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St-Viateur Bagel

Yet if you’re weary of feeling too out of place in your travels, the French-Canadian city offers many familiar comforts to U.S. tourists. While the French tongue sweeps the city, most of the locals easily switch to a more familiar Canadian English cadence (or at least a French-accented English) at even the slightest gesture of incomprehension. If you’re tentative when it comes to sampling the local cuisine, you’ll be happy to know that ranking high among Montréal’s specialties are hot dogs, poutine (French fries topped with cheese and gravy) and cured deli meat sandwiches (particularly from Schwartz’s; 3895 St- Laurent Blvd.). Furthermore, if you thought New York took the bagel crown, delay that verdict just until you get the chance to bite into a light and airy Montréal bagel (try the sesame at St-Viateur Bagel; 263 St. Viateur West and 1127 Mont. Royal East). Several comparisons can be made between France and the U.S., but as a whole, the city of Montréal is unique and unrivaled in its incredibly diverse offerings. For example, in how many East Coast metropolitan cities can you surf six-foot waves? Just behind the grounds of — an apartment complex of architectural marvel—surfers flock to this part of the St. Lawrence River, which garners by Nina Hemphill Reeder international recognition in the growing sport of river Oh, Canada! surfing. Torn between vacationing at the beach or a buzzing city? Thanks to Montréal’s urban beach at the Clock Tower HEAD TO OUR NEIGHBORING LAND FOR A UNIQUE BLEND OF CULTURES on Old Port, you can still dig your feet into soft sands AND UNEXPECTED COLOR. while overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Swimming is forbidden here, but Montréal’s other man-made beach in hough it’s this side of the Atlantic and just a short flight away from the East Coast, you’ll feel Parc Jean-Drapeau provides more of the beach experience worlds away in the midst of the European charms of Montréal. Elaborate Roman Catholic with swimming, water sports and beach volleyball. Tchurches shape the skyline and cobblestones line the streets of Old Montréal, where al fresco When it comes to Montréal’s entertainment scene, it’s dining abounds and people watching is at its best—bikes appear to be the preferred rides du jour as assorted as a box of crayons. Festivals run throughout of the young and hip. the year, with the more popular festivals hitting in summer like the Montréal’s International Jazz Festival (June 28– July 7), which this year will bring in performers such as

OLD PORT OF : PHILIPPE RENAULT; ST VIATEUR BAGEL AND CAFE: COURESTY OF SUBJECT BAGEL VIATEUR ST OF MONTREAL: PHILIPPE RENAULT; OLD PORT Aretha Franklin and Wynton Marsalis, and the Osheaga

66 MAY 2013 upscalemagazine.com upscalemagazine.com MAY 2013 67 music festival (August 2–4), which draws several popular Clock Tower Beach artists from genres ranging from electronic to hip-hop. In addition to music, fashion also plays a big role in Montréal. The city has its own fashion week and other fashion-centered festivals that showcase its top designers and retailers. And if shopping is more of an activity than a spectator sport for you, make your way to the famous boutique shops on St. Denis or Mount-Royal. Likewise, if hopping between the many pavilions of the Museum of Fine Arts isn’t your thing, try bar hopping on Crescent Street, where most of the bars, outdoor terraces and cafes stay open until 3 a.m. Foodie alert: In addition to vast dining options, there are must-do experiences such as Atelier & Saveurs (ateliersetsaveurs.com/en), where you can schedule a drop-in for their express lunchtime cooking lessons; and the Jean-Talon farmer’s market (7070 Avenue Henri-Julien), where the Première Moisson bakery draws a usual line for pâtés and baguettes. Baguette or bagel, surfboard or bike—if there were ever a place to epitomize the phrase “best of both worlds,” its coordinates would intersect here in Montréal.

Old Montréal Osheaga music festival

When it comes to Montréal’s entertainment scene, it’s as assorted as a box Montréal’s International Jazz Festival of crayons. DIAZ; ; NINA REEDER VICOTR FESTIVAL: BEAUDRY; PATRICK MUSIC FESTIVAL: OSHEAGA MIGUEL LEGAULT; BEACH: CLOCKTOWER

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