This week Sam and I are in Montreal. This is a city where I was born, so it is always
really fun to come and revisit. We are going to be showing you some of the main attractions
around town.
For our summer getaway we decided to visit Montreal. Located in the province of Quebec,
this city offers world class festivals, arts, entertainment and dining. We wanted to highlight
what makes this city so special, so here are 30 things to do in Montreal.
Our first stop was the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts for a look at some of the current
exhibitions. One of the nice things about this museums is that admission to the permanent
collection is free at all times.
Well, it is time to burn off all of that Poutine. We're here at Park Mount Royal and we're going
to walk around and explore to see what is going on. This is one of the biggest parks
in the city.
We just spotted a woodpecker up in the tree.
This is where locals come to escape the bustle of the city. You'll find many people picnic-ing
here on a weekend.
We've been walking around Mount Royal for a while now and we've finally reached one
of the many lookout points of the city and there are some amazing views.
On a clear day you can see the whole city.
During our visit to Montreal we chose to stay in the neighborhood of Le Plateau-Mont Royal.
The area is quite lively with lots of bars and restaurants, and the residential streets
are lined with spiral staircases. There were also lots of friendly cats who came out to
greet us in the morning.
Summers in Montreal are a lot of fun. On Sunday afternoons you'll find a huge drumming circle
on the east end of Mount Royal.
We're now here at McGill University, one of Canada's oldest and most prestigious universities.
It is a gorgeous day outside so we're just going to wander around campus and show you
around.
McGill University is one of the most prestigious universities in all of Canada. Even if you're
not a student, the campus is worth a little stroll.
There is one dish that you absolutely have to try when you come to Montreal and that
is poutine. This is a French Canadian dish and for those who aren't very familiar with
it. It is basically french fries with gravy and cheese curds on top. Now it sounds a little
bit gross and it doesn't look that appetizing at first sight but trust me it is delicious.
It is time for the big reveal. Look down here. This is the standard one. Look at all of the
cheese curd. It is melting. And the gravy. These fries are swimming in a pool of gravy.
That is amazing.
Time for the first bite of the classic poutine here. Let's get lots of gravy on it. Woah,
stringy cheese. Oh, I got it on my mouth. Wow! That is so good. I just wish this was
healthy so that I could eat it more often.
For a taste of French charm, wander down the cobbled streets of Old Montreal. It'll feel
like you've traveled back to France several centuries. There are lots of great restaurants
to try in this area.
For fine dining and shopping in trendy boutiques, you can pop into the Bonsecours Market.
Habitat 67 is a unique housing complex and one of the most interesting architectural
landmarks in the city.
Whether you visit Montreal in the summer or winter, there are always festivals going on.
Be sure to check them out!
Tonight we're at the Cirque du Soleil here in Montreal and we're going to be watching
their latest show Curious.
While we can't bring you inside the tent, we can tell you that it is a fascinating performance
that takes you into a different world.
This roman catholic basilica is located on the Westmount Summit and you'll have to climb
283 steps to reach the top.
The biodome is a popular attraction for families with children. It allows you to walk through
replicas of four ecosystems found in the Americas.
We're here now at Olympic Stadium. This used to be the former stadium of the Montreal Expos,
a baseball team that has since moved to Washington. I was fortunate enough in the 90's to come
and watch them play when they had such great players such as Larry Walker who is considered
to be by many the best Canadian baseball player ever.
Originally though this stadium was built for the Olympics in the 70's and this is still
the largest stadium in Canada in terms of seating capacity.
Because there was some landscaping work being done, we didn't get to walk the extent of
the gardens, however, there is plenty to see here. The botanical gardens are home to Japanese
Gardens, Chinese Gardens and even Alpine Gardens.
Right now I'm here at the Bell Center, home to the Montreal Canadiens, one of the most
historic and celebrated franchises in all of sports - not just in the NHL but all of
sports.
They have such a storied history but as a Blackhawks fan my team has been doing better
lately so I've got bragging rights right now.
You have to eat smoked meat if you come all the way to Montreal and there's not better
place to do so that at Schwartz. This restaurant is an institution and it's worth lining up
for.
The Notre Dame Basilica is located in the historic district of Old Montreal. Step inside
to be wowed by the blue ceilings and gold-adorned altar.
If you enjoy checking out graffiti and street art I would highly recommend the area around
Saint Catherine's in the East end of the city. It is just so colorful. You can wander down
the lanes. So many artists have taken over the area, so check it out.
Next up we're heading to St. Catherine street which is the place to go shopping. The street
is lined with different stores and boutiques and I know Sam is going to love this.
This is the main commercial artery of the city.
Montreal has long, brutal winters and this is when the underground city plays an important
role. Most of the downtown area is interconnected by underground paths and underground shopping
areas so you don't have to be out in the cold.
Parc Lafontaine is located in the borough of Le Plateau Mont-Royal and it's a popular
hangout spot on weekends. Friends come to play sports and enjoy a picnic by the pond.
Le Village is a vibrant neighbourhood which is home to many bars, clubs, and theatres.
In the summertime the street is lined with 200,000 pink balls over the pedestrian only
street.
So now for a little afternoon pick me up we have St. Viateur bagels, which are really
famous here in Montreal. I got myself the cinnamon raisin one. That smells really nice.
What makes these bagels unique is that they are hand rolled and they are made in a wood
burning oven. This store is so popular that they actually produce twelve thousand bagels
a day.
Alright, time for the first bite. I don't know if you can see it well with the camera
but there are huge chunks of apples. Look at that. Wow! Are you in your happy place?
I am. This is like ultimate dessert for me.
A great way to get around the city is by bike. Bixi stations let you hire out bikes for a
few hours or for the full day, and you can return them at any bike station in the city.
This is another popular cathedral in the city. It is the third largest church in the province
of Quebec.
Montreal's Old Port is worth a wander. You can enjoy a quiet stroll along the waterfront
or stop for a mid-afternoon nap and one of the many little parks found in the area.
The best way to get around Montreal is by hopping on the metro. If you're going to be
in the city for a few days we suggest you get a pass so that you can zip around from
one neighborhood to the next.
This Canal is popular with cyclists. It runs 14.5 kilometers starting from the Old Port
of Montreal.
So there you have it - a quick little glimpse at this beautiful French city. From festivals
to live entertainment, and dining to shopping, Montreal has plenty to offer for travellers.
Have you been to Montreal? Let us know what you love about this city in the comments below.
If you want to experience a Canadian city with a bit of French flair, then you need
to visit Quebec City.
Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, this is a town with good looks and
a big heart.
We only had a day and a half there, but that was enough time to wander the cobbled streets,
catch some street performances, and visit many of the top attractions.
The following is a little video of our time in historic Quebec City.
We are no standing on the Plains of Abraham and this is the location where the battle
between the English and the French was fought. This was the battle that ultimately determined
the fate of North America.
This battle was part of the Seven Years' War and it would be the deciding factor over the
fate of New France, influencing the later creation of Canada.
We just finished visiting the Citadelle and if you get the chance I would suggest you
try to be here by ten in the morning. That is when they have the changing of the guard
ceremony and it is a lot of fun to watch. They even have a pet goat that takes part
so it really is a lot of fun.
The
Citadelle is the largest British fortress in North America.
Now we're visiting Chateau Frontenac, one of the most famous hotels in all of Canada.
It is a stunner. It is just absolutely beautiful. We're trying to capture it from different
vantage points.
The hotel was designed by American architect Bruce Price. It was one of many "chÃ¢teau"
style hotels built for the Canadian Pacific Railway company with the goal of promoting
luxury tourism. Today, a night at the Frontenac starts at $379 dollars.
This boardwalk that we are currently standing on is called Terrasse Dufferin and it is a
great place for a stroll. You can catch some street performers, eat some ice cream and
you also get some great views of the river below.
The promenade sits right outside the Chateau Frontenac and it is 425 meters in length.
You can also catch a funicular nearby which takes you to the Old Lower Town.
Petit Champlain is a neighbourhood located in the Old Lower Town. It is quite picturesque,
especially when viewed from the Breakneck Stairs. The narrow cobbled streets are lined
with small shops and cafes. It's a really fun neighborhood to explore with a camera
in hand.
It is a human car wash.
The Basilica Notre Dame de Quebec is the oldest church in the Americas north of Mexico. If
you want to get a sneak peek at the crypt, you'll have to sign up for a guided tour.
We're now walking along Rue St. Paul and this is a great place to browse for antiques and
you can buy some souvenirs.
Just don't leave your visit to the end of the day because you may find that a lot of
the shops have closed.
The Museum of Civilization is a great place to learn about the Aboriginal peoples of Quebec.
We're here now in the Port Area. This is a great place to take a ferry. A lot of people
come here to exercise, to fish and just to enjoy the views of the St. Lawrence river.
It is a really relaxing place.
The Port of Quebec is the oldest in all of Canada and it played an important role in
developing the region. Today you'll find that cruises have replaced much of the former freight
traffic.
And lastly, you can't come to Quebec City and not catch a street performance! The city
celebrates its performers and you'll often find acts taking place in the town square
and parks. Grab a seat for some live entertainment and don't forget to leave a tip at the end!
And that concludes our brief but very enjoyable trip to Quebec City! We hope that you enjoyed
this video and that it will help inspire your Canadian travels.
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