I am not a Montreal native but I have spent a great deal of time in Montreal. At one point I was about to move there, even though I am an American citizen from Boston. In Montreal there is a lot to see and do and this all depends on what you go to the city for.
Where I hang out in Montreal
I would say my favorite part of the city to hang out in is saint Denis street in Montreal’s Latin quarter. The reason is this is not the main strip that Saint Catherine’s Montreal or too far off like the Italian section, but it is right in the action, quiet and has a lot of good but cheap restaurants (like Zyngs or any French dinner on the street).
I used to stay at Hôtel du Manoir St-Denis, which is about 50 dollars Canadian a night. There are much more charming ones and commercial chains but I prefer this because I am cheap and it is a family owned business.
If you are there to meet French girls from Montreal I highly recommend you do not go to Saint Catherine’s street. This is just for tourists. Better go to Chapters and Indigo book store and simple try to strike up a conversation on the street. I think most Americans go there to meet French girls. It gets old to see bands of Americans walking around he city for this purpose. Yes French Canadian girls are much nicer than American girls and are the closest think you have to Europe in North America but the approach is all wrong. Be cool about it. Go to yoga class or the gym but not drink to excess as Quebecois have seen this too much.
There are many American girls that go to hen parties there also, something that is a little funny to see but I think Native Montrealers just ignore.
If you are into the outdoors go to the Mont Royal or the old town port and walk along the river.
Hang out and walk along the river in Montreal's old town
All of these things are within 20 minute walk on the Latin quarter where you can stay. In the Latin Quarter you can park on the street no problem or there is a cheap pay parking garage.
I really personally enjoyed going to Montreal’s Notre-Dame Brasilica. The stain glass had very interesting scenes of native Americans and the history of the church in Quebec.
The other great place in Montreal I can highly recommend is the Biosphere. And the botanical gardens and the city center in general.
Montreal city center
The French side is the east side of the Island of Montreal, the West side is the English side of the city. I prefer the French side as I can go to an English-speaking business city in America any day of the week, so why would I want to hang out there.
Botanical gardens people like, but if you want to hang out stay in the center city and the Latin Quarter. Let me know if you have any other ideas about Montreal and places to spend time.
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