It seems likely that I and my family will be in Montreal for a few days later this month, and we've never been, but I consistently hear about what a great city it is. I'm going to be busy at a conference for most of the time, we know no one in Montreal, and we're on a very tight budget, so I thought I'd query EhMacians for recommendations about things to see and do while we're there.

My wife and son (who is 12) will have days free, and all three of us will have evenings to do things that one can do in Montreal on a budget.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

I love wandering around old Montreal, going to the top of Mount Royal, and just wandering the streets of the city. Buskers will be out in droves to entertain in Old Montreal.

Montreal is my favorite Canadian city. Bon voyage, mon ami. Paix.

I love wandering around old Montreal, going to the top of Mount Royal, and just wandering the streets of the city. Buskers will be out in droves to entertain in Old Montreal.

Montreal is my favorite Canadian city. Bon voyage, mon ami. Paix.

Thanks. Unfortunately, I'll be in dark conference rooms for almost the whole time, and probably won't get to do much :(

Are there any areas of town to avoid?

Thanks. Unfortunately, I'll be in dark conference rooms for almost the whole time, and probably won't get to do much :(

Are there any areas of town to avoid?

I am not really sure of any areas to avoid. Sorry.

I'll second hiking around on the mountain. Plenty of greenery, stellar views of the city... and Old Montreal is quite majestic.

If you find yourself walking around beyond the downtown area, I suggest checking out the Fairmount Bagel Factory (https://plus.google.com/110711255830439047675/about). Cheap, open 24/7, best bagels anywhere - hot out of the oven.

Eat the finest hot dogs in Canada for starters.

if you are visiting soon, you could catch the Just For Laughs Festival which takes place from July 12 -29. Lots of free shows and performances. Old Montreal can be easily walked around in a day or rent a BIXI bike and ride down the Lachine canal in the Old Port area. A walk to the top of Mont Royal is also a great way to get a panoramic view the city. There's also the "Tam Tams" (an outdoor drum jam) which takes place every sunday at the base of Mont Royal park. There's Lafontaine Park in the heart of Le Plateau Mont Royal neighborhood, Strolling along St. Laurent street and Mont Royal street is always fun. St. Viateur bagel now have a shop on Mont Royal street should you not want to head a little north to the original St. Viateur shop or Fairmount bagel in the Mile End district.

hope this helps and should you want suggestions for restaurants, let me know

Ants

I haven't been to Montreal in a while, but there is supposed to be a restaurant called Schwarz's which is supposed to have the best smoked meat. I have heard that there is usually a big line to get in and that they do not take reservations.

Cheers

I haven't been to Montreal in a while, but there is supposed to be a restaurant called Schwarz's which is supposed to have the best smoked meat. I have heard that there is usually a big line to get in and that they do not take reservations.

Cheers

I agree, tilt .................... and I am a Jewish New Yorker who LOVES this sort of smoked meat. I have been to Schwarz's and concur with your take on this establishment.

Thanks for the replies everyone; I'm making a list of ideas :)

Thanks for the replies everyone; I'm making a list of ideas :)

Bon voyage, mon ami.

...well, it's close to Montreal eh, sort of?
Well Dr G. and friends, I'm going to Quebec City in two weeks for 4 nites/ 3 days. Meeting my family there (they will fly there, I'm coming from Perth by car visiting a buddy for 3 days). We will all drive home together. Staying at the Delta outside Old Quebec City I believe. So far a visit to old QC and the Montmorency Falls is on the agenda. Maybe we'll do the new aquarium but we have been to one similar in California by the looks of it.
Any other suggestion since my family, wife, one teen and (gulp!) adult son never been to QC? I was there, ugh!, 45 years ago, saw the actual battle at the Plains of Abraham:rolleyes:

...
Any other suggestion since my family, wife, one teen and (gulp!) adult son never been to QC? I was there, ugh!, 45 years ago, saw the actual battle at the Plains of Abraham:rolleyes:

That long ago? Seems like only yesterday.:D

i love wandering around old montreal, going to the top of mount royal, and just wandering the streets of the city. Buskers will be out in droves to entertain in old montreal.

Montreal is my favorite canadian city. Bon voyage, mon ami. Paix.

+1

Thanks. Unfortunately, I'll be in dark conference rooms for almost the whole time, and probably won't get to do much :(

Are there any areas of town to avoid?


I think wandering around Old Montreal at night is actually better than wandering around it during the day so I wouldn't be too concerned about that bryanc.

...well, it's close to Montreal eh, sort of?
Well Dr G. and friends, I'm going to Quebec City in two weeks for 4 nites/ 3 days. Meeting my family there (they will fly there, I'm coming from Perth by car visiting a buddy for 3 days). We will all drive home together. Staying at the Delta outside Old Quebec City I believe. So far a visit to old QC and the Montmorency Falls is on the agenda. Maybe we'll do the new aquarium but we have been to one similar in California by the looks of it.
Any other suggestion since my family, wife, one teen and (gulp!) adult son never been to QC? I was there, ugh!, 45 years ago, saw the actual battle at the Plains of Abraham:rolleyes:

I really liked roaming around Old Quebec City, going around the Plains of Abraham battle field, and just taking in the area around the legislature.

...well, it's close to Montreal eh, sort of?
Well Dr G. and friends, I'm going to Quebec City in two weeks for 4 nites/ 3 days. Meeting my family there (they will fly there, I'm coming from Perth by car visiting a buddy for 3 days). We will all drive home together. Staying at the Delta outside Old Quebec City I believe. So far a visit to old QC and the Montmorency Falls is on the agenda. Maybe we'll do the new aquarium but we have been to one similar in California by the looks of it.
Any other suggestion since my family, wife, one teen and (gulp!) adult son never been to QC? I was there, ugh!, 45 years ago, saw the actual battle at the Plains of Abraham:rolleyes:

Roger Waters is performing The Wall, live on the Plains of Abraham on Saturday night (July 21). This will likely be the last performance by this legendary musician and the legendary pice of music/art, so I'd highly recommend it if you can get tickets. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it. :-(

Roger without David Gilmour just ain't the same thing. My opinion alone, natch.

Old Montreal at night is fantastic. We honeymooned there a couple of falls ago... some great dining and a terrific street vibe.

Roger without David Gilmour just ain't the same thing. My opinion alone, natch.

Old Montreal at night is fantastic. We honeymooned there a couple of falls ago... some great dining and a terrific street vibe.

Or Floyd/Gilmour without Waters... either way there is something/one missing IMO.

The conference stuff starts at about 8 am and goes until 11 pm with no breaks each day, but I think I'm going to skip one evening to go see old Montreal. Thanks.

The conference stuff starts at about 8 am and goes until 11 pm with no breaks each day, but I think I'm going to skip one evening to go see old Montreal. Thanks.

Montreal doesn't sleep until after 3pm and only really starts to get rolling around 10 or 11pm so even if you go after your conference stuff there are still plenty of good times to be had.

Montreal doesn't sleep until after 3pm and only really starts to get rolling around 10 or 11pm so even if you go after your conference stuff there are still plenty of good times to be had.

Cool. Thanks. Of course, in order for me to process any of the new information I'll be exposed to at the conference starting at 8am, I'll have to try to get some sleep, but I'll try to pretend I'm a grad student again and get out for some night life while I'm there. :)

Cool. Thanks. Of course, in order for me to process any of the new information I'll be exposed to at the conference starting at 8am, I'll have to try to get some sleep, but I'll try to pretend I'm a grad student again and get out for some night life while I'm there. :)

I anticipated such a response as once I made my post I realized your dilemma.

So maybe go to late conference events that interest you and skip the morning events the next day if they don't interest you, if such a combination exists. If one doesn't then yeah for the sake of experiencing Montreal at night (which is a MUST IMO) your are going to probably have to suffer some consequences.... ;)

I anticipated such a response as once I made my post I realized your dilemma.

So maybe go to late conference events that interest you and skip early morning events that don't the next day, if such a combination exists. If one doesn't then yeah for the sake of experiencing Montreal at night (which is a MUST IMO) your are going to probably have to suffer some consequences.... ;)

I remember visiting Montreal at night during a grand prix weekend and all I got asked was if I wanted to come in and experience the "touchy feely tables". :yikes: I said: "Ok dude I am with my girlfriend." :rolleyes:

:lmao:

I remember visiting Montreal at night during a grand prix weekend and all I got asked was if I wanted to come in and experience the "touchy feely tables". :yikes: I said: "Ok dude I am with my girlfriend." :rolleyes:

:lmao:

You were clearly not going to couple appropriate places... depending of course on the type of couple we are talking about.... ;)

Due to your response you didn't have to suffer any consequences...

yeah for the sake of experiencing Montreal at night (which is a MUST IMO) your are going to probably have to suffer some consequences.... ;)

Too bad one cannot store up sleep. I'd love to be able to go out until 3am and then get up and be functional at 7am like I used to when I was a grad student. Youth is wasted on the young :cool:

Too bad one cannot store up sleep. I'd love to be able to go out until 3am and then get up and be functional at 7am like I used to when I was a grad student. Youth is wasted on the young :cool:

I would love to stay up late as well. I can't even stay up past 11 PM anymore. :-(

Though I do wake up allot earlier now. :confused: