Montreal,Quebec

[Ngwira]

We are headed there in a month for Spring break. Anyone have any tips for us? Weather,clothing to bring, activities for families, restaurants etc..

We will be spending 4 nights there and want to experience everything we can.

 

[Eureka]

We went last summer and stayed at the Springhill Suites right in the old city. It was very convenient to the metro, food, Chateau Ramezay and the waterfront (although when we were there, the science center was on strike). We also got a museum pass that had several attractions on it. We especially enjoyed the Biodome. I would recommend the ghost tour of the old city, it was really cool and our guide was excellent. There are a lot of restaurants in the old city all on a main drag. Sorry, names are escaping me tonight. Some expensive, others not as much. We didn't see much other than the old city during our trip because we had been there before and it was the last stop of a two week tour and we were getting tired and doing less each day.

Edited to add, I just looked this up for you: Muru Crepes, 362 Notre-Dame Est was yummy. It's a tiny place that fills up fast but the food was very good. My younger DS and I always would go to this crepe place at the beach, just the two of us, and we were able to follow the tradition here.

 

[Jimsig]

I second the BioDome. Eggspectations is a great place for breakfast, never been any other time, there are a few of them. A walk up Mont Royal is always nice and gives a great view of the city.

 

[ncc1701]

Check the weather. We went in April several years ago. We stayed one night( before driving to Quebec City ) it was cold & snowed in the morning. After 3 days in QC came back to Montreal and in the course of 3 days in Montreal went from winter jacket to zipper hoodie sweatshirt.
If you like hockey there are tours at the Bell Centre times depending on if the Canadiens are playing or concerts. Check the website because there are English tours and French tours.
We also did the Biodome and a city tour bus.

 

[Tinetine]

Hello ! I'm a Montrealer, so I'll try to help . The weather is very unpredictable, so I would bring jeans and a jacket. Mid April usually sees the first signs of spring, so you might be lucky and have sunny days and weather in the 40s or 50s.
As for activities, I would reccomend a walk in old Montreal, there are tons of good restaurants, including Olive et Gourmando, as well as SoupeSoup, a chain of cafes serving soups/salad/sandwiches, very fresh and delicious. If you want to eat like a Quebecois, you must have poutine. Some people like the fancy kinds (there are tons of options for those), but I like the standard from la Belle Province, a greasy spoon chain. You can also try st-Hubert, which is a rotisserie chain. They have a kids menu and they are truly comfort food (fries and sauce, mmmm).
Musée Pointe a Callière is our archeology museum, it's very interesting and my kids loved their tour.Biodome is fun as well, but it's a little outside of the main attractions, so I would consider a half day to be necessary.

 

[Ngwira]

Wow, thanks for all of the tips. Bio dome is definitely on the list, along with the Montreal tower and Montreal science center. A tour of old Montreal is also on the list.
In terms of food, we really liked the keg in Niagara Falls and see there are two locations in Montreal. We plan to eat at each location.
I'll make sure to pack layers since the weather is so iffy.

Keep the recommendations coming, please.

 

[janicept]

I use to live 2 hours South of there in Northern NY. It will likely be cold at that time of the year but it's a beautiful city. Try the poutine it's authentic there. We use to go in high school (early 90s) since their drinking age was only 18. They had crazy clubs back then. I'm sure they have some new ones now.

 

[Eureka]

Hello ! I'm a Montrealer, so I'll try to help . The weather is very unpredictable, so I would bring jeans and a jacket. Mid April usually sees the first signs of spring, so you might be lucky and have sunny days and weather in the 40s or 50s.
As for activities, I would reccomend a walk in old Montreal, there are tons of good restaurants, including Olive et Gourmando, as well as SoupeSoup, a chain of cafes serving soups/salad/sandwiches, very fresh and delicious. If you want to eat like a Quebecois, you must have poutine. Some people like the fancy kinds (there are tons of options for those), but I like the standard from la Belle Province, a greasy spoon chain. You can also try st-Hubert, which is a rotisserie chain. They have a kids menu and they are truly comfort food (fries and sauce, mmmm).
Musée Pointe a Callière is our archeology museum, it's very interesting and my kids loved their tour.Biodome is fun as well, but it's a little outside of the main attractions, so I would consider a half day to be necessary.

Yes, Musee Pointe a Calliere was amazing.

 

[Ngwira]

Yes, Musee Pointe a Calliere was amazing.

I have to look into this...

 

[Imanonymous]

We absolutely adored Fitz and Follwell for tours. So much that we did more than one!

 

[Tanooki]

Hi! We live on the South shore of Montreal but we used to live in the city a while ago and we go back from time-to-time (hubby works there as well). I second the suggestions already made and I also want to add that the Science Center is definitely worth a visit : http://www.montrealsciencecentre.com/exhibitions. My family is growing addicted to escape rooms so we try to do one everywhere we go. We did one here : https://escapemastersgame.com/en/ and it was a blast! If you haven't tried before you should! It's fun for the whole family! Have a great trip!

Edited to add :
I didn't even know this but you can also zipline in the Old Montreal! http://www.oldportofmontreal.com/activity/tyrolienne-urbaine-montreal

 

[lanejudy]

We were just there last weekend!
They have a year-long celebration of the city's 375 anniversary. http://www.375mtl.com/en/
Canada is also offering a free pass to all national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas this year in honor of the country's 150 anniversary. http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/progs/pn-np/index.aspx There may be other celebrations and activities celebrating the 150th as well.

Lots of museums and tours throughout the city. DD loved the Biodome last time we went, and my niece and nephew have always loved going back there as well (they are adults now!).

The Metro is really easy to get around the city. I know they have a weekend pass, not sure if there is a week-long pass for tourists but might be worth checking into rather than trying to drive. We stay in Longueuil, right across from the Metro station at the University of Sherbrooke. Very convenient and not terribly expensive.

 

[Eureka]

I second the Escape Room. We did the Escape Manor in Ottawa (and I've done the one in DC too) and it's a lot of fun.

 

[Ngwira]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful insight and suggestions.

 

[SwanVT2]

Eat at Reubens on St. Catherine. Huge reuben sandwiches, poutine and cheesecake!