Travel Guides > Montreal, QC, CA

Montreal Travel

The largest city in mostly-French-speaking Quebec Province, Montreal is truly a charming urban area. Often deemed one of the safest large cities in North America, this Canadian city combines two cultures and two ways-of-life.

Many believe that Montreal is decidedly French, given the number of citizens who speak the language (nearly 70%), but the city boasts a little of each culture, with some neighborhoods being quintessentially English while others are unmistakably French.

For the visitor to this wonderful city, it provides some unique contrasts as they wander through the neighborhoods which provide them with an interesting look at the different lifestyles of the two groups; the relaxed French and the more formal English.

There are some things, however, that everyone must see, regardless of whether they're in the French part of town or the English section. A good place to start your exploration is at Montreal's charming waterfront, at the Vieux-Port. Montreal's Old Port is a source of pride for locals, having been completely renovated about a dozen years ago. This promenade provides an ideal place to enjoy a number of activities, from biking and in-line skating to just strolling along the waterfront, enjoying a yummy crepe from one of the many cafes that line the waterfront.

The fun, hands-on Montreal Science Center is located there as is the TELUS Imax Theatre. In the winter, you'll find a huge ice skating rink, filled with excited guests, and in the summer, an immense playground welcomes children.

Montreal is certainly not short on cultural activities and attractions. One of the finest museums in town is the Pointe-à-Callière, the Museum of Archaeology and History. Located near the Old Port, it's dedicated to conserving and exhibiting the archaeological and historical heritage of Montréal.

Don't miss the Biodome de Montreal, a fascinating look at four distinct eco-systems, all housed inside one geodesic dome that was originally the U.S. Pavilion at the 1967 World Expo. Visitors can explore a Laurentian forest, the St. Lawrence marine system, a tropical rainforest, and a polar environment. The eco-systems even change with the seasons.

You'll also want to make a stop at the impressive Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musee de Beaux-Arts) where you'll be treated to their collection of 30,000 works of art spanning the millenniums.

For a look at something a little different, go underground and see where Montreal residents hide out in the frigid winter months. Known to French-speaking residents as la ville souterraine, you can do just about everything you need to do to conduct business or just have fun, all underground in a climate-controlled environment. There are nearly 1,000 shops down below, more than 300 restaurants, and entrances to hotels, office buildings, concert halls, and movie theatres.