Montreal is a cosmopolitan city with great shopping, fine dining, a vibrant nightlife, abundant parks and history, with a small-town feel and French flair. The commercial heart of the city is St. Catherine Street, which throbs with pedestrians, and more shops and shoppers are underground in the sprawling complex that connects the train station and downtown buildings. Residents buy fresh food, flowers and gourmet goodies at Atwater Market and Jean-Talon Market. Be sure to visit TOHU, the Montreal Circus School, for exhibits and performances, a short walk from the headquarters of Cirque du Soleil, which began in the resort town of Baie St. Paul, north of Quebec City. Montrealers escape to Mt. Tremblant, about 90 minutes north the city, for of fishing and boating in warm weather and skiing and snowboarding in winter.
Must See
- #1 Panoramic view from Parc du Mont Royal
- #2 Montreal Jazz Festival in July
- #3 Try your luck at the roulette tables at the Casino du Montreal
- #4 Narrow streets and 17th century architecture of Viex Montreal
- #5 Smoked meat sandwich from Schwartz's Delicatessen
Skip It
- #1 Habitat '67, the apartment complex designed by Moshe Safdie that resembles a pile of oversized blocks with windows
- #2 Habitat '67 was revolutionary architecture in '67, but today it looks ordinary