Hello all,
I'm trying to plan a trip in early Sept. for 4 days. My original plans were to spend all 4 days in Quebec City, but since looking into Montreal, it seems awesome too. So now I'm thinking two days in both. Is this possible? If not, which one should I do? I love the European feel of Old Quebec and it seems to be more laid-back, but I've heard great things about the nightlife in Montreal. To tell you a little about me I'm a college student, interested in shopping, nightlife, history, music, etc. I'm not planning on doing the whole tourist visit every museum thing, this is more just a getaway to hang out in a cool new city. Any suggestions for good shopping, clubs/bars and restaurants in either city would be great. Thanks in advance for any help.
- Doug

I'd scrap QC and spend the whole time in Montreal. Unless you are really a history geek, that many days in QC by yourself will get boring after awhile.

You could split it, but you need to plan for a three hour trip between cities.

Well this is a real puzzler.

I've been to both places, and enjoyed each, but now I have to introduce the outlook of a college student to the equation.

If I were going to one myself, (that is "me" - now) I'd probably opt for QC because half of the fun of going to Quebec is to immerse myself in the french surroundings (just for fun, and safely not more than a tank of gas from NY).

However, Montreal is so much larger and college-oriented, and perhaps easier to get around in, that I'm going to vote Montreal for your quest.

The two-days-in-both idea stretches each too thin.

Go to Montreal and have a look at the nightlife and enjoy your time there.

I've been to both many times, here's my take:
With 4 nights, I'd do 2 in each city. QC is visually unbeatable, one of North America's most beautiful cities, and by far it's most unique. Montreal has some European charm, and is party central. Do 2 nights in QC, take a lot of pictures, stroll the charming cobblestone streets, see Montmorency Falls, hit the few lively cafes and bars(there IS some night life in QC!). Then go to Montreal for 2 nights and days of great eating, shopping and nightlife.

Quebec City's more of a postcard city. Really beautiful but a world away (although just over two hours drive) from the glitz and glamour and bustle of Montreal. For such a short trip, you'll probably vow to return to both cities once you've experienced them.

One night in Quebec City will give you a very good taste. Three nights in Montreal will barely scratch the surface.

As a Montrealer who has visited Quebec City about 7 times, I'm going to suggest your original plan of spending 2 days in each. Both cities in my opinion have a very cool vibe, although Quebec City is quite a bit more low-key than Montreal.

Do a search on restaurants for both cities using the SEARCH OPTION here or www.restaurant.ca. I like Quebec-owned Simon's in Montreal (Peel Metro: near Metcalfe/ Sainte Catherine) for more European-style clothing at reasonable prices, but that's just my taste. Mont-Royal Avenue is a great place to go for vintage clothes (metro: Mont-Royal). Clubs/bars in Montreal: it's hard to tell you without knowing certain preferences (electronica, alternative, Gay/straight/mixed, grunge, retro-francophone, rock, jazz, urban hip/ casual crowd, etc...).

In Quebec City, I love les Salons d'Edgar to get some great Quebec microbrews with a hip and uniquely "Quebec City" ambience in a lounge setting.

Have a great trip whatever you decide! DAN

Hello Again,
Ok, thanks to everyone for the help. I've decided to split it between both cities. They just seem so different and are going to be awesome in their own ways. And if I have a fun time, I will definitely come back to see/do things I miss. So...now I need more specific info about bars and clubs. I'm really into Indie Rock music and I've heard awesome things about the indie scene in Montreal so any info about that would be awesome. Also, any dance clubs that are good, music and crowd doesnt really matter, but kinda a hip urban feel would be nice. My only requirement is that it caters to a younger crowd. And as far as Quebec City goes I'm looking for more casuals bars, nice patio, outdoors spots. Thanks so much for any help! This is going to be a great trip and I can't wait!

Oh and I forgot any bars with a unique Quebec/French feel or good francophone music that I can't get in the US would be awesome! thanks.

Well MU_Doug, if you're somebody that loves the Indie music scene, I can think of no better place than Montreal in North America for that... Many people's music tastes in this city you'll see lean toward very eclectic and there's a huge appreciation for local talent; electronica esp. of a local variety has a tremendous following. Head to Saint-Denis, Saint-Laurent, Mont Royal Ave. or the Gay Village and be amazed!

Urban hip, no mainstream music at any: Check out Le Passeport (only one w/ dancing after 11pm), Saint Denis just below Rachel; Bily Kun, Mont-Royal East near Saint-Denis; Cafe Sarajevo, Clark below Sherbrooke; Casa del Popolo, Saint-Laurent below Saint-Joseph; Cafe Esperanza (grungy, often has open-mike), Saint-Laurent & Bernard; I could go on...

Pick up a Mirror or Hour, free alt weekly; or Voir or Ici if you read French, for listings of shows going on around town.

Francophone music can be heard many places throughout the city including some mentioned above; C'est Extra at Musee Juste Pour Rire (Saint-Laurent below Sherbrooke) is a fun, popular retro francophone night with dancing. You may want to check out L'Escogriffe on Saint-Denis below Mont-Royal also. You will find that uniquely Quebec experiences are had all over the city though at many places I mention and many I don't.

DAN