Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Montreal, Quebec, an awesome multicultural city with so many cool and eclectic things to check out! As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Montreal vacation.
Hate #1: Montreal at Night
Downtown Montreal can get a bit seedy at night. Once the sun goes down, you’ll notice that the tourists tend to thin out and the atmosphere changes a bit. It’s not so much the strip clubs, which there are some, but more about the people in the streets. While it’s a great family destination, we keep our Montreal sightseeing limited to the daytime hours when we have our kids with us.
Love #1: Multicultural Montreal
I feel like this is one of the most multicultural cities in North America. Since Montreal is in the Quebec province, French is the official language, and of course, English is also spoken in Montreal. There are also tons of other cultures mixed into Montreal as well, such as Brazilian, Italian, Chinese, and more. There are distinct neighborhoods, like Little Italy and Chinatown, where you can go and experience a totally unique culture that is not typically Canadian. While you need to know a bit of French in Quebec City, it’s not necessary for Montreal, because it’s truly an international city.
Hate #2: Unsavory Sorts
Part of what contributes to the seedy atmosphere we mentioned already is that Montreal is seen as a bit of a party destination, so you get a lot of drunks in the streets at night. There’s also a growing homeless population in Montreal, and you tend to see quite a few homeless people in all parts of town, including the tourist areas. They generally won’t bother you and they aren’t particularly aggressive, but if that makes you feel uncomfortable we wanted to let you know.
Love #2: Cosmopolitan City
Montreal is very modern and cosmopolitan. There are beautiful skyscrapers and excellent museums. The 1976 Summer Olympic Games were held in Montreal, so Montreal attractions include Olympic Stadium, plus the Biodome, the Insectarium, and a great Botanical Garden. Most travelers to Montreal expect an “old world” style city like Quebec City, but Montreal is very cosmopolitan.
Hate #3: Pot Smoke
This is totally a personal preference, but when visiting Montreal with kids, we’ve noticed a LOT of pot being smoked around the city. It’s not legal to smoke marijuana for recreation in Montreal, but medicinal marijuana is legal and it seems that many people take advantage of that. Even our seven-year-old noticed a funny smell in the air.
Love #3: Montreal History
While Montreal is cosmopolitan, there is an Old Town section, and the history of it is fascinating. One of the coolest places to visit in Montreal is the Basilica of Notre Dame, which is quite beautiful with stained glass and ornate decorations. Old Montreal is full of interesting 18th-century and early 19th-century architecture. The narrow, cobblestone streets really make you feel like you are in a European city.
Hate #4: Prices in Montreal
Montreal is expensive! Most of Canada seems to be slightly more expensive than the average prices in the United States, and Montreal is no exception. Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are probably the three most expensive destinations in Canada because they are the three largest cities. Montreal hotels and restaurants tend toward the pricier side, so plan ahead and be sure to factor in higher prices when you budget for your Montreal vacation.
14 Tips for Saving Money While Traveling
Love #4: Food in Montreal
It’s not just the French language that came to Montreal, but French cuisine as well. Being a multicultural city, you can get a lot of different cuisines in Montreal; not just French-Canadian food. Yes, it’s expensive to dine out in Montreal, but the quality of the food is really good. Montreal is definitely becoming a foodie city lately, and we can see why. Make sure you get out and enjoy some of the amazing food in Montreal during your stay!
How to Eat Cheap & Well While Traveling
Hate #5: Business Hours
Although Montreal has great nightlife, the streets do tend to roll up early in Montreal. Most stores and shopping malls close fairly early, so if you plan to do some shopping after dinner, you may find that nothing is open!
Love #5: Montreal Nightlife & Festivals
Montreal has the best nightlife in Canada. It’s not just the fantastic nightclubs and pubs, they also have fantastic evening entertainment. Whether you prefer opera, ballet, theater or live music, you’ll find it in Montreal. They have great festivals, too, including comedy and jazz festivals. There’s even a fireworks festival in the summer. People visit Montreal from all over the world to experience the nightlife.
There are so many fun things to do in Montreal, I didn’t even touch on the outdoor activities or the day trips from Montreal! It’s one of our favorite cities in Canada. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to plan a trip to Montreal. Want more tips for planning a Canada vacation? Check out these other blog posts: