Montreal for a few days -- suggestions appreciated!!!

[Labmom3]

We are taking a cruise which ends up in Montreal and plan on spending a few days there in June after the cruise. We will be staying in a small hotel in the Old Port area and are trying to figure out what to do and good places to eat. I am open to all suggestions! Thank you!

[3rdGenCunarder]

Well, for starters, you've picked a great part of the city. We loved the old port. I recommend the archaeology and history museum. We also saw the Notre Dame Basilica, which is huge and impressive. They do a sound and light show in the evenings. There is also an older church and museum, Notre Dame de Bonsecours. When we were there, we were able to go up to the tower for some lovely views.

 

I remember eating at a microbrewery, the Three Brewers, I believe was the name. Excellent beer. The Old Port has lots of nice restaurants. It's a lovely area for strolling.

 

Which hotel are you staying at?

[Labmom3]

We are staying not too far from the Notre Dame Basilica, our travel agent recommended it when we didn't want to stay in downtown.

[Cruisebehindthescenes]

For food, you HAVE to check out Schwartz Deli on St. Laurent. Best smoked meat in town..! Not sure when in June you will be Montreal, but if you're here during the F1 Grand Prix then you're in luck! Whether you're a racing fan or not, the atmosphere downtown in unbelievable. They close off many streets and there are tons of things going on all over downtown.

[martincath]

Every time we're in Montreal - even for one night - we eat dinner in Au Pied de Cochon. If you're a vegetarian or have medical issues restricting your fat & protein intake run like the wind instead, but for carnivores it's a phenomenal experience. Our next must-do is lunch at Schwartz' as already mentioned above.

 

3 Brewers is a decent place, certainly convenient based on your hotel location, but be aware it's a chain so they're not quite as 'micro' a brewery as others. We tend to mostly drink in Bieres et Compagnie on St Denis as they have a very wide variety of good beers, local and imported, so you can sample multiple, different breweries product in one stop. Food is good, and well-suited to accompanying beer.

[Labmom3]

Thanks for the all the food suggestions!!

[sail7seas]

For food, you HAVE to check out Schwartz Deli on St. Laurent. Best smoked meat in town..! Not sure when in June you will be Montreal, but if you're here during the F1 Grand Prix then you're in luck! Whether you're a racing fan or not, the atmosphere downtown in unbelievable. They close off many streets and there are tons of things going on all over downtown.

 

 

We like Dunn's better and one of their three Montreal locations is closer to Old Montreal where OP is staying.

 

 

Dunn's, 1249 Metcalfe Street, Montreal

 

Their rueben sandwich is wonderful. :) Huge.

 

[Freo]

Moishes steakhouse...3961 Saint-Laurent, near Schwartz Deli.

 

Another place is Gare Central, with connections to the underground (shopping) and PVM, Place Ville Marie.

 

We like to go to a movie at the Pepsi Forum AMC 22 at Atwater, a metro stop. A mall is across the street.

 

Crescent street has great nightlife. Sir Winston Churchhill and Les 3 Brasseurs are on the street.

http://crescentmontreal.com/english_main.htm

 

http://moishessteakhouse.com/eng/

[porsena]

Walk the trail at the top of Mount Royal for great vistas over the city. The Montreal Botanical Garden is one of my favourite places.

[Labmom3]

thank you for all the suggestions!!!! We were planning on going to the gardens glad to hear you suggest it!

[jaspercat]

You'll love the area you're staying. Lots of architecture to check out; easy to stroll (even on the cobblestones); lots of quaint shops and eateries - especially on rue St. Paul.

Pick up a copy of the Old Montreal Official Map and Evening tour -- it has an easy walkable walking tour that covers just about everything in that area.

Definitely seeing Notre-Dame and if you can fit it in the sound and light show (And then there was light). As mentioned the smaller Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is also worth a visit and the view from the tower is nice.

The Botanical Gardens are very nice and the walk about the arboretum is very nice. There's also the Biodome that is close to the Gardens -- five ecosystems under one roof:)

Here's a shot of the Saint Joseph's Oratory --- worth the climb!

View looking up Place Jacques Cartier from rue Saint Paul.

There's a tourist bureau at the corner of Place Jacques-Cartier and Notre-Dame Street East.

The metro is a great way to get around. Fast, convenient, safe. $8.00 for a day pass (plus the re-loadable STM OPUS card fee - but believe you can get a pass without the card, not sure about that).

rue Sainte-Catherine for lots of shopping.

 

[Labmom3]

Wow! That looks so pretty I can't wait. Thanks again for all the suggestions!!!