Finding Joy in Montréal: Three Days of Walking, Wonder, and Rediscovery

When I think back on my trip to Montréal, I don’t want the first thing that comes to mind to be the car trouble on Saturday. I want to remember the days before that — the days when it was just me, the city, and the freedom to rediscover what it feels like to be in my own company.

This was my first real solo trip. I’d been nervous and excited in equal measure, but I didn’t turn back. I checked into the Moxy Montréal Downtown Wednesday night and promised myself: no matter what happened, I was going to lean into the experience. And I’m so glad I did.

Thursday – Sconewiches, Basilicas, and Rainy Streets

I let myself sleep in on Thursday. No school drop-offs, no morning rush. Just me. By mid-morning, I wandered to Olive et Gourmando, a café that came highly recommended — and for good reason. Their “sconewich” (fig, ham, cheddar on a scone) deserves its fame. I had it with a chai latte, and honestly? That combination might just be one of the best meals I’ve ever had.

After brunch, I headed to Notre-Dame Basilica. The stained glass, the woodwork, the hush inside — it made me pause in a way I hadn’t in years. From there, I walked to the McCord Stewart Museum, spending hours with Indigenous art, Canadian history, and photography exhibits.

The plan was to climb Mount Royal after the museum, but then the skies opened up. Instead, I wandered the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal, umbrella in hand, the rain softening everything. By dinner, I found myself at BEVO Pizzeria, enjoying a quiet meal before strolling through the Old Port to watch the water move under a cloudy sky.

By the time I made it back to the hotel, my step counter read 18,438 steps. I ended the day with a dip in the pool and a sauna session, letting the steam soothe my tired legs.

Friday – Croissants, Art, and Mountaintop Reading

Friday morning, I tried Universel Grillades for breakfast: a ham, egg, and cheddar croissant with another chai latte. Delicious — not quite the sconewich glory of Olive, but close. The chai might have been even better, if that’s possible.

And here’s what struck me as I sat there alone: I wasn’t lonely. I was just… me. For years, the thought of eating in a restaurant alone made me uncomfortable. But that morning, sipping chai with no one across from me, I felt content. Present. Grateful.

Then came the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, where I spent three hours wandering through Canadian and Indigenous art, Decorative Arts, and special exhibits. By mid-afternoon, I decided — on a whim — to climb Mount Royal.

It was sunny, peaceful, perfect. I hiked up, found a spot at the Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout, and pulled out Fourth Wing. I read a few chapters with the city stretched out below me. For a moment, it felt like time stopped — just me, a book, and the view.

On the way back down, I treated myself to another dinner at BEVO and a leisurely walk through the streets. By the time I returned to the hotel, I’d logged over 21,000 steps. My legs were tired, but my spirit felt light.

Once again, I ended the day with the pool and sauna — my new nightly ritual — before heading upstairs to shower and finish episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

The Lesson

When I look back on those three days, what I see most clearly isn’t the food or the museums or even the view from the mountain — though all of that was unforgettable. What I see is me.

A me who can eat breakfast alone without feeling out of place.A me who can wander a museum without waiting for anyone else’s pace.A me who can climb a mountain and sit with a book, unbothered and at peace.

The biggest lesson of Montréal is this: I can have fun on my own.

I don’t need to wait for people’s schedules to align or for someone else to validate the experience. I can go, I can see, I can enjoy. And when I do, I come back fuller, lighter, more grounded in who I am.

Yes, Saturday came with its chaos. But Thursday and Friday reminded me of something important: I am still me. A woman who can walk 20,000 steps, who can laugh in the rain, who can drink chai at a table for one and feel nothing but joy.

And that lesson? That’s worth more than any hotel bill or car repair.

💜 — Rochelly