Bonjour!
You’re visiting Montreal! How much time do you have? A day, a weekend, or the entire summer? We’ve spent close to 20 years on Montreal Island, and we still feel there’s so much more to discover. Montreal is in constant evolution and has often been described as a vibrant metropolis. It must be that joie de vivre that French Canadians display to the fullest. It’s a contagious energy, this joyous way of living.
Visiting Montreal – regardless of the time you spend here – will change you. The city is distinctly different from other North American cities, retaining much of the Old World charm and grandeur. The architecture reflects this, as does the philosophical approach of native Montrealers. “Don’t worry, be happy” is an unspoken mantra, as is “eat, drink, and be merry.” You might have heard of the city’s gourmet reputation. Chefs trained from all over the world have settled here to tease the palates of even the most hardened meat-and-potatoes people. When it comes to dining, Montreal is top-notch.
Embrace the Montreal Winter
When it comes to winter, Montreal is also… well, top-tier. If you don’t particularly thrive in cold weather, stay away until mid-May. This year, for example, Montreal’s temperature is hovering around 14, 15, and 16°C, and it’s already May. It’s nippy, and you’ll rarely see the locals in shorts and tank tops at this time of year. Winter has a way of clinging tenaciously in Montreal—that’s the bad news. The good news is that the warm hearts of Montrealers more than make up for the province’s harsh weather. This is why, as soon as the warm weather sets in, Montreal wakes up from a long slumber. The streets come alive with sounds; tourists feel and experience the gaiety in the air, stimulating both physical and mental appetites.
Montreal is for everyone. It welcomes all kinds of temperaments. If you like being around people, rubbing elbows with fellow tourists, locals, and members of the ethnic communities, Montreal won’t disappoint you. The city plays host to more than 40 festivals each year, attended by the excited and the exciting. If you love jazz, Montreal is the place to be in July. If humor is more your style, comedy clubs have their doors wide open. Comedians from the US, England, Australia, and even faraway places like Russia come here to share their home-brewed jokes and make everyone laugh. Heartily, too.
Are you a crowd avoider who would rather spend some solitary time? We have regal, ornate churches and basilicas. The Notre-Dame Basilica is a favorite in Old Montreal (it’s where Céline Dion had her grandiose wedding years ago), or you could visit St. Joseph’s Oratory—an imposing cathedral where people come to worship, lie on the grass, or marvel at the hundreds of crutches left by once-crippled beings who were able to walk again.
Ah, yes, the food. The native dish is called poutine, but this is more of a 7/11-style fast food. French fries smothered in brown gravy and topped with crumbled cheese—definitely not something you’d want to eat every day if you’re watching your waistline, but it’s something you should try at least once during your visit.
Walking Through Montreal
You say you like to walk? Excellent. If you want to take in the city on foot, start at the downtown core. Ask anyone for St. Catherine Street (if you go further east, you’ll hit the red-light district, which you can skip if you’re with your significant other). If you take Sherbrooke Street West, you’ll find the world-famous McGill University and fine boutiques that your wife or girlfriend will love—Cartier, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, and Roots. Corporate offices and swanky buildings are also found downtown, including banks from Europe and Israel.
Don’t forget Old Montreal. If you’re short on time, ride a horse-drawn carriage. The horsemen are bilingual and can easily switch between French and English at the snap of a finger. Visit Place Jacques-Cartier, where public performers—jugglers, singers, dancers, artists, painters, and merchants—greet visitors warmly. You can dance in the open air to salsa, rap, or simply linger and listen to violins and guitars playing old French favorites. Old Montreal is a miniature version of Europe, and it’s a city where marriage proposals tend to pop up, even when unplanned. It’s that kind of city, you see. So, ladies…
Please Try Our Subway Cars!
The Montreal metro is an intricate network of engineering genius. Talk has it that our subway system is the quietest in the world because the cars run on rubber wheels. We’ve always doubted this, however, because while there’s rubber everywhere, it’s still quite noisy. But oh, so efficient! The subway map is user-friendly and color-coded, so a visitor who spends an hour underground could easily become a subway guide. The names of some stops might be difficult to pronounce, but the French and English have learned to compromise. Some stations can be tongue-twisters, like Honoré-Beaugrand or Angrignon, but English speakers will find Peel, McGill, and Snowdon much easier to pronounce.
By the way, one last note on food: If you’re not into French cuisine, there are thousands of ethnic restaurants guaranteed to tickle your taste buds: Greek, Vietnamese, Ethiopian (yes, Ethiopian), Polish, Russian, Iranian, Chinese (what country doesn’t have at least one Chinese restaurant?), and Jewish (Montreal’s smoked meat is newsworthy, and so are the bagels). Celebrities who have tasted our Fairmount bagels even have them flown over to as far as Burbank, California, and Tokyo!
Check These Out:
If you’re pressed for time and have only 24-48 hours to spend here, we suggest you visit the following spots:
- Latin Quarter – This is the best place if you enjoy nightlife and want to mingle with a colorful crowd (metro stop: St. Denis or Sherbrooke). Walk up and down St. Denis Street to explore restaurants, clubs, boutiques, and erotic shops, as well as second-hand bookstores.
- Mount Royal – Montreal has its own “mountain” right in the city, and it’s an ideal place for strolling, jogging, or people-watching. Make sure you’re in good shape because the ascent may require some effort.
- Little Italy – As the name suggests, you’ll find everything Italian here—pasta shops (with pasta made from scratch), gourmet coffees (espressos, cappuccinos), and gourmet Italian dining. You’ll also find shoe stores, leather goods, and kitchenware.
- Pointe-à-Callière – A must if you’re into history and museums. Located in Old Montreal (metro stop: Place d’Armes).
- Crescent Street – A stylish hangout for yuppies. Fancy, expensive restaurants, bistros, and cafes are perfect for sitting for hours, sipping coffee or Margaritas, and watching the whole city go by.
- Olympic Stadium – Another architectural masterpiece (though the roof has been controversial), it earned the nickname “Big Owe” (originally “Big O” for Olympic) because it turned out to be a drain on taxpayers. After riding the Stadium’s funicular elevator to the top, you can hop over to the Botanical Gardens, which cover 74 hectares (185 acres) with 31 different sections, including two sponsored by China and Japan. There are also ten greenhouses, ensuring it operates year-round.
- Biodôme de Montréal – If you’re feeling the environmental bug, head over here. It features four ecosystems, including 4,000 trees and plants, 6,000 animals, and climates ranging from tropical to polar.
That’s just a sampling of what awaits you in Montreal. On your next visit, when you have more time, plan for a two-day trip to Quebec City (bring along your French phrasebook), or take in the mountain air up north (Laurentian region) or east (Eastern Townships)—two playgrounds for the wealthy and the not-so-wealthy. In the summer, these areas are mixing grounds for the wealthy, intellectuals, artists, and working-class folks. These are the places where Montrealers have their summer cottages, and where the skiing is some of the best in North America—Montreal’s ski slopes rank up there with those in Colorado and Utah.
Montreal welcomes you – bienvenue!
