39 Ways to Explore Montreal" Explore One of Canada’S Most Beautiful and Exciting Destinations
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"39 Ways to Explore Montreal" Explore one of Canada’s most beautiful and exciting destinations. Created By: Caroline Marongiu 39 Locations Bookmarked Montreal "Cultural & Commercial Capital" Set along the curve of the St. Lawrence River, Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec and the second largest city in Canada. Archaeological evidence shows that First Nations native people occupied Montreal as early as 4,000 years ago, until French nobleman Jérôme Le Royer de La Dauversière led a group of colonists to build a mission on his by MTLskyline seigneury. Montreal's historic tryst with the French has since permeated through the city's veins, and is represented in every facet of its culture. Since its incorporation as a city in 1832, Montreal has transformed into the financial and commercial center of Canada. The beautiful city has also been named a UNESCO City of Design, a title that pays ode to its remarkable creativity and multicultural spirit. Some of the noteworthy attractions in the city include the Notre-Dame Basilica, Olympic Stadium, McGill University, Clock Tower and Saint Joseph's Oratory. +1 514 872 8806 (Tourist ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/ [email protected] Montreal, Montreal QC Information) page?_pageid=5977,40491 560&_dad=portal&_schem a=PORTAL Old Montreal "Stepping into History" The historic city center is rich in museums, shops, restaurants and grey stone architecture spread out along narrow, cobblestone streets. Old Montreal is also home to the Vieux Port attractions and lively public squares like Place Jacques-Cartier. Exploring Old Montreal means exploring the very heart of one of North America's greatest cities, a by Bruno Adamo multifaceted place where the past and the present come together in exciting and unexpected ways. +1 514 873 2015 (Tourist www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca info@tourisme- Old Montreal, Montreal QC Information) montreal.org Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal "Landmark Twin Towers" Notre-Dame's twin towers have served as an Old Montreal landmark since the Neo-Gothic basilica was finished in 1829. Today they continue to be the focal point, where tourists disgorge from buses and calèche drivers line up for passengers. The interior glows with gilded statuary and gold- leafed fleurs de lys, and is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the by Jeremy andrews world. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra performs its Christmas production of Messiah here at the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal or the Notre-Dame Basilica. Check website for opening hours for visitors. +1 514 842 2925 www.basiliquenddm.org/ [email protected] 110 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal QC Montreal Botanical Garden "Veritable Oasis" Every season at the Jardin Botanique de Montréal (Montréal Botanical Gardens), you'll be captivated by the colors and fragrances of flowers and plants as you move from garden to garden, many inspired by different parts of the world. Explore the Sonoran desert, wander into the Chinese or French Garden, and finally relax in the tranquility of the Japanese Garden. by Smudge 9000 The Montreal Botanical Garden contains 12,000 plant species and cultivators, ten exhibition greenhouses, about 30 thematic gardens and a large arboretum. +1 514 872 1400 espacepourlavie.ca/jardin- [email protected] 4101 rue Sherbrooke East, botanique ntreal.qc.ca Montreal QC Underground City "World's Largest Underground Pedestrian Network" The world's largest underground pedestrian network shelters locals from both the scorching heat of summer and the frigid winter winds. Although the area stays open as long as the Metro stations themselves, the best by Dickbauch~commonswiki time to visit is when it is least crowded. It also remains popular as 'indoor city. Underground City shopping complex is also the world's biggest underground shopping arena. +1 514 864 3838 montrealundergroundcity.com/ 800 rue de La Gauchetière Street West, Le Vieux Port, Montreal QC Mount Royal "Montreal's Pinnacle" The namesake of the city and one of its most recognizable landmarks, Mount Royal is the city of Montreal's highest point. The volcanic hill is a part of the Monteregian Hills, nestled between the Appalachian Mountains and the Laurentians, its highest summit measuring at 233 meters (764 feet). At its highest point sits the Mount Royal Cross, originally installed in by Guilhem Vellut from Paris, 1643 by the city's founder, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, in honor of France Mother Mary who he believes saved the colony from a potentially devastating flood. The existing, illuminated cross was added in 1924. Beaver Lake and the Mount Royal Park are other popular features of the hill, just west of Downtown. The park, in particular, is renown as one of the city's largest, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, and the venue of the weekly Tam-Tam Jams. For unmatched views of the city, Mount Royal's Camilien-Houde and Kondiaronk Chalet lookouts offer sweeping vistas over Downtown and East Montreal. Chemin Olmsted, Montreal QC Mile End "Diverse Community" The traditional home to the city's middle-class Jewish community, Mile End is an unofficial designation that usually refers to the area around Parc Avenue. Ethnically, the area is now as diverse as the rest of the city, and architecturally it can be seen as a less gentrified extension of the Plateau Mont-Royal. Lingering testaments to the still considerable Jewish by sookie population include the Fairmount and St-Viateur bagel shops. +1 514 873 2015 (Tourist Information) [email protected] Avenue du Parc, Montreal QC Old Port of Montreal "Historic Port & Cultural Hotspot" Straddling a two-kilometer (1.24 mile) stretch along the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port of Montreal has operated as an active hub since 1611 when it was used as a fur trading post by French settlers. Its erstwhile drab personality appears to have vanished with a transformation that started with Expo 67, converting it from a banal port to a spectacular year- by Felipe Ortega round playground for residents and tourists alike. Besides being home to a bevy of attractions like the IMAX Theatre, the Montreal Science Centre and the Montreal Clock Tower, it is also a recreational wonderland, especially during winter months. Marked by ice sculptures, skating and a lively nativity scene, as well as vibrant festivals like the Festival Montréal en lumière, the Old Port of Montreal hosts a decidedly thriving cultural scene. With numerous dining options, bargain shops, trendy boutiques, tours and riverfront activities dotting its pretty vicinity, the Old Port is an all inclusive attraction in itself. +1 514 496 7678 www.quaysoftheoldport.c information@oldportofmon 333 rue De la Commune om/ treal.com Ouest, Montreal QC The Village "Vibrant Community" Located partially in the Latin Quarter, The Village is one of the largest gay neighborhoods in North America. Although known mostly for its wild nightlife, the area bustles with dozens of cafes, bistros, boutiques, antique shops, restaurants and taverns. There are also beautifully renovated homes, lovely gardens and a proliferation of flowers. August is the time by nikofoto for the Divers Cité gay pride parade, which, together with the huge Black and Blue party in October, attracts nearly half a million participants. +1 514 873 2015 (Tourist Information) Saint Catherine Street East, Montreal QC Marché Jean-Talon "Freshness & Abundance" Located close to downtown, this open-air market has been serving lovers of fresh veggies, fruits, flowers, eggs and even live fowl since 1934. Many of Montreal's restaurant owners drop by on their daily shopping expeditions. Farmers simply drive their trucks up to a series of stalls, and customers can stroll buy checking out the goods. Surrounding Marché by the_anti_paul Jean-Talon are bakeries, health food stores, cheese shops, a horticultural center, and a host of other stores. +1 514 937 7754 www.marchespublics- info@marchespublics- 7070 rue Henri-Julien, mtl.com/Jean-Talon/ mtl.com Corner of Henri-Julien and Jean-Talon, Montreal QC Château Ramezay Museum "Very Distinctive" Once the residence of Governor Claude de Ramezay, Château Ramezay Museum chronicles the rich history of Montreal. The history of this building dates back to the 18th Century when it was built and has been listed as an must-see historic sites by UNESCO. Now, it houses an impressive collection of antiques, photographs, paintings and costumes. by Kenn Chaplin This site is known for its frequent exhibitions from upcoming and veteran artists and has two permanent exhibitions. +1 514 861 3708 www.chateauramezay.qc. [email protected] 280 rue Notre-Dame Street ca/ a East, Montreal QC Biosphere "Geodesic Dome" Biosphere museum and exhibition hall is dedicated to raising environmental and ecological awareness among its visitors. Housed in the world's largest geodesic dome, which is one of few remaining structures from the Expo's, it offers four levels of guided discovery. The bottom level examines water as both Source of Life and Source of Delight, the by C�dric Th�venet Connections Hall showcases multimedia presentations focusing on environmental protection, and the Visions Hall affords an incredible view of Montreal. +1 514 283 5000 www.ec.gc.ca/biosphere/ [email protected] 160 Chemin Tour-de-l'Isle, Île Sainte-Hélène, Parc Jean- Drapeau, Montreal QC Centaur Theatre Company "Premier English-Language Theater" Montreal's premier English-language theater company is housed in a beautiful Old Montreal building that was once the city's stock exchange. Under the direction of Gordon McCall, the theater reaches out to both traditional and non-traditional theatergoers with a diverse program. The theater is used for other events throughout the season. by Centaur Theatre Company +1 514 288 3161 www.centaurtheatre.com/ ticketinfo@centaurtheatre. 453 St-François-Xavier com Street, Montreal QC Habitat 67 "Model Community" Habitat 67 is renowned for its architectural excellence and served as a residence during the Expo 67.