The national programming finals for the American Computer Science League are Memorial Day Weekend in Montreal. Many teams from the United States will be attending, including ours from Texas. 2 sponsors (myself and one other) will be flying in with 10 teenagers (6 computers, a map, and zero French), and will have 2 vans. We will be staying at the Mid-Town Holiday Inn. We will have a sightseeing day all day Friday and some Sunday morning. What are "must-sees" for this age group?<BR><BR>

Firstly, don't worry about the French. I just returned from Montreal and Quebec City with a group of students who did speak French, but the people spoke English virtually all of the time because they knew that French was not the students' mother tongue. As for sites, a tour of the Olympic Stadium is a possibility, including a ride to the top of the tower for a good view of the city. Of course shopping is always a possibility - the "underground city" has lots to offer. There is also a science museum which might be of interest. <BR>

Forgot one thing - Notre Dame Cathedral in the old part of Montreal is a must-see. It is truly spectacular. It might be included on your sight-seeing tour, but if not, make plans to visit it.

Smart Texan teens -- not typical tourists in many ways. Sort of scientist kids. Hmmmm.<BR><BR>Bob's right aboutthe French, as far as the kids are concerned, but the van drivers will need to think about the routes, and plan them carefully, since the traffic direction signs are in French, and the traffic moves fast.<BR><BR>Solve this problem by looking at your maps before hand, and recruiting a kid to be navigator. Nord, sud, est are obvious directions, and ouest is all that's left.<BR><BR>Left is gauche and droit is right.<BR><BR>Now that's done,you can figure out how to get where you are going.<BR><BR>The Olympic Stadium and surrounding area is a good destination. The Expos play baseball there, so there's a US-oriented interest, plus the building is a scientific marvel, with a huge protrusion into the air that science-oriented kids will find interesting. Elevator to the top yields great views.<BR><BR>In the same immediate area is an indoor botanical garden they may find interesting, including an aquarium-like section that shows what it is like under the St. Lawrence River. No beautiful colored tropical fish, but the reality of the northern waters. and there is an arctic exhibit. Close by is a bug museum -- again, something kids may really enjoy. Look for little holes in the display cases; these are where the live bugs are.<BR><BR>After that, you can park the vans and just walk for the rest of the visit.<BR><BR>The hotel is well placed for walks in four directions. Most interesting is Old Montreal, south and east of the hotel. Street entertainers, very old buildings, the harbor, a giant flea market, and if budget permits, boat tours of the harbor. Try Beavertails, which are pancake-like treeats only found in Montreal and Ottawa, as far as I know. Buy them from a window on to the street.<BR><BR>Teen shopping? Best bet is probably on St. Laurent Blvd., a few blocks east of the hotel. Walk along Sherborroke to St. Laurent (may be St. Lawrence if you have an English map) and turn left (north / nord) and walk until they are bored and want to turn around.<BR><BR>South of the hotel is Ben's Deli. It's one of the famed Montreal delis, good food, reasonable prices, teen-friendly.<BR><BR>For more sophisticated entertainment, the main Montreal Art Museum is a few blocks west of the hotel, on Sherbrooke. Check the exhibit calender. There is often something teenagers, at least smart one, would like.<BR><BR>St. Denis Street (east of the hotel) is full of clubs and restaurants. Depending on how old the kids are, this might be a good area to visit, too.<BR><BR>If they just want to go for a wlak and think about computer problems and discuss strategy, etc., to get their heads around the competition, wallking up the side of Mount Royal, which is just north of the hotel, might be a good idea.<BR><BR>Bring cameras -- there's lots to photograph to show the folks back home that Montreal is like being on another continent, in many ways.<BR><BR>It's fairly hard to get seriously lost in Montreal, so you might let the kids break up into smaller groups and meet back at the hotel. The mountain provides an easy way to get your sense of direction, so they can find Sherbrooke fairly easily.<BR><BR><BR>BAK<BR>

Thank you so much for your replies. I really appreciate your advice (we need all the help we can get!)<BR><BR>

Old Montreal and McGill University Campus (right next to your hotel) are also places worth exploring.<BR><BR>I would agree about the comment of letting them split up and explore themselves - they will love the independence.

Go up Mt Royal. There are 2 lookouts giving great city views. One is on the Westmount side the other looks out east and you can see the stadium and beyond.<BR>