montreal - inspired by greatest cities

[Scary_Tiger]

After I move out of my dorm today, I'm going to drive up to Montreal with two female friends. None of us knows anything about Montreal besides that it's about three and a half hours away and we can legally buy booze there. I have a tour book, but I figure OOT is probably my best bet.

So where should we stay? Not looking for a fancy place, preferably somewhere cheapish within walking distance of stuff we want to see.

So what do we want to see? Like I said, I don't know anything.

Food recommendations? We want to eat at least one nice dinner while we're up here; not nice by OOT standards though.

Other suggestions?

Barring suggestions from OOT, the plan is to wander Montreal during the day, and get drunk at night.

[maxpower72]

Get a haircut. One of the only places I have ever been where you can get a topless haircut.

[Lazy Meatball]

The area around Rue St Catherine is alot of fun. Lots of bars, restauraunts, little shops and strip clubs, strip clubs, strip clubs. As you are traveling with women, I expect those won't be on the itinerary, unless they are very cool and sexy women, in which case you are very fortunate.

Last time I went we took the underground to the Hippodrome (horsetrack) only to find out that they don't start racing until after 6pm or so. So we drank beers and bet on simulcast races for a while and left.

The casino is pretty nice (no poker), it's a bout a $10 cab ride from one of the downtown areas I was in. Also, Molson brewery doesn't do tours on weekends.

I hope other people weigh in so I have more ideas for the next time I go.

Oh yeah, there's a big shopping mall somewhere, look for places to take your womenfolk shopping.

[traz]

I only saw this thread now, I know i'm a day late.

I dunno how long you're staying here, but things to see are:

-old montreal (especially the notre dame church)
-st catherines st (the big shopping mall is on this street anyways)
-st laurent st (for clubs)
-Mont royal
-the casino (though no poker, so don't get excited)
-olympic park (really not much, but there's a gigantic diagonal elevator with a great view of the city)

As for restaurants, a great medium-priced restaurant would be l'academie on St Denis (i think). But usually you have to reserve seats, as there's almost always a line, even on weekdays. Or you could go to 737 for a ridiculously expensive dinner, but the best view of the city.

Meh, have fun, hope some of that helps, montreal rocks

[Tuco]

There are two reasons to go to Montreal.

1. The women and the nightlife

2. A smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's Deli

Tuco.

[Jaskohouston]

I liked Montreal for the most part when I visited. A few things...

The conditions of the roads/highways around the city are absolutely atrocious. I was surprised by this, I figured their high taxes would take care of issues like this.

Saw people smoking weed on the street. Was also surprised by this.

I found the people to be quite nice, enjoyed the bar scene, a lot of good live music. Interestingly enough, 2 out of every 3 bars seemed to be an Irish pub.

Went to a Canadiens/Rangers game at the Bell Centre. I was very, very impressed. A fantastic arena, designed expressly for a good hockey watching experience. Pretty weird to hear guys cursing out their team in French.

I tried a few times to try my French skills from high school that were a bit rusty from 11 years ago in my junior year. I was unsuccessful at this, because all Montrealers/Montrealans/whatever speak English, and could tell I couldn't speak french, so would just answer my question in English.

Also, while the casino is nice, you can't drink at the tables. I don't understand this at all.

[Scary_Tiger]

[ QUOTE ]
I only saw this thread now, I know i'm a day late.


[/ QUOTE ]

No problem, I'm obviously checking OOT from the Hotel. I think we're going to Old Montreal in a little bit. Just waiting for all the showers to finish.

[traz]

schwarz's smoked meat on st laurent is a must if you like meat, in the good way