If there are any Montreal residents reading this or even the tourist...am leaving this Friday [7/2] for 4 days in Montreal. We are 1st time visitors, and the forecast does not look great. Any suggestions for 'indoor' sightseeing would be greatly appreciated. <BR>Thanks in advance! <BR>Elaine <BR>

According to the ten-day forecast on the web, you'll have partly cloudy on Friday, chance of showers on Saturday, clear and sunny Sunday and Monday. What luck! Usually, showers means it may rain part of the day or off and on, as opposed to rain which could be all day. There's plenty to do indoors. Do you have a tour guide? Lots of museums, cultural attractions, the Biodome, the Casino, or you could do as everyone else in Montreal does when the weather is nasty and head for the underground. Although, a bit of rain wouldn't deter most folks from being out and about regardless. Miles and miles of shopping, dining, theaters, gorgeous architecture and indoor "landscaping" throughout the underground, though. The Jazz Festival will be underway with dozens of indoor venues. There's a website you can check for what's going on. Have you done a search?

Tara, <BR>I appreciate your reply. Yes, I have done a search and have a few things in mind. Hate to spend the time just shopping. Wanted to really see the city and have accessed 6 websites, all indicating an array of rain on different days. No two are alike! A bit of rain is hardly a deterent...just want to cover/bases in event we get washed out. So looking forward to seeing Botanical Gardens and dining on a terrace to view fireworks Sat. evening...all outdoors, of couse! <BR>My post probably should have read 'any residents hear 5 day forecast'! <BR>

The Insectarium, whihc is part of the Biodome Complex, is worth visiting, strange as it may sound. And it is indoors. <BR>Use and umbrella, and still go to Old Montreal and walk around in the rain. <BR>If you walk there from the center of town, go past the Intr-Continental Hotel, and look for the covered laneway at the back, and go see a genuine piece of the Berlin Wall. <BR>The Railway museum on the south shore has a fair bit of inside stuff. And the mainMontreal Museum is almost always worth a visit. <BR>

Brian, <BR>Thanks for such good ideas. Actually we are staying in Old Montreal...Auberge du Vieux Port which was endorsed by some 'Fodorites' when I posted earlier...think you may have been one of the folks! <BR>Looking forward to seeing the city and all it has to offer. <BR>Merci! <BR>Elaine