Montreal for first time visit?
 

Open to suggestions for first-time visit to Montreal. We are looking forward to our May trip and doing some reading, but also value others' expertise and experience!<BR><BR>Thanks!

Carolyn, if you look back on this site you will find lots of good Montreal advice (some of it is mine). In a nutshell, here are some of my tips (we visit Montreal several times a year).<BR>- Get one of the free visitor's guide books the city publishes, before you plan your trip. These TV Guide sized books are worth their weight in gold.<BR>- Here are the 3 neighborhoods I would recommend staying in: 1. The Sherbrooke Metro/ Sq. St. Louis area - my favorite neighborhood. Very French, pleasant residential streets, lively cafes, restaurants (many byob), shops, bars, etc. The true soul of Montreal. 2. the downtown - the most cosmopolitan area, much like Manhattan. Lots of shopping,tall buildings, some nice restaurants. 3. The old city - very quaint, cobblestone streets, old stone buildings, tiny cafes. Near the waterfront, and Chinatown. This area is a bit more expensive and touristy, and a little harder to get around to the rest of the city since the metro stop is a few blocks up the hill. <BR>The one area I would aviod staying is the eastern end of St. Catherine, which is a little funky.

I went to Montreal last May for my first time. Actually saw U2 in concert there. What a great city.<BR><BR>Things to do:<BR>Absolutely spent a day in the old city part of town. Walk around, have lunch at one of the outdoor cafes. Go the pier. Have a drink at one of the outdoor cafes, etc.<BR><BR>Eat at one of the great restaurants on Crescent St. This is also the heart of the nightlife scene so if you're into that, be sure to go there.<BR><BR>Shop! The name of street with all the main shopping is eluding at the moment, but great deals and very fashionable stores there. The Eaton Center (large mall) is right off it.<BR><BR>Check out the casino. You can take the very nice subway and get a bus transfer to the casino. They have shows there too.<BR><BR>Check out the underground mall. May is beautiful that time of year but you have to go see the underground city that they have created.<BR><BR>Go to Olympic park. The Olympic Stadium is there as well is the BioDome. Both are worthwhile trips. Again, right off the subway line.<BR><BR>Hope those help!

Hold it!!!!<BR><BR>First of all it's "Old Montreal" and the "Old Port". Not the Old City, the Old Town or the Pier.<BR><BR>While I no longer live there, I was born and grew up there and only left about 9 years ago.<BR><BR>Spend a late afternoon and evening in Old Montreal. The St Denis street area is the French equivalent of Crescent Street (lot's of people and restaurants)which is much further west (in downtown). Downtown is a place to be even at night. Try visiting Mount Royal for a great view of the city. You'll need a car or take a taxi. It's not far from downtown.<BR><BR>I go back about once a year for family functions. My favorite restaurants are the Bar B Barn (the best Bar BQ long ribs in the world) on Guy (between St. Catherine and Dorchester (Renee Levesque now). Schwartz's on the main (St Laurent) or Moe's on the West Island (quite far out) for Smoke Meat (sort of corn beef). Gibby's in Old Montreal for steak (also north in the Laurentians and in Ft Lauderdale).<BR><BR>There are more but I can't remember them.<BR><BR>The shopping street is St Catherine.<BR>

thanks for helpful replies . . . I had checked the site for other comments which seemed at the time to be mostly about hotels. Probably I overlooked something. Anyway, the lists are helpful, and they will help us plan our trip! <BR><BR>I guess I should have narrowed the territory to our "likes" and a few dislikes--as in museums, food, and ethnic stuff are good; nightlife may be the good life, but it ain't my life. Too tired.

This site will definitly cover all the angles conscerning Montreal tourism. <BR><BR>http://travel.bonjourquebec.com/

I'm sorry to say, I disagree that the Bonjour Quebec site covers "all the angles". I find it more of an overview than anything, doesn't even discuss restaurants or mention certain interesting Montreal neighborhoods and certainly doesn't go into details on negative aspects.<BR><BR>

Went for our first trip in August. Wow! I, too, like museums. I must admit I was a little disappointed in the Musee de Beaux Arts. Was extremely pleased with the museum in Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal) that tell the history of the City. Can I get some help on the name. I believe it was in the Old Custom House.<BR><BR>Vieux Montreal is wonderful. Whether you like nightlife or not, you must spend one evening in Vieux Montreal. The Hotel de Ville is beautiful at night and the square across is terrific. Sit outside and soak up the atmosphere. Enjoy the street performers. Also, don't worry about the safety. Really is very, very safe although a few street people will approach you, they were polite and harmless.<BR><BR>The botantical garden at Olympic Park is spectacular. Also Notre Dame Bascilica is a must see! Along the museum vein, we stopped in several churches that were very pretty.<BR><BR>A wake through Vieux Montreal is a museum in itself. Also...don't the piers and take a sunset sightseeing cruise.<BR><BR>The downtown is beautiful, clean, and many malls if you like that.<BR><BR>Also, you may not like the nightlife, but a walk up St. Denis at night is worth the walk.<BR><BR>If you want, I have my photos posted to the web. E-mail me and I'll give you the address.

Sorry, I meant to say, "don't forget the pier and the sunset cruise." At the pier you will see more street performers and artists.

The cirque du soleil will be in Montreal in May. It will be held in Old Montreal, right on the port. Should stay at the Auberge du Vieux-Port. I think it will be right across the street.

When are you going in May? My husband & I are going for the first time for our 3rd anniversary May 23-27/02.