What to Not Skip when in Montreal?
1. Go to Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)
Old Montreal is a historic neighborhood within the premises of the Montreal municipality. His cultural hub is known for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and attractions like Marché Bonsecours, the Vieux-Port, the Hôtel de Ville, the Basilique Notre-Dame, and more.
Spending a day or a half-day to a full day here, you can have fun witnessing the summertime street performances at the Place Jacques-Cartier and mingling with the locals at the sidewalk cafes. It’s indeed a must-to-explore spot on any Montreal excursion.
2. Montréal Science Centre
Are you traveling to Montreal with the kids? Montréal Science Centre is a must to visit! It features permanent exhibits for kids, but it has something to offer to everyone. Some notable exhibitions hosted in the past included the music’s effect on emotions, sex education, Star Wars, dinosaurs, and more.
Although this museum hosts several exhibits now and then, the Tiny Tots room and IMAX cinema always remain the top attractions. In the IMAX Theater, you get a chance to put on 3D glasses and stream specials featuring several things, including pandas and volcanoes.
3. Have Fun in Downtown's Gigantic Free Outdoor Skating Rink!
Located at the Esplanade Tranquille, the intersection of Clark Street and Sainte-Catherine Street West, this gigantic outdoor skating rink is heaven for skating lovers. Although it’s similar to the Rink at the Rockefeller Center, it’s twice in size, i.e., 1500 meter square.
Expect this place to give off classical vibes on Wednesday and witness it turning into a musical disco club on Saturday nights, a perfect blend of classic culture and modernity! What are you waiting for? Get your rental equipment, put them on and get into the refrigerated ice rink!
4. Explore Underground City
Want to escape the freezing breeze of Canada? Explore the underground city! Situated right under the Montreal streets, this city is a giant network of corridors linking restaurants, offices, shops, banks, metro stations, and bus terminals. It stretches over 20 miles and features thousands of businesses. Yeah, you read it right; it’s a business hub, being the biggest pedestrian complex in the entire world!
When looking at photos of the Underground City, you might think of it as a labyrinth. You are not wrong; it surely is! Although there are proper direction boards to prevent people from getting lost, but still this crazy urban jungle can drive you crazy by immersing you in its endless maze!
Where one section seems like a creepy corridor featuring several doors, the other is much like a modern shopping mall. As we already mentioned, it’s a maze of craziness.
5. Dine at Schwartz’s Deli
Schwartz’s Deli is not just a restaurant; it’s Montreal’s most renowned eatery, famous for its authentic cuisine and scrumptious dishes. It’s heaven for meat lovers, where you can find the world’s best drool-worthy meat sandwiches seasoned with the goodness of balanced spices.
Besides this, you can also feast upon salami, steaks, ribs, and chicken. Pair it with sour pickles, coleslaw, and fries to enjoy your meal to the fullest.
What Should You Not Do in Montreal?
1. Spend Most of Your Time in Old Montreal
2. Expect to Pay with Credit Cards
3. Rent a Car
Parking in Montreal can be a nightmare, like any other touristy city! That’s the only factor enough to keep any tourist from renting a car and driving it everywhere. However, you may skip most of the nooks that make Montreal worth visiting when exploring the city by car. These include mini public gardens, cute little ice cream shops, striking side streets, splendid architectural details, and more.
So, besides renting a car, grab a pair of comfy shoes, put them on, and get lost in the city’s charm, wandering from street to street or renting a bike alternatively. You can also opt for public transportation, as it’s comprehensive and cheap.
4. Buy Maple Syrup at Gift Shops
5. Limit Your Shopping to the Malls
Yes, there are huge mall complexes offering goods from a renowned brands, but don’t limit your shopping to these malls only. Go wandering the streets to explore the off-tourist path, there; you will surely come across several boutiques offering worth getting stunning outfits at affordable prices.
Some of these shops line Saint-Hubert in Villeray, Avenue Mont-Royal, and Saint-Denis through the Plateau.
