MONTREAL

Entertainment:

Along Sainte-Catherine Street—which traverses almost the entire city from east to west—and up and down the cross streets, restaurants of every nationality share sidewalk space with international name-brand boutiques, great department stores, intimate café-terrasses and very happening nightclubs and bars. A spectacular view of McGill College Avenue and Mount Royal comes into view from the Place Ville Marie esplanade, the birthplace of the underground network.

Wander up to Sherbrooke Street and browse (or splurge) in the designer boutiques, trend-setting art galleries and museums—including the prestigious Museum of Fine Arts—of the Museum Quarter. Stroll east and enter Chinatown, where a thriving Chinese community continues to celebrate traditional festivals and holidays, and where you'll find all kinds of neat things, like medicinal roots, exotic foodstuffs and hand-painted porcelain.

With centuries-old buildings and modern skyscrapers, a medley of architectural styles stands side by side for all to behold. The Quartier international, an exceptional new urban space, is one such site. In addition to the Palais des congrès (Convention Centre) and its colourful glass façade, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle is well worth a visit for its remarkable fountain-sculpture that features a ring of fire.

Then there's downtown's famous alter ego: the underground pedestrian network. Directly under the heart of the city lie 32 kilometres (20 miles) of brightly lit, scrupulously clean passageways, linking thousands of boutiques, major hotels, restaurants, universities, dozens of office buildings and attractions. This is definitely the Montréal of Montrealers. Every day more than 500,000 people connect through here on their way to work, shop, dine or spend a night—or day—on the town.

Shopping:

Most of Montreal's shops, department stores and malls are concentrated along Sainte Catherine Street – comparable to London's Oxford Street. One of the best department stores is Holt Renfrew (Sherbrooke St). This, as well as Ogilvy, is best for designer labels.
The main shopping malls are Place Ville Marie (Rene Levesque Boulevard), Promenades Cathédrale and Cours Mont Royal (de Maisonneuvre Boulevard). Other malls include Complexe Desjardins (4 Complexe Desjardins) and Montreal Eaton Centre (703 Sainte Catherine St). Leisurewear and branded clothes are very good value. Shop assistants speak French first, but usually speak English as well.

Montreal Casino:

Formerly the French and Québec pavilions of Expo 67, the Casino de Montréal offers over 3,060 slot machines, 120 gaming tables and a dazzling atmosphere. The Casino is also home to the Cabaret, a spectacular 500-seat performance hall dedicated to world-class variety shows, and four restaurants sure to suit every taste, from a quick snack to an exquisite gourmet experience.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts:

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal) is the grande dame of the Canadian museum world. Founded in 1860, the original pavilion, now known as the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion - dates from 1912, and the Jean-Noêl Desmarais pavilion, facing it across Sherbrooke St., a Moshe Safdie design, from 1991. The pavilions are connected by an underground passage.

The museum has a large collection of decorative and ethnographic objects, 19th-century paintings, and Canadian paintings, prints and drawings, only a small fraction of which can be displayed at a time. It also hosts major travelling shows. Café and boutique on the premises.

Outdoor Pursuits:

Sunny weather and a 350-km (220-mile) network of bike paths will bring out the athlete in anyone. For walkers, cyclists and inline skaters, a great spot to start is Old Montréal. Solo or with a guide, head west along the Lachine Canal, cross the St. Lawrence River to parc Jean-Drapeau for a few loops around the F1 circuit, roll north for an invigorating hike up Mount Royal and then enjoy a smooth ride down through the Plateau, into the heartland of outdoor patios, ice cream stands and people-watching.

If you prefer water over land, there’s no shortage of blue at the Old Port—from pedal boating to cruising to sailing on the St. Lawrence River. On a warm afternoon, cool off with high-speed jet boating or rafting down the Lachine Rapids and when you dry off, be sure to stop in at some of the nearby historical sites; the Canal, today an important leisure hub, has a long and rich fur-trading, industrial and transportation history. You’ll discover countless other sites of historical significance, each relating a unique chapter in the founding and building of Montréal, all along the paths and waterfront of the Pôle des Rapides area.

Montreal Science Centre:

The one-of-a-kind Montréal Science Centre offers a wide range of "scientifically fun" activities and lively experiences. It is home to interactive exhibits, an IMAX theatre, and the Immersion interactive movie game, unique in Canada. The Centre is on the site of the Old Port of Montréal.

Tipping:

A tip of 10-15% is expected in restaurants, bars and taxis.

Top of Page | Destination Menu | Circuit Page