Montreal in the Winter
 

Thinking about going to Montreal in either February or March. How bad is the weather at that time? is travel advisable or is it too cold to do much once there?

Montreal is a fun city any time of the year. It's more fun in the warm weather with all the outdoor cafes, but we also go in the winter and have a great time.It's cold, but it doesn't slow down the locals one bit. Daytime temps will probably range in the high teens to mid 20's (farenheit). Just dress for the cold, you'll have a blast!

I will agree that Montreal is a fun city any time of the year, because so many Montrealers have a zest for life. But having lived in Montreal for 5 years I know that Montrealers are slowed down SOMEWHAT in the winter; a certain percentage of the population gets depressed at this time of year and the city is certainly not as lively as in warmer weather. However a considerable percentage are still out and about though to make it still a fun time... As I've commented to numerous people, Montreal at -30°C is still more energetic & lively at all hours than most of the rest of North America at 25°C.

Daniel: Where did you get these numbers? -30, +25. if this is your personal opinion then say so. You are giving some anecdotal evidence that cannot be confirm. Regardless where you go there are people who are more active in the winter and others in the summer. But telling people that Montreal is more alive than a whole North America is a big stretch. I lived in New York City and now I am in Montreal in graduate school and although I like Montreal but wouldn't say that it is more energetic or lively than New York Cit or Boston or other cities. They are all different and wonderful in their own ways.

Donna, <BR> <BR>I am basing the liveliness of Montreal on my own personal observations. Boston and New York City, like Montreal, have vibrant downtown cores and happen to be two of the MOST lively cities in North America, 24-7 cities as they say. They too from my observations are also livelier than most of the rest of North American cities. (The Washington Post did a ranking awhile ago, about which cities were most 24-7, cities that never sleep #1. New York, #2. Montreal; I'm afraid to say I don't have the reference. But then again rankings like these are often subjective.) There are other energetic sleep-less cities that have plenty of people-watching also such as Philadelphia, Toronto (and I hear San Fran, Miami and Chicago, I'm sure I'm missing some)... Most other North American cities I've observed are big sprawls with most people going home to the suburbs, where the city rolls up the red carpet after the work day...I live in Baltimore now, have visited a number of Northeast, Southern, Midwest and Canadian cities. Go to Baltimore, Albany, Buffalo, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Richmond, New Haven, Raleigh, Charlotte, Winnipeg, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, etc, etc (some of which are quite charming, with many positives, but are visibly not nearly as lively as Montreal)...and tell me otherwise. I state again and unapologetically that Montreal is livelier day and night than MOST of the rest of North America. <BR> <BR>All the best. Hope you're enjoying Montreal! DAN <BR> <BR>

Hi Donna. <BR> <BR>I lived in Montreal for 5 years as a graduate student myself, until 1999 and have lived in a few other North American cities and visited many. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, I posted one response but it seems to have been removed! (Maybe I shouldn't have been confrontational or made a long list of cities Montreal is more lively than...sorry Fodors!) Donna, please don't misunderstand my statement: I mentioned that Montreal is more lively "at all hours" than "most", not the "whole" of North America. I believe in the Washington Post about a year ago, a list of the top cities "that never sleep" in North America came out and Montreal was #2, after New York City; I remember seeing Boston in the top few. I wish I could tell you the reference or the criteria that they used to make their judgments. <BR> <BR>From personal extensive travelling experience, I perceived that New York City with its 17 million people I would say is more lively at all hours than Montreal, and Boston, a city I loved, is somewhat but not significantly more quiet. Philadelphia and Toronto, to a lesser extent DC and Quebec City, along with a few others also seemed to me to be lively at all hours, although to my eyes not as much as Montreal. BUT these (and a few others I haven't been to, such as Chicago and some west coast cities, I hear) are not like most of the other cities/towns I've been to in North America (no names) which tend to shut down after nightfall, as everyone heads home to the suburbs. (The 2-million person city I live in now is so EMPTY at night, let me tell you! In Montreal, I never lacked for something fun/cultural/etc to do any night of the week!) <BR> <BR>Anyhow, all the best! And have fun in Montreal; it's a truly amazing city! DAN