We'll be arriving at our hotel (Hilton Bonaventure) between 6-7 pm on a Saturday night in July. Any suggestions of where to take the 13 and 15 yr olds for dinner and a bit of sightseeing on our first night? thanks

Check the fireworks schedule for your date! http://www.montreal-fireworks.com/info.html Then, click on "Where to View" (scroll down past the metro map). The taxi drivers are expert in getting you to a good viewing spot (though you may have to walk back due to the crowds, but it's a nice walk).

It's under half a mile walking from the Bonaventure to Place Jacques Cartier in the heart of Vieux Montreal. Among the many terrific places dine all over (you'll pass many along the way) is Jardin Nelson (for salads, crepes, sandwiches, wonderful small plates) with tables in an outdoor courtyard and live music. (They have a website.)

For a calendar of events in montreal go to tourism-montreal.org There is the Just For Laughs Festival from July 10-20,call 1-888-244-3155;you can also go to Old Montreal which is very nice with lots of restaurants.
At night much of the action takes place along rue Saint-Denis & adjacent streets in the eastern part of the city,also St. Laurent-all have tons of restaurants. Or go to Crescent and de la Montagne Streets in the downtown area.
Go eat at Le Triskell on Saint-Denis for wonderful crepes.
Order your free booklet on Montreal(quebec) at 1-877-266-5687,go to www.bonjourquebec.com-they will send you a comprehensive booklet on Montreal

Take a walk in old Montreal. (if weather permits) there is always a lot of activities on Saturday nights and lots of restaurants to chose from.

The fireworks by the water is always nice too, ask the hotel front desk for good spots to watch them.

Perhaps the livliest section on a Saturday night is Prince Arthur St. by Square St. Louis. There are lots of outdoor restaurants on this 'pedestrians only' street, with all kinds of street entertainers, and great people watching.
You can walk from here thru the small St. Louis park which also has some live entertainment, and over to St. Denis, another very 'happening' street. If there are fireworks that night, you won't be able to see them from ths neighborhood however.

Thank you for the great suggestions. As it turns out Portugal is competing the night we arrive...

kamark- go to

www.go-montreal.com

Kamark, don't forget that you can recoup most of the hotel tax,keep your receipts & file the necessary refund form obtained at the hotel

Please note that visitors can be refunded 7% federal tax (TPS), but not the 7.5% provincial tax (TVQ) on hotel stays, if you meet the requirements. Note that many hotels distribute refund forms which are processed through third parties who deduct a substantial fee. For official details, see http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tax/nonre...ors/tax-e.html