Montreal

[Dropper33 1]

I am going to Montreal for the last week of August. Anyone been there? Advice, things to do, things to avoid? Any input would be appreciated.. Thanks.

[lunker 274]

Try some poutine. It is the food of the gods. There is a casino just outside the city, on the Isle de Trois Soeurs.

[ogfarmer 138]

+1 for poutine! and make sure you exchange your money before you get there, alot of people try to rip you off with exchange rates.

[GRIZ 3,369]

There was one bit of advice I got from someone long ago when first going to French Canada. If you run into a French Canadian that makes believe they can't speak English make it clear to them you are an American not Canadian. Some French Canadians feel if you're Canadian you should be able to speak French and English like they do. If you're an American that's okay and they'll speak English to you. Never encountered it much but when I did letting them know I wasn't Canadian always got them to speak English.

[wooly bugger 1]

There was one bit of advice I got from someone long ago when first going to French Canada. If you run into a French Canadian that makes believe they can't speak English make it clear to them you are an American not Canadian. Some French Canadians feel if you're Canadian you should be able to speak French and English like they do. If you're an American that's okay and they'll speak English to you. Never encountered it much but when I did letting them know I wasn't Canadian always got them to speak English.

My advice, if you run into a French Canadian under the age of 70 who pretends not to speak English, turn around and find a French Canadian who isn't an asshole.

[DSD1026 48]

no offense, but many French Canadians dont like Americans either..  maybe it was just a Quebec (city) thing, but im guessing it isnt

[Duppie 73]

I've been driving up to Montreal 3 to 4 times a year for the past 12 years now and would actually move there if it wasn't so damn cold in the winter, The French Canadians are extremely accommodating as long as you show the littlest of respect for their language, so a simple Bonjour,Merci and Au Revoir is all that is required in most situations. The balance in basic common sense.

The nightlife,restaurant,and music scene is a blast in the summer because the drinking age is 18 and Montreal is largely a collage town so a good time is relatively inexpensive. As for what to see and do, well IM me if you have specific questions but I go up for the dining and food and wine shopping mostly.

Depending on where you're staying and intend on doing, check out RestoMontreal,Askmen Montreal and The Montreal Gazette for dates of activities and events.

 

You're really going to enjoy your self.

[CMJeepster 2,777]

It's been a while, but I got advice to use a credit card for as many payments as needed as the exchange rate is better and there's no fee...

[Duppie 73]

It's been a while, but I got advice to use a credit card for as many payments as needed as the exchange rate is better and there's no fee...

The exchange rate is now negligible and only makes a difference if making very large purchases but I use credit cards everywhere anyway so a smart idea.

[mp123 0]

It's been a while, but I got advice to use a credit card for as many payments as needed as the exchange rate is better and there's no fee...

You have to check your cc

My Amex has transaction fees that are substantial

Same thing with my master card

Most banks will change your money

Or just your ATM card to withdraw money

Just don't do it in small amounts

The ATM fees add up

[Krdshrk 3,877]

Yeah I was just in Niagara Falls - several transactions fees on my credit cards for using them in Canada...

 

Some places will take $ US too.

[Newtonian 453]

We've been to Montreal and Quebec several times each. We speak/understand a bit of French so we never have a problem. Every time we go we expect it to be better, more interesting, but it isn't. 

 

Canadian architecture is horrible for the most part, especially for post-WWII buildings. We drove by dozens of houses with greek columns out front, cement slab porches, wood, brick, three types of shingle, all in the same edifice. They're very fond of cement as opposed to stone. 

 

There's a waterfront park that is one of the ugliest open spaces I've seen anywhere. Hundreds of homeless people. High-power cables and towers everywhere, and the ever-present cement, cement, cement. 

 

The Montreal main drag used to be elegant 20-30 years ago. Now the immigrants have taken over many of the stores. 

 

My memories of Quebec are somewhat. Last time we were there we hit the hottest weather in more than 100 years. It was impossible to sleep (no air conditioning). My hemorrhoids were also bothering me at the time.

 

The parks are also remarkably ugly for a major city, but the buildings and restaurants are much more attractive than Montreal's. We had our children's portraits painted by a local artist, who did a splendid job. I'd go back.

[ogfarmer 138]

LOL! 

[Duppie 73]

We've been to Montreal and Quebec several times each. We speak/understand a bit of French so we never have a problem. Every time we go we expect it to be better, more interesting, but it isn't. 

 

Canadian architecture is horrible for the most part, especially for post-WWII buildings. We drove by dozens of houses with greek columns out front, cement slab porches, wood, brick, three types of shingle, all in the same edifice. They're very fond of cement as opposed to stone. 

 

There's a waterfront park that is one of the ugliest open spaces I've seen anywhere. Hundreds of homeless people. High-power cables and towers everywhere, and the ever-present cement, cement, cement. 

 

The Montreal main drag used to be elegant 20-30 years ago. Now the immigrants have taken over many of the stores. 

 

My memories of Quebec are somewhat. Last time we were there we hit the hottest weather in more than 100 years. It was impossible to sleep (no air conditioning). My hemorrhoids were also bothering me at the time.

 

The parks are also remarkably ugly for a major city, but the buildings and restaurants are much more attractive than Montreal's. We had our children's portraits painted by a local artist, who did a splendid job. I'd go back.

I'm not quite sure if you're referring to Montreal or Quebec City in your rant...

Saint Catherine's is the main drag in Montreal and like most large Metropolises is crowded and lined with all the big chains but Montreal also has The Plateu, which was the main Jewish enclave and is now a historic pedestrian area with Restaurants,cafes,bakeries and Schwartz's, home of the best smoked meat and akin to Katz in NYC,Atwater, which has a great market, canals,restaurants like Joe Beef and Liverpool house along with cool dive bars that party until 4am.

Jean Talon in Little Italy which is large,historic and vibrant and littered with bars,clubs and Restaurants.

Off St Catherine's are some of the cleanest,safest,upscale and most convenient Gentleman's clubs where a fine scotch or port and Cuban cigars along with a thick steak is available any time of the evening or early morning.

Museum row on historic Sherbrook, 3 stories of clubs and bars on Cresent, Old city, China town...... I can go on but Montreal is one of my favorite cities so you must forgive me.

[Damjan 73]

I say you cant go wrong with hookers and blow !

[Newtonian 453]

 

Museum row on historic Sherbrook, 3 stories of clubs and bars on Cresent, Old city, China town...... I can go on but Montreal is one of my favorite cities so you must forgive me.

We'll have to go back then, and take some of your recommendations. We didn't get to the "high" ground at all, as we were mostly walking. I have a Jewish friend who grew up "up there."

 

You can't argue about that waterfront area though. Eek.

 

P.S. We were there last time with three kids. Too young to go with the flow, too old to appreciate much.

[Duppie 73]

I say you cant go wrong with hookers and blow !

Wrong tread Hoss....the chipmunk is long deceased by now.....

[Duppie 73]

We'll have to go back then, and take some of your recommendations. We didn't get to the "high" ground at all, as we were mostly walking. I have a Jewish friend who grew up "up there."

 

You can't argue about that waterfront area though. Eek.

 

P.S. We were there last time with three kids. Too young to go with the flow, too old to appreciate much.

The waterfront is now Disneyland.....Segway rentals,Icecream shops,High end condos,sidewalk bistros,carriage rides.....

[halbautomatisch 60]

There was one bit of advice I got from someone long ago when first going to French Canada. If you run into a French Canadian that makes believe they can't speak English make it clear to them you are an American not Canadian. Some French Canadians feel if you're Canadian you should be able to speak French and English like they do. If you're an American that's okay and they'll speak English to you. Never encountered it much but when I did letting them know I wasn't Canadian always got them to speak English.

I think this is more of a Montreal thing^^^^^^^

 

I went to Quebec City about 5 years ago and everyone spoke English to me when I politely explained that I didn't speak French. The people there seemed very nice.

[Damjan 73]

Wrong tread Hoss....the chipmunk is long deceased by now.....

The chipmunk is alive and well and in Montreal

[Dropper33 1]

Thank you to everyone for the advice and input.. I particularly like the hookers and blow idea.

[HuntingPaper 62]

Edit: Post created by my iPhone while handle it... Sorry

[KevD 0]

no offense, but many French Canadians dont like Americans either..  maybe it was just a Quebec (city) thing, but im guessing it isnt

What a coincidence i dont like the french or canadians lol