a week in montreal

Old Aug 31st, 2013, 10:03 PM
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a week in montreal

hi/ bon jour, i will be in montreal for a conference the 25-27 september. i plan to come out 4 days early ( the 20th) so i can visit the city in which i have not spent any appreciable time since expo! i will travel around via bixi bike and public transport. any home town favourites i might not discover on my own wanderings?. although an anglophone, je parle un peut de francaise e je voudrais parler quand je suis la, if locals will indulge me!. suggestions beyond the obvious would be appreciated

cheers
AndrewDavid
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 03:07 AM
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I don't know Montreal well so have no insiders suggestions for you, but I think your willingness to parlez un petit peu de francais and your mode of transportation suggests you will have a great time. I hope the weather cooperates, and if not, the subway should serve you well.

If the Biodome is not on your list of the obvious, add it. I especially like the rainforest (try to spot a sloth) but the penguins in the antarctic environment are pretty darn cute too.
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 02:52 PM
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If you are fit and up for it, try to cycle up Mont Royal if you rent a bike or walk there if you do not have transportation. There are some great views of the city. I agree that the Biodome is a must.
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Old Sep 1st, 2013, 03:16 PM
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thanks you 2 for the biodome suggestion. it was not on my radar and is on the same metro line as my hotel.

i will do the bike climb as i imagine i can bixi bike it from sherbrooke and peel where my hotel is situated
cheers
AndrewDavid
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Old Sep 2nd, 2013, 06:15 AM
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For the past 10 years, we have taken a bicycling long weekend in Montreal. We generally start our treks on Rue Rachael in front of Parc Lafonaine, which seems to be the major terminus for bike routes. Some of our favorite routes:
Down to the Old Port and out along the Lachine Canal, stopping at the Atwater Market for lunch.
Along the river as a spin off of the Lachine route.
Up to Jean Talon market for lunch, then continuing on to the trails along the noth shore.
East to Parc Maisonneuve looping up and back along Zotique.
There are dozens more - thee free Bixi show most of the routes.
One of our favorite evening activities is to pick up a bottle of wine at a SAQ, then stroll the St. Denis/Duluth neighborhood perusing the fun byob restaurants. After dinner, walk thru Sq. St Louis and Prince Arthur to check out the street entertainment.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2013, 07:30 AM
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Both the Botanical Gardens and the Insectarium are neighbours to the Biodome and offer a joint ticket. http://espacepourlavie.ca/en
There are a number of search sites for restaurants. Here is a useful one which lets you check out an area, type of cuisine, or AVV (apportez votre vin, meaning bring your own botte.) http://www.restomontreal.ca/
The Metro subways operate an electronic ticket. The rider charges it with a number of rides at a machine, then just taps a reader at the subway gate. But individual tickets are available separately too. http://stm.info/en/info/networks/metro
If you do use a car, beware of the expanding computerized pay-to-park system. If you find a (rare) spot at the curb, look around for a slim blue metal pole with a number in white. The driver must pay for that spot by number at a nearby control box.
If your tastes run to jazz, Montreal holds the world's biggest festival at the start of July each year. Near the Quartier de Spectacles, the area where the large performing theatres are situated, the festival operates a small museum, art gallery and bistro year-round. 305 Ste-Catherine St. West
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/mais...e/default.aspx
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Old Sep 2nd, 2013, 08:58 PM
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zootsie, thanks for your reply. you mention 2 markets. are they functioning food markets or are they similar to the byward market in ottawa where the pubs/clubs / and restos dwarf any functioning market in the traditional sense of the word.

Southam, i will not be using a car. i won a scholarship to this conference my Smart car forgot to apply. i will be enjoying bixi bikes which i have enjoyed in both ottawa and toronto and punlic transit by which i believe montreal is well serviced.

is the big jazz festival sponsored by TD Bank as it is here and in vancouver. our happens just before canada day and is always a treat esp the outdoor danceable programs @ centennial sq near city hall here in victoria. thanks for your help

cheers to you both
AndrewDavid
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Old Sep 3rd, 2013, 05:44 AM
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Both Jean Talon and Atwater are 'real' farmer's markets, with some lunch stands and such sprinkled in. There are dozens of farms and produce vendors - many giving out free samples. Jean Talon is vast, spanning several blocks and is located in an interesting Italian/Middle Eastern neigborhood. It is ringed with shops selling housewares, olive oils, cheeses, ethnic specialties,etc.
Atwater is not quite as large (but still big), a bit more upscale. Atwater is just across a small footbridge from the Lachine Canal bike trail, just look for the clock tower.
There are many, many bixi rental stations on the bikeable streets throughout the city.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2013, 08:28 AM
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Another enthusiastic two thumbs up for a visit to the Jean Talon market. Not only is it large and interesting, but it sells 'real' food (raw and prepared) and is a great way to spend an hour or two.

Also within the market perimeter is the Fromagerie Hamel (220 rue Jean Talon), one of Montreal's largest cheese shops which is nice to go into just to see (as well as to taste) the variety of product.

As Zootsi points out, the diverse ethnicity of the neighbourhood is also wonderful to explore on foot.
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Old Sep 6th, 2013, 06:30 PM
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hi zootsi and mathieu,

thanks for the endorsement for jean talon and the lead to fromagerie hamel. cheese out here in bc is shockingly expensive. i was pleasantly surprised the first time i walked into a cheese shop in kensington market in toronto to find affordable ( and delicious fromage) il n'existe pas ici au victoria;-(

cheers
AndrewDavid
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Old Sep 7th, 2013, 08:13 AM
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This could also be of interest to you - Mosaïcultures

http://www.mosaiculturesinternationales.ca/en/
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Old Sep 7th, 2013, 09:29 AM
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Hi Andrew:
You'll have a great time in Montreal. I often travel there for work and really look forward to those trips. I think one of the best things to do in the city is to wander along well established streets and soak up the local atmosphere. Rue Saint-Laurent, Rue St Denis, Rue Ste. Catherine, Little Italy, Mile End, Westmount, Rue Notre-Dame, etc. Be sure to stop by the stunning Notre-Dame Bascilia. If you've forgotten your camera, you'll kick yourself!
I usually don't have a lot of time to visit museums while I'm in the city, but Chateau Ramezay is really interesting. Visiting it will also give you some time to stroll around Old Montreal. The museum at the Holocaust Memorial Centre is excellent and worth the visit. If you're a fan of the Montreal Canadiens, like many people in Canada, they have a museum and shop in the Bell Centre that's worth visiting.
Montreal is also known for fashion. I find it interesting to visit Simons and Oglivy, both independent department stores, on Ste Catherine. You might also like poking around the underground city downtown.
Finally, Montreal is a place to feast! Restaurants in Montreal are wonderful and priced from inexpensive to costly. I enjoy visiting quirky old style places. Schwartz's Deli is always a MUST for me. I also like Wilensky's Light Lunch for a Special and a Chocolate Egg Cream. Yum! (Note the instructions on how to order a Special posted inside Wilensky's! LOL). Montreal is famous for smoked meat sandwiches and poutine, so you'll need to indulge in both. There are two famous bagel shops in Montreal and many debate the virtues of both. I prefer St. Viateur myself.
Enjoy yourself and don't worry about how effective your French is. Most people speak both English and French. Have fun.
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Old Sep 11th, 2013, 11:12 AM
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Dear David, if you are using the bixi bike or metro transport those are the best ways to discover Montreal and most of all the recommended attractions. If you like hockey, you should not missed a game played by Le Canadien:they will be in town playing during your stay and it's just a few steps where you are staying. To eat well at a fair price,you should try BarB Barn's ribs, on Guy street, best beers Burgundy Lion Pub on Notre-Dame West, best ice cream in Montreal: Havre des Glaces on Plaza St-Hubert(ask for David)and to meet beautiful people: Le Local near Atwater market. I can garantee you, you will have not enough time to do everything on your wish list and you will have to come back. Enjoy!
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Old Sep 11th, 2013, 11:34 AM
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Dear David,
The best ice cream place is called L'Armoire à Glaces and not Havre des Glaces(they have their own website-you could not resist)and they offer one of the best grilled cheese in town.
Sorry for the name.
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Old Sep 11th, 2013, 10:34 PM
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Have Fun !
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Old Sep 14th, 2013, 04:00 PM
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travginny, thanks for the "mosaic" link. that looks spectacular. hope to take it in w/ a friend coming up for the day on tuesday w/ the chihuly show @ musee des beaux artes

fezwyck, i looked up chateau ramezay and will add to my list. no building half as old ici

Sade1 too funny about les canadiens. it's a chore and a ferry ride to see the canucks from victoria.i'll try to get a ticket to see the habs

nicholasadam, thanks for your kind wishes. hard not to have fun w/ all this great support and suggestions

cheers
AndrewDavid
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