My Montreal, Part I: A Perfect Mom & Son Day at Place des Arts

Hey there mamas!

As August quietly prepares to leave us in just a few days and our big family summer adventure officially becomes a collection of memories, I finally realized what it is that I love most about traveling.

Sure, I love the beaches, the crystal-clear waters, the excitement of discovering new places, and the pure luxury of eating delicious food that somebody else cooked.

But what I love most is the atmosphere.

The feeling of wandering aimlessly through unfamiliar streets. Choosing a café simply because it looks charming. Sitting down for a coffee with no particular destination in mind. Discovering hidden corners, taking photos, people-watching, and allowing yourself to be completely present.

No schedule.

No deadlines.

No pressure.

Just the simple joy of exploration.

And recently, I made another important discovery.

I don't actually need to leave home to experience that feeling.

Yes, you heard that right.

I can find the same excitement, curiosity, and happiness by exploring the city I live in as if I were visiting it for the very first time.

Lately, this has become my personal mission. Whenever the weather cooperates, I've started dedicating part of my weekends to discovering Montreal one neighborhood at a time, searching for hidden gems and beautiful little surprises.

Although I lived in Montreal for two years before moving to the suburbs with my family, I realized how many places I still haven't truly explored. The city is right next door, patiently waiting to reveal itself.

One thing I've learned is that it's much more enjoyable to focus on one area at a time instead of trying to see everything at once.

Last Saturday, accompanied by my youngest son, I set off to rediscover one of my favorite places in Montreal: Place des Arts.

I've been there many times over the years. For concerts. For work events. To meet friends.

But never simply to enjoy the place itself.

Since navigating downtown traffic and searching for parking is not exactly my idea of a relaxing morning, we took the metro and exited directly onto Sainte-Catherine Street, right in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles.

Our first stop was the beautiful Esplanade Tranquille.

Despite being in the middle of downtown Montreal, the atmosphere felt surprisingly peaceful. The large open space, modern architecture, and inviting gathering areas create a relaxed urban oasis where people sit, chat, work remotely, or simply enjoy the city around them.

Naturally, any proper exploration must begin with coffee.

After all, some of the best things in life start with a blissful cappuccino.

We settled into Café Tranquille, a bright and welcoming café overlooking the esplanade. It felt like the perfect spot for readers, dreamers, and people who enjoy watching the world go by while slowly sipping a warm drink. Accompanied by pastries, our morning officially began.

Fueled by caffeine and enthusiasm, we continued wandering through Place des Arts and the Quartier des Spectacles.

As we strolled along Sainte-Catherine Street, we admired the modern restaurants and cafés that line the neighbourhood, offering culinary experiences from all corners of the world. The area is a fascinating blend of contemporary architecture, cultural venues, stylish hotels, and creative spaces that give downtown Montreal its unique energy.

We passed the impressive Saint James United Church, one of Montreal's most beautiful historic churches. Rising dramatically among modern buildings, it offers a striking reminder of the city's rich architectural heritage.

Nearby, we explored a few temporary installations, charming side streets, and public spaces filled with life and activity.

For someone who spends most of her time surrounded by the greenery and open spaces of the suburbs, there was something refreshing about immersing myself in the city's vibrant urban landscape.

Eventually, a certain little explorer informed me that his stomach was no longer interested in architecture.

It wanted noodles.

Immediately.

Luckily, Chinatown is only a short walk from Place des Arts.

Within minutes, we found ourselves surrounded by colorful storefronts, bustling restaurants, and the tempting aromas of Asian cuisine. For my noodle-loving companion, it was paradise.

After enjoying a delicious mother-son lunch and restoring our energy levels, we continued our adventure.

We wandered through Chinatown before letting ourselves get slightly lost, which is often when the most interesting discoveries happen.

At one point, we stumbled upon a lovely park where my son happily spent time on the swings and playground equipment while I enjoyed the simple pleasure of sitting on a bench and watching the world move at a slower pace.

From there, we eventually made our way back toward Boulevard Saint-Laurent and stopped at Le Central, one of Montreal's most vibrant food halls. Even though we weren't hungry anymore, we enjoyed exploring the modern space and soaking in its lively atmosphere.

As the afternoon progressed and our little feet began feeling the effects of several hours of exploration, we made one final stop before heading home.

Renaud-Bray.

If you've never visited the large Renaud-Bray near Place des Arts, prepare yourself.

Books.

Comics.

Games.

School supplies.

Journals.

Stationery.

Kitchen gadgets.

Greeting cards.

Beautiful notebooks.

And enough cute items to convince you that you absolutely need things you didn't know existed ten minutes earlier.

Needless to say, we spent quite a while browsing.

Eventually, tired but happy, we boarded the metro and headed home.

As we excitedly shared our adventures with Daddy later that evening, I realized something important.

The magic wasn't hidden in some spectacular destination.

It wasn't in an exotic country or on a tropical beach.

It was right here.

In discovering a city I thought I already knew.

In slowing down enough to notice it.

And most importantly, in spending uninterrupted time with my little boy before another school year begins.

Sometimes the greatest adventures are much closer than we think!

Love Katerina

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