The ''What to do in Montreal'' Thread version 5.0

angusyoung

sign sign everywhere a sign................
Aug 17, 2014
11,847
12,168
Heirendaar
New York is probably my favourite out of that list - excluding Montreal. San Fran is great, Chicago is cool… was in Boston but too young to comment. Cool list of cities.

I’d add

Prague
Rome
Paris
Hong Kong - circa 20 years ago

Montreal is right there with any of these. Great nightlife, food… just fun.
Where in North America are those cities?:huh:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: habbubba

waitin425

Registered User
Jan 10, 2009
8,429
12,934
Canada
Can I add a "What to do in Quebec City" question in here? There has to be some posters who are from QC or have visited often.

My wife and I are going in August for 5 nights. We are staying in Old Quebec at Auberge St Antoine. Have made plans for one dinner at Taniere3.

Thinking about what to do, besides walking around the old city and hitting some shops and pubs.

We are also thinking of renting bikes and touring Ile D'Orleans. Is it worth it?

Going to check out Montmorency Falls one morning.

Possibly hiking at Jacques Cartier National Park another day.

Any absolute must restaurants we should try?

Neighbourhoods to visit?

Other things to do?

Looking forward to my first time in QC.
 

VirginiaMtlExpat

Second most interesting man in the world.
Aug 20, 2003
5,198
2,771
Norfolk, VA
www.odu.edu
Visiting my sisters in Montreal from July 27 to Aug 10. Planning to catch one day of the Canadian Open tennis. Staying with one sister in Laurentians as well as a loft on Du Parc. Side-trip to Quebec City planned as well, with the other sis. My son has never seen Quebec City; wifey visited it in late October 2002 (we came then from Japan for my last McGill graduation), and was unprepared for how cold it was. This time will be the charm. Planning to go to bring-your-own-wine French places as well and maybe a smoked meat place again. Don't ask me to eat poutine: not my thing at all. Might also try to find a bar with nice cocktails.

The city has changed quite a bit since I've left as an expat (Japan, Germany, and now the US) in 2001.
 
Last edited:

Lomez

Too Awesome for Top 100
Mar 29, 2009
7,433
1,132
PGH, PA
Hello mes amis! I am planning a trip to visit Bell Centre in October. Is it best just to wait until tix go on sale the 16th of September or just snag a couple from Ticketmaster now? I recognize this is likely a tired and repetitive post, but I couldn't find another on the site. Thanks--in advance!
 

cape islander

Registered User
Jul 20, 2003
61
1
Hello, me and the family are travelling to Quebec City for a few days in October, we are thinking about driving to Montreal one day for a Habs game, where would be the best place to park the car and take public transit to downtown Montreal?
 

LuGBuG

Quack Quack
Sponsor
Mar 16, 2006
4,961
3,653
Ducks
I’m coming to Montreal for December 9th versus Anaheim. Me being a Ducks fan and my two buddies are habs fans. Does anyone know if your team store sells a puck for each game? Like with Anaheim and Montreal on the puck for that game only?
 

LAIslanderFan

Registered User
Nov 18, 2010
3,908
915
Los Angeles, CA & Surprise, AZ
Good morning from Arizona, please excuse me for barging in, but I could certainly use some advice from folks in Montreal and this is site place that comes to mind. I'm a lifelong Islanders fan and a hockey fan in general. I've been to many arenas throughout the NHL, but going to a Canadians game in Montreal is like going to a Yankees game in the states, it's the ultimate bucket list for any hockey fan. Yesterday I decided that Montreal would be the place to be around Christmas instead of my usual trek to NY. I'll be there from Dec 15th until Dec 19th. I have tickets for the 18th agains Buffalo, and I'm thrilled to finally see the Habs in person.

The reason for this post, is I need advice about the trip and I hope you can help. I've read the various travel sites and watched Youtube videos. but I'm still not sure about the following:
- Best section is Montreal to get a hotel. I would prefer an area where my wife and I can walk to various restaurants and cafes? Old Montreal?
- SItes I shouldn't miss? I don't want end up at tourist traps.
- Transportion? I'd prefer to not rent a car. I know how frustrating it can be to drive around metropolitan areas. How is the transportation, especially from the airport?
- Any highly recommended restaurants, especially for a nice dinner? I'm definitely getting one of your famous bagels (I'm from NY, it would be blasphemy not to). Poutine of course (La Banquise?) Any nice cocktail lounges for late night libations? My wife won't eat arena food, is there a place you can recommend to eat at before of after the game near the Bell Centre?

Again, apologies for this posting on your thread. I'm an Islanders fan, but I like to think in a larger sense I'm apart of the hockey family. Thank you for your time.
 

Lafleurs Guy

Guuuuuuuy!
Jul 20, 2007
79,812
51,779
Good morning from Arizona, please excuse me for barging in, but I could certainly use some advice from folks in Montreal and this is site place that comes to mind. I'm a lifelong Islanders fan and a hockey fan in general. I've been to many arenas throughout the NHL, but going to a Canadians game in Montreal is like going to a Yankees game in the states, it's the ultimate bucket list for any hockey fan. Yesterday I decided that Montreal would be the place to be around Christmas instead of my usual trek to NY. I'll be there from Dec 15th until Dec 19th. I have tickets for the 18th agains Buffalo, and I'm thrilled to finally see the Habs in person.

The reason for this post, is I need advice about the trip and I hope you can help. I've read the various travel sites and watched Youtube videos. but I'm still not sure about the following:
- Best section is Montreal to get a hotel. I would prefer an area where my wife and I can walk to various restaurants and cafes? Old Montreal?
- SItes I shouldn't miss? I don't want end up at tourist traps.
- Transportion? I'd prefer to not rent a car. I know how frustrating it can be to drive around metropolitan areas. How is the transportation, especially from the airport?
- Any highly recommended restaurants, especially for a nice dinner? I'm definitely getting one of your famous bagels (I'm from NY, it would be blasphemy not to). Poutine of course (La Banquise?) Any nice cocktail lounges for late night libations? My wife won't eat arena food, is there a place you can recommend to eat at before of after the game near the Bell Centre?

Again, apologies for this posting on your thread. I'm an Islanders fan, but I like to think in a larger sense I'm apart of the hockey family. Thank you for your time.
Definitely go to a Montreal Smoked Meat deli. Schwartz's is the most famous but there are a lot that you can go to. That is a can't miss. I'd be curious to see what you think afterwards in regards to Montreal Smoked Meat vs New York Pastrami. Personally, I will take Montreal SM all day long but that's obviously a matter of opinion.

I'll let others answer the questions you've got here. I haven't lived there in years and other people can better answer those questions. I will say that I stayed in a hotel in Old Montreal and it was beautiful. But if you go there it's going to be more expensive.
 

waitin425

Registered User
Jan 10, 2009
8,429
12,934
Canada
Good morning from Arizona, please excuse me for barging in, but I could certainly use some advice from folks in Montreal and this is site place that comes to mind. I'm a lifelong Islanders fan and a hockey fan in general. I've been to many arenas throughout the NHL, but going to a Canadians game in Montreal is like going to a Yankees game in the states, it's the ultimate bucket list for any hockey fan. Yesterday I decided that Montreal would be the place to be around Christmas instead of my usual trek to NY. I'll be there from Dec 15th until Dec 19th. I have tickets for the 18th agains Buffalo, and I'm thrilled to finally see the Habs in person.

The reason for this post, is I need advice about the trip and I hope you can help. I've read the various travel sites and watched Youtube videos. but I'm still not sure about the following:
- Best section is Montreal to get a hotel. I would prefer an area where my wife and I can walk to various restaurants and cafes? Old Montreal?
- SItes I shouldn't miss? I don't want end up at tourist traps.
- Transportion? I'd prefer to not rent a car. I know how frustrating it can be to drive around metropolitan areas. How is the transportation, especially from the airport?
- Any highly recommended restaurants, especially for a nice dinner? I'm definitely getting one of your famous bagels (I'm from NY, it would be blasphemy not to). Poutine of course (La Banquise?) Any nice cocktail lounges for late night libations? My wife won't eat arena food, is there a place you can recommend to eat at before of after the game near the Bell Centre?

Again, apologies for this posting on your thread. I'm an Islanders fan, but I like to think in a larger sense I'm apart of the hockey family. Thank you for your time.
I see you are there already! I am sure you have already got the lay of the land. If you are looking for a decent steakhouse...we always go to Gibby's in Old Montreal. Very traditional. But the steaks are decent and an okay budget. Buy a jar of pickles to bring home. Enjoy the game tonight!
 

David Suzuki

Registered User
Aug 25, 2010
18,146
9,685
New Brunswick
- Best section is Montreal to get a hotel. I would prefer an area where my wife and I can walk to various restaurants and cafes? Old Montreal?
Last time I was in Montreal I stayed at the Best Western that is right downtown. It wasn't anything fancy but you could walk (or stumble... lol) back after a hockey game/night out pretty easily.

Old Montreal is, I assume, more expensive but I've never actually stayed there. Honestly though, unless you stay off the island or in a suburb way out from the central part, there isn't really a "boring" part of Montreal in terms of restos and cafes bars etc... Enjoy either way, easily the best city in Canada.
 

BHawk21

Registered User
Mar 21, 2022
2,512
1,602
Very excited to come out for the Four Nations USA Canada game. Has anyone heard of any special events going on at that time?

Also is the La Cage restaurant at the bell center a good spot to hang out?

I am looking for some french live music while we are there any help on that? Years ago I went to Les Deux Pierrots which was the highlight of my trip. Looks like it closed during covid. Any comparables?
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

Please disable your adblocker on HFBoards.com

It looks like your adblocker is attempting to interfere with the intended operation of this site. Support us by allowing our site to function as we intended. Please disable your adblocker and add us to your allowlist.

Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not using a blocker. Why am I seeing this message?
You're likely seeing this message because an app or extension on your computer is blocking ads. The app or extension may be a "privacy" or "malware" blocker, or a VPN.

I disabled my blocker. Why am I still seeing this message?
It's common to have two or more adblocking extensions running at the same time. See the question above.