Want to go Kosher? Montreal provides many different kosher dining opportunities. Some restaurants are as simple as fast food while others serve pizza, Moroccan, and fish. Serving a diversity of pallets Montreal is full of... Read More »
Have photos of Montreal? Add them to Jspace
Montreal
Weather not available.
- Established:
- 1642
- Time Zone:
- UTC (GMT-5 hours)
- Population:
- 1,620,698
- Currency:
- Canadian Dollar
- Language:
- French, English
Description
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada. Although French is the official language of Montreal, it is a multicultural hub with almost 35 other languages being used, especially English. If you visit a café in the more anglicized and tourist areas, you’ll notice the unusual phenomenon of a soundless line of customers pointing at the delicacies they want from the show window because they aren’t sure whether to use French or English. Signs for businesses are required to be in French first and in larger lettering than the English beneath it. Montrealers generally make fun of people from Toronto or who betray Montrealers by moving to Toronto, but the fact is that there are more professional opportunities for educated Montrealers there and there is a regular exodus of folks from Montreal to Toronto annually. Montreal does have a fantastic education system though and McGill, located in downtown Montreal, is touted as Canada’s top university. It’s a great place to go to school because everyone, even students, can afford to live downtown or in a main, trendy area, unlike expensive Toronto. Quebec has referendums every once in awhile to decide whether or not to separate from the rest of Canada and subsequently, real estate prices stay low because major companies will get scared and relocate their headquarters to English Canada, which keeps prices down in the downtown and Plateau cores.
For a European experience, visit Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) and walk on the cobblestone streets, take a ride in a horse drawn carriage, and check out La Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal; it makes artistically-inclined atheists wish they were Catholic. Enjoy the bustling nightlife with its bars, discos, and theatres.
A trip to Montreal in the winter is not complete unless one goes into its Underground city. This area of interconnected tunnels and buildings is one of the most extensive in the world. One can shop, dine, see a movie, or just take a walk without having to put on a coat or use an umbrella. Whatever you do, don’t mention that you’re a Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan.
Categories
Find the best places reviewed by Jspace members to Eat, Stay, Go Out, See, Pray and Do!
Upcoming Events
RSVP to these upcoming events in Montreal! Planning your own event? Add your event here!
No events match your search criteria.
See all events worldwide.
Featured Articles
Whatever else may be said about Canada’s Francophone metropolis, Montreal is a diner’s delight. The visitor to Montreal can dine well on fancy fare or a rustic provincial nosh and not break stride with the sight... Read More »
Montreal is one of those cities that come alive after dark. There are options for everyone including the early bird who wants to be tucked in bed by ten and for the partier who enjoys partying until the wee hours of the... Read More »
Tucked away in Montreal’s gay village on rue Ste Catherine, placed conveniently above a drug store and beside the Berri-UQAM Metro station is one of the city’s hottest, wildest weekend party experiences you’ll... Read More »