Should I spend more time in Montreal or Boston?

Question

I will be visting eastern USA and Canada next week. Montreal and Boston are on my itinerary. However, I'm unsure if I should spend more time in Montreal or Boston as I have limited time. Which city has more interesting sights? Please advise! Thanks.

Answer 1

I live in Montreal, and I have visited Boston several times. Love both cities. I would recommend spending equal time in both, as they both have something to offer.

In a way, Montreal is very similar to Boston in the downtown nightlife, their love of their sports teams, and  both have a number of historic sites to go see. The fundamental difference is that Montreal is primarily a French city versus Boston that has its own version of English (just kidding!).

In Boston, I would check out the harbor and the USS Constitution. Maybe drop in at Cheers. Check out the JFK library. Go see the famous Green Monster at Fenway and have a vendor hot dog or sausage. Just don't wear a Canadiens hockey jersey and go anywhere near the Garden! he he.

In Montreal, go see Olympic Stadium, Biodome, Old Port of Montreal. Check out the 300 year old architecture around town. Maybe go see St. Joseph's Oratory or Notre Dame Cathedral.

The food in both cities is fantastic, except that Montreal seems to offer a wider variety of ethnic palates whereas Boston's restaurants seem to be more "americanized" (what I mean is that every place offers fries and the plates are huge portions...the food is great but you just can't finish it all)

In the Boston area, you will have better shopping opportunities, with various outlet malls in the area. Montreal has mainly boutiques with a few larger stores, but the prices on most items will be higher here in Canada due to the extra taxes you will face. I'd say just buy things you can't find in USA. Don't buy books, electronics, or DVDs/CDs in Montreal as those will be less expensive in USA (generally).

Answer 2

Montreal has more of a French influence.

and Boston is a very American city type.

I would spend more time in Montreal since it's out of the country and I could practice speaking French (even though they speak English too).

It's really up to you and which city is more your type.

Answer 3

Montreal. Beautiful french Canadian girls, awesome night clubs and night life, beautiful city if not the nicest city in Canada.

Answer 4

Impossible choice, an apple versus an orange. Both are great cities to visit, have lots of things to see, great restaurants, fun night life, lots of shopping, etc., and both of them are pedestrian friendly--leave your car in the hotel parking garage. As a US resident, I would probably opt for Montreal just because it is a little more exotic, but I love both and would find your choice an impossible one.

Answer 5

boston, hands DOWN buddy

Answer 6

Montreal all the way.

Lots of festivals going on right now.

Comedy festival Just for laughs/Juste pour rire July 10-20, 2008

Montreal Reggae Festival July 11, 12, 13, 2008 (music)

Les FrancoFolies July 23-August 3, 2008

Dragon Boat Race Festival July 26 and 27, 2008

Otakuthon anime festival, July 26 and 27, 2008

Divers/Cité g*y and L*****n Pride days, July 27-August 3, 2008

August

NASCAR Busch Series race, August 1 and 2, 2008

Montreal Highland Games August 3, 2008

Osheaga festival two days of music, August 3 and 4, 2008

FestiBlues August 7-10, 2008

Italian Week August 10-17, 2008

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon Festival August 9-17, 2008

Fête des enfants/Children’s Festival August 16 and 17, 2008

Montreal World Film Festival August 21-September 1, 2008

18th-century public market August 25-26, 2007

Answer 7

Montrealll, a lovely city :)

Answer 8

Boston i love that city //

Answer 9

Boston???  The Tea Party is over there.

Montreal is way better......Boston's a bore, New York is better.

Answer 10

Never been to Boston;-{ but Montreal has the French factor.

They're both the same latitude north.

Answer 11

boston :)