A day in Montreal
(Want to download the full guide to your Smartphone? Download it from GuidePal City Guides.)See & Do
Notre-Dame Basilica
Montreal skyline Canada
The jewel of Montreal
Noteworthy for: The Basilica is considered one of the crown jewels of the city, and is also the church where Montreal native Celine Dion was married.
Word to the wise: If the CAD 5 entrance fee seems steep, buy a ticket for "And Then There Was Light," which for CAD 10 gives you access to the Basilica and a spectacular evening light-show.
Fee: Admission: CAD 5
Evening Lightshow: CAD 10
Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am - 4.30pm
Sat: 8am - 4pm
Sun: 12.30noon - 4pm
Address: 110 rue Notre-Dame Ouest
Phone: +1 514 842 2925
Notre-Dame Basilica's webpage
See & Do
Canadian Centre of Architecture
A museum about architecture's role in society
Noteworthy for: This museum has a clean and minimalist aesthetic, which will appeal to fans of contemporary design.
Word to the wise: Museum collections aside, the opportunity alone to view the restored Shaughnessy House, one of the few remaining 19th century mansions, is worth the admission price.
While traditional museum visitors may be surprised by the amount of space in the museum, the decision is deliberate and meant to give room for thought. The minimalism can be deceptive though, as there is actually plenty for the thoughtful museum visitor to chew on.
Fee: Adults: CAD 10, Seniors: CAD 7, Students & Youths: Free
Open Hours: Wed-Sun: 11am - 6pm
Thu: 11am - 9pm
Address: 1920 rue Baile
Phone: +1 514 939 7026
CCA's webpage
See & Do
Mount Royal
The beloved mountain
Talk of the town: While at 233 m (764 ft), it might be considered more of a hill, don’t let Montrealers hear you say that. It has always been thought of as a mountain.
Word to the wise: Many paths lead up Mount Royal but try the Serpentine path from rue Peel for a gentle walk or Chemin Olmsted from Avenue du Parc if you’re cycling.
The large illuminated cross on the summit follows in the tradition set by the city’s founder who first erected a cross in 1643 to thank Mother Mary for saving the city from floods. Today’s cross is 31.4 m (103 ft) high, lit by LEDs, and can change colours for any occasion.
Mount Royal Park is a great place to picnic and to catch performances from tam-tam musicians who gather there on Sundays. In winter, tobogganing, skiing and snowshoeing are popular pastimes.
Friends of the Mountain's webpage
Shopping
Reborn
At the frontline of progressive fashion
Word to the wise: Look out for the leather-sculpted creations of Natalia Brill, which are easily the coolest accessories in the store.
Reborn is a cult favorite among Montrealers who like their fashion progressive but eschew trendiness. The boutique caters to a male and female clientele with a avant-garde perspective and carries exclusive design from international and local designers. Every piece is selected for its edgy but timeless appeal.The minimalist aesthetic is evident in the store's stripped-down design, with only one of each item in stock displayed on the rack. Most of the clothes and accessories are in black or grey, and many are unisex. The most color you'll see here is the iridescent shimmer from the jewelry display.
Open Hours: Mon-Wed, Sat: 11am - 6pm
Thu-Fri: 11am - 8pm
Sun: 12noon - 6pm
Address: 231 rue Saint-Paul Ouest
Phone: +1 514 499 8549
Reborn's webpage
Shopping
Atwater Market
A picturesque farmer's market
Word to the wise: La Boulangerie Premiere Moisson, on the second floor of the market, makes the best almond croissants around. Also try their traditional Quebecois pates like the spicy pork creton.
Since 1933, Atwater Market's narrow Art Deco architecture and tall clock tower has been a landmark of the Sud-Ouest district. This small but picturesque farmer's market is famous for selling fresh flowers, and resembles a large garden greenhouse in summer.Indoors, you can buy fresh local produce and specialty goods like Quebecois pates and sauces. All in all, Atwater Market is a great lunch spot to pick up fresh lobster rolls and gourmet sandwiches for a picnic lunch at the nearby Lachine Canal, while paying less than you would at a cafe.
Open Hours: Mon-Wed: 7am - 6pm
Thu-Fri: 7am - 8pm
Sat-Sun: 7am - 5pm
Address: 138 Avenue Atwater
Phone: +1 514 937 7754
Atwater's webpage
Restaurants
Oyster Shack
For a no-frills seafood feast
Noteworthy for: True to its name, this restaurant serves up fresh seafood meals in a friendly and casual setting.
Popular plate: The "Mountain of Seafood for Two" is a heavenly pot of fresh lobster, crab, mussels, prawns and scallops steamed in a white wine sauce, and served with rice.
Price sample: Main course: CAD 10 - 30 Open Hours: Daily: 12noon - 12midnight Address: 1242 rue Bishop Phone: +1 514 395 1888 Oyster Shack's webpage
Restaurants
Au Pied De Cochon
Unapologetically decadent French fare
Noteworthy for: The food at this celebrated restaurant is not for the faint-hearted: it is unapologetically rich, heavy and decadent.
Talk of the town: Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain considers Au Pied De Cochon his favourite restaurant.
Price sample: Main course: CAD 20 - 45
Open Hours: Tue-Sun: 5pm - 12midnight
Address: 536 Avenue Duluth East
Phone: +1 514 281 1114
Au Pied de Cochon's webpage
Restaurants
St Viateur Bagel
Some of the best bagels anywhere
Noteworthy for: This famous bagel shop is open round-the-clock, serving up freshly baked bagels.
Talk of the town: The debate between whether St Viateur or Fairmount Bagels makes better bagel still rages today, so the best thing to do is to try both and make your own verdict.
Price sample: Bagel: CAD 0.60 Open Hours: Daily: 24 hrs Address: 263 rue Saint-Viateur Ouest Phone: +1 514 276 8044 St Viateur's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Suite 701
A sophisticated resto-bar
Tipple of choice: Ask your "mixologist" to make you "Le Royal Sour", a local spin on the traditional whiskey sour.
Talk of the town: The bar was formerly a bank, and today it still attracts many young banking types.
Price sample: Cocktail: CAD 10
Main course: CAD 20
Open Hours: Mon-Wed: 4pm - 1am
Thu-Sun: 4pm - 3am
Address: 701 Côte de la Place d'Armes
Phone: +1 514 904 1201
Suite 701's webpage
Bars & Nightlife
Bily Kun
Cool and laidback best describes this bar
Noteworthy for: This bar offers a unique selection of liquors as well as nightly live jazz or classical music.
Tipple of choice: Try the Mojito Becher, which is made with Becherovka, a Czech herbal bitters with reputed healing properties.
Bily Kun means "White Horse" in Czech, and is whimsically named after a Czech bar where the writer Goethe used to drink. Equally weird and wonderful are the emu heads mounted on the walls. Classical or jazz acts perform every evening except Mondays, followed by a DJ.
Price sample: Drink: CAD 5 - 10 Open Hours: Daily: 3pm - 3am Address: 354 Avenue du Mont-Royal Est Phone: +1 514 845 5392 Bily Kun's webpage
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