The Grand Prix of Formula 1 automobile racing is a yearly event. It is Montreal's busiest weekend of the year, and therefore all hotels sell out very quickly and must be
booked well in advance. The tickets for the race go on sale in September and it's recommended to purchase them at that time for good seats. It is not necessary to be a
racing fan to fully enjoy the event, the speed, and the roaring sounds of the cars going by.
As if the races were not exciting enough, the city is full of different events to keep you busy from morning to night. Montreal is a mecca of great shopping and fine dining. It's definitely an unforgettable experience, and one you will want to repeat every year, as I have for the past 9 years.
Quick Tips:
There are great small boutique hotels here. In the Old City is the Gault (
www.hotelgault.com),
Hotel Nelligan (
www.hotelnelligan.com), and The St Paul (
www.hotelstpaul.com), which are barely a year old.
Downtown is another hotel wich I have stayed at many times, the St Germain (www.hotelgermain.com - it is very "zen" and a great place to replenish from all the hustle and bustle.
A couple of my favorite restaurant are: Weinstein & Gavinos, packed with people all day long, great decor with a huge wraparound bar, and an open air kitchen serving great
casual Italian food at a reasonable price. Try and sit on the terrace overlooking Crescent St.
If you are looking for some finer dining and people watching, Blvd. St. Laurent is the place to be, with each restaurant better and trendier than the next. Some of my favorites: the Mediteraneo, Baila, Buenna Note and Globe.
And finally if you are looking for a steakhouse, look no further than the Queue de Cheval on Blvd. Rene Levesque. They will help you chose your perfect cut of meat by
bringing a sample of each to your table. This restaurant is a must try, but unfortunately very expensive, especially with the wine which is overpriced.
Best Way To Get Around:
The city has 3 main district, Blvd St Laurent, Crescent St and The Old Port.
Walking is definitely the best way to experience the city, so make sure you bring good walking shoes.
The races are on Ile Ste Helene, and the best way to reach the island is by subway, though some choose to take the 1 hour long walk.
At night, taxis are the best bets to get from one area to another.