Things to do in Montreal
 

So i'm going to be in montreal this weekend, and my day times are pretty much empty.

Does anybody have any suggestions as to what to do during the day? Events? Attractions? Please keep in mind that I will be travelling by public transit. Speaking of which, how does the public transit system work in Montreal? Am I better off taking a cab?

And if there are any TFPers in Montreal, feel free to PM me and we can meet up.

Thanks a lot guys.

The public transit system in Montreal is quite great. If you're used to Toronto's it's several steps up from there. I am jealous. Montreal is beautiful and I used to live just outside of it for 6 years. Here's just a few things you should try and do:

-get bagels! I can't remember the names but there are two places that most people say are "the best." An absolute must.

-go see the city from the top of Mount Royal

-if you're into wildlife/science, check out the Biodome. It's a facility where the natural enviornments are replicated for the animals they keep - pretty cool if you are OK with zoos

-try and catch a jazz show - there is plenty of free/cheap music to see...you'll have to find a listings magazine when you get there

I think Daval is from Montreal...perhaps he could chime in.

Daval is in Streetsville... Sticky is out man in Montreal.

I have only been to Montreal a few times but had a great time each time I was there.

Visit old Montreal.
Take their subway and compare it to Toronto's.
Smoked Meat Sandwiches.
Bagels.
The Canadian Ballet (someone has to suggest it).

All of the above. :)

The Just for Laughs Festival is still on this weekend, so there should be plenty of street entertainment and festivities throughout the city. That alone should keep you busy between mouthfuls for smoked meat, poutine and mile-high strawberry cheesecake.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is also excellent. http://www.mbam.qc.ca/en.

And just to be clear, the "Canadian Ballet" and the Montreal Ballet are two wildly different animals. ;)

Spent the first 22 years of my life in Montreal. Been a while but, in addition to other things already suggested, get yourself a couple of steamies and a bag of fries for lunch. My personal favourite place is Decarie Hot-Dogs (on Decarie Boulevard south of Cote Vertu, accessible by the Vertu Metro stop). Montreal's public transit is about 5 times better than Toronto's.

Any recommendations on where to get said bagels and montreal smoked meat? I'm sure there must be certain places that stand out?


I must say that strawberry cheesecake sounds quite tempting. :)

Dunn's Deli.

http://www.dunnsfamous.com/en_location.htm

Also Schwartz's and Ben's - you can Google 'em.

I am indeed in streetsville, I just go to Montreal often on business.

I would definately try and catch some of the Just for Laughs festival, its awesome. For dinner definately try Weinstein & Gavino's on Crescent Street - the Veal Chop is amazing. For smoked meat I always hit Rubens on St. Catherines. They also have amazing strawberry cheesecake. After dinner have a beer at the Montreal Ballet.

A wicked jazz bar is 'Biddles' Its on Aylmer I think.

Don't look for the Biddle's jazz club. It has closed. I believe it's now called "Maison du Jazz," but I haven't ever been there.

not to be too tangental, but continuing in a similar vein, I hear that the Montreal Bistro and Jazz club on Sherbourne St (in Toronto) was going to close down. Is this the case???? can anybody confirm?

The two most famouse bagel places in Montreal are
- St. Viateur Bagels - http://www.stviateurbagel.com
- Fairmount Bagel - http://www.fairmountbagel.com/

As far as Montreal Smoked Meat is concerned, you might as well go to the landmark
- http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/index_eng.html


Hightheif is correct, Decarie Hotdogs has got to be the best steamie, however, if you are going to be downtown you may not want to head all the way out there (even if it is an easy metro ride)

If you are going to be in Montreal this weekend the thing to do is the Just For Laughs festival (http://www.hahaha.com/), there is not question about it. That alone will provide enough entertainment for the weekend.

Go here for the public transit maps
http://www.stm.info/English/info/a-plans.htm

Only problem with Schwartz's for me was how small the place was and how busy it is. I'm sad to hear about Biddle's closing, I hadnt been there in a while, but for a while there it was one of my favourite nightcap spots.

Be sure to walk the downtown streets and go the the bars and clubs.
Montreal is filled with good looking scantily clad people in the summer.


Where are you going to be staying, downtown?

It is closed. Here is a link to the story:http://www.680news.com/news/local/ar...06_084317_4000

Many people on the scene are shocked and upset. I'm not too worried. There are other places that are/will fill the gap. If anything, the Bistro's programming was getting more and more homogenized and boring.

What is the jazz like at Dominion on Queen?

(sorry, we Toronto types are such hijackers of threads)

My favourite part of Montreal, as Sticky suggests, is just walking around downtown. I will also second Fresnelly's suggestion of the Museum of Modern Art.

You should also try to hook up with the elusive Sticky.


You know Siege, we all expect a full report (with pictures) when you get back.

Yep, i'm going to be staying Downtown.

I'll try to take some pics, but i'm a pretty boring guy, so we'll see how that goes.

You will be graded and yes, spelling counts. :lol:

...and you are hardly boring.

There is only one place for Smoked Meat - Swartz's on St Laurant Street. It's an institution. Right out of the 40's. Don't get the lean smoked meat though, get the old fashioned. It's fatty, but what the hell.

Also Rue St. Denis is where there is a lot of things going on, as well as Crescent Street, and St. Catherine street (main drag) - if you are into strip joints, there's club Super Sex.

The Queen Elizabeth is my choice of hotel and if you haggle with them, you can probably get them to come down to a reasonable price.

Old Montreal is interesting as well.

Oh yeah, and Rue Prince Arther by McGill is a happening street too.

I suppose that you're correct in your assessment. It doesn't hurt to revitalize the scene. it's just shocking when and institution fades away. I'm also shocked to hear about the Senator.

I used to frequent George's as well, as I lived just around the corner in the late '80's and Moe Koffman used to play there too. It turned into an Aetheiopian (spelling?) restaurant for awhile...


In Montreal, i discoverd a mall in Anjou, where you could go into one of the stores, rent a fishing pole, and actually fish for trout. When you finished your catch, they would clean it for you, and off you went. Perhaps to get coffee at Starbucks, but complete with the catch of the day!

Yes, be sure to check out Old Montreal. It is a great place to walk around, eat, drink, and hangout.

How did you know I was elusive? You have me nailed.
I appologized to Siege but I would be able to meet up.

Well, i'm back. But i'm also pretty damn tired. So i'll try to upload pics asap.