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Montreal

Eclectic Montreal

by dougdnh

A June 2004 travel journal

Last Updated: May 5, 2004

Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
6
Reviews

Montreal may not have the history of Boston or the beauty of San Francisco, but I feel it's the most user friendly and fun city in North America.

My wife and I often visit Montreal for weekend getaways. Montreal is probably our favorite city in North America for several reasons:
-It has a European feel to it that is unique on this side of the Atlantic.
-The selection and quality of dining options is overwhelming.
-It is inexpensive due to the US to Canadian exchange rate.
-It is clean and safe.
-It is an ethnic stew of many world cultures.

Our favorite things to do include visiting the Botanical Gardens, bicycling (a very bike-friendly city), strolling around the various neighborhoods and enjoying the outdoor cafe scene, and going to the jazz festival in late June. Our most memorable moment happened several years ago during the Canada Day parade, when we were selected off the street to ride a 30-man bicycle in the parade, and were given both US and Canadian flags to wave (we are from the US).

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Welcome B&B

Hotel

This is one of the many moderately priced but comfortable B&B’s located in the very pleasant Square St. Louis area. Welcome actually has two buildings on the same street. The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, and the breakfast was homemade waffles and fruit. The bath was shared, but there were only two rooms on that floor.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by dougdnh on May 5, 2004

Welcome B&B
Laval Montreal, Quebec

Le Jardin de Panos

Restaurant

Panos is a big, noisy BYOB restaurant with simple but delicious brocettes and a few Greek specialties. The outdoor patio is a magical place on a warm summer night, where everyone is having a great time and the wine is flowing.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by dougdnh on May 5, 2004

Jardin de Panos
521 Duluth Ave E Montreal, Quebec H2L 1A8
+1 514 521 4206

Cafe Cherrier

Restaurant

This is a quintessential French bistro, located in a very pleasant part of Montreal. Great omelets, salads, soups, grilled meats. In warm weather you can dine out on the street.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by dougdnh on May 5, 2004

Café Cherrier
3635 St-Denis St Montreal, Quebec H2X 3L6
+1 514 843 4308

The Montreal Jazz Festival is billed as the world's largest, and I can see why. There are scores of bands of every description, and wall-to-wall people on the streets. If you are not a jazz fan, don't let that stop you - I've seen everything from African to ‘50s R&B to folk blues to Latin. All of the outdoors concerts are free, and there are usually at least two going on at the same time on different stages. The one negative is the huge crowds some of the acts attract. If you are uncomfortable in large crowds, you might not enjoy this festival.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by dougdnh on May 5, 2004

Montreal International Jazz Festival
Ste-Catherine St West Montreal, Quebec H2X 1Y9
+1 514 871 1881; +1

Montreal is blessed with many interesting BYOB restaurants, most of them moderately priced. Many of them are found on Duluth Street, Prince Arthur Street, and on the adjoining side streets. It's great fun to stroll along Duluth Street with a bottle of wine tucked under your arm and just choose a restaurant that suits you - it can be Greek, French, Asian, Italian, etc., etc. Prince Arthur Street is a lot of fun - a pedestrian street with wall-to-wall outdoor restaurants. There are street entertainers, college kids out for a party, and families out for dinner. Needless to say, in the winter, it's a whole different experience!

About the Writer

dougdnh
dougdnh
Meriden, New Hampshire
  • "I live on a small sheep farm in western New Hampshire, and my wife and I try to take one major trip..."
  • 1 journal
  • 0 photos
  • 4 reviews

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