Going to MTL - Suggestions?

[Flashpoint]

I will be spending August 4th through the 10th in Montreal. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should do?

I was thinking of visiting the Forum, Notre Dame Basilica, and Mount Royal.

I will also be getting drunk fairly regularly, and probably yelling a lot. It's my summer vacation after all.

[flip]

never been but have buddy that lives there.

go to a strip club. he says better than vegas. not sure if hes just being a homer but its a win win. either way you get to see some tatas.

[soulchoice]

If you want a party atmosphere that is the city for sure. Check out St. Laurent or St. Catherines for sure. Always people on those two streets and great nightlife.

I just got back from Montreal today as well. Next to Toronto, it is my most favorite city in our nation. So much to do in both cities and the summer weather is excellent.

[Deelow]

Club Super Sexe

[BlackEleven]

I live in Montreal, so if can recommend a bunch of things.

There's a million things to do here. Check out the standard tourist things -- the Old Port, Notre Dame, St. Joseph's Oratory. Do some shopping on St. Laurent, have a coffee in an outdoor cafe on St. Denis, visit a pub on Crescent, go to a night club on St. Laurent....

One of my personal favourite things is the food. If you're interested in seeing one of the best outdoor markets in the country, visit Marche Jean Talon in Little Italy. Incredibly good, quality food (and much cheaper than the more famous Atwater Market) with lots of free samples of the produce everywhere. Buy some nice cheeses, wines, deli meats to take home with you -- and if you feel like eating some of the cheese right away, grab a baguette at the Patisserie Moisson at the market for some of the best bread in the city (they also have amazing pasteries, I highly recommend trying one).

There's also a lot of great restaurants. Some of the classic ones are Schwartz's for a smoked meat sandwich, pickle and cherry coke. Also Fairmount or St. Viateur for the famous Montreal bagel. St. Viateur has some great cafes, where they serve bagel-sandwiches. A lot of people want French food when they visit Montreal, and if you're in that boat and want to try the classic Bistro style French food, I'd recommend L'Express. If you're looking for a specific cuisine let me know because just about every ethnic cuisine there is can be found in Montreal.

There's also some great micro-breweries in Montreal, if you like that sort of thing. One of my favourites is Dieu du Ciel (God of the Sky) on Laurier and St. Laurent. There's also Cheval Blanc (White Horse) which is quite popular and Le Mer a Boire (The Sea to Drink).

The tam-tams is quite interesting as well if you're planning on seeing Mont Royal. Every Sunday hundreds of drummers gather at the base of it by Parc street and you can hear them about a kilometer away. If you go prepare to get high from the fumes It's quite a sight to see (and hear).

There's a festival of some sort every week in the summer in Montreal. Its the Blues festival (nowhere near as big as the jazz festival though) during the dates that you're here, if that interests you the website is here: http://www.festiblues.com/

Anyway, as you can tell, I can go on and on about Montreal, so I'll just stop now Let me know if you have specific questions.

[Drunk Skunk]

Does anyone know if it is illegal to send alcohol from Canada to the US? I'd be very interested in some of the micro-brews that BlackEleven mentioned. Alas, I've already been to Montreal once this decade, and unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back any time soon.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Deelow

Club Super Sexe

This is an absolute must. Went when I was out there, insane. Also saw an old timers game at the Forum, absolutely beautiful arena.

There's also a bar downtown called Cheers I believe, check it out, very nice place to have a few.

[Barnes]

BlackEleven pretty much covered it. I like to cruise St Catherine's, lunch at Ruebens deli (RIP Ben's) and down Peel St and stop in at Sleemans Pub for a couple of pints.

Walk by the Sun Life building (the crown jewels were stored there during WWII) and Mary Queen of the World. Down to Windsor Station/Bell Centre where my dad worked and down de la Gauchetiere.

Walk through Square Victoria and check out the old financial district towards Old Montreal. Walk into some of the banks. Pints at Place Jaques Cartier and a walk up St. Pauls street.

Dinner on St Lawrence (Don't forget to bring your booze as most places won't sell any) and patio hop the main all night.

St Viateur bagels are a must. Check out the fireworks at La Ronde (Six Flags) every second Sat or so. Spend the day there if you like coasters. The casino is a must too.

[jolinar of malkshor]

If you like pubs, second floor sir winston church hill. If you like dance clubs the opera.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Drunk Skunk

Does anyone know if it is illegal to send alcohol from Canada to the US? I'd be very interested in some of the micro-brews that BlackEleven mentioned. Alas, I've already been to Montreal once this decade, and unfortunately I don't think I'll be going back any time soon.

I believe you can, but you'll get hit with duty when it crosses the border. It wouldn't do you much good for the micro-brews I listed though (besides Cheval Blanc). When I said micro-brew, I mean really micro -- the beers are only sold in the pubs of the same name, by the pint/half-pint -- you can't even buy it in bottles. You can see the copper vats (I don't know the technical name) in the back of the pubs where the beer is brewing while you drink your pint.

[Drunk Skunk]

Oh, that's a bummer. I'm something of a beer aficionado, and am always on the lookout for new brews to try. I'm a big fan of places like that, and frequent the ones in this area quite a bit.

Back on topic. I didn't spend much time in Montreal, at lunch on the way from Ottawa to New York, but it was a beautiful city from what we say. The only downside was the drivers. I don't think I made many friends on the roads.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Frontier.

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

I will also be getting drunk fairly regularly, and probably yelling a lot. It's my summer vacation after all.

Well that goes without saying.

Montreal is an awesome summer city...there are tons of things to do. If you like tennis, the Rogers Cup (men's event) will be going on while you are there. Also there are usually festivities such as street festivals that go along with each event.

Strip clubs are everywhere in Montreal...so as mentioned by previous CPers, you can check them out. Nightclubs are plentiful especially on Ste-Catherine's. If you are comfortable with your manliness, you can check out "The Village" -- it is a large gay district on Ste-Catherine's. Of course you don't have to be gay to go there but they have some good clubs.

Shopping is also great...check out St-Laurent and St-Denis for some good stores to shop.

You must eat poutine at least once....avoid big chains like La Belle Province. I lived in the north of Montreal and loved a little place called Paulo and Suzanne's...its a little 24 hour place with awesome poutine and breakfast anytime you choose. It is on Boulevard Gouin across from a hospital and not too far from Boul L'Acadie. You also must eat $.99 pizza at 3:30am from a 24 hour pizza place at least once. Try St-Hubert for their "Table d'hote" -- it is a good meal for a very reasonable price. It includes a soup, entree and dessert.

I am sure you will find plenty of excellent things to do in Montreal. I am not a Montrealer but I feel like my heart belongs there.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Well that goes without saying.

....avoid big chains like La Belle Province.........

Unless you have 8 dollars and want 10 hotdogs.

[Fuzzy McGillicuddy]

If you are adventerous:
http://the4playclub.com/4playsite/news10.html

"I was disappointed. I ordered Moosehead, and the waiter brought me a beer!" - unknown.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's on St-Laurent Blvd. is a must. I'd also go there before leaving and buy some to bring home with you after your trip.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Deelow

Club Super Sexe

I will second this. I was in Montreal three years ago for only two nights. I went here both nights and do not regret it at all



A definate must visit. I can't say if its better then Vegas or not as I've never been to Sin City, but I am going to Vegas next month so I'll compare them then!

[HelloHockeyFans]

^ I actually prefer Club Wanda's in Montreal.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I will second this. I was in Montreal three years ago for only two nights. I went here both nights and do not regret it at all



A definate must visit. I can't say if its better then Vegas or not as I've never been to Sin City, but I am going to Vegas next month so I'll compare them then!

I gotta say, I've been to both and Montreal was much better.
In vegas you aren't allowed to serve booze at the full nude clubs, and really, who want's to be going to the strippers without being able to get drunk off your ass?

[Frank the Tank]

Mmmmm.....Schwartz's................