@@SirChronoblaze You assume "their" language is French. I am an anglo from Montreal and I don't care for the french langauge. I am actually boycotting speaking french. I insist on only being served in English in Montreal.
Hello and Thank You is fine. Screw the french lanuagee police. Abolish bill 101, bill 96, bill 21. Stop the censoring, stop the prosecution of the Anglophones in Quebec.
I come from the L.A. branch of an old Montreal family and have visited a lot. Generally, the "Don't Go to Montreal in the Winter" is sound advice, but, on the other hand, if you can stand the cold, there is a special beauty, especially in Old Montreal, during Winter time. With the streets frozen and snow falling, the warm lights and cozy interiors of the restaurants, brasseries and cafes are especially inviting. The vibe around Christmas is really special, and the urban scenery just glows with a sort of frozen light that gives everything a special kind of beauty you won't see elsewhere.
Exactly what I was thinking. I lived through 4 Montreal winters and although they tend to suck in March/April when it feels like they won't end, I think the city is beautiful and magical. Especially because the city is not in hibernation but really alive and vibrant. Nuit Blanche is one of the best nights of the year!
Not at all, it's pretty glorious in the Fall. You may get unlucky and get just slate skies, but you also might get cool sunshine and bright leaves. @@mjhammer22894
Been living my whole life in Montréal and this is as accurate as it gets. I would also recommend not spending any cash in the old-town's tourist areas, and stick to better neighbourhoods. People always mention the Plateau Mont-Royal, but there is also St-Henri (Sud-Ouest) quarter that has a lot of inexpensive restaurants and beautiful vibe to it.
Totally, visit it but avoid eating/spending there unless you really want to. There are some legit fancy restaurants but many are not but still cost a lot.
Montreal is 400 years of architecture and history . If you do nit visit old Montreal you miss the history of Canada , culture and the only city in Canada with a rich european London , england style
Yeah, have a drink or maybe a Beaver Tail around Place Jacques Cartier but avoid eating in that general area. That being said, things are changing rapidly in Montreal and you can now find some good restaurants and shops in Old Montreal. Again you won't find any Montrealers eating around place Jacques Cartier.
@@jeanbolduc5818 Montreal was founded 381 years ago and most of its buildings are significantly more recent. The only city in Quebec that has 400 years old architecture is Quebec City.
As a Montrealer (for all my life) - you hit the main don'ts of the city on the head Wolter! I'd add that the metro system is far more reliable than the bus system, so if you're debating between the two, always go with the metro even if its a further walk, you never known what construction lies ahead for the buses.
Also for Public Transport: Montreal is the only city I know of where people orderly queue at the stop markers to board the bus based on order of arrival on foot to the bus stop. I lived in Ottawa for 7 years and there, it was a mad dash for the open doors. And so has every European city I have been to recently.
Omg ahah i hate when people don’t line up, but I understand it’s not common everywhere, I do let old people, pregnant women and people with a small kid before me though, even if they arrived after :)
Great video as always! As a native Montrealer, I would also add DON'T miss out on all the great festivals (including in winter!) Just for Laughs, Jazz Festival, Montreal en Lumière, to name a few. The winters may be cold in Montreal, but the people know how to live it up!
I'm a native Montrealer too...those "festivals" are over rated, the same and tired. They also give tourists a false impression about Montreal that it is always like this.
As a native Montrealer, those festivals are what Montreal is all about. Winter festivals are fun but Summer in Montreal is also truly unique, so much to do! The vibe is just so different from other cities in North America and the festivals are a big part of that.
You did a good job with one of my two favorite North American cities. I would add this "Don't," especially after my last stay in Montreal and Quebec City: Don't miss the chance to visit Montreal in the fall. Spring is fun because of the cabane-a-sucres and the restless energy after a long winter, summers are a blast because of the long days and all the festivals, but no big North American city is more beautiful than Montreal between late September and the middle/end of October. The skies are blue, the weather sunny & crisp, and the trees are on fire! We still rave nostalgic about our hike up Mount Royal one Saturday morning, the bike ride under the flaming canopies of the Plateau, Mile End & Outremont, and our train ride to Quebec City past forests, over rivers and through farmlands.
I trust hotel prices will be ridiculous within the first 2 weeks of October alone? I’m finalizing plans for rural New England this fall and finding cost effective lodging is quite the chore; especially rural New Hampshire much less Vermont. Much much less anywhere near a weekend…
The cabanes à sucre are very expensive and they often serve pretty cheap food... So, it's better to just buy some maple syrup and do it at home. It's nothing fancy, tbh. You can make fancier stuff at home with the same ingredients. The only thing you may miss are the "oreilles de crisse", which become available to buy in grocery stores at certain moments of the year.
Just one thing about using "bonjour." In a lot of businesses downtown and in touristy areas, the people working there take the language you start in as a cue for which to use while serving you, sometimes greeting you with "Bonjour, Hi" or "Bonjour, Hello." If you don't speak French, just saying "Hello" will lead them to serve you in English instead of then having to apologize and having to ask them to repeat themselves.
As Quebecer and french speaking, just by the accent of the bonjour we can easily guess you are a english speaker. I really do appreciate a bonjour from english speaker. It is a acknowledge of my culture
We had a family vacation in Montreal last August and just loved it. We were almost ready to move there. We got museum passes that covered almost all of the places that we wanted to go. We took public transit or walked everywhere (including to the airport). We really enjoyed wandering down Mount-Royal Avenue, that was pedestrian only for the summer. The Mount Royal Park was stunning, though I'm glad that we took a bus to the top. Our AirBnB was around the corner from a little bakery, so we had Croissants or Chocolatines every day for Breakfast. There were only two underwhelming things that we did. 1) The boat tour of the river that we took was not good at all. It passed industrial areas and there was just a smattering of pre-recorded audio for interpretation. 2) The Biosphere was the only museum that we didn't find all that interesting. The Biodome, the Archeology Museum, The Chateau Dufresne, The Insectarium, The Botanical Gardens, The Chateau Ramezay, the Planetarium -- these were all fantastic.
Lived in Montreal all my life, so I see winter differently: Yes, the days are shorter, but few things compare to the brilliant blue skies, sparkling deep white snow in the parks and crisp air. We have lovely outdoor skating rinks, cozy restaurants with fireplaces and some great nordic outdoor spas. Yes, the streets can get messy, but the nearest ski hills are only 45 minutes away, and there are great places to snowshoe, fat bike and cross country ski even closer (you can rent equipment, and everyone is happy to offer instructions to get you started). We're a laid back, friendly bunch, so welcome and hope to see you during the colder months. Just dress up properly (layers and breathable, good warm boots).
I am a tour guide here and i loved your video, you are a very talented RUclipsr who really puts in the work and knows his stuff. Good job! Love your positivity and enthusiasm too ❤
Going to the Jean Talon Marché first thing in the morning (we went in September) I was ENTHRALLED with the gorgeous explosion of the most colorful and freshest produce you’ve ever seen. We bought strawberries and raspberries and washed them there (there’s sinks) and ate them immediately!
Lived in Montreal for 23 years, great video and hit the right notes with everything. Now, i live in the south shore of Montreal, for the past 20 years, i always enjoy going to Old Montreal, St-Denis street, festivals around the city, St-Laurent street, downtown. Montreal will always be in my heart. Enjoyed the video.
As a Montrealer, born and bread, I have to say you did a fab job! From neighbourhoods, to politics, food, nature, cultural activities and just getting around our city - you are completely spot on! I think I would add a trip to the Orange Julep and seriously, walk everywhere, on all the side streets especially in Mile End, le Plateau and Old Montreal. Lastly, the metro system is full of original art and architecture and you can buy a day ticket for the bus/metro system, Google a map of what each station has and take a self-guided tour - especially good for a cold or rainy day!
You must be from here or have spent lots of time here because this is pretty darn accurate. Nicely done. As other commenters have, i'll just add one more thing: the humidity here will surprise you whether it's summer or winter, it'll make outside temps feel way more extreme. Summer can feel tropical and winter will rip your face right off and freeze your bones. Bring the appropriate clothing. And good shoes. And yes, trying to speak 2 words of french does go a long way.
One hidden gem I recommend as a day trip is renting a car or taking the 211 bus all the way down to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue at the southern point of the island. Lots of restaurants on the water and some shops there and in the Pointe-Claire Village. Very nice in the Fall and you're right there along the water.
Awesome list! I would add on that if you like hockey and visiting in winter months, definitely don't miss out on going to a game! The Canadiens games are a blast, but also check out some beer league and women's team games too! The locals go nuts for hockey, and it's a great way to beat the weather and meet people. They'll talk hockey all day with you if you play or pay attention to what's happening in the leagues.
We live in New England and are fortunate enough to visit Montreal regularly,. I would estimate that half our visits have been in the winter. We love Montreal in winter! Charming and fun! We often take an easy daytrip to the Laurentians for tubing/glissades. The whole family loves it. I would like to comment that while in Montreal, if you greet someone with hello, rather than bonjour, they take this cue and communicate in English. Very easy. My dad, however, was thrilled to say bonjour as a greeting, then got tangled up when all his responses were in French. I have always thought this cueing system made everything easier for all.
I lived all my life or so in Montreal, and it’s always weird but fun to see people from anywhere coming here and telling all the tourist place to do. As a “townie” I would say, the better way to find your way in Montreal, is to be lost in it. They are a lot of places you can find if you just walk around the city if you got time. They’re a lot of speakeasy downtown and in old Montreal. Thanks to show me that my city is not just full of orange trafic cones. ❤
I visited Montreal in wintee when i was in High School on a French class trip. I remember going to some mall and there was a hockey rink inside and we watched some of the game going on on a bridge that crossed right over the rink. We only spent a little bit of time as we were coming back to the airport from Quebec City after going to the winter carnival. Highly recommend and I hope I can go back someday with my family, cold yes but just so much fun and absolutely beautiful.
First time in Montreal. We had a delicious lunch at Lester's deli, then i bought a book from the boutique next door on Japanese gardens. Sat on a bench outside, it was a warm sunny day, flicked through the book and enjoyed smiling back at friendly passers by. It was really lovely.
One year later…how was your trip to Montreal? Anthony Blinken made a comment that he is concerned about the Anti-English laws the welfare province of Quebec keeps adopting.
@@GeorgeVassis I wasn’t aware of that. We didn’t have any issues. Almost everyone speaks both English and French Canadian. We found the people to be very friendly. It was a wonderful trip. My favorite part was Old Quebec.
If you like winter weather Montreal is fantastic, the only time I would say is 100% bad for visiting is November and March-April, it's too cold and wet to be outside but warm enough for the snow to turn into slush.
As a montrealer I will say pretty good list (love that you put the #1 up front). However I disagree with ‘don’t visit in winter’, winter is a different vibe and a different offer. Right now (end of January) there’s the Igloofest, outside electronic music festival with DJ from all over, huge dance floor outside with people dancing in their winter gear where you can experience the pingouin effect (the temperature in the middle of the dance floor is 10 degrees higher). There is also more family oriented activities.
how are they with looking after the sidewalks and roads in the winter? last time I was there, I was shocked at how icy the sidewalks and roads were - quite dangerous to walk on. in Toronto, it's not perfect but at not as dangerous as the situation I saw in montreal
Completely disagree for the winter part. I understand that a lot of people don't like winter but if you want something a bit different and a little slower vacation, winter in Montreal is awesome. Although, our winters are getting shorter and warmer every year so if you want the real Montreal winter experience you should come from mid-January to late February. That's your best bet to get cold weather and snow otherwise the odds of getting rain instead of snow increases and no one enjoys cold rain and slush. If you do come in the winter and are lucky enough to have real winter conditions you should go on Mount-Royal for a walk or for a skate near Beaver lake or the Old Port. Or go to Igloofest or Montreal en Lumière festivals. There's still stuff to do and this city during and after a snowstorm is just a beautiful sight. It's my 34th winter here and I'm still in awe every time it snows.
I love being in Montreal for Igloofest. That added element of taking on the elements elevates what is already a great music experience. Plus there is something really cool about laser shows in the snow.
I have visited Montreal and Quebec City three times; two of those visits were in December 2007 and December 2019. I love a Quebecois winter in December, just prior to Christmas! C'est si bon!
Loved this video. You said everything I needed to know as I've been considering a trip here, Toronto and Quebec City. I always love hearing what you have to say! Thank you, Mark! Happy NY to you and your beautiful family.
Oh, you are really going to enjoy both. I visited Toronto, but I started my University studies in Québec City (St. Foy). So beautiful. Enjoyed my entire time in Québec City. La Belle Province!❤
I visit Montreal twice a year. I definitely drive and I really don't have much of an issue with parking. I really don't go to Old Montreal/St. Catherine area anymore because it is touristy, which is where you don't want to drive. I prefer staying near the Plateau and the fun has always been to drive around explore the areas. I love the Jean Talon Market as the fruits and gourmet foods are amazing and theres a great Italian bakery that has nutella donuts. I also get to Laval for shopping and they have so many restaurants too. Although it probably isn't something most tourist do as it is the local people. I like Westmount and I like basically seeing new areas to just be local and eat local.
Montrealer born and bred here....Another amazing tour in Montreal is the "Orange Cone Tour"...It's free and lasts hours...so you have plenty of time to enjoy yourself...Orange Cone stops are everywhere, so you can take the tour from anywhere in the city at any time, and tours are offered 24 hours per day.
Don’t forget to go to Chinatown. Found a great out of the way restaurant full of locals that was fantastic! Got a great haircut at Belgrad around the corner from Notre Dame but they had a fire and have moved. We love Montreal, I used to go for F1 race every year when younger and stayed in the Beri-Uqum area. What a blast we had!
There is Quebec City that is just as beautiful as Montreal and is worth visiting. On a side note, some stores will accept USD but they will not do any conversion, meaning they will consider it as CAD.
I’m a local and I can confirm that St-Viateur and Fairmount bagels are awesome. Definitely not tourist traps. Also yes, driving is nuts here if you’re not used to it.
Yes, and even Swartz's, despite being flooded with tourists, is considered a local place (with lots of Montrealers going to it regularly, especially in the off-season). Now that The Main has closed it's probably even more "local" again.
Thank you for the kind words about Montreal. Your do’s & don’t were spot on mon ami. I live on the South Shore of Montreal but love going Centre Ville and Old Montreal, also to the Casino Montreal ( & smoke free ) and LaRonde for some summer fun. There’s lots to see and do vacationers will not be disappointed. Again, Thank you for your kind words and to all “ come & enjoy “ all the rich heritage s Montreal has to offer ( and please do try our poutines ) Have a wonderful day everyone, merci ! ❤❤❤🇨🇦😊
Winter in MTL is not limited to January and February. If you want to enjoy the greenery, don't go from December to end of April (April is cold rain and even snow season).
I am French Canadian by heritage but was born and raised in Western Canada. I studied French in high school and college so I had a fairly good grounding in the language. I moved to Montreal in order to live in the culture and perfect my French. However, invariably, when I would try to order in French a restaurant, the server would automatically speak in English. I would persevere and continue to speak French, lol. Forty years later, I can still use my French when needed thanks to my time in Montreal. BTW, while I was living there, I met a guy who was born and raised in Montreal and did not speak a word of French. That really incensed me! He had the opportunity to learn a second language but never took it. I worked with a man who grew up in Montreal. Even though they were not Quebecois, his mother had the good sense to enroll him in an English school for one year and a French school the next year. They continued that pattern for the rest of his schooling. He is completely bilingual to this day. So visitors to Montreal do not be deterred if people respond to your attempts to speak French by speaking English. Just persevere like I did. A nice thing about Montreal's transit is you cannot get lost. I tried getting lost but found that all I needed to do was take any transit bus and it would eventually stop at a Metro station. Once there you can find your way back to where you staying.
I’ve been going to Montreal for over a decade. I speak English everywhere. No one gives a shit. And driving is fine. I drive in from New York and drive everywhere. On occasion, I’ll Uber to a restaurant because I want to drink and also the parking can be a hassle but it’s fine.
I’m visiting from Vancouver for Formula 1 race week. I know some French but it’s basic high school level French. I’m wondering will people hate me or yell at me if I speak English? I don’t want to be mocked but I know they’ll talk about me behind their backs.
Hi . Great coverage of my city. I left Montréal 30 years ago to live in France and just rediscovered it. It is good that you warned people that Old Montréal is expensive to eat but it is the Canadian dollar which will most likely be less expensive in the long run.
Great breakdown of Montreal! Loved it. I love my city there's so much to do here. St-Laurent street is exciting, thrift shops are abundant, great food at a cost is well worth it, we have incredible chefs here. Westmount is my lil gem for cozy pubs. I also love the design scene on Notre Dame street and our underground art. Nuit Blanche is beautiful for music enthusiasts and ravers. I'm a local and crescent or bishop street are a must go in the hot summer days. I like Mckibbins. Mount Royal tamtams on Saturday or Sunday at noon hippies play their beats and if you're lucky you'll see a dungeons and dragons roll fight in the park across. Just absolutely fun loving people. Weed is legal so have fun 💙
Montreal is my hometown. Born at St. Mary's. I live and work in the states now and haven't been back since 2009. My heart yearns to be walking down st. Catherine. I loved the paramount theater an AMC theaters down there. Thank you for the jog down memory lane.
Very well done and thorough video. Perhaps a little harsh on visiting in the winter, but maybe being a lifelong Montrealer has frozen my brain somewhat. Parking is a nightmare and the constriction is never-ending, so public transportation and walking is the best way to go. You can buy passes for unlimited bus/metro for almost any stay duration. If you do have a car, there are lots of fun places to visit within 30-60 minute drives if you want to try a day trip in the surrounding areas. Each neighborhood will have something unique to discover, so don't hesitate to ask locals for their favorite 'hoods and points of interest therein.
if you know how to dress for cold weather, montreal can still be a ton of fun in the winter. There are so many wonderful restaurants, bars, libraries, museums, cathedrals, etc. to visit in any season. Public transportation still works great in the winter.
get your facts straight. indeed, most people in montreal speak french as their native tongue. however, many native montrealers also have english as a first language, and french or another language as a second or third language. of course, everyone coming to montreal should learn the basics of french as a courtesy, but there is zero shame in walking into a store speaking english or speaking it in public. english is part of the city's history as well, for hundreds of years.
It seems that the general consensus is against visiting Montreal in winter. I'm booked for this weekend. My trip kept getting delayed and postponed, so now here it is January and I'm going, winter be darned! To be honest, I used to dislike the winter season, but I find that I become acclimatized rather quickly to whatever environment in which I find myself. I am looking forward to the wintery vistas in store, as well as the solitude of the outdoors this time of year. I've already been advised to dress in multiple layers. Wish me luck! Update: I had a great trip this weekend to Montreal. I enjoyed jogging in Mount Royal Park and the views from the vista point. I was suprised to see a lot of locals out skiing and also jogging in the park. I also enjoyed a walk around Old Montreal. I was told by a local resident that the weather this past weekend was rather mild by Canadian standards. It was around 28F (-2C) for most of my weekend, which isn't that much colder than in the mid-Atlantic US where I live. I liked Montreal overall and would like to return when the snow melts in the Spring to see more. I enjoyed a wood-fired bagel and some Poutine from a place in Longueuil. The local people were friendly and were willing to speak in English, although a few didn't speak it, especially when I was in the non-tourist area of Longueuil.
This was very thorough for such a short video, great job! My biggest don't as a local: don't think the Plateau is the only cool place to be aside from downtown and Old Montréal. Yes it's cute, yes it's packed with things to see and do, but there are so, so many other great (and very underrated) neighbourhoods to explore. For example, I barely ever see Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (Ontario street), le Vieux-Rosemont (Beaubien and Masson streets), Villeray (which is dotted with restaurants and cafés all over) and Ahuntsic (Fleury street) mentioned in videos about Montréal, no matter the target audience. Heck, even le Vieux-Longueuil (St. Charles street) on the south shore is quite nice and historical. If you really want to immerse yourself in Québécois Montréal, those are the places to be. Because let's face it: the entire borough of the Plateau, as nice as it is, is mostly just French immigrants and tourists nowadays.
Awesome video. Québec isn't the only province in Canada where le Français is spoken though. Each province has Francophone communities. The province of New Brunswick is the only "official" bilingual province in Canada. Montréal is huge, and the traffic is indeed a pain. Cyclists can be jerks, and our current mairesse, Valérie Plante, is obsessed with bike paths lol. Winter here sucks, the best weather is from June-is to October. We don't use pennies in Canada. Don't assume that the French spoken in Canada is the same that is spoken in France. Just as North American English isn't the same as British English.
Francophone communities in other Canadian provinces are negligable: only 3.5% in Ontario and less than 2% in every other province and territory. Wheras Englsih in quebec is 14% but rises to 40% in the Montreal area. I don't know why Wolter assumes french is the only language in Montreal and he says not to speak englsih in reataurants and stores. I guess Wolter is a racist just like french quebecers.
@@GeorgeVassis Saying bonjour and switching to english is all that is needed. It's an acknowledgement of the local language. Yes there are other minoritiesin the city like in most Metropoles. When you go to any country you learn the basic hello, thank you, please (optional). 40% speak english not that their first language is english. Politeness is always better receive than entitlement.
@@lapuck7018 I'm a native Montrealer and always greet the store clerks and bus drivers with "Hello" in english only. The local language for me in Montreal is English only, not french like it is for you and the racist gov't of QC. In our country Canada, English is the main language so in my country YOU should respect and use only English, especually in Montreal. Abolish bill 101 bill 96 bill 21!
Lots of amazing busking in old Montreal in the summer so keep those loonies handy to toss in their hats. After all, Cirque du Soleil got their start there! Also, the Biodôme in the old Olympic park is my favourite place to visit when doing to tourist thing in Montreal. It’s across the street from the Botanical Garden.
Born and raised in Montreaal. I’ve been to many cities in the world… Montreal is the best. Hands down. Also DO NOT come during January-March, very cold. Comme during summer. Also go visit Parc Maisonneuve, especially if you’re with kids.
I've really been bad here....I LOVE Montreal (except that hockey team...what are they called again? lol Boston Bruins fan here) !! Sadly, I haven't been since 1995. Yeah, I'm a slacker. Great video Mark! I gotta plan a trip back to Montreal!! This way I can use my awesome French reading skills courtesy of my high school. Can't speak much French, but reading it? Sure. Came in handy with navigation back in the early 90's.
I absolutely loved Montreal. It was strange that I felt so at home as soon as I arrived. I visited there in 1981 for 7 days for a convention/honeymoon. The Cathedral of Notre Dame was breathtaking. Loved the cobblestone streets, as well......One has to definitely try the French Pastries !!! omg!! melts in your mouth! The food was awesome...........I so loved the environment & people. Everyone was so cordial. Memorable experience.
The enlarged photo of a Canadian one-dollar bill may be misleading. The one-dollar bill has been permanently retired in Canada (for at least a couple of decades already) as has the former two-dollar bill. The smallest denomination bill currently in circulation in Canada is now the five-dollar bill.
Don't forget to visit Place Des Arts, downtown Montreal during the festival season. There are literally tons of great free outdoor shows and the ambience is fantastic.
Not sure I agree with the first French/English comment. A host or server in Montreal will often greet you with a “bonjour/hi” as a way of figuring out if you’re English or French. I thought it would be polite to say bonjour/bonsoir on early travels to Montreal until I realized it just led to confusion on how service workers would communicate with me. Establish that you’re English and things go smoothly. Workers just want to know what language they need to serve you.
Some people 🙄 are visiting Montreal during the winter and they are doing that during the Martin Luther Kings and presidents day long weekends traveling to Montreal from the USA 🇺🇸 but the advantages to come to Montreal in the winter is to save money 💰 on accommodations because it's getting cheaper due to the low season.
Fun fact: you can say "bonjour" at any time of the day. We use it as a polite general greeting. "Bonne soirée" (said "bonn so'ahré") is more as a parting word in the evening and night. For beers, go in grocery stores (our liquor stores "SAQ" have beers, but the selection is poor. It's more certain imported beers). Some grocery stores may have a small selection of craft beers, but most have a. Pretty good selection. Specialty beer stores will have an even bigger selection. And yes, craft beers here are expensive... And while some are regular and others are mediocres, most are pretty good. If you are lucky, you may find some beers flavoured with maple syrup! Also, the craft dark beers here taste better than Guinness (but they still a strong roasted oats flavour, so it's not for everyone). Also, try a sour beer. Most are pretty good.
Great video! I just want to add that for keen surfers, Montreal has a fantastic & renowned standing wave on the Saint Lawrence River behind Habitat 67 (which the wave is named after). Jet boating on the Lachine Rapids is also a real blast (look up Saute-Moutons). It's a very refreshing activity for those hot summer days if you don't mind getting a little wet.
Atwater market and Parc Jean-Drapeau are also well worth a visit. Any motorsport fans will also love that montreals f1 track is free to walk on or even cycle along on one of the cities bixi bikes!
A must for nature lovers is Cap-St-Jacques on the west of Montreal island , the nature park is huge and there is a Farm that use no pesticide , and a beach , a hidden gem , but its 20-30 minutes from downtown by car , but you won't regret
On Ile Sainte-Helene you have the former Expo 67 grounds. The Montreal Casino is in the former French Pavilion. The Biosphère is in the former U.S. Pavilion, and the La Ronde amusement park is on the other end of the island, all accessible by the Metro stop of the same name
Please add The Planatarium, The Biodome, and The Insectarium. The International Fireworks Competition, The F1 Competition, The Montréal Jazz Festival. Tks!!
Great video! However, I’ve gone to Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City for my birthday in January and loved it! Less crowded and feels magical! Would def say Quebec City has more going for it during the winter time because of Carnival and just outside of it the ice hotel plus the strom spa and ice canoing, but I personally enjoy Canada in the winter as well but I’m def a minority I’m sure 😂
Mark, just 2 Don’ts - Pedestrians Keep Your Heads Up, We Have The Absolute “Cowboy Drivers” Here- Their Terrible….Dont Come In July- U Will Literally MELT!! Other than that, always love ❤ your videos!! Cheers, 😎👍🇨🇦🎸
In my experience, going to famous well known popular places comes in handy for many reasons. Sure it will be packed, and noisy, but at least you know you get good food unless it is rushed.
Montrealer here. I came here temporarily 50 years ago, fell in love with the place and stayed. I used to say this place is paradise except for the weather and the politicians and the weather is getting better. You did a great job on this video as pretty much everything you said is true, the good and the annoying. But where did you find old dollar bills-That’s confusing. And good you remind people it gets cold in winter but it gets extremely hot in summer, especially these days. And people come here for winter sports too. Also our metro is extremely safe. You could show our new fancy metro cars. And we are the safest major city in North America apparently. Thanks for this.
You apparently weren't' here 50 years ago when the city was absolutely booming with industry, retail businesses, entertainment and tons of money flowed in to bank home offices and it showed on the ground. It was such an exciting place to live. But we're not supposed to bring up politics on these pages. I loved it then, and still love it now but for different reasons.
I spent a decade living in Old Montreal. Couldn't agree more. Don't forget to visit. If you want an inexpensive meal while in Old Montreal, Chinatown is quite close, like a ten minute walk. You can feast there for much less than something similar would cost in Old Montreal. I've also never owned a car. Completely unnecessary in Montreal.
Another place worth visiting is the Atwater Market, located next to Montreal's beautiful "Old Canal". Also, Parc Des Rapides, a park and bird sanctuary located in the suburb of Lasalle, is a great place to do some birdwatching and experience the magnificent Lachine rapids.
100% on the money. As a french speaker you are also right about the passion on the subject of independence. Once you have culturally visited the city you will know Montreal is unlike any other Canadian City... one may even start to wonder why...😂
Yes I agree with the last point . I am a séparatiste and I don't even need to be in my own country to be offended with careless remarks about such an important issue. Same goes for US people , I don't bring up politics, these are conversations for a later stage in friendship .
I'm from Montreal and can 100% confirm that a simple, even if butchered, "bonjours" and "merci" will make your experience 100x better.
Yeah that's not the experience I had
Disagreed. It's Montreal. Not Quebec City. People won't expect you to speak french here, it's a bilingual town.
@@ameeliadanis2192 do you live in Montreal? I find they are pretty happy when you at least attempt to speak in their language. (french speaker here)
@@SirChronoblaze You assume "their" language is French. I am an anglo from Montreal and I don't care for the french langauge. I am actually boycotting speaking french. I insist on only being served in English in Montreal.
Hello and Thank You is fine. Screw the french lanuagee police. Abolish bill 101, bill 96, bill 21. Stop the censoring, stop the prosecution of the Anglophones in Quebec.
I come from the L.A. branch of an old Montreal family and have visited a lot. Generally, the "Don't Go to Montreal in the Winter" is sound advice, but, on the other hand, if you can stand the cold, there is a special beauty, especially in Old Montreal, during Winter time. With the streets frozen and snow falling, the warm lights and cozy interiors of the restaurants, brasseries and cafes are especially inviting. The vibe around Christmas is really special, and the urban scenery just glows with a sort of frozen light that gives everything a special kind of beauty you won't see elsewhere.
Exactly what I was thinking. I lived through 4 Montreal winters and although they tend to suck in March/April when it feels like they won't end, I think the city is beautiful and magical. Especially because the city is not in hibernation but really alive and vibrant. Nuit Blanche is one of the best nights of the year!
September/October too late to visit in your opinion?
Not at all, it's pretty glorious in the Fall. You may get unlucky and get just slate skies, but you also might get cool sunshine and bright leaves. @@mjhammer22894
@@mjhammer22894 That's the best time to go to Montreal. Much cooler and less humid and the prices start to come down from the summer high season.
Even then it gets really cold sometimes. I couldn't open my car door because the lock froze in October.
Been living my whole life in Montréal and this is as accurate as it gets. I would also recommend not spending any cash in the old-town's tourist areas, and stick to better neighbourhoods. People always mention the Plateau Mont-Royal, but there is also St-Henri (Sud-Ouest) quarter that has a lot of inexpensive restaurants and beautiful vibe to it.
Totally, visit it but avoid eating/spending there unless you really want to.
There are some legit fancy restaurants but many are not but still cost a lot.
While in St-Henry, check out the Atwater food market. It’s great!
Montreal is 400 years of architecture and history . If you do nit visit old Montreal you miss the history of Canada , culture and the only city in Canada with a rich european London , england style
Yeah, have a drink or maybe a Beaver Tail around Place Jacques Cartier but avoid eating in that general area. That being said, things are changing rapidly in Montreal and you can now find some good restaurants and shops in Old Montreal. Again you won't find any Montrealers eating around place Jacques Cartier.
@@jeanbolduc5818 Montreal was founded 381 years ago and most of its buildings are significantly more recent. The only city in Quebec that has 400 years old architecture is Quebec City.
As a Montrealer (for all my life) - you hit the main don'ts of the city on the head Wolter! I'd add that the metro system is far more reliable than the bus system, so if you're debating between the two, always go with the metro even if its a further walk, you never known what construction lies ahead for the buses.
« Une panne de train cause un ralentissement sur la ligne...orange, en direction...Côte-Vertu. Merci pour vôtre compréhension. »
Also for Public Transport: Montreal is the only city I know of where people orderly queue at the stop markers to board the bus based on order of arrival on foot to the bus stop.
I lived in Ottawa for 7 years and there, it was a mad dash for the open doors. And so has every European city I have been to recently.
I didn't know we were the only ones in Canada.
Similarly, don’t forget to thank the bus driver when you get off the bus - that’s something we all do here
Omg ahah i hate when people don’t line up, but I understand it’s not common everywhere, I do let old people, pregnant women and people with a small kid before me though, even if they arrived after :)
@Mp-ir4ri I love driving through Montreal's streets at night while listening to jazz with the top down!!
Went to a Canadiens game expensive but had a good time. Drove around not to bad. I did walk around and took the subway. Nice went alone not good 😢
Great video as always! As a native Montrealer, I would also add DON'T miss out on all the great festivals (including in winter!) Just for Laughs, Jazz Festival, Montreal en Lumière, to name a few. The winters may be cold in Montreal, but the people know how to live it up!
I'm a native Montrealer too...those "festivals" are over rated, the same and tired. They also give tourists a false impression about Montreal that it is always like this.
As a native Montrealer, those festivals are what Montreal is all about. Winter festivals are fun but Summer in Montreal is also truly unique, so much to do! The vibe is just so different from other cities in North America and the festivals are a big part of that.
@@jkaragias Yes. And we also have local/smaller festivals in some neighbourhood. Worth to do some research if you plan a visit.
You did a good job with one of my two favorite North American cities. I would add this "Don't," especially after my last stay in Montreal and Quebec City: Don't miss the chance to visit Montreal in the fall.
Spring is fun because of the cabane-a-sucres and the restless energy after a long winter, summers are a blast because of the long days and all the festivals, but no big North American city is more beautiful than Montreal between late September and the middle/end of October. The skies are blue, the weather sunny & crisp, and the trees are on fire! We still rave nostalgic about our hike up Mount Royal one Saturday morning, the bike ride under the flaming canopies of the Plateau, Mile End & Outremont, and our train ride to Quebec City past forests, over rivers and through farmlands.
I trust hotel prices will be ridiculous within the first 2 weeks of October alone? I’m finalizing plans for rural New England this fall and finding cost effective lodging is quite the chore; especially rural New Hampshire much less Vermont. Much much less anywhere near a weekend…
The cabanes à sucre are very expensive and they often serve pretty cheap food... So, it's better to just buy some maple syrup and do it at home.
It's nothing fancy, tbh.
You can make fancier stuff at home with the same ingredients.
The only thing you may miss are the "oreilles de crisse", which become available to buy in grocery stores at certain moments of the year.
@@Poodleinacanoreilles de crisse 😊 beau ça
Just one thing about using "bonjour." In a lot of businesses downtown and in touristy areas, the people working there take the language you start in as a cue for which to use while serving you, sometimes greeting you with "Bonjour, Hi" or "Bonjour, Hello." If you don't speak French, just saying "Hello" will lead them to serve you in English instead of then having to apologize and having to ask them to repeat themselves.
As Quebecer and french speaking, just by the accent of the bonjour we can easily guess you are a english speaker. I really do appreciate a bonjour from english speaker. It is a acknowledge of my culture
I live in Montreal. My wife is from the US. The first two french words she learned are "rue barée".
Rue barrée
🤣
😂😂😂😂 accurate
Street closed 😂
We had a family vacation in Montreal last August and just loved it. We were almost ready to move there. We got museum passes that covered almost all of the places that we wanted to go. We took public transit or walked everywhere (including to the airport). We really enjoyed wandering down Mount-Royal Avenue, that was pedestrian only for the summer. The Mount Royal Park was stunning, though I'm glad that we took a bus to the top. Our AirBnB was around the corner from a little bakery, so we had Croissants or Chocolatines every day for Breakfast.
There were only two underwhelming things that we did.
1) The boat tour of the river that we took was not good at all. It passed industrial areas and there was just a smattering of pre-recorded audio for interpretation.
2) The Biosphere was the only museum that we didn't find all that interesting.
The Biodome, the Archeology Museum, The Chateau Dufresne, The Insectarium, The Botanical Gardens, The Chateau Ramezay, the Planetarium -- these were all fantastic.
What was your opinion of the biosphere and why you didn't like it?
Montreal really is a jewel in Canada....No city in Canada comes close to Montreal's unique vibe, history, art and architecture.
Although as a native, Montreal can sometimes feel like a chunky piece of jewelry owned by your crazy aunt Helene.
Lived in Montreal all my life, so I see winter differently: Yes, the days are shorter, but few things compare to the brilliant blue skies, sparkling deep white snow in the parks and crisp air. We have lovely outdoor skating rinks, cozy restaurants with fireplaces and some great nordic outdoor spas. Yes, the streets can get messy, but the nearest ski hills are only 45 minutes away, and there are great places to snowshoe, fat bike and cross country ski even closer (you can rent equipment, and everyone is happy to offer instructions to get you started). We're a laid back, friendly bunch, so welcome and hope to see you during the colder months. Just dress up properly (layers and breathable, good warm boots).
I am a tour guide here and i loved your video, you are a very talented RUclipsr who really puts in the work and knows his stuff. Good job! Love your positivity and enthusiasm too ❤
The tour guides when we were in Montreal were outstanding! Thank you!
Going to the Jean Talon Marché first thing in the morning (we went in September) I was ENTHRALLED with the gorgeous explosion of the most colorful and freshest produce you’ve ever seen. We bought strawberries and raspberries and washed them there (there’s sinks) and ate them immediately!
Lived in Montreal for 23 years, great video and hit the right notes with everything. Now, i live in the south shore of Montreal, for the past 20 years, i always enjoy going to Old Montreal, St-Denis street, festivals around the city, St-Laurent street, downtown. Montreal will always be in my heart. Enjoyed the video.
The best vegan food scene I’ve ever visited and I have traveled extensively.
Sounds promising! Any suggestions of places to eat at?
As a Montrealer, born and bread, I have to say you did a fab job! From neighbourhoods, to politics, food, nature, cultural activities and just getting around our city - you are completely spot on! I think I would add a trip to the Orange Julep and seriously, walk everywhere, on all the side streets especially in Mile End, le Plateau and Old Montreal. Lastly, the metro system is full of original art and architecture and you can buy a day ticket for the bus/metro system, Google a map of what each station has and take a self-guided tour - especially good for a cold or rainy day!
You must be from here or have spent lots of time here because this is pretty darn accurate. Nicely done.
As other commenters have, i'll just add one more thing: the humidity here will surprise you whether it's summer or winter, it'll make outside temps feel way more extreme.
Summer can feel tropical and winter will rip your face right off and freeze your bones. Bring the appropriate clothing. And good shoes.
And yes, trying to speak 2 words of french does go a long way.
One hidden gem I recommend as a day trip is renting a car or taking the 211 bus all the way down to Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue at the southern point of the island. Lots of restaurants on the water and some shops there and in the Pointe-Claire Village. Very nice in the Fall and you're right there along the water.
Awesome list! I would add on that if you like hockey and visiting in winter months, definitely don't miss out on going to a game! The Canadiens games are a blast, but also check out some beer league and women's team games too! The locals go nuts for hockey, and it's a great way to beat the weather and meet people. They'll talk hockey all day with you if you play or pay attention to what's happening in the leagues.
I visited Montreal in 1963; I was 14 years old. We stayed at the new (then) Place Ville Marie. I LOVED Montreal, will never forget it.
We live in New England and are fortunate enough to visit Montreal regularly,. I would estimate that half our visits have been in the winter. We love Montreal in winter! Charming and fun! We often take an easy daytrip to the Laurentians for tubing/glissades. The whole family loves it.
I would like to comment that while in Montreal, if you greet someone with hello, rather than bonjour, they take this cue and communicate in English. Very easy. My dad, however, was thrilled to say bonjour as a greeting, then got tangled up when all his responses were in French. I have always thought this cueing system made everything easier for all.
I lived all my life or so in Montreal, and it’s always weird but fun to see people from anywhere coming here and telling all the tourist place to do. As a “townie” I would say, the better way to find your way in Montreal, is to be lost in it. They are a lot of places you can find if you just walk around the city if you got time. They’re a lot of speakeasy downtown and in old Montreal. Thanks to show me that my city is not just full of orange trafic cones. ❤
I didn't even realize how beautiful is my city , thanks for showing it to me !😍😉
I’m from Montreal and I approve this message
I visited Montreal in wintee when i was in High School on a French class trip. I remember going to some mall and there was a hockey rink inside and we watched some of the game going on on a bridge that crossed right over the rink. We only spent a little bit of time as we were coming back to the airport from Quebec City after going to the winter carnival.
Highly recommend and I hope I can go back someday with my family, cold yes but just so much fun and absolutely beautiful.
Wonderful comment
Bonaventure mall. Used go go skate there all the time when i was a kid.
Also open in summer.
It was De La Gauchetiere rink
Super nice place
First time in Montreal.
We had a delicious lunch at Lester's deli, then i bought a book from the boutique next door on Japanese gardens. Sat on a bench outside, it was a warm sunny day, flicked through the book and enjoyed smiling back at friendly passers by.
It was really lovely.
Thank you! My wife and I are planning a trip to Montreal and Quebec this summer and your video is very helpful.
One year later…how was your trip to Montreal? Anthony Blinken made a comment that he is concerned about the Anti-English laws the welfare province of Quebec keeps adopting.
@@GeorgeVassis I wasn’t aware of that. We didn’t have any issues. Almost everyone speaks both English and French Canadian. We found the people to be very friendly. It was a wonderful trip. My favorite part was Old Quebec.
If you like winter weather Montreal is fantastic, the only time I would say is 100% bad for visiting is November and March-April, it's too cold and wet to be outside but warm enough for the snow to turn into slush.
Ahh man! I’m an expat living in Ireland and this video really made me miss my city 😢 Nothing beats Montreal on a beautiful summer day!
As a montrealer I will say pretty good list (love that you put the #1 up front). However I disagree with ‘don’t visit in winter’, winter is a different vibe and a different offer. Right now (end of January) there’s the Igloofest, outside electronic music festival with DJ from all over, huge dance floor outside with people dancing in their winter gear where you can experience the pingouin effect (the temperature in the middle of the dance floor is 10 degrees higher). There is also more family oriented activities.
how are they with looking after the sidewalks and roads in the winter? last time I was there, I was shocked at how icy the sidewalks and roads were - quite dangerous to walk on. in Toronto, it's not perfect but at not as dangerous as the situation I saw in montreal
Completely disagree for the winter part. I understand that a lot of people don't like winter but if you want something a bit different and a little slower vacation, winter in Montreal is awesome. Although, our winters are getting shorter and warmer every year so if you want the real Montreal winter experience you should come from mid-January to late February. That's your best bet to get cold weather and snow otherwise the odds of getting rain instead of snow increases and no one enjoys cold rain and slush. If you do come in the winter and are lucky enough to have real winter conditions you should go on Mount-Royal for a walk or for a skate near Beaver lake or the Old Port. Or go to Igloofest or Montreal en Lumière festivals. There's still stuff to do and this city during and after a snowstorm is just a beautiful sight. It's my 34th winter here and I'm still in awe every time it snows.
I love being in Montreal for Igloofest. That added element of taking on the elements elevates what is already a great music experience. Plus there is something really cool about laser shows in the snow.
Canada may eventually be the world's biggest winner from global warming!
I have visited Montreal and Quebec City three times; two of those visits were in December 2007 and December 2019. I love a Quebecois winter in December, just prior to Christmas! C'est si bon!
Loved this video. You said everything I needed to know as I've been considering a trip here, Toronto and Quebec City. I always love hearing what you have to say! Thank you, Mark! Happy NY to you and your beautiful family.
I agree with you
Oh, you are really going to enjoy both. I visited Toronto, but I started my University studies in Québec City (St. Foy). So beautiful. Enjoyed my entire time in Québec City. La Belle Province!❤
Do Québec city! It is probably the most unique city in all of North America. One of my favourite places on this planet!
Montreal is so beautiful. Thank you for these helpful tips.
I visit Montreal twice a year. I definitely drive and I really don't have much of an issue with parking. I really don't go to Old Montreal/St. Catherine area anymore because it is touristy, which is where you don't want to drive. I prefer staying near the Plateau and the fun has always been to drive around explore the areas. I love the Jean Talon Market as the fruits and gourmet foods are amazing and theres a great Italian bakery that has nutella donuts. I also get to Laval for shopping and they have so many restaurants too. Although it probably isn't something most tourist do as it is the local people. I like Westmount and I like basically seeing new areas to just be local and eat local.
YES, Westmount is beautiful. My friends live in Westmount and the near by pubs are cozier.
Happy to hear you enjoy the city 💙
Thank you for mentionning Laval which actually has the largest shopping center (300 stores) in the Greater Montreal! I’m a proud Lavaloise! 😉
Montrealer born and bred here....Another amazing tour in Montreal is the "Orange Cone Tour"...It's free and lasts hours...so you have plenty of time to enjoy yourself...Orange Cone stops are everywhere, so you can take the tour from anywhere in the city at any time, and tours are offered 24 hours per day.
what does this tour show? my nephew and I will be flying into Montreal Aug 1st from Michigan..we are so excited to visit!!
@@Freedom_Fighter72 It shows you how Montreal is constantly under construction everywhere you go...My comment was a joke...🤪
Awesome city. Been there eleven times; heading back again this year. LOVE MONTREAL
Don’t forget to go to Chinatown. Found a great out of the way restaurant full of locals that was fantastic! Got a great haircut at Belgrad around the corner from Notre Dame but they had a fire and have moved. We love Montreal, I used to go for F1 race every year when younger and stayed in the Beri-Uqum area. What a blast we had!
chinatown in montreal does not exist anymore, it has been bulldozed down because of quebecs french purity ethnic cleansing laws.
@@GeorgeVassis When I was young it was just Chinablock
Local here
This is by far, the BEST video i saw about montreal
Everyone who is thinking of coming in town should watch this video
100%
There is Quebec City that is just as beautiful as Montreal and is worth visiting.
On a side note, some stores will accept USD but they will not do any conversion, meaning they will consider it as CAD.
I’m a local and I can confirm that St-Viateur and Fairmount bagels are awesome. Definitely not tourist traps.
Also yes, driving is nuts here if you’re not used to it.
Yes, and even Swartz's, despite being flooded with tourists, is considered a local place (with lots of Montrealers going to it regularly, especially in the off-season). Now that The Main has closed it's probably even more "local" again.
Thank you for the kind words about Montreal. Your do’s & don’t were spot on mon ami. I live on the South Shore of Montreal but love going Centre Ville and Old Montreal, also to the Casino Montreal ( & smoke free ) and LaRonde for some summer fun. There’s lots to see and do vacationers will not be disappointed. Again, Thank you for your kind words and to all “ come & enjoy “ all the rich heritage s Montreal has to offer ( and please do try our poutines ) Have a wonderful day everyone, merci ! ❤❤❤🇨🇦😊
Winter in MTL is not limited to January and February. If you want to enjoy the greenery, don't go from December to end of April (April is cold rain and even snow season).
I went in June and it was definitely still chilly. My favorite times I've visited has been August to early October for fall colors!
The good weather is from mid May to mid September. Period!
It lasts from mid-November until mid-April.
Yup my first time in MTL (‘96) was for St. Pats…froze my *** off but had an amazing time
Just came back from Montréal to celebrate my birthday. My first gateway birthday in one of my cities🎉🎉❤🤍🇨🇦
1. Don't skip climbing (or catching a bus to the top of) Mont Royale, it's a great place for a picnic and the look out is incredible!
I am French Canadian by heritage but was born and raised in Western Canada. I studied French in high school and college so I had a fairly good grounding in the language. I moved to Montreal in order to live in the culture and perfect my French. However, invariably, when I would try to order in French a restaurant, the server would automatically speak in English. I would persevere and continue to speak French, lol. Forty years later, I can still use my French when needed thanks to my time in Montreal.
BTW, while I was living there, I met a guy who was born and raised in Montreal and did not speak a word of French. That really incensed me! He had the opportunity to learn a second language but never took it. I worked with a man who grew up in Montreal. Even though they were not Quebecois, his mother had the good sense to enroll him in an English school for one year and a French school the next year. They continued that pattern for the rest of his schooling. He is completely bilingual to this day. So visitors to Montreal do not be deterred if people respond to your attempts to speak French by speaking English. Just persevere like I did.
A nice thing about Montreal's transit is you cannot get lost. I tried getting lost but found that all I needed to do was take any transit bus and it would eventually stop at a Metro station. Once there you can find your way back to where you staying.
I'm a Montreal ex-pat in the U.S. now and you hit the nail on the head. Montreal is so, so worth it. 🥰
I’ve been going to Montreal for over a decade. I speak English everywhere. No one gives a shit. And driving is fine. I drive in from New York and drive everywhere. On occasion, I’ll Uber to a restaurant because I want to drink and also the parking can be a hassle but it’s fine.
I’m visiting from Vancouver for Formula 1 race week. I know some French but it’s basic high school level French. I’m wondering will people hate me or yell at me if I speak English? I don’t want to be mocked but I know they’ll talk about me behind their backs.
@@JuliasCesarnah. Almost everyone speaks English.
Hi . Great coverage of my city. I left Montréal 30 years ago to live in France and just rediscovered it. It is good that you warned people that Old Montréal is expensive to eat but it is the Canadian dollar which will most likely be less expensive in the long run.
I was impressed that the Metro tires didn't squeal the way they would in Washington.
Great breakdown of Montreal! Loved it. I love my city there's so much to do here. St-Laurent street is exciting, thrift shops are abundant, great food at a cost is well worth it, we have incredible chefs here. Westmount is my lil gem for cozy pubs. I also love the design scene on Notre Dame street and our underground art.
Nuit Blanche is beautiful for music enthusiasts and ravers. I'm a local and crescent or bishop street are a must go in the hot summer days. I like Mckibbins.
Mount Royal tamtams on Saturday or Sunday at noon hippies play their beats and if you're lucky you'll see a dungeons and dragons roll fight in the park across. Just absolutely fun loving people. Weed is legal so have fun 💙
they sell packaged things of schwartz smoked meat and fairmount bagels at costco in montreal
Great video! It helped me and my husband plan our recent trip to Montreal. We had a great time. Thanks!
Montreal is my hometown. Born at St. Mary's. I live and work in the states now and haven't been back since 2009. My heart yearns to be walking down st. Catherine. I loved the paramount theater an AMC theaters down there. Thank you for the jog down memory lane.
Very well done and thorough video. Perhaps a little harsh on visiting in the winter, but maybe being a lifelong Montrealer has frozen my brain somewhat. Parking is a nightmare and the constriction is never-ending, so public transportation and walking is the best way to go. You can buy passes for unlimited bus/metro for almost any stay duration. If you do have a car, there are lots of fun places to visit within 30-60 minute drives if you want to try a day trip in the surrounding areas. Each neighborhood will have something unique to discover, so don't hesitate to ask locals for their favorite 'hoods and points of interest therein.
Nothing to do in winter in mtl.
For winters tourist need to go to quebec city during the carnaval or up north to ski resorts like tremblant.
I'm a local and never say that winter sucks. Never! Love winter here.
Winter suck
Thx for the travel tips! Especially the don'ts
I agree ! Montreal bagels are fantastic. The food scene is very diverse. And yes, try to say "Bonjour" and "Merci" :)
Bon séjour dans ma ville.
Bonjour and Merci??? Hello and Thank You in Englsih is just fine. Why so anti-english?
Merci!
Saying bonjour and merci is courteous, not anti-English 😢
if you know how to dress for cold weather, montreal can still be a ton of fun in the winter. There are so many wonderful restaurants, bars, libraries, museums, cathedrals, etc. to visit in any season. Public transportation still works great in the winter.
get your facts straight. indeed, most people in montreal speak french as their native tongue. however, many native montrealers also have english as a first language, and french or another language as a second or third language. of course, everyone coming to montreal should learn the basics of french as a courtesy, but there is zero shame in walking into a store speaking english or speaking it in public. english is part of the city's history as well, for hundreds of years.
It seems that the general consensus is against visiting Montreal in winter. I'm booked for this weekend. My trip kept getting delayed and postponed, so now here it is January and I'm going, winter be darned!
To be honest, I used to dislike the winter season, but I find that I become acclimatized rather quickly to whatever environment in which I find myself. I am looking forward to the wintery vistas in store, as well as the solitude of the outdoors this time of year. I've already been advised to dress in multiple layers. Wish me luck!
Update: I had a great trip this weekend to Montreal. I enjoyed jogging in Mount Royal Park and the views from the vista point. I was suprised to see a lot of locals out skiing and also jogging in the park. I also enjoyed a walk around Old Montreal. I was told by a local resident that the weather this past weekend was rather mild by Canadian standards. It was around 28F (-2C) for most of my weekend, which isn't that much colder than in the mid-Atlantic US where I live.
I liked Montreal overall and would like to return when the snow melts in the Spring to see more. I enjoyed a wood-fired bagel and some Poutine from a place in Longueuil. The local people were friendly and were willing to speak in English, although a few didn't speak it, especially when I was in the non-tourist area of Longueuil.
Hope you will have a nice stay! There is a lot of activities in winter too and way less touristy. January is good since we are getting some snow.
This was very thorough for such a short video, great job! My biggest don't as a local: don't think the Plateau is the only cool place to be aside from downtown and Old Montréal. Yes it's cute, yes it's packed with things to see and do, but there are so, so many other great (and very underrated) neighbourhoods to explore.
For example, I barely ever see Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (Ontario street), le Vieux-Rosemont (Beaubien and Masson streets), Villeray (which is dotted with restaurants and cafés all over) and Ahuntsic (Fleury street) mentioned in videos about Montréal, no matter the target audience. Heck, even le Vieux-Longueuil (St. Charles street) on the south shore is quite nice and historical. If you really want to immerse yourself in Québécois Montréal, those are the places to be. Because let's face it: the entire borough of the Plateau, as nice as it is, is mostly just French immigrants and tourists nowadays.
Those seem like pretty deep cut places to suggest to tourist
En tant que Montréalais de naissance, je dois dire que ce vidéo est pas mal spot on. Kudos.
This an ENGLISH language platform. Why do you disrespect the English language so much? Learn English and speak English in Montreal!
Awesome video. Québec isn't the only province in Canada where le Français is spoken though. Each province has Francophone communities. The province of New Brunswick is the only "official" bilingual province in Canada. Montréal is huge, and the traffic is indeed a pain. Cyclists can be jerks, and our current mairesse, Valérie Plante, is obsessed with bike paths lol. Winter here sucks, the best weather is from June-is to October. We don't use pennies in Canada. Don't assume that the French spoken in Canada is the same that is spoken in France. Just as North American English isn't the same as British English.
Francophone communities in other Canadian provinces are negligable: only 3.5% in Ontario and less than 2% in every other province and territory. Wheras Englsih in quebec is 14% but rises to 40% in the Montreal area. I don't know why Wolter assumes french is the only language in Montreal and he says not to speak englsih in reataurants and stores. I guess Wolter is a racist just like french quebecers.
@@GeorgeVassis The only racist here is you
@@GeorgeVassis Saying bonjour and switching to english is all that is needed. It's an acknowledgement of the local language. Yes there are other minoritiesin the city like in most Metropoles. When you go to any country you learn the basic hello, thank you, please (optional). 40% speak english not that their first language is english. Politeness is always better receive than entitlement.
@@lapuck7018 I'm a native Montrealer and always greet the store clerks and bus drivers with "Hello" in english only. The local language for me in Montreal is English only, not french like it is for you and the racist gov't of QC. In our country Canada, English is the main language so in my country YOU should respect and use only English, especually in Montreal. Abolish bill 101 bill 96 bill 21!
temps pour vos médicaments, george(s)
Lots of amazing busking in old Montreal in the summer so keep those loonies handy to toss in their hats. After all, Cirque du Soleil got their start there! Also, the Biodôme in the old Olympic park is my favourite place to visit when doing to tourist thing in Montreal. It’s across the street from the Botanical Garden.
Born and raised in Montreaal. I’ve been to many cities in the world… Montreal is the best. Hands down. Also DO NOT come during January-March, very cold. Comme during summer. Also go visit Parc Maisonneuve, especially if you’re with kids.
I've really been bad here....I LOVE Montreal (except that hockey team...what are they called again? lol Boston Bruins fan here) !! Sadly, I haven't been since 1995. Yeah, I'm a slacker. Great video Mark! I gotta plan a trip back to Montreal!! This way I can use my awesome French reading skills courtesy of my high school. Can't speak much French, but reading it? Sure. Came in handy with navigation back in the early 90's.
I absolutely loved Montreal. It was strange that I felt so at home as soon as I arrived. I visited there in 1981 for 7 days for a convention/honeymoon. The Cathedral of Notre Dame was breathtaking. Loved the cobblestone streets, as well......One has to definitely try the French Pastries !!! omg!! melts in your mouth! The food was awesome...........I so loved the environment & people. Everyone was so cordial. Memorable experience.
The enlarged photo of a Canadian one-dollar bill may be misleading. The one-dollar bill has been permanently retired in Canada (for at least a couple of decades already) as has the former two-dollar bill. The smallest denomination bill currently in circulation in Canada is now the five-dollar bill.
Yes, the bills themselves are also much more new, colorful and vibrant than they were in the ‘80s.
Don't forget to visit Place Des Arts, downtown Montreal during the festival season. There are literally tons of great free outdoor shows and the ambience is fantastic.
Montreal is beautiful in winter, but you really need to know exactly where to go and what to do, don't miss Montréal en Lumière.
I got admission to a university in Quebec and can't wait to see that beautiful city. I only need a student visa to come to that beautiful city.
Also from Montreal. This video nails it, I have to admit!
Montreal is so beautiful❤ 👍. Thank you for these helpful tips.😊😊💕💕💕
Not sure I agree with the first French/English comment. A host or server in Montreal will often greet you with a “bonjour/hi” as a way of figuring out if you’re English or French. I thought it would be polite to say bonjour/bonsoir on early travels to Montreal until I realized it just led to confusion on how service workers would communicate with me. Establish that you’re English and things go smoothly. Workers just want to know what language they need to serve you.
Some people 🙄 are visiting Montreal during the winter and they are doing that during the Martin Luther Kings and presidents day long weekends traveling to Montreal from the USA 🇺🇸 but the advantages to come to Montreal in the winter is to save money 💰 on accommodations because it's getting cheaper due to the low season.
Fun fact: you can say "bonjour" at any time of the day. We use it as a polite general greeting. "Bonne soirée" (said "bonn so'ahré") is more as a parting word in the evening and night.
For beers, go in grocery stores (our liquor stores "SAQ" have beers, but the selection is poor. It's more certain imported beers). Some grocery stores may have a small selection of craft beers, but most have a. Pretty good selection. Specialty beer stores will have an even bigger selection.
And yes, craft beers here are expensive... And while some are regular and others are mediocres, most are pretty good. If you are lucky, you may find some beers flavoured with maple syrup!
Also, the craft dark beers here taste better than Guinness (but they still a strong roasted oats flavour, so it's not for everyone). Also, try a sour beer. Most are pretty good.
wrong! saying hello in english only is the norm as english is a main language in montreal, heck we anglos built the city!
@@GeorgeVassis why do you hate french so much, you might as well move
Great video! I just want to add that for keen surfers, Montreal has a fantastic & renowned standing wave on the Saint Lawrence River behind Habitat 67 (which the wave is named after). Jet boating on the Lachine Rapids is also a real blast (look up Saute-Moutons). It's a very refreshing activity for those hot summer days if you don't mind getting a little wet.
Thanks for ypur advice. If I ever get back to Canada the two cities I’d like to visit are Montreal and Quebec.
Atwater market and Parc Jean-Drapeau are also well worth a visit.
Any motorsport fans will also love that montreals f1 track is free to walk on or even cycle along on one of the cities bixi bikes!
A must for nature lovers is Cap-St-Jacques on the west of Montreal island , the nature park is huge and there is a Farm that use no pesticide , and a beach , a hidden gem , but its 20-30 minutes from downtown by car , but you won't regret
Your vids are amazing. So glad I found you! I haven't been able to travel as much as I like to so your vids give me my trip fix.
Montrealer here and yes don’t block escalators! 😂
He could have added that it's not just stand to the side. It's stand to the right or walk on the left
Winter is special in Montréal. There are tons of things to do inside and out.
First time in the city, a friend said in big words; IT`S MONREAL!!!
On Ile Sainte-Helene you have the former Expo 67 grounds. The Montreal Casino is in the former French Pavilion. The Biosphère is in the former U.S. Pavilion, and the La Ronde amusement park is on the other end of the island, all accessible by the Metro stop of the same name
Don't forget the relatively short walk to Habitat 67. They now do tours during the summer.
Please add The Planatarium, The Biodome, and The Insectarium. The International Fireworks Competition, The F1 Competition, The Montréal Jazz Festival.
Tks!!
For poutine here in Montreal, go to La Banquise on Rachel street.
Very crowded (almost always has a line up) but has tons of choices and huge portions
You nailed it, all excellent tips! I didn't know people make a habit of throwing out coins in other parts of the world 😲😅
Another point admit the money: a lot (most) regular places won't even do an exchange rate, so your $20USD is going to only go as far as $20CAD
Great video! However, I’ve gone to Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City for my birthday in January and loved it! Less crowded and feels magical! Would def say Quebec City has more going for it during the winter time because of Carnival and just outside of it the ice hotel plus the strom spa and ice canoing, but I personally enjoy Canada in the winter as well but I’m def a minority I’m sure 😂
happy birthday! did you get layed when you visited montreal?
Montreal is one of the most underrated cities on the continent. Such a beautiful city ❤
For sure
Yes I live here ... Watching the video I was thinking how lucky we are to have everything worth seeing so reasonably close to the center .
It is.overrated
Mark, just 2 Don’ts - Pedestrians Keep Your Heads Up, We Have The Absolute “Cowboy Drivers” Here- Their Terrible….Dont Come In July- U Will Literally MELT!! Other than that, always love ❤ your videos!! Cheers, 😎👍🇨🇦🎸
In my experience, going to famous well known popular places comes in handy for many reasons. Sure it will be packed, and noisy, but at least you know you get good food unless it is rushed.
Montrealer here. I came here temporarily 50 years ago, fell in love with the place and stayed. I used to say this place is paradise except for the weather and the politicians and the weather is getting better. You did a great job on this video as pretty much everything you said is true, the good and the annoying. But where did you find old dollar bills-That’s confusing. And good you remind people it gets cold in winter but it gets extremely hot in summer, especially these days. And people come here for winter sports too. Also our metro is extremely safe. You could show our new fancy metro cars. And we are the safest major city in North America apparently. Thanks for this.
Maybe it is a paradise BECAUSE of the politicians ....
You apparently weren't' here 50 years ago when the city was absolutely booming with industry, retail businesses, entertainment and tons of money flowed in to bank home offices and it showed on the ground. It was such an exciting place to live. But we're not supposed to bring up politics on these pages. I loved it then, and still love it now but for different reasons.
I spent a decade living in Old Montreal. Couldn't agree more. Don't forget to visit.
If you want an inexpensive meal while in Old Montreal, Chinatown is quite close, like a ten minute walk. You can feast there for much less than something similar would cost in Old Montreal.
I've also never owned a car. Completely unnecessary in Montreal.
Another place worth visiting is the Atwater Market, located next to Montreal's beautiful "Old Canal". Also, Parc Des Rapides, a park and bird sanctuary located in the suburb of Lasalle, is a great place to do some birdwatching and experience the magnificent Lachine rapids.
Mainly at the end of summer, with mountains of colorful vegetables and fruits.
@@rledur Yes, particularly in the months of July and August.
100% on the money. As a french speaker you are also right about the passion on the subject of independence. Once you have culturally visited the city you will know Montreal is unlike any other Canadian City... one may even start to wonder why...😂
Yes I agree with the last point . I am a séparatiste and I don't even need to be in my own country to be offended with careless remarks about such an important issue. Same goes for US people , I don't bring up politics, these are conversations for a later stage in friendship .
I'm visiting next month - middle of March - and I hope it won't be TOO cold, gray and wet!
Same here! I’m going to meet my LDR boyfriend and am hoping I’ll be able to plan cute outfits that’ll also be good for the weather and to walk in! 😂