This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

After my wife's liberation next week, we've decided to head to Montreal for our "vacation". (We basically printed a map and threw a dart, and Montreal was the closest big city to where the dart landed - it's also not "too far" from our lake house where we'll be headed back for the 4th of July)

My question is ... WHAT DO WE DO THERE?

I've only been to Montreal once, for 4 days of business. I barely left the office (except to eat) ... so I didn't really get to do any touristy stuff.

Also where should we stay? And since July 1 is Canada Day ... are there going to be things for us to do then? Is that even a good time to visit?

Thanks for any and all help!!! We look forward to visiting if you'll have us in your fine city.

Hahaha! What to do? the whole city has gone crazy starting today. You're coming just as our Jazz Festival starts... Hands down best Jazz Fest in the world. Music in the streets, in the bars, in concert halls. A huge area right downtown is closed off with stages on the street corners. Free music with the worlds best artists. You'll have fun.

The museums are all open, the Casino, great gardens to walk in, Buckminster Fuller's dome that was built for Expo 67....

French bistros on rue St Denis...

Just for Laughs comedy festival is starting soon...

Old Montreal... The Science Center... And great open air restaurants


There's lots more too!

Try to stay in Old Montreal, there are some great little hotels there. If you need inexpensive, there are hotels like the Hotel du Fort - great value but not beside anything in particular.

Paul

We go to Montreal several times a year for the past 20 years - it's a fabulous city. In a nutshell:

There are three distinct neighborhoods worth staying in
- The downtown which is like most big cities, but with a French twist. lots of big department stores, Museum of fine Arts, restaurants, pubs, big chain hotels, underground city (huge shopping malls & restaurants)
- The Old City, which is along the scenic riverfront. Very old, quaint. Lots of activity, touristy, somewhat expensive. Outdoor restaurants, street entertainers. Very picturesque. A bit of a walk from the Metro.
- The Plateau - the most European part of the city, centered around St. Denis above Sherbrooke. Very lively, many small shops, cafes, clubs, and restaurants (many are byob). Lots of street activity on Prince Arthur - outdoor dining, street entertainment. Duluth street is a great place to peruse interesting byob restaurants. As you may have guessed, this is our favorite area.

One biggie - if you are going to be there between 6/25-7/5 this when the Montreal Jazz fest happens - one of the biggest music festivals in the world. Lots of free outdoor concerts, located on St. Catherine St. downtown. If you like music, this is nirvana - however, rooms can be scarce, and prices can go up.

PM me if you want more info on activities, lodging, dining, etc.

We've decided to stay in Le Saint Sulpice on Rue Saint-Sulpice (it looks like a nice hotel in online pictures and it's right next to Notre Dame Basilique) and it was reasonably priced in Vieux Montreal - please pardon my American ignorance if any of that is not spelled correctly.

It also seems it's not far from water, the jazz festival street (Rue St. Catherine I believe?).

So is there anything I "can't miss" in Montreal?

We've got where we're staying down ... now we just need to find things to do.

I'll entertain all ideas ...

Le Saint Sulpice is perfect.

It's not far from the center of the jazz festival (Ste Catherine and Jeanne Mance)

Are you mobile and able to do a lot of walking?

You are right beside a fabulous museum (archeological) of Montreal called Pointe a Callieres. It's not big and is a quick visit - well worth it.

There's also the Bonsecours Market (no longer a market, but some interesting boutiques in there) and the old Sailor's Church - beside each other and just a short walk from your hotel. This is the site that inspired a number of Leonard Cohen songs, notably Suzanne.

Paul

Yes, we are walking capable ... only concern is pain from the incision of liberation (but I believe you'll be able to give us a better idea of if that's going to limit our walking much or at all).

No pain. I stayed in the hospital/clinic for the night (didn't sleep)

Then just needed a good night's sleep and I was good to go.

The only thing to watch out for is exerting yourself at the beginning - it seems only common sense not to raise your blood pressure (if you have a stent).

p