Montreal in April

So it looks like I'll be in Montreal in late April for several days of job related conference. It will be my first visit to Canuckistan.

So, what should I do while there? what should I see? Where should I eat? What's the best place to pick up some righteous Poutine? Howzabout some local knowledge, I know we've got some Canadian members...

Well I'm a local...What do you have in mind? Do you want the full tourist tour? Or sample some of the Quebecer flavor? Red light?

April is sort of a dead time. Winter is finished, but summer isn't quite there yet.

As far as eating, Montreal is one of the best places in the world for restaurants, so you really have a lot of choices. There are a lot of good places for poutine, it really depends where you are staying.

Unless you are used to driving in New York city, I would suggest you walk or take the bus.

There is so much stuff to do, from the very nerdy to the very sinful, you're gonna have to give a bit more info.

Make sure to try a smoked meat sandwich

well, okay. Red light's not my style, but nerdy certainly is. Staying at the Westin on St Antoine Ouest. High end dining is a no-go but I really like local dives and local food scene. I'm a raging foodie but have a limited budget. Enjoy a good drink, especially local brew. Also enjoy outdoor stuff, cycling, hiking, etc, but it seems that doesn't really pick up till later in the summer.

I'll have all day on a Sunday to my own devices, as well as evenings after the conference. Coming in on a Friday and leaving on a Wednesday.

Smoked meat you say? that's now on the list...

If you're right in the heart of the city you will not find any of the "lowbrow" stores you're used to and things will be expensive, keep that in mind. If you just want to buy a normal non-designer thing at a decent price your best bet might be some of the small, out-of-the-way shops in the underground or some of the malls.

I didn't have much time to sample the attractions but the "red light" stuff and food were mentioned most often...I did get a smoked meat sandwich.

If you want good poutine, get it from a chip wagon. Preferably one with a lineup. It'll be outside the conference center

April is still ski season. Consider a trip to Mt Tremblant.

Within a short subway ride/drive of your place I would check out:

• Biodome - Basically an indoor zoo. Really cool. Watch out for monkeys overhead. (http://espacepourlavie.ca/en)

• Crescent street. Always busy, lots of posh stuff but also has some greats bars and food ANNND a great diecast place. I think it's called F1. I will google.

• St-Denis has some great restaurants. (http://www.restomontreal.ca/districts/Rue-StDenis/26?lang=en)

• Old port. Great food, old buildings, cobblestone roads.

Also, don't be intimidated. People don't realize how many Montrealers speak English.

EDIT: Diecast place is no longer there.

ultraclyde wrote: It will be my first visit to Canuckistan.

FYI, when in Quebec it is Quebekistan or Quebexico :P

I've enjoyed the botanical gardens, but other than the inside stuff, probably not a lot see in April.

I forget the name of the go-kart place.......

You might get to see playoff hockey depending on timing. Watching hockey game in montreal is like watching a football game in green bay. You don't have to like the team or the sport, but still worth going.

Looney=$1 coin Twooney=$2 coin Their new "paper" currency is synthetic, don't keep it near a hear source.

You'll be stuck downtown, so forget about low priced places. With that said...

1) Biodome, Planetarium, Olympic Stadium, Botanical Garden and Insectarium for all your nerdy needs. They are all conveniently situated close together in the eastern part of town. It's a short subway ride from downtown (go out at Pie-IX station). That could easily fill your entire Sunday.

2) Old Port is great if you get a nice day or evening to walk around. 'Muricans like the "European" atmosphere of the place. You can rent a bicycle for some nice cycling all over town (the bixie system). While there, you can check out the "Pointe-a-Calliere" historic museum.

3) For drinking, you most try some of the micro-breweries from Quebec.

4) For smoked meat, the classic place downtown is Reuben's Deli. It's expensive, but a good smoked meat. For Poutine, just go to any "La Belle Province" or local fast food place that is full.

5) St-Denis, Crescent and St-Laurent street are all buzzing street with a lot of action on a nice evening. Crescent has a nice Irish Pub that has live music.

6) Montreal has the largest underground city in the world. You could explore that.

7) Forget about skying. Mt Tremblant is almost 2 hours away, and by the end of April, the conditions are crappy.

8) If you need a nature break, you could go climb Mont-Royal, for a nice view of the city.

Like Protege2886 says, don't be afraid to speak english. Most people in Montreal speak it especially if you stay in the touristic and downtown areas.

Pasta Napoli on St. Denis is incredibly good Italian.

Check out "Old Montreal"

fanfoy wrote: 7) Forget about skying. Mt Tremblant is almost 2 hours away, and by the end of April, the weather is warm enough that you'll survive.

Fixed it I hated Tremblant mid-winter but it's fun in the spring corn.

Hockey is an excellent suggestion.

Hockey is an excellent suggestion. If the Habs keep having success like they are having now, the city will be going CRAZY at the end of April (just before the play-offs). That would make for an intense experience.

For smoked meat, the classic place downtown is Reuben's Deli. It's expensive, but a good smoked meat. For Poutine, just go to any "La Belle Province" or local fast food place that is full.

That place is pretty close to where you're staying. A few km away is http://schwartzsdeli.com/ca/en/

That's where we go. The last time we went they had a deal, and you got a pile of meat, and a loaf of bread for a pretty good price. After I posted the first time, I couldn't stop thinking about it, so we went out for smoked meat sandwiches that night. It was good, but it's not the same as the real thing from Schwartz's.

Zomby Woof wrote:

For smoked meat, the classic place downtown is Reuben's Deli. It's expensive, but a good smoked meat. For Poutine, just go to any "La Belle Province" or local fast food place that is full.

That place is pretty close to where you're staying. A few km away is http://schwartzsdeli.com/ca/en/ That's where we go. The last time we went they had a deal, and you got a pile of meat, and a loaf of bread for a pretty good price. After I posted the first time, I couldn't stop thinking about it, so we went out for smoked meat sandwiches that night. It was good, but it's not the same as the real thing from Schwartz's.

So like.... 1 sandwich?

Montreal bagels are the best in the world. Go to a bagel bakery (I like St. Viatuer) and get whatever is fresh (plain, sesame, or poppy seed). Eat them hot. Then buy a dozen more. I think most are open 24 hours a day . . .

Learn a little French -- enough to be respectful -- it will go a long, long way. If you like Stout, Macauslan Oatmeal Stout is my favourite.