Montreal / Quebec - info on tourist spots, hotels, etc?

Question

I am traveling to Montreal and Quebec around Sep 10 and wanted to check what were the best things to do in both cities (museums, monuments, parks) as a tourist.

Also, what are the good places for shopping (general shopping - including malls).

For hotels, with a budget of around $100 per night, what would be a good central location and names of any hotels will also be appreciated.

Lastly, what would the weather and temperature be then?

thanks

Answer 1

As you specify "museum" in your question, I highly suggest you visit the "Louvre in Quebec" exposition in Quebec City. You'll save a trip to Paris!

http://monquebec2008.sympatico.msn.ca/Mo...

http://www.mnba.qc.ca/expo_le_louvre_a_q...

Quebec City celebrates its 400th this year. Although the season and the party are at their end, there's still interesting things to do in Quebec City in September due to this unique event.

http://monquebec2008.sympatico.msn.ca/Mo...

Answer 2

I am currently living in Quebec City and could not possibly list all the great places to see. I can direct you to this information filled site; http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/accue...

My personal favourite places include; Vieux Quebec (of course) and Chute Montmerency. There is lot's on because of the 400th anniversary, so count on never having a dull day.

I am not too sure on accommodation, but I can refer www.couchsurfing.com

It's a great organisation. Oh and one more thing, be sure to brush up on your French or buy a phrase book.

Happy travels.

Answer 3

I am more familiar with Montreal than Quebec City, so I can tell you more for that area.

Montreal has numerous museums, shopping malls, and places to see. You can get to most of them by taking the reliable and safe subway system called the "Metro".

The McCord Museum will have several interesting exhibits during your visit to Montreal. If you like IMAX presentations, go see the shows at the Montreal Science Center in the Old Port. And the Redpath Museum is a classic with a good selection of subjects.

For shopping, there are the Eaton Centre, Les Ailes de la Mode, Promenades de la Cathedrale (a huge underground mall beneath a cathedral). Take a walk around the underground city that Montrealers use in the wintertime to avoid going outside to deal with subzero temperatures, slush, and roadsalt.

As for hotels. you may have trouble finding a downtown hotel for $100 or less. The Maritime Plaza Hotel will be about $120, The Travelodge varies between $130-150. The Mariott, Holiday Inn, and Fairfield Inn are all between $150 and $180. These are prices for mid-September booking.

An alternative would be to book outside of downtown or at a respectable motel. I know a motel that looks clean and is not too far out. You can drive or catch the 90 bus to downtown from the Motel Le Chablis on St. Jacques Street. But even they are around $100-110 per night.

For sites to see, I would try to get to the Botanical Gardens, the Biodome, the Insectarium, the Olympic Stadium, Casino de Montreal, and perhaps La Ronde Six Flags. Also go to the Mount Royal Park for a walk on the mountain up to the cross, St. Joseph's Oratory (that green copper dome you see all over Montreal), and for those interested in it, a tour of Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges Cemetery, where many famous people from Montreal and Canada have been interred.

In Quebec City, I can only suggest a few areas to visit. The Plains of Abraham for the re-enactments, the Montmorency Falls, and whale watching in the St. Laurence River. The city itself is beautiful for its architecture, and they have fantastic French cuisine.

Most of Montreal and Quebec caters to the tourists, so you should not have trouble finding someone who speaks English if you need directions or have to ask someone questions. However, it does not hurt to know a few French words, since all signs in Quebec must be in French. Here are a few important tips:

Directions:

Nord = North

Sud = South

Est = East

Ouest = West

Street signs:

phare vert clignotant = blinking green light (for turning left)

cedez = yield

sortie = exit

All speed limits are metric so MAX 100KM is about 60MPH. (OF course, most Quebecers are doing 70-80mph so expect your heart to be racing if you are not used to it!)

You can turn right on red in Quebec now except where indicated. But in Montreal (on island), there is no right on red allowed at all.

There are generally two taxes on everything in Quebec. First the GST (in French the TPS) is the Goods & Services Tax, applied to almost everything except necessities. Next comes the PST (or TVQ in French), the provincial sales tax - like a state tax)

Hope this helps. Have fun in our province!