What to do in Montreal in one afternoon?

Question

Catching VIA rail from Toronto to Montreal just for a day on Mon Sept 22/08. What fun things can people suggest for me and my fiance to do in the 6 or so hours we will have in Montreal? Where does the train let us off? How is the public transportation? Easily accessible hot spots would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

Sure thing!

The previous answer is excellent and extremely informative.

Do I dare add more?

Yeah - why not?

Click on the following links (and the links included within) and see for yourself!

Welcome to Montreal and have a lovely time here!

Answer 2

Train is at Central station (aka "Gare centrale") so you will be centrally located in downtown Montreal, somewhat closer to the business district than the commercial streets.

Direct access from there to Montreal underground concourse (quite huge!) with lots of shopping opportunities.

Consider lunching (or just pre-meal drinks) at Altitude 737 located at the top of Place Ville-Marie immediately north of Central station (accessible via underground passage: for a 360 view of Montreal and surroundings.

On a sunny day, take in the street life from a terrace seat on Crescent street just a 10 minute walk north west of the station. On the way you'll be walking along Ste-Catherine street which is the commercial hub with some upmarket boutiques.

Add another 5 minute walk north and you get to Sherbrooke Street and its museum district. The Musée des beaux-arts has a permanent exhibit of Canadian art while the special exhibit come September will be on the work of Yves St-Laurent.

The subway is directly accessible from Central station (Metro Bonaventure - orange line) and with a transfer at Berri-Uqam hub to the green line, it will take you to visit the Olympic stadium tower and Biodôme (Métro Pie-IX). Keep that for a rainy day.

If you prefer the French flavor, get out at Berri-Uqam metro and walk up St-Denis street for unique shopping and smaller art galeries. For cunique cosmopolitan side of Montreal, St-Laurent metro station and walk north on St-Laurent street: lively with every nation well represented.

More for tourists, but having old world charm nonetheless, Old Montreal is accessible from Place d'Armes Metro (a very short subway ride on the orange line). Centuries olf architecture, access to Montreal's old Port, entertainment of all sorts, street performers and the like.