Montreal - May 17-19th

[cruising2006]

We will be arriving in Montreal the evening of May 16th and will be boarding the Maasdam on May 19th. We are thinking of staying in the Hyatt Regency in the Old Montreal area -- is that close to the cruise port terminal?. What are the 'must sees' in Montreal? What would be temperature around this time? Will it be possible to take a day tour to Ottawa? We are from San Francisco and this is our first time to visit this part of Canada.

[Ephraim]

We will be arriving in Montreal the evening of May 16th and will be boarding the Maasdam on May 19th. We are thinking of staying in the Hyatt Regency in the Old Montreal area -- is that close to the cruise port terminal?. What are the 'must sees' in Montreal? What would be temperature around this time? Will it be possible to take a day tour to Ottawa? We are from San Francisco and this is our first time to visit this part of Canada.

 

Actually, the Hyatt Regency (or as most Montrealers know it, Le Meridien, the previous company that ran it) isn't actually in Old Montreal at all. It's 3 blocks from the southern edge of Old Montreal, right on Ste-Catherine Street, near the corner of Jeanne-Mance and attached to Complexe Desjardins.

 

In early May, expect the daytime temperatures to be around 15c to 20c during the day. The hotel is connect to the metro through two buildings and a shopping centre. (You go through Complexe Desjardins, under the street with the short tunnel, around Place des Arts and into the Metro station. Plenty of signs to guide you.

 

Must see is a problem around here. Other than the ambiance of Montreal there really isn't a MUST see. It's more of a must do place. Cafes, shopping, etc.

 

The only thing ou really should see is old Montreal (don't call it Old town, we always call it Old Montreal). After that, we have a beautiful botanical garden and insectarium. The Olympic Stadium is next to it and next to that is the Biodome, an indoor zoo based on different biospeheres. The amusement park, La Ronde will probably be open weekends only at that point. There is St-Joseph's oratory on the other side of the mountain. Beaver lake and the view from the mountain. Summit circle and the view from the mountain to downtown.

 

Now, eating, that's an entirely different Montreal passion. Bagels from either Fairmount or St-Viateur Bagel shops. Smoked Meat sandwiches from Schwart's (Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen). A sandwich at Wilensky's Light Lunch. Poutine at almost any good greasy spoon (never at a chain). Pizza that's different than most other places. Coffee at a nice cafe on St-Denis or St-Catherine Street or even in old Montreal. Dinner in Old Montreal at Gibby's (one of my favorites). Chicken at St-Hubert or Scores. Ribs at Baton-Rouge. And if you need something quick, Tim Horton's for a sandwich or Harvey's for a Hamburger.

 

The Straight night life is around Crescent Street (English) or St-Denis (French). Gay nightlife is on Ste-Catherine between Amherst and Papineau.

 

Did I forget to mention something? Montreal is a very open city, so we probably have it around here, somewhere. Some things, are only in the suburbs. Because of the age of the city, Montreal doesn't have a lot of parking, strip malls and the such.

 

The cruise port terminal in Montreal is right in Old Montreal.

 

Ottawa is a 2 hour drive from Montreal and Quebec city is 2.5-3 hours. You can do day trips to either.

[Ephraim]

The port is at Quai King-Edward or Quai Alexandra. Here's directions from the hotel (as the car drives).

 

BTW, if you like casinos, there is one in Montreal (from what I understand Montreal is the only major city with a Casino in the city). Everything is in Canadian dollars of course, but also all winnings in Canada are tax-free.

[cruising2006]

Thank you, Ephraim and armani1975. We appreciate the suggestions you have given us. Maasdam will stop at Quebec City on May 20th from 8 - 5 PM, hence we are thinking of spending our pre-cruise time in Montreal or Ottawa or the Laurentians. It looks like going to the Laurentians is better than Ottawa, but we've checked on the some of the day tours (via.viator.com) and it looks like the Laurentians' tour is seasonal and it starts in June. We will be in Montreal from May 17th to 19th. We will not be driving, so we will be taking the metro, taxi or bus to go around. Would it be OK to visit the Laurentians in mid May?

[Ephraim]

Incidentally, that is a long weekend in Canada. The 21st is Victoria Day/Fetes des Patriotes (Des Patriotes was a political movement in the early 19th century.)

[mcgrs]

Hi cruising2006,

 

My husband and I will be on the Maasdam May 19th cruise too. You should join our roll call. We are from Vancouver, BC and will be staying in Ottawa for a few nights before heading to Montreal for the cruise.

 

Thanks ephraim and armani1975 for the info on Montreal. We were wondering what to do while we in Montreal.

[Ephraim]

Just wanted to add, since I was at Gibby's tonight, an idea of the prices. Main courses start from $23 for the vegetarian eggplant and move steeply. My enormous rib steak was $40 and the Filet Mignon was $49. (If memory serves). Main courses include salad, potato and sorbet to cleanse the pallet. Prices have increased from last year, but so have the proportions. I have enough steak for at least one more meal, maybe too. Their pickles are just as good as always, but I see that they now also sell their pickles in jars. (Pickles are traditional Jewish salt brine pickles, not vinegar.)

 

Remember, in Montreal we follow the French tradition, therefore an 'entree' is exactly that, a dish when you enter... an appetizer. The main meal is called Plat Principal. Don't call a main course an entree or you will confuse everyone!

[Elise]

If you still want to visit Ottawa; you can easily catch Via Rail train from Montreal Central station; there is an early departure around 7am and return in the same day catching the last train from Ottawa at 6pm. It's a comfortable 2 hour trip. There is a first class which offers meal and drinks if you wish. In Ottawa, a taxi can take you to Parliament Hill Area from where you can visit the city easily either by taking a double decker tour or by walking. Shall you want to visit the Parliament; it is possible if the house is not seating and you can get tickets (free) at the visitor's entrance.

Enjoy your stay!

[Nghthawke]

I would recommend taking the train to Ottawa:

 

http://www.viarail.ca/

 

There are buses every few minutes from the train station to downtown Ottawa or take a taxi. Downtown Ottawa is walker friendly to the Museum of Civilization, National Gallery of Canada, Parliament Buildings, the Bytown Market (for shopping), et cetera:

 

http://www.ottawa.ca/visitors/attractions/index_en.html

 

I noticed someone recommended eating at Scores--I wouldn't eat there, all the other suggestions were good.

[buzzandjulie]

My husband and I just booked this cruise last week. We are flying in from Boston late Friday night so will staying at the holiday Inn at the airport. Anyone know how far or fare to port

[Ephraim]

Expect to pay about $35 for the taxi from the Airport to the port. It´s supposedly in the fixed price zone, but they may argue about that, since you aren´t starting from the airport. Ask the hotel desk.

 

The aiport is in Dorval and is about a 20 minute drive in good traffic. Use google maps and plot from Quai Alexandra to YUL. I´m away on vacation, so I can´t get you the link myself, but it´s quite a distance (at least the way we Montrealer´s think.... it´s close for Torontonians.)