NYGirl

Driving from NYC- so we expect to arrive at Hotel Le Germain around 3 in the afternoon, on a Friday. <BR>Hang out, relax, dinner- where?<BR>Saturday-I want to go shopping. Will look at the new place in the Eatons building, the place on St Catherine, any excellent boutiques?<BR> Lunch along St Denis. Shop in that area. Dinner-Cafe Ferriere(sorry, I can never remember how to spell it<BR>Sunday- Vieux Port in the am, lunch.<BR>afternoon, the area north on St Denis, maybe West Mount? <BR>Dinner?<BR>Monday-Is the Musee Beaux Arts open? Might have to do that Sun if so.<BR>lunch -where?<BR>Mont Royal if weather permits, maybe cinema on St Catherine if rainy.<BR>dinner?<BR>Tues, lazy morning,then drive home.<BR>We have been to Montreal several times, we want this trip to be a relaxing getaway and yet we do want to see/do something different. <BR>Westmount area has not been explored, do you recommend it? <BR>We like antiquing but the rue Notre Dame shops are ok for looking but no bargains nor are a lot of them completely honest, having found a mirror last year that the proprietor swore was original color etc, then as we examined it we could see the layers of paint underneath a chip-so we would like to find new places where it can be fun to shop and not feel totally ripped off<BR>We are skipping Toque this year. And Auberge Bonaparte, so any recos for restaurants that Montrealers like would be appreciated. In all of our previous visits, we have tended to go back to the places that we liked, but we want to discover new places this time. We enjoy most foods, like to go to local neighborhood places, not touristy. <BR>I hope this isn't too vague<BR>Thank you very much for helping ~<BR>

Louis

Museum of Fine Arts is closed on Mondays.

Louis

Museum of Fine Arts is closed on Mondays. But it will be opened on Monday Oct. 14, because it's a holiday.

NMex

Cafe (accent acute) FerrierA - situated 1446 rue Peel. Portugal seafood.

ny2

We really enjoyed a local restaurent that had been reviewed in the Montreal Gazette in the summer -- called Restaurent Yoyo. I think you can find the review on-line if you look in the Montreal Gazette. It's a small place, only about 10-15 tables. It's a BYOB which is great. If you like raw fish, they had a great cerviche appetizer. For two it was running about $80-100 CAD (we went for the cheese dessert course).

NYGirl

Thanks Louis, we will be there after the 14th so I guess Sunday morning will be good. I love the museum and the gift shop<BR> Thank you NMex..however you pronounce it-the food is great! We already have the reservations just to be sure we get in!<BR> I will look into Restaurant Yoyo..<BR>Thanks a lot, keep those ideas coming

NMex

You may have to extend your trip if we give you more ideas. Enjoy your visit, and save some of the aura for us, we will be there soon enough. My SO and I are packed, so far ahead its funny. Can't be too ready for a great city like M ~.

NYGirl

NMex, everytime we visit Montreal, there is never enough time!<BR>This trip is so short, I don't want to waste a minute.<BR>We are also trying to get tickets to a ballet or concert. <BR>I just hope the weather accomodates us and stays dry <BR>When will you be visiting?<BR>I keep asking my husband if he would like to retire to Montreal<BR>I can work anywhere!

NYGirl

Hi,<BR>our plans have changed a tiny bit and now we are arriving in Montreal November 1st instead of the beginning of October.<BR>Question: <BR>Will it be really really cold or just normal cold as in NYC in Nov/Dec?(I know-no one has a crystal ball to tell me the exact weather, but I am thinking can it snow already???)<BR> We have been in Montreal in the summers and fall, never this late. I am wondering if a wool coat is enough or should I get out the shearling already...or better yet, shop there for a good furry coat?<BR>Thanks for any ideas.<BR>

NMex

Weather sould not be a problem if adequately wrapped up, by all means fur if you can afford it. With my own, he's always concerned some nitwit will thrwo red paint, insurance, whatever it is that worries him, it will, if you know the type. Glad youll make it even if later, worth it, nice place for fun, relaxation, sun in summertime.

Lois

If there has been snow before your Nov. visit, don't bring boots/warm clothes, so you can take advantage of the terrific shopping in Mtl. From Les Ailes de la Mode, used to be Eatons, walk west along Ste-Catherine. Make a quick detour into Place Ville Marie to visit Brown's shoes; get your boots. On Ste-Catherine, make a right on Metcalfe to Les cours Mont-Royal; an incredibly cool boutique for young women on the lower level (forget the name); the whole lower level is super. Les Ailes de la Mode is quite expensive, but for budget-wise, super-trendy clothes you can't find in the U.S., plan on spending lots of time in Simon's, which is a redone dept. store between Mansfield and Metcalfe. This is a Quebec-run store; you will not believe the quality and style, for the price. Continue into every boutique along Ste-Catherine until you get to Ogilvy's, corner of la Montagne. Here the 2nd and 3rd floor have fabulous designer clothes. Important note: do not miss the Buffalo jeans store across the street from Ogilvy's, or the Parasucco store at the next corner (rue Crescent). These are the mother lode stores for coolness, since the manufacturers are in Mtl.

NYGirl

Wow, thank you Lois!<BR>I have shopped at Ogilvies, like their MAC boutique, and love Holt Renfrew, but I want to get as much shopping done as possible in one day..hard but I know I am up to it!<BR>So thank you, your suggestions are very helpful.<BR>I hope it isn't cold enough to snow! <BR>

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