Getaways

Escape the August sizzle with a splash of Canadian cool. Montreal is a sophisticated destination with world-class dining, shopping and—as the world’s second-largest French-speaking city—an expansive cultural history. (www.tourisme-montreal.org)

SEE: New filmmakers’ efforts are on display at Ex-Centris, the dazzling film production and screening complex. Hit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for classics, the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal for modern art and the Pointe-à-Callière, the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History, built atop the city’s original settlement, for an eye-opening sense of place. Old Montreal and Old Port provide an intimate time warp of historic buildings, galleries and cafes, and the Quartier International de Montréal downtown is the futuristic place to people-watch.

STAY: Hôtel Le St-James, housed in a former bank with restored 1870s architecture, offers elegant luxury. For contemporary chic, Hôtel Opus Montréal offers great city views and panoramic views.

DINE: Locals line up at Joe Beef for French-inspired fare using ingredients from the nearby local farmer’s market. For great food for a great cause (profits are given to local charities), join celebs and locals at Robin des Bois. And Duel, where two chefs (French and Asian) ask diners to pick sides in a monthly gourmet smackdown, is the best show in town on any night. Other top-flight eateries include La Banquise and Toqué!

SHOP: A hotbed of design, Montreal is awash in boutiques. Shop for the latest trends on Boulevard Saint-Laurent or for eccentric retro along Rue Amherst in the Village. Historic Rue Saint-Denis has a wealth of shops offering fashion, housewares, books and music … and charming outdoor cafés as well. Surface Jalouse design store is alone worth a trip north.