OUT In Montreal: Jesse's Perfect Day

Last week, the OUT staff undertook its annual group trip to gather content for the Travel Issue (coming to a newsstand near you in November!) We had an epic long weekend in Montreal (check out #OutInMontreal on Instagram!) and now, sadly, we're back at our desks. But, every day for the rest of the week we're going to share some of our favorite experiences from our foray up north.

OUT's digital managing editor, Jesse Steinbach (@JesseSteinbach) offers up his version of a perfect day in Montreal:

I live in New York, so starting the day off with a bagel always sounds like a good idea. Montreal, however, does the doughy goodness a little differently. Head to St. Viateur (263 Rue Saint Viateur O) in the Mile End for a classic sesame or savory thyme bagel that's half-boiled and then oven-baked to perfection. So delicious you won't even need cream cheese.

Amble over to Marche Jean-Talon (7070 Avenue Henri Julien) to sample garden-fresh vegetables and local treats. Make sure you taste the maple smoked salmon at one of the fish counters. It's divine.

Culture time! A walking tour of Montreal's Vieux-Montreal will give you a run-down of the city's architectural history, from the Notre-Dame Basilica (110 Rue Notre-Dame O) to the newly converted cafe, Crew (360 Rue Saint-Jacques), which was formerly a bank. The streets are hilly, so bring comfy shoes that are still stylish enough for the local boutiques and designer stores that dot the neighborhood.

Now it's time for bar bites and inventive cocktails at Le Majestique (4105 Boul St-Laurent) on St-Laurent. This street also houses cool vintage shops and galleries, so once you're refueled, get lost.

A drag performance at the famed Cabaret Mado (1115 Rue Sainte-Catherine E) showcases Montreal's gay village and its vibrant queer personalities. After you work up an appetite laughing, book it to Agrikol (1844 Rue Amherst), a Haitian eatery co-owned by Arcade Fire's Win Butler and Regine Chassagne. Opt for the plantains, rice dishes, and anything-seafood. The Dark 'n' Stormy crafted with homemade ginger syrup is the perfect day-cap.