Royal (FREE) Last year, I wrote a post about walking/jogging on Mont-Royal. I even did a video and I’m happy to tell you that it’s still very relevant. Going for a walk on Mont-Royal is free and good for your health. It will take you about 30 minutes to get to the top if you are walking, and the view is totally rewarding.

Village: The Village is Montreal’s gay neighborhood. In the summer, from May 26 to September 13, you can take a traffic-free stroll on Ste-Catherine East. You’ll find a multitude of art installations, shops, patios and arguably some of the sexiest people watching in the city.

Food sampling at Jean-Talon Market: Get on the metro and exit at the Jean-Talon Station. Located right next to Little Italy, the market is a very important part of Montreal culture. During the peak summer period, between June and October, its open-air arcades are occupied by about 300 vendors, mostly farmers from the countryside around Montreal. Mingle with locals and grab a piece of cheese. Or a mango, or a slice of traditional pizza, or a fresh salad, a crepe, olives, grilled corn, kebab….you get the picture!

Picnic at Jeanne Mance Park: Bring a blanket, grab some food at a nearby grocery store (PA market is just around the corner), add a nice bottle of wine in your basket, and you’re ready for a delightfully cheap Montreal picnic. Yes, you can drink in Montreal parks if you bring food! Much cheaper than spending the afternoon on a fancy patio, yet, just as much fun!

WHERE TO GRAB A CHEAP DRINK

St-Laurent Bifteck:  Legendary Montreal bar located on the Main. Serves cheap pitchers of beer and free popcorn.

Divan Orange: Also on the Main, Divan Orange is a local hang out for music aficionados. The bar is a well-known stage for emerging artists, both English and French.

Saint-Elizabeth Pub: This hidden pub (right off St-Catherine Blvd) is home to a gorgeous and secluded back terrace. Perfect for taking a break after an afternoon of shopping or roaming from festival to festival. On Mondays, pints of local draught beer are only $3.

Copacabana Restaurant:  A Montreal institution popular for watching hockey games, drinking cheap beer or munching on Yuca fries.

Au Pain Perdu: The perfect breakfast spot is a breakfast spot that serves mimosas (orange juice and champagne). The most perfect of all is the one that sells mimosas by the bottle….for 30$! All through the afternoon!

WHERE TO EAT

Romados: Traditional Portuguese chicken grilled right in front of your eyes. Delicious, copious, and very cheap.

Schwartz: Montreal institution known for its world-class smoked meat. A sandwich will cost you 5.50$ and will give you all the energy needed to keep on trecking.

Aux Vivres: For the vegetarians and vegans of this world, Aux Vivres is a very friendly cantine that offers healthy meals at affordable prices. Try the BLT or the salads. Awesome.

Beijing: This Chinatown goodie never goes out of style. The portions are generous which means you can share the food (and the bill). It’s open till 2am.

Lemeac: Lemeac is a fancy French bistro located in Outremont. Every night, after 10pm, the table d’hôte menu drops to 22$, which includes an appetizer and main course. 22$ is not so cheap, but definitely affordable and well worth it for the kind of experience you’ll get in return.

Orange Julep: If you’re lucky, you might spot the giant orange ball as you land in Montreal. It’s the Orange Julep! Famous for its secret orange juice recipe, head to the Julep to satisfy your love for cheap (but good) fastfood. Play it vintage on Wednesday nights as the classic cars roll in for the famous weekly showing-off.

Fushia: One of my favorite spots in the city, Fushia’s lunch menus involves a delicious vegetarian home-made meal, desert and floral tea…for 10$! Definitely worth the detour.

WHERE TO SHOP

Sidewalk Sales: Twice every summer, St-Laurent Blvd. gets taken over by hundreds of boutiques extending their marchandise unto the street for some amazing discounted shopping opportunities.

Winners: Winners is a chain of stores featuring designer clothes at discounted price. You’ll find one at the underground level of Place Montral Trust, on Ste-Catherine Blvd.  PS. You have to be in the mood to look through the racks.

Jeans Jeans Jeans: The mecca of jeans (that fit). See what my colleague Daniel Baylis wrote about this Montreal institution. You need to go there, seriously.

Off -season specials: Stroll down Ste-Catherine Blvd. and Mont-Royal Avenue. You will discover that most shops always have discounted racks, especially around July and August when they start prepping for fall and getting rid of all their summer inventory.

GETTING AROUND

People travelling on a budget know what BMW stands for, and that is, Bus-Metro-Walk.

In Montreal, your BMW is the STM (Society of Transport of Montreal). Check their website for fare information and maps. They are also very present on Twitter if you have any questions on how to get around.

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Want more ideas and recommendations of things you can do in Montreal depending on your specific interests? Just ask me!  I’m here to help you plan your trip, find me on Facebook and Twitter.

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