We are travelling from New York to Montreal for Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May). We are staying at the Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain. We will likely see the Cirqu Du Soleil show some time that weekend. We have done some research and know about the amusement park, biodome and Olympic park. Are there another other "must -do's" for our group? Also, any restaurant recommendations? Thanks!
Montreal: Family Weekend Trip w/11 and 16 yr old daughters
Recent Activity
View all Canada activity »
- 1 Vancouver + Vancouver Island August Trip
- 2 Any Canadians driven a rental car from USA into Canada...
- 3 where to go for a romantic vacation in Nova Scotia.
- 4 Canadian Rodeo in early to mid July --- somewhere near Montreal or Ontario?
- 5 Restaurants in Niagara Falls - ON side
- 6 Reservations needed for BC ferries between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay?
- 7 Hotel Reservations
- 8 Olde Stone Inn Hotel - Niagara Falls, ON
- 9 Trip to Rockies
- 10 Vancouver sightseeing - transportation tips
- 11 Buchart Gardens - Will flowers be blooming in early September?
- 12 Parksville Or Nanaimo
- 13 Huge British Columbia roadtrip
- 14 Road Trip from Montreal to PEI to Cape Breton
- 15 Itinery: Ottawa to Newfoundland
- 16 First time trip to Montreal for senior couple (late sixties)
- 17 Nova Scotia in June
- 18 Free National Geographic Travel Map of Newfoundland
- 19 Nova Scotia in 10 days - Roundtrip from Bangor, ME
- 20 Montreal-NB-PEI by car for a 7 day trip
- 21 Calgary - Things to Do
- 22 Transportation from Toronto to Niagara Falls
- 23 Need help, can't decide
- 24 Accommodation in Kelowna area
- 25 Canadian SIM card options (in Nova Scotia)?
In late may you should really be able to enjoy the city by walking around all the different neighborhoods.
Old Montreal and the Old Port are very lively in the summer. The archeology museum gives a good background to the city's history and the Chateau Ramezay is another important historic site in Old Montreal. Even if you don't go inside, stop to admire its garden.
On Île Sainte-Hélène you can visit the Biosphère, a museum of the environment, including the St. Lawrence river, inside the Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome from Expo. There are great views of the city from the top.
I like all of these sites more than the Olympic park and biodome.
One of the amazing things about Montreal is the incredible ethnic diversity. This means you have lots of unusual food choices.
There is a bike path along the Lachine canal and there are boat trips there, too.
We are also going to Cirque that weekend - lets hope for good weather! We've been to Montreal many, many times - it's a great city. The suggestions you've already gotten are great, except I find the Biodome at the Olympic Park a great rainy day outing. Montreal is a fabulous city for bike riding. You can rent bikes up by Parc lafontaine, or down in the old port. Also don't miss the impressive Notre Dame basillica in the old city, and strolling Prince Arthur street on the plateau in the evening to see the street entertainers and outdoor restaurants scene. Another fun spot is the Jean Talon market, a huge European style outdoor/indoor market near little Italy, with fresh produce and all kinds of ethnic foods.
Your hotel is in the heart of the downtown area, a great area for shopping. The underground city is very close by, and is another good rainy day choice. It's actually a huge network of malls, shop, cafes and Metro stations.
As for places to eat (tons of choices)- Le Grande Comptior near your hotel is a real French bistro - a great lunch spot. The plateau area around Duluth & St. Denis is a very lively area, lined with interesting, inexpensive byob restaurants. If it's a nice evening, I would recommend Le Jardan de Panos on Duluth, a very fun byob Greek brochette place with a wonderful outdoor terrace. It's very popular with locals, so buy your wine and get in line, there are no reservations.
Have fun!