hoopscoach

As a frequent visitor to Montreal each summer for the past 20 years I have often wondered what I would do if I only had 1 day to explore. I still have not seen all that this vast city has to offer but i am curious as to what others might put on their agenda. Please include any favorite out of the usual tourist traps and or hangouts if possible

pattysuericia

Have you been to the lachine canal --there are walking & bike paths with cafes, restaurants etc. Been to Hudson(just outside the city). If you scroll through the messages you can order a free brochure on montreal(quebec)

pattysuericia

Hi Hoopscoach, Go to the Lachine Rapids just off the shoreline in LaSalle. The best spot to see them has been landscaped & turned into Parc des Rapides. It was even mentioned in the paper today. Up close, it is impressive. The entire shoreline along Lachine(as I mentioned earleir)is a wonderfully scenic riverside park with a bike path running its entire length-about 15 kilometres(walk as well)Although the Parc des Rapides extends from 3rd ave to 31st ave in LaSalle, the promontory out to the rapids is at 6th Ave. The area including Heron Island is also home to the largest colony of herons in quebec-a few kilometres farther on you'll reach Lachine & the upstream entrance of the Lachine Canal. There is a whole cluster of shoreline parks here. You can cycle out the long promontory called Parc Rene Levesque(stretches 1.5 kilometres into waters of Lac St. Louis) or you can take the path that continues through the old waterfront section of lachine :a mix of historic stone buildings & quaint old houses all fronting the refurbished old canal right besdie Lac St. Louis-you can either pedal along the Lac St. Louis shore or head back into the city along the lachine canal bike path. Another area is Ste. Anne de Bellevue at the western tip of the island--the lakeshore ride is nice to drive along.

pattysuericia

if there are any other questions, please let me know

hoopscoach

Thank you very much pattysuericia i think i will check out the lachine rapids for a day trip. it sounds like i will also check out a bike trail or two.

pattysuericia

Hello Hoopscoach, It also makes for a beautiful drive all along to the very end--until Ste. Anne De Bellevue

LouisP

While we're on the subject of day trips, may I suggest the Richelieu Valley?

Start in Chambly and see Historic Fort Chambly (A-10 esat, Chambly exit, follow National Historic Site signs). There is an excellent restaurant near the Fort (I forget the name, but you can't miss it. It's a large two-storey red bldg by the parking lot).

Then cross the river and take route 133 north. See the church in St-Hilaire. Inside decoration is by Ozias Leduc. Very, very nice. Continue to St-Denis and visit "Maison des Patriotes". Very interesting museum about the 1837-38 rebellion in Lower Canada. Take the ferry at St-Charles across the River to St-Marc and come back towards Chambly via route 223 south.

Nice vistas and beautiful villages along the way.