Two full days in Montreal
 

Hi,
I am going with my boyfriend to Montreal, and we will be spending at least 2 full days there. What are the top sites to see? Any other information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

You will find a wealth of ideas if you search back on this forum.
Basically, Montreal is a strolling and or biking city - a city of interesting neighborhoods, fun restaurants, great shopping. Not really any 'world class' sights, just a very fun city. Don't miss walking around Old Montreal and the Old Port. These areas are very picturesque and touristy. Here you can take a boat ride, rent bikes or rollerblades, see street entertainers, eat at a sidewalk cafe. Visiting Notre Dame Basilica which is in the old city, would be high on my list for a first timer.
Perhaps the most 'authentic' and French feeling part of the city is the Plateau, which is centered around St. Denis above Sherbrooke. This neighborhood is filled with sidewalk cafes and restuarants (many are byob), trendy clubs, funky shops, quiet side streets, and lots of street entertainment on Price Arthur.
The downtown is a mecca for shopping and dining, with Crescent Street being the livliest for nightlife. St Catherine Street is lined with department stores and shops of all kinds. Try to drive, walk or bike to the top of Mt. Royal to get a great view of the city.
The Olympic Park with it's Biodome and tilted observation tower, and nearby Botanical Gardens at the far eastern end of the city are also worth seeing, but with 2 days you may not have time for these.

Thank You so much for this helpful information! We are very excited to visit Montreal. Just a few more questions:
Do you recommend the Topiary Gardens? What about the Marche Jean Talon and Altwater? Do you recommend seeing the light show at the Notre Dame Basilica? Any museums worth visiting?
Thanks again.

I believe the Topiary Gardens are in the Botanical Gardens. If you enjoy plants, the Botanical Gardens are the second biggest in the world. You can easily spend a day here. The Chinese Pavilion in the gardens is amazing.
Marche Jean Talon is a huge indoor/outdoor produce market - one of our favorite morning destinations in Montreal. You'll love it if you enjoy acres of fresh fruits and vegetables (many free samples), cheeses, ciders,etc. Atwater is similar, but smaller, and a bit more upscale.
I've never seen the light show.
The Fine Arts Museum is very impressive. The Redpath is lots of fun - an old, victorian natural history museum on the McGill campus. There are many other museums of note, but In all honesty Montreal is not an outstanding 'museum' city - Montreal is more about it's ambiance, fun neighborhoods and wonderful dining and nightlife.

I recommend the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archeology and History in the old port area

We also like the Fine Arts museum. It often has good traveling exhibits, so check for those.

You don't say what time of year you are going. In summer/fall we like going out to the Biosphère an environmental museum inside the geodesic dome built for Expo '67 located in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène. Great views of the harbor and city from the top.

Montreal has many festivals so check for what is going on when you will be there.

Thank you for this helpful information. We will be leaving for Montreal either Sunday or Monday, and staying until Thursday.

Hope the weather is good, we are also going up for a few days!

Has anyone ever stayed at Le Meridien or Le Westin in Montreal?

Thwe Jean Tallon market and the Biosphere should be at the top of your list. Both are accessible by Metro.