Montreal offers an attractive blend of the Old World and the new — and a stay in the city should take full advantage of both. For lodging that’s within walking distance of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and near boutique shopping on Rue St. Laurent, try Opus Hotel Montreal (10 Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 4C9, 514-843-6000), where I stayed as a guest of the Opus Hotel Group. Though newly refurnished by New York interior designer Yabu Pushelberg, the original structure, built in 1914, was the first poured concrete building in North America.

The blocks surrounding the museum offer a number of designer stores and Montreal’s department store, Holt Renfrew (1300 Sherbrooke Ouest). But for a more local experience, stick to the shopping area near the Opus Hotel, which boasts both vintage boutiques and contemporary shops. Lola & Emily (3475 Blvd. St. Laurent) is filled with ultra-feminine dresses and sandals. M0851 (3981 Blvd. St. Laurent) has buttery-soft leather messenger bags, totes, wallets, and jackets.

With its French influence, Montreal is not a bad place to be when hunger strikes. For a change of scenery, head to Outremont, where the architecture is of another era, but the restaurant scene is as modern as can be. For a classic French-Canadian meal, try Lemeac (1045 Ave. Laurier Ouest), which offers traditional duck leg confit as well as more experimental dishes such as blood pudding with celery root puree and cider sauce.

For an evening cocktail, walk a few blocks to Baldwin Barmacie (115 Laurier Ouest), a mod lounge named with a nod to the owner’s grandmother’s pharmacy. With a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses as a logo, this hot spot is a draw for Montreal’s significant hipster set.

If you happen to be in Montreal from July 21 to August 6, be prepared for some splashy pyrotechnics. The International des Feux Loto-Québec is an international fireworks competition that takes place on Wednesday and Saturday evenings starting at 10 p.m. The fireworks are set off from La Ronde, an island in the St. Lawrence River, and are viewable from the eastern waterfront. For a closer spot within earshot of the accompanying music, you can buy tickets at the festival Web site: internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com/fr/.