Going to MTL - Suggestions?

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Ro

Some additional things we are interested in checking out:

-Casinos

I think you mean "the casino", as I believe the Casino de Montreal is the only one in Montreal. Apparently, it's nice as far as casinos go.

[wpgflamesfan]

Going to be in Montreal on the 26-30 anything special going on during that time?

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Ro

Just scored two AWESOME seats to the MON/CGY game on the 9th, and am pumped as hell!

wtf?? How did you manage this? I've been trying forever with no success!!

Originally Posted by Ro

-Casinos

There's only one in the city (a huge one). It's on Ile Jean Drapeau, small island in the middle of the St. Lawrence (made from all the earth removed to dig the metro system). Take the green metro line from downtown to Berri UQAM and switch to the Yellow line and get off at the first stop.

From what I hear they finally got rid or (or are going to get rid of) those damn video screens that show your cards in the poker rooms are are going back to real cards.

Originally Posted by Ro

-Some place to score some cheap beer/wine/spirits to being back to ON

Any grocery store, depaneur (corner store) or cafe will sell beer and wine. For spirits you have no choice besides SAQ.

If you have a Costco membership, Costco (on Bridge Street) sells beer and wine cheap as hell. Last time I was there I picked up 12 Stella for $10.

Originally Posted by Ro

-Sushi places

There's a million of them. They're all decent, but I haven't experienced one that's way better than the rest.

Originally Posted by Ro

-Places to go/places to eat before and after the hockey game

What type of cuisine/price? I could go on for a whole thread on this topic alone.

Originally Posted by Ro

-Street market/flea market/farmer's market

For flea market/street type stuff go to Mont Royal street (metro stop of the same name) in the Plateau. Best farmer's market is Marche Jean Talon (metro stop of same name). Most touristy, but still nice, is Marche Atwater (Lionel Groulx metro).

Originally Posted by Ro

-The underground city

Easiest way to find it is just go down any entrance to McGill metro. It's just a big shopping mall though, basically. Not my thing, but if you're really into shopping, there's plently of stores.

Hope this helps!

[getbak]

Okay, so I'm getting sent to Ottawa next week for business, and when I noticed the Flames were going to be in Montreal, I made sure I was booked onto the earliest flight out Tuesday morning, and I'm going to make the drive from Ottawa to Montreal for the game (just bought a Club Seat for way too much money).

It looks like a straight-forward drive down the 417. If I get into Montreal early enough, I'd like to check out the Forum (to see where Lanny lifted the Cup) and maybe a few other things near the Bell Centre before the game.

What's the best thing to do for parking? It looks like parking at the arena is $20.

According to the Habs website, cameras aren't allowed. Are they strict with this rule or do they just not want you taking flash photos during the game? I've never gone to a sporting event where you weren't allowed to bring in a personal camera.

Unfortunately, I have to be at a meeting in Ottawa at 8:30 the next morning, so I can't partake in any of the Montreal night life while I'm there.

[STeeLy]

Having been in Montreal Recently (Grey Cup finals)

I think Olympic Stadium is worth seeing (The tower would be at least, Metro, and exit at Pie IX).

Cheap food near the Bell Center, the Peel Pub (It's on peel street, a street up from Renee Levesque), really cheap food, and cheap beer (Order the house pilsner, cheap and it's not bad).

There's a place to park across from the Peel Pub with a giant AVIS logo, I think its $7 for parking, or you can park at a SMT park and ride station and take the Metro.

If I can think of anything after Tonight's games vs. Dallas (I'll be back in Ottawa on Wednesday the 3rd) I'll post it here.

[BlackEleven]

Ottawa to Montreal is an easy drive alright. It'll take you about 2 hours to get from downton to downton. Just go straight into Montreal until you hit the 15 south (Decaire), follow it until it turns into the 720 (Ville Marie) and that will take you right downtown.

They'll let you in with a camera at the Bell Centre as look as it isn't an SLR. There's always tonnes of people taking pictures in the stands. I asked about my SLR though and they said no.

There's not too much of the forum left (its mostly a movie threatre now, along with a couple other stores), but they did save a small section of some of the seats which are still there.

Parking you're going to get screwed anyway you look at it. Parking in downtown Montreal is difficult at anytime, so its damn near impossible during a Habs game. If you find a meter take it no matter how far away, its like winning a jackpot. Some of them have a 2 hour maximum so be careful.

Most lots will double their price during the game, so you're looking at least $20, more likely $30 to park in a lot. If you're at the Forum early enough there's underground parking there, but I'm not sure what the price is. The Forum is a good 15-20 min walk from the Bell Centre though.