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Blog > Griffintown to Downtown: The Weekend You Don't Need a Car
Griffintown to Downtown: The Weekend You Don't Need a Car
Yes, you can spend a full weekend in Griffintown and downtown Montreal without a car. The walk from Griffintown to the downtown core takes about 20 minutes, and Wellington Street under the REM viaduct takes you straight to Old Port in about 10 to 15 minutes on foot. Griffintown also has its own REM train station, Griffintown-Bernard-Landry, so you're never stuck. Natalia Belyaev, residential broker at RE/MAX Action Montreal, works with buyers who want this exact lifestyle. Call 514-947-8863.
Can you really live in Griffintown without a car?
Yes. People ask this all the time, and the honest answer is yes, most weekends.
Griffintown sits right next to downtown. You're not on the edge of the city looking in. You're a short walk from the Bell Centre, a short walk from Old Port, and right on the Lachine Canal path.
A lot of buyers picture Griffintown as a place you drive out of. It's the opposite. It's a place you walk out of.
What does the walk from Griffintown to downtown actually look like?
Start at Peel and Wellington. Walk north on Peel. In about 15 to 20 minutes, you're in the middle of downtown, near Sainte-Catherine Street and the shops around it.
The walk is flat. No big hills. You'll pass small cafes, a few old brick buildings from Griffintown's factory days, and then the office towers start.
If you'd rather skip walking one way, hop on the REM at Griffintown-Bernard-Landry station. It drops you close to downtown in a few minutes.
Griffintown is one of my favorite neighbourhoods in Montreal, and I have my own reason why. After I show a property here, I love to walk to Old Port. I take Wellington Street, right under the REM viaduct, and just keep going. In 10 to 15 minutes, I'm there.
I do this walk during the day and in the evening, and it never gets old. Old Port always has something going on, a show, a concert, or just a beautiful view of the water. That's what Griffintown living feels like to me. Everything you want is close, and a good walk is always waiting right outside your door.
Can you walk from Griffintown to Old Port too?
Yes, and it's one of the easiest walks in the city. Head down to Wellington Street and follow it under the REM viaduct toward the water. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
If you want the scenic route instead, the Lachine Canal path also gets you there in about 30 minutes, with the water beside you the whole way.
Once you arrive, Old Port has shows, concerts, and open-air events running through the evening, so the walk is worth it any time of day.
Where do you stop along the way?
Notre-Dame Street West, right in Griffintown, is known for its antique shops. It's a good place to start your morning before the walk.
Atwater Market sits just west of Griffintown, an easy walk or short bike ride, and it's a good stop for lunch or fresh food to bring home.
Once you're downtown, Sainte-Catherine Street has most of the restaurants and shops, so that's your natural stopping point before heading back.
Is downtown Montreal actually walkable on weekends, or is it just for tourists?
It's genuinely walkable, tourists or not. Downtown Montreal is built on a grid, the blocks are short, and most of what you'd want, food, shops, a metro station, is within a few minutes of each other.
Weekends bring more people out, but that also means more open patios, more street life, and more reasons to be out walking instead of driving.
The Bottom Line
If you want a Montreal life where you're not stuck behind a wheel every weekend, Griffintown gives you that. You can walk to downtown, walk to Old Port, and still get home in time for dinner. That's not a small thing when you're picking a neighbourhood to live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Griffintown within walking distance of downtown Montreal?
Yes. Most points in Griffintown are a 15 to 20 minute walk from the downtown core.
Do you need a car to live in Griffintown?
No. Between walking, the REM station, and bike paths, most daily needs don't require one.
How far is Griffintown from the Old Port?
About 10 to 15 minutes on foot along Wellington Street under the REM viaduct, or about 30 minutes if you take the scenic Lachine Canal path.
Is the walk from Griffintown to downtown safe and easy at night?
Yes, the route stays well lit and busy, especially on weekends when foot traffic is high.
What's the best way to explore Griffintown on a weekend?
Start on Notre-Dame Street West, walk toward Old Port along Wellington or the canal path, then loop back through downtown before heading home.