I'm going to Montreal this summer...

[chefbec]

and would like to know what to do there. We'll be staying at an Inn downtown. Are there places outside the city to go swimming, like a lake? What's fun to do with the kids (9 & 7)? How about a day trip? TIA! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[AndreaU]

Montreal is a beautiful city... as for things to do with the kids, try the Biodome if they're into animals and wildlife. It's indoors but a great learning experience (for adults, too!). Montreal also has amazing Boanical Gardens which any plant or flower person should definitely see. Even if you're not, they're still drop-dead gorgeous.

May I make a restaurant suggestion? In old Montreal is Le Jardin Nelson, famous for its crepes. I don't know what your kids will eat, but there is probably enough variety to please everyone. And if you're a beer drinker, Montreal has some great microbrews available around town- try Fin-du-Monde ("End of the World"), with its ridiculously high alcohol content, or Boreal.

Also, if you have the $, try a horse-drawn carriage ride. And if the Expos are in town, catch a baseball game if you're into that. Whatever you do, enjoy! It's a wonderful city to visit.

[chefbec]

Thanks everyone for some great ideas! I appreciate it. I've actually been to Quebec city, which is beautiful. I heard there's a place to go swimming that's not too far. A lake, or something. We're staying at Manoir Ambrose on Stanley Street. Anyone heard of it?

Julie, thanks for the website. I will have to check that out. Andrea, I think the Biodome sounds pretty interesting as well. Natasha, I just returned from Paris recently and would love some real French flavor again! We'll only be there for about 3-1/2 days, so it sounds like there's more than enough to do!!

[JJ40]

Hi chefbec,

Montreal is a great city--especially in the summer!! There's always lots going on, so it just depends what your interests are. You won't be at a loss for things to do: festivals, museums, shopping, food, etc.!!

Here's a website where you can find info about Montreal: www.english.montrealplus.ca/Montreal (http://www.english.montrealplus.ca/Montreal)

I live in Montreal, and would be happy to help you find more specific information if you need it.

Julie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Natasha]

I second Julie's enthusiastic words about the city!

If you like walking, make sure to go to Mont Royal and wander around downtown. See Westmount - the old English-speaking part of "downtown" - and Rue St-Denis for some real French "flavor" and good food and peoplewatching. Old Montreal is also worth seeing. There are some old beautiful buildings there and elsewhere in the city.

For the kids, I believe there is a zoo and at least one amusement park quite nearby. If you are interested in drives/jaunts outside the city, the Eastern Townships are not that far and offer some great scenery. Quebec City is also about 3 hours up the highway and is an experience in itself (though I don't think you'll have a shortage of things to do in Montreal). While you will naturally want to wear comfy shoes and clothes while wandering, do know that Montreal is a very stylish city! Great for shopping, too...oh, and be sure to try the bagels, croissants, poutine, etc., etc...

I'll stop now! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Hope this helps.

[ashley]

I too am going to Montreal in a couple of weeks (and was excited to see it featured in this month's CL!). I've done some research and pretty much know what sightseeing to do, but I'd like some recommendations for dining out. We're staying at Le Pere St. Vincent in Old Montreal and will probably eat at the restaurant there one night (does anyone know if it's good?)

We're also going to Quebec on this trip, so any recommendations for that city would be helpful too.

[SQ]

We also love Montreal. Touring the Olympic Park is fun, where the olympics were actually held. The city is vibrant, so just walking along the streets is an experience. Shopping is great now, especially w/the favorable exchange rate. My kids adore Montreal bagels! DH is more familiar w/the particulars, so I'll see if I can get him to respond w/more detailed info.

[chefbec]

Thanks so much!! I'm really looking forward to our trip. Kid-friendly restaurant ideas would be very helpful. :)

[gobluem82]

As luck would have it, I've been planning a long weekend with my family in Montreal also (my kids are 5 and 7). We live a little north of NYC, so we're hoping to take the train up. A family reunion came up this summer, so we're postponing Montreal till next summer. But...I've collected some info in the meantime.

First, I hope you noticed that July's CL has an article on Montreal, with lots of neat things to try. Also, check out these articles I found from the Family Fun website: http://family2.go.com/features/family_1999_04/kidv/kidv49montreal/kidv49montreal.html

http://family2.go.com/features/family_1998_03/dony/dony38montreal/dony38montreal.html

Please, let me know how your trip goes--I'd love to hear your suggestions!

[chefbec]

Alicia, thanks for that info! I think we'll just have to check out the world's largest wooden double roller coaster! I did read the article in CL, and I'm sure once we get there, the woman from our Inn will direct us to different places. It's just nice to be a little prepared, and I'll let you know what we liked or didn't upon our return.

[Luiza]

Chefbec, I might be seeing this thread a little bit late, but I thought to add my 2 cents (canadian :) ) anyway. Manoir Ambrose is a nice reasonable-priced place in a very good location. I have actually never been inside, but a friend of ours parks there every time he comes to town, so it must be worth coming back to.

For restaurants, I'm actually not quite sure where to start. Montreal has tons of restaurants for all tastes, and it is possible to eat well for very cheap. A good source is a book called "Cheap Thrills: Great Montreal Meals for Under $10" that you can browse through in any bookstore (like Chapters on Stanley and St. Catherine). I haven't gone wrong with this book yet. Here is a reference web site, with a small selection: http://www.vehiculepress.com/montreal/eatout.html
If you want to splurge, the second book listed on this site will give you pointers.

http://www.restaurant.ca/mtl/search_frm_en.shtml is an excellent page for searching for a restaurant. It has also restaurant ratings and reviews (many in French, however).

For kid entertainment, the Biodome has lots of things that move (the penguins are my favourite). The Planetarium has great shows for kids. La Ronde (on Ile Ste Helene) is a giant amusement park. A new Native American garden is scheduled to open in August at the Botanical Garden (although kids are usually more interested in the crawlies from the Insectarium). I never participated in the insect taste testing, although I've been informed that the fried crickets are quite tasty :eek:

Enjoy Montreal! There is so much to do inside the city.

[chefbec]

Luiza, thanks so much for that info. Since you live there, you should know! I plan to print out all this info and take it with us on our trip! Really can't wait as I've never been there, and I think the kids will have a great time. Manoir Ambrose looked really great from the brochure, but it's nice to know from a real human being that it's in a nice area. We have a family room with an extra bedroom for the kids, and the woman I spoke with was incredibly friendly and helpful. I will let you know how it was. Bec