My wife and I will spend a long weekend in Montreal and would love some tips. If you could only spend 3 days in Montreal, what would you absolutely have to do/see? <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR>T and C

Hi <BR> <BR>Montreal is IMO not a place where you absolutely HAVE TO do/see certain things; instead, it is city that is rich in humanity imbued with a love of life that can be incredibly exciting. I suggest you pick from amongst the many things to see/do based on your interests. <BR> <BR>I'll give you an idea: looking for a good romantic top-notch French restaurant? Try Toque on St. Denis. Good vegetarian buffet with chi-chi ambience? Try le Commensal on McGill College. History and architecture? There's tons. Stroll around Old Montreal. Stop in the Notre Dame Basilica, go to the Oratoire St. Joseph. Museums? The Musee des Beaux Arts or the McCord Museum I've been to. Upscale shopping? Ste. Catherine/ <BR>Sherbrooke St.s near Peel Metro for trendy wear. Funky clothes? Check out Avenue Mont-Royal, St. Denis or Saint Laurent St. Great bakeries? Patisserie Belge on l'Ave du Parc, Patisserie Bruxelloise on Mont Royal AVe., Boulangerie Monsieur Pinchot, rue Brebeuf and TONS MORE. Great MONTREAL (different from NYC) bagels? St. Viateur Bagel or Fairmount Bagel. Scenery? Mont-Royal "the Mountain", Ile Ste. Helene. Nightlife (martini, chi-chi ambience)? Jello Bar on Ontario E. And these suggestions are not even the tip of the iceberg of great ways to spend your time in Montreal. <BR> <BR>Check out the Montreal Mirror (www.montrealmirror.com) or the Hour (www.hour.ca) when you're there for ideas on things to do. I lived in Montreal for 5 years and even NOW when I go back, I find new places to go and things to love in Montreal. <BR> <BR>Enjoy one of my favorite cities in the world! DAN

Dan, you really nailed a lot of good ideas. I too am a Montreal lover, my wife and I drive up every time we want a 'big city' fix. Here are a few of our favorite areas - all the intersting cafes and shops on St. Denis. The incredible stew of ethnic stores and restaurants on St. Laurent (which is the dividing line between east and west addresses). The inexpensive and very good byob restaurants on Duluth St. Here are some of our favorite mid priced restaurants: Jardin des Panos on Duluth, Bleu Nil on St. Denis, Le Commensal (for lunch), Hosteria Romana on Metcalf, Crystal Saigon in Chinatown for lunch, Au Petit Extra on Ontario, Casa Tapas on Rachiel - there are hundreds of other great ones!

I so agree with Dan, we just returned from spending time in Montreal..we have been there a few times before and there is always something to do~days are well spent just walking around the city-museums,galleries,The Petit Musee on Sherbrooke is a gem~there never seems to be enough time to do everything.And the food! you can eat in wonderful gourmet restaurants every night or just about every other kind of dining~one of the best things about Montreal is the atmosphere~it is young and friendly and feels like something celebratory is always happening~We shopped and went to museums and galleries one day,Old Montreal and antiques on Notre Dame the next day,and went to Mont Royal and walked and then continued the walks all over the city the next day-we drove to Mt Tremblnt for a day out of the city,the colors were fabulous~I can't wait to go back~C

Another interesting thing about Montreal is the vibrant Irish community. There are many good and authentic Irish pubs with good beer, good food, and good music. I think the best by far is Hurley's Irish Pub on Rue Crescent. Very good and of all the ones I have visited in Montreal I like this one best. Always good food, cold beer, and GREAT local Irish musicians. Check it out for a real treat.

Dan and all, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the great ideas! Everyone I have talked to has said that Montreal is one of their favorite cities. This comes from people who have travelled extensively in the US and Europe. <BR> <BR>My wife and I thank you again. <BR>Todd