A Winter Weekend in Montreal

As temperatures go south, leave New York City and head north for a fun winter weekend. Amtrak is running a promotion that allows customers to buy a $90 round-trip ticket between any two Adirondack stations, even going as far as Montreal, Canada. This promotion is valid through April 27, 2015. For more details about this offer, check out Amtrak's website.

From Penn Station in New York, the trip to Montreal takes about 10 hours. While it may seem long, the trip is 10 hours of relaxation, wifi access, comfy seats, dining services and beautiful Hudson River scenery. The train brings you right to downtown Montreal, where you can check in to The Queen Elizabeth hotel, which has direct access to the Amtrak station. As soon as your arrive, Montreal will charm you with its combination of old and new: beautiful Victorian buildings alongside modern skyscrapers, which cannot be taller than Montreal's Mount Royal, to maintain the city's natural
beauty.

If you're looking to celebrate the winter, MONTREAL EN LUMIERE is one of the world's largest winter festivals, held from February 19 to March 1, 2015. Prepare yourself for an abundance of delicious foods, performances and tons of free activities for adults and kids. If the cold weather has you longing for the indoors, you can spend your time in the RESO, Montreal's underground city, which spans over 20 miles. The underground city is a huge tourist destination because of its shopping, hotels and museums, via street and metro access.

MONTREAL EN LUMIERE festival.
Photo credit: Kristina Servant

One of the best parts about taking Amtrak is that you step off the train and are in the heart of downtown Montreal. You don't need a car for your weekend in this beautiful city because of the Montreal Metro. All of that lends itself to a relaxing and fun weekend in one of Canada's most vibrant and exciting cities.

If you don't want to head as far north as Montreal, consider using your $90 round-trip Amtrak ticket to visit Saratoga Springs or Lake Placid this winter. In Saratoga Springs, you can warm up in the cold at the Saratoga Chowderfest on January 31st during Saratoga's Winterfest Week. If you get off at the Westport stop, you can take the Amtrak Thruway bus service to Lake Placid, the village known for the 1980 winter Olympic games and its small town charm; here you can play winter sports to your heart's content or enjoy restaurants and boutique shopping.

If you need a break from New York City this winter, use Amtrak as your means to get away. You may not escape the cold in Montreal, but you will get a change in atmosphere and a fun weekend in an amazing city, with no hassle on an Amtrak train. For more information on Amtrak Adirondack route destinations, visit New York By Rail.