We're visiting Montreal at the end of September...

[dogfacedboy]

...what should we go see and what should we do? Thanks in advance.

[Bassic]

1. There's a lot of stuff to be done.

I'm not sure if there will be any festivals, but if you'Re into music, there are lot of bars who have bands of just about any style you can want. There's also great family things like the Biodome, the Planetarium and the Jardin Zoologique. There's so much going on over there, it's hard to think of just a couple of things. :)

[gula]

2. Could you give some info on what you like and

also in which area you're staying. Some more specific dates would also help as there tends to be a s*tloasd of stuff happening here.

[Seanmhair]

3. We enjoyed the Old Town

When we went for a hockey game last march.

There's lots of information here.

http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca/eng/accueila.htm

Notre' Dame is glorious.

Enjoy your trip!

[Telly Savalas]

7. Second the Old Town.

My family hasn't seen much else of the city, because we never had the desire to leave the Old Town during our 2 visits to Montreal.

[Jazz2006]

4. You should visit Toronto instead..

Or Halifax or Victoria or anywhere in between ... well, you get the idea.

(Just kidding - Montreal is a fun place to visit but I can't give any recommendations because despite having been there at least 20 times in the span of a few years in the mid-late 80s, it's all a blur. That, however, is the entire purpose of Montreal's existence :)

:P

[daleo]

5. Mount Royal Park

It was designed by the same guy who did Central Park in New York, I believe. It should be a nice walk in late September.

McGill campus is interesting too. Then there are the restaurants and stuff downtown.

The subway gets you all kinds of places fast if you get a hotel near a line.

[CHIMO]

6. What

Sort of things interest you?

It's like saying I'm going to visit Canada, what should I see?

If you could give some of the things that interest you, then it might be a bit easier to offer suggestions.

[KurtNYC]

8. Here are a few suggestions - lots of food

I go to Montreal at least once every year. They have the highest number of restaurants of any city in north america. Between that competition and a kind of liberated french palate, the food is excellent almost everywhere in the city. Here are some recommendations:

Start by getting a 3-day transit pass (about $17CA). You can get them at Beri-UQAM but if you ask at one of the other metro stations, in my experience, they will just tell you to buy one at Beri-UQAM and let you in free. The pass is good on subway and busses.

St. Louis Square and Prince Arthur - in the early evening ride the Metro to Sherbrooke. Walk through St. Louis park and check out the musicians on the west end; also the painited turrets on the houses beside the park. Then proceed through the pedestrian only blocks of Prince Arthur. There are lots of restaurants here (I have never eaten at any of them because they seem too touristy in a city full of great food) and they are almost all BYOB (meaning wine). A great gelato place is there too.

Marche' Jean Talon - is the green market (and now gourmet market) in the Little Italy section of Montreal. Metro to Jean Talon then ask; the market is within 2 blocks of the stop but is not obvious from the Metro station. Free samples of all the great local produce and yet another great gelato stall. Or if your travels take you closer to Atwater Market go there.

Take the #11 bus to the top of Mount Royale and walk down -- Metro to Mont Royal and then get the #11 bus to the summit. Walk to the Chalet, check out the view of the city, the river and Vermont, then walk down the front of the mountain. The park was designed by Olmstedt (the same guy that did Central Park) but they didn't build it exactly as he planned it. Neat view and neat park anyway. If it is Sunday morning, check-out Tam Tam on the east end of the park by Avenue du Parc.

Walk down St Denis in the evening. Thriving little bars and restos.

Check out Rue Laurier for the more upscale side of town. Patisserie Gascogne features decadent french bakery fare.

If you have kids (and even if you don't), check out Place Jacques Cartier in the old port. Street performers (buskers), artists, and tourists. Cobblestone streets, ancient churches and lots of space that is converted (preserving the stone walls).

For foodies: (as if I haven't listed enough food options) try one of Montreal's better or trendier restaurants. Better = Au Petit Extra http://www.au-liondor-montreal.com/
trendy = "Area" (1429 Amherst)in the Village: http://www.rest-area.qc.ca / Btw. unlike most of the restaurants in the middle of the island, they don't speak English at Au Petit but they can translate the menu for you if need be.

Go to Ilse St Helene and the Casino. These islands were home to Expo 67 and now are a park in the middle of the river. Gardens, left over pavillions, parkland, etc.

Stay at a Bed and Breakfast - cheaper and you will meet locals and travelers over breakfast.

Some useful links:
A foodie look at Montreal: http://www.thefoodsection.com/foodsection/movfeast_montreal/index.html
The Montreal Mirror (their english language version of ~The Village Voice: events, news, local flavor): http://www.montrealmirror.com /
Site for the International Film fest (8/24 thru 9/4/06) which will include free outdoor screenings: http://www.ffm-montreal.org/en_index.html
A list of Bed and Breakfast with links to their sites (the rest of this site is very good also): http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/