Going to Montreal for a couple of days with the missus. Any recommendations / suggestions on things to do, see or eat? Staying in Old Montreal.
Merci.
Merci.
Montreal - Suggestions?
- Thread starter ChicagoToffee
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Lovely place. Went there 2 years ago with the woman to whom I'm related by marriage. It's hard to imagine you can do anything wrong in that city, but that also depends upon what you like to do. I'm from a relatively small Southern town, so much of what delights me about Montreal may matter less to you. Here are my suggestions:
Walk up Mt Royal (Notre Dame des Neiges cemetary on the North side is a nice walk as well)
St Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
Notre Dame Basilique
Point a Calliere (archeological museum of Old Montreal)
Check out the open air markets; we went to Marche Jean-Talon, but I believe there's on in Old Montreal too
Check out the Souterrain; this was one of my favorites, completely fascinating urban structure
There are two wonderful art museums; the modern museum just North of Old Montreal (Place de Arts?) and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Sherbrooke, West of McGill
Eat lots of good food
*The Botanical Garden too; could have spent at least half a day here, but we didn't have time.
*There are also many wonderful neighborhoods worth walking through, and the Laurier shopping district is interesting
There's plenty more to do in that wonderful city; if you need more suggestions than that grab a Fodor's. *There is lots to do in Old Montreal that we didn't try, but we stayed on Sherbrooke near McGill and so we spent our time in that area or any area easily reached by Metro.
The only further advice I give about the city... don't make this mistake I made at restaurants. When a waiter walks up and says "Bonjour, hello" that means he's ready to speak in either language, so respond in the language you prefer to speak. I would stupidly respond, "Bonjour," soon followed by my awkward, Southern US, "sil vous plait, Anglais?" I finally figured out I was doing it wrong on the final day in Quebec. By then I was being complemented on my "Merci," although I suppose that was a bit patronizing.
Walk up Mt Royal (Notre Dame des Neiges cemetary on the North side is a nice walk as well)
St Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
Notre Dame Basilique
Point a Calliere (archeological museum of Old Montreal)
Check out the open air markets; we went to Marche Jean-Talon, but I believe there's on in Old Montreal too
Check out the Souterrain; this was one of my favorites, completely fascinating urban structure
There are two wonderful art museums; the modern museum just North of Old Montreal (Place de Arts?) and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on Sherbrooke, West of McGill
Eat lots of good food
*The Botanical Garden too; could have spent at least half a day here, but we didn't have time.
*There are also many wonderful neighborhoods worth walking through, and the Laurier shopping district is interesting
There's plenty more to do in that wonderful city; if you need more suggestions than that grab a Fodor's. *There is lots to do in Old Montreal that we didn't try, but we stayed on Sherbrooke near McGill and so we spent our time in that area or any area easily reached by Metro.
The only further advice I give about the city... don't make this mistake I made at restaurants. When a waiter walks up and says "Bonjour, hello" that means he's ready to speak in either language, so respond in the language you prefer to speak. I would stupidly respond, "Bonjour," soon followed by my awkward, Southern US, "sil vous plait, Anglais?" I finally figured out I was doing it wrong on the final day in Quebec. By then I was being complemented on my "Merci," although I suppose that was a bit patronizing.
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If with the misses, than avoid Rue Ste Catherine's. [Edit - a quick Google search tells me that the strip clubs and seedy night life on said street have declined in recent years, and that said street, nevertheless, runs through other parts of town that are more desirable to begin with - I had somewhat different interests in the 1990s - Carry on.)
I have a lot of experience being in Quebec, but not in Montreal in recent years (decades really). I am in Quebec City and neighboring areas every winter for a week at a time. Its ok for an anglophone to use Bonjour/Merci ect, but still speak English for all the other stuff. I just say Bonjour, than roll into the English.
Montreal is a big city in nearly every sense. Being from Chicago, this should be normal for you. Just realize that like all big cities, be careful where you go and what you do. Than, when you get a chance on another trip, go to Quebec City - smaller, more charming, easier to manage, much more European (in a good way), more elegant, and more French.
I have a lot of experience being in Quebec, but not in Montreal in recent years (decades really). I am in Quebec City and neighboring areas every winter for a week at a time. Its ok for an anglophone to use Bonjour/Merci ect, but still speak English for all the other stuff. I just say Bonjour, than roll into the English.
Montreal is a big city in nearly every sense. Being from Chicago, this should be normal for you. Just realize that like all big cities, be careful where you go and what you do. Than, when you get a chance on another trip, go to Quebec City - smaller, more charming, easier to manage, much more European (in a good way), more elegant, and more French.
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Was there a couple of weeks ago lid, crap timing on your behalf there like.
Serenity nailed it better than I. Make sure you get down to Notre Dame and that area as it's beautiful, it's very European rather than North American. Mont Real is also ace of a night time as you can see right across to the Olympic Stadium and everyone's stoned up there, f*cking massive raccoons though.
Make sure you eat some poutine too and enjoy mate. One of my favourite cities on that massive continent you dwell on.
Serenity nailed it better than I. Make sure you get down to Notre Dame and that area as it's beautiful, it's very European rather than North American. Mont Real is also ace of a night time as you can see right across to the Olympic Stadium and everyone's stoned up there, f*cking massive raccoons though.
Make sure you eat some poutine too and enjoy mate. One of my favourite cities on that massive continent you dwell on.
carlos21
KING OF REP
afternoon Chico how are you today pop over my thread.
carlos21
KING OF REP
nice one.
Tried the poutine, but it was in a chain restaurant. Would like to get the real thing, but missed out.
This seems silly, but don't miss an opportunity to get a Tim Horton's double-double with a maple donut. If you're going to do Canada, don't skip what they love and do very well. (Also, it only costs $5, so no loss if you don't like it)
We tried the foie gras, and that was excellent, but it's probably not for everyone and it's not cheap to try.
This seems silly, but don't miss an opportunity to get a Tim Horton's double-double with a maple donut. If you're going to do Canada, don't skip what they love and do very well. (Also, it only costs $5, so no loss if you don't like it)
We tried the foie gras, and that was excellent, but it's probably not for everyone and it's not cheap to try.
Nothing more authentically Canadian. That was my exact order the first few times I visited the big country. Timbits are a goer too.
Go and see the Habs, natch
Hahaha is right lid!
johnnydawg68
Chairperson, People's Front of Saint Domingo
jealous. Montreal has always been on my bucket list of places to visit.
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