Montreal, Quebec — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Montreal
Despite its harsh winters, Montreal is in fact a year-round destination, and travelers will be able to enjoy the bustling city's attractions and festivities no matter what season they choose to visit. Whether you enjoy outdoor sports or a trip to the opera, there are plenty of things to see and do in Montreal.
Check out Olympic Park, which hosts baseball games and concerts, or visit Old Montréal which contains beautiful historical buildings dating from the 17th to 19th centuries as well as a few museums. The nearby old port (Vieux Port de Montreal) is a popular place for tourists as it features a huge open-air skating rink, Imax cinema, and a Science and Technology Center as well as plenty of restaurants and cafés. Many tourists also take boat tours from here; a good option is to take a ferry ride across to the Parc des Iles, where the 1967 World's Fair site offers outdoor family activities like picnic facilities, swimming, skating or skiing in winter.
One sight that cannot be missed is dome of St Joseph's Oratory which can be seen perched on the flank of Mont Royal from miles away. This famous pilgrimage site attracts over two million visitors each year. In downtown Montreal, several blocks are connected by 18 miles (30 km) of underground arcades and malls, where shoppers will be able to enjoy enclosed walking areas and great shopping opportunities even when the weather is bad.
Visitors should purchase the STM Tourist Card which allows unlimited access to the bus and metro service for either one or three consecutive days.
Shopping in Montreal
Montreal is one of those rare international cities where shopping actually enhances one's experience of the destination. Rather than kitsch souvenirs from plastic chain stores, the shopping in Montreal is as cultured and glamourous as any othe aspect of the city. Not only does Montreal have boutiques and organic markets in equal measure, but it is the world's only underground city in which to shop. If you're here in winter this subterranean retail experience will be a welcome refuge from the icy gloom above and a highlight of your trip to Montreal. The Underground City has over 20 miles (30km) of passageways connecting all the Montreal Metros with over 1,600 little boutiques, 200 restaurants and 34 cinemas. Over 500,000 local people use the city every day, so plan your visit during office hours when it is much quieter. Montreal's two best markets are at opposite ends of the city. Marché Jean-Talon is an enormous open-air produce market selling high-quality goods, including fresh and organic maple syrup which you can buy by the liter - a truly authentic Quebec gift for sweet-toothed friends back home. Marché Atwater is another good option; it has wonderful baked goods like artisanal breads and other fresh produce on offer. The best Montreal shopping districts are Avenue Laurier Ouest, a center of designer boutiques and foodie stores; Cours Mont-Royal for its haute couture and fashion accessories; and Ste-Catherine Street which attracts trendy stores and their customers. You can also find the iconic shopping center Faubourg Ste-Catherine near here. For unique Montreal gifts, don't miss the Canadian Guild of Crafts Québec, which sells aboriginal art and local artisan works. This is a good place to pick up classic Canadian souvenirs like furs and Native Indian crafts like dream weavers, polished stone jewelry, leather goods and musical instruments. Another must-visit is Marché Bonsecours in Old Montreal, which has an eclectic and interesting range of shops that are well worth visiting. Explore the side streets for other interesting outlets, the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique memento of your visit to Montreal. To get the ultimate selection of maple products head to Les Délices de l'Erable in Old Montreal. And if you want a main course to go with it get some Brome Lake Duck, which is considered by many chefs to be North America's finest, and associated products like pate and foie gras. (If sealed, customs in most countries will have no objection to you importing these foodstuffs.)
Montreal Nightlife
Montreal's nightlife has been famous for the last century, ever since it was known as a 'sin city' during Prohibition in the 1920s. is home to Canada's hottest nightlife, with more clubs, bars and nocturnal activities than the rest of country combined. The best areas for a night out are St-Laurent, with trendy, fashionable clubs and bars that are constantly being reinvented. Crescent is a popular area with those wanting an evening out involving conversation and is hence a good choice for couples and diners. The Latin Quarter lives up to its name with a lively party scene, attracting students and tourists in substantial numbers in the summer months when the good times spill into the streets. The Gay Village is a very lively cocktail of charming cafés, pumping nightclubs and gaudy strip joints, and it enjoys a reputation as the most raucous nightlife among both gay and straight crowds. Be aware that Montreal has some fairly advanced public health regulations that mean smoking cigarettes in bars or even near them is strictly forbidden. Do so at the risk of both your health and a whopping fine. A draw-card for visiting Americans is the legal drinking age of 18, as opposed to 21 across the border. Bars in Montreal close around 3am. Clubs tend to open late and close around dawn. Entrance fees are charged, but these can be avoided by calling ahead and talking your way onto the guest lists, not nearly as hard as it sounds.
Montreal is a cultural paradise as well. The city has its own symphony orchestra, dozens of theaters, and countless venues for live music concerts ranging from intimate clubs to international arena tours. The Cultural Window of Montréal sells tickets to many cultural events, and sometimes has last-minute deals. The city also hosts a number of internationally regarded festivals, including the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Montreal Film Festival, the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, and the Montreal International Fireworks Competition.
To see what's on during your visit see the listings sections of the free alternative weeklies The Mirror and Hour. Also worth a look is Nightlife Magazine, published quarterly.
