Montreal

bobman1235

So I can't really afford a real vacation this year, so I'm trying to make do with something a little cheaper.

My current plan is to drive up through northern VT, camp in one of the state park grounds on Friday night, and then on Saturday drive into Montreal for the day to explore (never been before), and drive back to the campground Sat night.

My question is, for anyone who's done it or knows the area, how bad is driving into Montreal (on a Saturday, not a weekday)? Most sites I've seen recommend taking public transportation, but I'm going to have my dog with me (hopefully bringing him to a "daycare" place for the day, I've found a few in the city) so taking the train isn't really an option.

Also, if anyone has any "must-see's" in the city for a single-day trip I'm all ears, as I know nothing about Montreal except that it's where American 18-year olds go to drink and see strippers. Neither of which is really on the agenda for this particular trip (though I'm quite fond of **** and booze in general).

sucks2beme

bobman1235 wrote: »

So I can't really afford a real vacation this year, so I'm trying to make do with something a little cheaper.

My current plan is to drive up through northern VT, camp in one of the state park grounds on Friday night, and then on Saturday drive into Montreal for the day to explore (never been before), and drive back to the campground Sat night.

My question is, for anyone who's done it or knows the area, how bad is driving into Montreal (on a Saturday, not a weekday)? Most sites I've seen recommend taking public transportation, but I'm going to have my dog with me (hopefully bringing him to a "daycare" place for the day, I've found a few in the city) so taking the train isn't really an option.

Also, if anyone has any "must-see's" in the city for a single-day trip I'm all ears, as I know nothing about Montreal except that it's where American 18-year olds go to drink and see strippers. Neither of which is really on the agenda for this particular trip (though I'm quite fond of **** and booze in general).

Don't forget your passport!

EDUBAG

bobman,

you are in for a treat, i do not know about traffic since when i lived there i was a student and did not need a car.

montreal is a very special city and one of the only ones where having a car is worst than not having one (sorry but is true), parking is complicated and expensive, public transportation is excellent.

depending on your taste of activities and your schedule (staying until what time) i can say that there is plenty to see and you will want to go back again, beautyfull city.

summer time is jazz festival time and grand prix time. old montreal is a nice colonial part of the city if you like a lot of artist painting and restaurants that is your place, is actually called old port.

crescent street is full of bars and restaurants, one of my favorites is Weinstein and gavinos (awsome italian place)

if you want to enjoy live music you can go to biddles to listen to live jazz music and enjoy good food. another good one with live music is yellow bar, like 100 kind of martinis and different music (confirm with internet that the place exists).

there are a lot of chinese, japanese, lebanese restaurants all over the place and all are good.

downtown action will take place pretty much in a large quadrant definde by rene levesque avenue in the south,sherbrook street on the north, atwater avenue to the west and i would say all the way to where place des arms is located.

old port is located if i remember correctly a little south of the place des arms train station. place des arts is a nice area to hang around.

sorry if i given you so much info, but it is a fun and nice city.

enjoy

Almadacr

bobman1235 wrote: »

So I can't really afford a real vacation this year, so I'm trying to make do with something a little cheaper.

My current plan is to drive up through northern VT, camp in one of the state park grounds on Friday night, and then on Saturday drive into Montreal for the day to explore (never been before), and drive back to the campground Sat night.

My question is, for anyone who's done it or knows the area, how bad is driving into Montreal (on a Saturday, not a weekday)? Most sites I've seen recommend taking public transportation, but I'm going to have my dog with me (hopefully bringing him to a "daycare" place for the day, I've found a few in the city) so taking the train isn't really an option.

Also, if anyone has any "must-see's" in the city for a single-day trip I'm all ears, as I know nothing about Montreal except that it's where American 18-year olds go to drink and see strippers. Neither of which is really on the agenda for this particular trip (though I'm quite fond of **** and booze in general).

Main street downtown - St Catherine , and you have all the bars and **** you want :biggrin: one of the best pubs is the Peel pub on the corner of St Catherine st and Peel st , also one of the best places to drink some different beer " Les 3 Brasseurs also in st Catherine . Places to visit , the old port , Notre Dame church ( everything in gold ) , the Montreal mountain with a excellent night view , Biodome beside the Olympic stadium Ille St Helene near the casino and were it is made the GP of montreal ( You can drive in the circuit right now ( don`t speed :biggrin:) . Commercial streets , ST laurent st , Saint Denis st , but mostly when in downtown you will have a underground structure that it all commercial for several milles .

By the way the Jazz festival just started last saturday you can also see some concerts .

cnh

We did something similar a few years ago. We had use of a friend's time share in Vermont--the Von Trapp Family Lodge (yes, of Sound of Music Fame). We had a few days there so we did the Vermont thing and did one day in Montreal. Drove over in the summer season. Don't remember what day. But I don't remember having any traffic problems in or out?

I will say that once in. I parked the car and we were on foot for most of the rest of the day. Don't remember much about our itinerary. But there are lots of parks and the city was very accommodating for pedestrians. As Edubag says....lots of places to see and many restaurants...many within walking distance. Some interesting cathedrals and other places of historic interest...my wife has the details, but she is currently in Chicago for a week?

In any case, a fun trip and seemingly very safe and friendly. My wife left her camera and bag by a monument in the park, forgot it, and two hours later we found it just where she left it? Try that in NYC!

cnh

TECHNOKID

bobman1235 wrote: »

So I can't really afford a real vacation this year, so I'm trying to make do with something a little cheaper.

My current plan is to drive up through northern VT, camp in one of the state park grounds on Friday night, and then on Saturday drive into Montreal for the day to explore (never been before), and drive back to the campground Sat night.My question is, for anyone who's done it or knows the area, how bad is driving into Montreal (on a Saturday, not a weekday)? Most sites I've seen recommend taking public transportation, but I'm going to have my dog with me (hopefully bringing him to a "daycare" place for the day, I've found a few in the city) so taking the train isn't really an option.

Also, if anyone has any "must-see's" in the city for a single-day trip I'm all ears, as I know nothing about Montreal except that it's where American 18-year olds go to drink and see strippers. Neither of which is really on the agenda for this particular trip (though I'm quite fond of **** and booze in general).

First, just to make sure you are talking about this weekend. If so, this is a long weekend for Canadians (Canada Day Friday July 1st) so tons of events, outdoor shows, fire crackers etc... Driving is definitely a mess even on weekends and even worse nowadays with bridges and other roads being revamped. The Metro system is very efficient to get you around Montreal, you just park your car at one station (maybe Berry Demontigny?) and travel by Metro and busses from there. Would be nice to know what are your favored activities and what is your budget for such.

sorry if i given you so much info, but it is a fun and nice city.

Actually your post is quite beneficial for his trip. I am impressed, I could not have done better considering I was raised on the South Shore of Montreal.

Almadacr wrote: »

Main street downtown - St Catherine , and you have all the bars and **** you want :biggrin: one of the best pubs is the Peel pub on the corner of St Catherine st and Peel st , also one of the best places to drink some different beer " Les 3 Brasseurs also in st Catherine . Places to visit , the old port , Notre Dame church ( everything in gold ) , the Montreal mountain with a excellent night view , Biodome beside the Olympic stadium Ille St Helene near the casino and were it is made the GP of montreal ( You can drive in the circuit right now ( don`t speed :biggrin:) . Commercial streets , ST laurent st , Saint Denis st , but mostly when in downtown you will have a underground structure that it all commercial for several milles .

By the way the Jazz festival just started last saturday you can also see some concerts .

Many good pointers here too. "Le Mont Royal" is beautifull at night, I would not be surprised they'd activities there for Canada Day. Biodome, Olympic Stadium (not too much pride in that regard) are good pointers for activities. "L'Ile St H?l?ne" is beautifull (La Ronde if you like the rides, it has been revamped and renovated). I also love the evening walks along the water in the evening. Great bars and restaurants on the island and the insland is accessible via Metro (the exit is actually called Isle St H?l?ne). "L'Ile Notre Dame has also a lot to offer However, I'm not sure the race track will be open for your trip). Just let us know your favorite activities and budget and will find some for you.

Cheers!
TK

TECHNOKID

Any family with you (wife/children)?

http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetMama/Montreal_activities/39141/10_ways_to_celebrate_canada_day_in_montreal/

http://www.travelalerts.ca/atlanticcanada/en/deal/124178-montreal-canada-day-long-weekend-3-nights-downtown

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/97963

http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx

TECHNOKID

http://www.montrealjazzfestival.com/

Willow

you can do la ronde as well. if you are here for canada day take a drive here to ottawa you won't regret it.

TECHNOKID

Willow wrote: »

you can do la ronde as well. if you are here for canada day take a drive here to ottawa you won't regret it.

The National Capital while a pain for traffic is however a breeze when compared to Montreal.

http://ottawastart.com/canadaday.php

Willow, will you be on the Hill with the Royals?:biggrin:


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Friday+chances+royals+Friday+Parliament+Hill/5013824/story.html

http://www.ottawaevents.org/

bobman1235

Thanks everyone!

It's just me (and my dog, who I'm trying to find a "doggie day care" for during the day so I can walk around town untethered), and no it is NOT this weekend, but later in the summer. I haven't picked a weekend yet.

Almadacr

TECHNOKID wrote: »

(maybe Berry Demontigny?)

Now i`m lost what station is that :biggrin: Maybe Berry UQAM , it will be easier for him to park near my place (Cadillac) dosen`t need to pay parking , but your points are very , very valid , traffic during festivities days its terrible .

janmike

Is traffic in Montreal ever good? I went through the tunnel at 3:00 AM one time and it was great.

TECHNOKID

Almadacr wrote: »

Now i`m lost what station is that :biggrin: Maybe Berry UQAM , it will be easier for him to park near my place (Cadillac) dosen`t need to pay parking , but your points are very , very valid , traffic during festivities days its terrible .

Now, I am too old and you are too young.

The station was originally named Berri-de Montigny; rue de Montigny is the former name of boulevard de Maisonneuve in this area. The station is still, very occasionally, called this in speech; it is more often referred to as simply Berri.

Small stubs of de Montigny street still survive, in downtown between St-Laurent and St-Urbain and in the suburb Montr?al-Est.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berri-UQAM_(Montreal_Metro)

janmike wrote: »

Is traffic in Montreal ever good? I went through the tunnel at 3:00 AM one time and it was great.

Janmike, we are talking about normal people that go to bed at night, NOT night owl!

You might find it hard even at night nowadays with all the bridges issues (Champlain, Chateauguay). Bad, bad, bad!:rolleyes:

joeparaski

Let us know what you like. I grew up in Montreal. My wife and daughter work front desk at a hotel smack in the middle of downtown Montreal (right next to the Bell Center) and they direct visitors to all sorts of hot spots, restaurants, tours etc etc....

Driving "into" the city from the U.S. on a Saturday is easier than driving "out" because folks go the U.S. for the weekend.

Depending on my schedule and when you are here, I can give you a tour of the city and if your time permits I can show off my man-cave for you.

What kind of dog do you have? Does he need lots of attention?

Parking is fairly easy to find downtown and nowhere near as expensive as NYC for example. At the hotel where my wife works you can park for the whole day for $20 and you are walking distance to everything in the downtown core. Walk 1 minute to St. Catherine street, 2 minutes to Crescent street. A 30 minute walk takes you to the Old Port (a must see). 5 minute walk takes you to the closest entrance to Montreal's famous underground city. 20 minutes to China town, 15 minutes to the base of Mount Royal, 5 minute walk to the Subway.

Joe

Willow

joeparaski wrote: »

Parking is fairly easy to find downtown and nowhere near as expensive as NYC for example. At the hotel where my wife works you can park for the whole day for $20 and you are walking distance to everything in the downtown core. Walk 1 minute to St. Catherine street, 2 minutes to Crescent street. A 30 minute walk takes you to the Old Port (a must see). 5 minute walk takes you to the closest entrance to Montreal's famous underground city. 20 minutes to China town, 15 minutes to the base of Mount Royal, 5 minute walk to the Subway.

Joe

+1 . As others have said, park and be done with it. Walking around is the best way to visit MTL's downtown.

On a side note, MTL is one of my choice cities if I ever decided to move. I love MTL it is a nice balance of old meets new and a nice balance of all different cultures leaning a bit on the Euro lifestyle.


TK- No I won't be on the hill this year, our son is just a month old tomorrow and I don't want Kate's hat to poke my eyes out! I stay as far away from downtown as possible on Canada Day. Been there done that and lost the T-shirt the same night.... We will go when our son is older to show him what its all about.

bobman1235

Yup, I have every intention of parking and being done with it, I was concerned with exactly what you guys say : that parking would be like NYC, where I'd end up paying 60+ dollars just to park for the day. Glad to hear that isn't the case.

TECHNOKID

Willow wrote: »

+1 . TK- No I won't be on the hill this year, our son is just a month old tomorrow and I don't want Kate's hat to poke my eyes out! I stay as far away from downtown as possible on Canada Day. Been there done that and lost the T-shirt the same night.... We will go when our son is older to show him what its all about.

Congrats on the new son Willow! I my self am on the grand kids level, matter of fact I was down the South Shore (Chateauguay area last weekend with my 2 boys and 3 grand sons for the youngest Christening.:cool:

Traffic was decent to the exception of the Chateauguay bridge. I was raised on the South Shore of Montreal (St-Hubert formerly Lafl?che). I intend to go back for retirement however, Montreal is out of question to live as I much prefer the quietness of the South Shore while still close to Montreal for the action.

obieone

Make sure to bring your Bruins clothing:biggrin: