What to do in Montreal?

[Pugdog007]

Going up on business and will have exactly one-half day free. What should I try to see? I like to shop! Do most people speak some English?

 

[RoyalCanadian]

My own Montreal experience has taught me that it is very difficult to find someone in Montreal who does NOT speak English. There should be no problems in communicating.

It's a world class city -- so lots of shopping opportunities in the downtown area. The old port area is filled with boutiques and other shops that line the cobblestone streets. Rue St. Catherine, while "worldly" in more adult ways, is where you'll find the downtown shopping malls.

As for attractions to see -- we fell in love with the Biodome at the Olympic Park. They have converted the velodrome (the site of the 1976 Olympic bicycle races) into an aquarium/wildlife habitat/environmental science centre. I found it to be much along the lines of the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans, but without the deep water tanks.

Getting around Montreal is dead easy using underground Metro system.

Whatever you find yourself doing -- enjoy your stay in La Belle Province!

 

[minkydog]

I love Montreal! We were there on business a few years ago and I've been trying to rig an invitation back ever since. The subway is very easy to use. The botanical gardens are marvelous--we visited in a driving snowstorm, something we don't get much here in Georgia--and we had such a nice time. I think my favorite thing to do was visiting the various churches; most of them are open for visitors and they are beautiful, Especially the Basilica. It is stunning. Go there and take a carriage ride through the downtown area; Jean-Paul took us around in a carriage lined with heavy blankets and furs, talking non-stop in his heavy Quebecois accent. It totally made our trip.

 

[princess pooh]

You shouldn't have any trouble finding people who will speak English. The shopping is great downtown, and Saint Laurent blvd is good for trendier items. Simons is a great clothing and accesory store and I don't think they have it in the US yet.

If you want something touristy to do, go visit old montreal.

 

[Rajah]

Yeah, we had no trouble getting around and finding people who spoke English in Montreal itself as well.

We actually didn't do that much shopping, we focused on the sites -- and there are a LOT of them.