Montreal, with its classic French charm and vibrant, youthful energy, makes for a fantastic vacation destination. Whether you’re into architecture, music, food, or art, this city offers a plethora of amazing options. From modern, upscale spaces to historic, cozy corners, and hip, trendy streets, Montreal has it all. To help you make the most of your trip, here are some essential tips for your first visit to this charming city.
Getting Around:
Montreal is a highly walkable city, but when you need to travel a bit further, the STM (Société de transport de Montréal) transit system is clean, safe, and reliable. To save money, consider getting a multi-day unlimited pass. Instead of paying $3.50 per ride, you can get an unlimited day pass for $10, a 3-day pass for $20.50, or a weekend pass (valid from 4 pm Friday to 5 am Monday) for $14.50. These passes are perfect if you plan to take more than two rides per day during your stay.
Driving Tip:
If you plan to drive in Montreal, remember this crucial rule: you cannot turn right on a red light. This is unlike most other parts of Canada and is enforced to protect pedestrians at crosswalks. Ignoring this rule can result in a hefty fine.
Embrace the Bilingual Culture
Montreal is officially a French-speaking city, making it the second-largest French-speaking city after Paris. However, it’s also very bilingual, with nearly half the population speaking both French and English. While you don’t need to speak French to get around, making an effort to say “Bonjour” or “Merci” will be appreciated and often met with a smile before switching to English.
Experience 5-à-7 (Happy Hour)
The term 5-à-7 (pronounced cinq-a-sept) refers to the time after work and before heading home, similar to happy hour. Check out local pubs and bars between 5 pm and 7 pm to experience a lively atmosphere and maybe find some drink or food specials.
Legal Drinking Age:
In Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18, unlike most of Canada where it’s 19. This contributes to Montreal’s reputation as a party destination. With numerous festivals year-round and strong local beers (6% alcohol content isn’t uncommon), you can either dive into the party scene or steer clear of it, depending on your preference.
Navigating the City:
When locals give directions, they often tilt the city grid east. What is described as “north” is actually northwest—known as “Montreal north.” Directions are based on the local understanding that the St. Lawrence River flows from west to east, though it actually flows north or northeast. Using the river as your south line will help you interpret local directions correctly, or you can always rely on Google Maps.
Convenience Stores:
Much like bodegas in New York, Montreal has “deps,” short for dépanneur, the French word for a convenience store. If someone asks if you need anything from the dep, they’re referring to a corner store where you can buy essentials like chips, cigarettes, bread, and even (cheap) wine or beer.
Save with a Museums Card
If you enjoy history, science, or fine arts, or if you’re looking for things to do on a rainy or cold day, consider getting a Montreal Museums Card. Available for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days, these passes allow you one visit to each of the member museums in the city—there are at least 45 museums and galleries to explore. For example, visiting the Biodôme, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the McCord Museum would cost you $64, but with a 2-day pass, you’d save at least $24. Visiting two sites a day makes this a great value.
Take a Free Walking Tour
While technically free, these walking tours operate on a pay-what-you-want basis, where you’re encouraged to tip your guide at the end. The 2-hour and 15-minute, 2.3-km walk is a fantastic way to be introduced to the charm of Old Montreal. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other travelers and hear stories and anecdotes you might miss if wandering on your own.
BYOW Restaurants
In Montreal, many restaurants allow you to bring your own wine or beer to have with dinner, a concept known as BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine). Most of these restaurants will charge a corkage fee to cover the costs of glasses, decanters, and so on. This allows places without a liquor license to still serve alcohol to patrons. The BYOW restaurant scene in Montreal is extensive, offering a wide variety of neighborhoods, price points, ambiances, and cuisines.
Conclusion:
Montreal is a wonderful destination to explore, whether it’s your first time venturing abroad or you’re a seasoned traveler. With its unique blend of French charm and modern energy, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Follow these tips to make the most of your visit and immerse yourself in all that this incredible city has to offer
