ok i booked the trip to montreal. i am so excited, the more i find out the more i want to know.<p>we are coming on sept. 14-16th. can you tell me about weather? also if you could tell me only one thing i must do or see, what and why? also if you could recommend only one place to eat-where and why(doesnt have to be fancy-it could be a local small place with incredible food.<p>and lastly-should i learn some french. <p>any and all help and suggestions are appreciated. thanks<p>ps- we are staying at the crowne plaza hotel-do you have any reviews of this hotel??<p>[ May 13, 2002: Message edited by: nikko ]</p>

nikko,<p>Both WW and I LOVE Montreal... There's a lot to see and do... A nice botanical garden, could catch a ball game, etc. I'd suggest taking a walk through old Montreal, with the cobblestone streets and shops.<p>The weather will still be a little cool probably... but I've become spoiled with California weather! I see the next few days will be rainy there.<p>Learning French? Not really necessary... most people are bilingual. French on signs will appear LARGER than English - by law! (But for the most part, it's a very easy place to visit.)<p>Sadly I can't remember specific restaurants now, it's been a little while. If you're not watching your weight, you could try some poutine - gravy on fries... mmmm.....

Hey there Nikko (love the name btw, it is one of my dear daughter's niknames) [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img]
I do not know where you are at [img]images/icons/frown.gif" border="0[/img] so I do not know the regular weather for September for you. If you could let me know, I can give a comparative idea of the weather more or less. As far as learning French, the language you would learn in the U.S. would more than likely be Parisian French, as opposed to Quebekwas, which is the most bastardized French on the planet [img]images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0[/img] . (my sorrys to any natives) But it might just be a nice evening course for you and the hubby to take together, and you could do your homework together as well [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img] . Let me know about the other stuff, as far as restaurants I cannot say since it has been over 5 years since I have been there, but I will do my best to help out regardless.

OMG JR, poutine....... not just fries and gravy, but fries, brown gravy and cheese curds...... absolutely the most grease ridden treat in the modern world!!!!!!!! [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img]
Now if it was Toronto she was visiting, I could give chapter and verse, having been a limo driver there in the 80's, and love the city to death. Hey, maybe I should sign up with the Canadian tourism boards to promote our fair land far and wide [img]images/icons/wink.gif" border="0[/img]

Old Montreal is a must see.

Hi nikko,<p>I live about 7 hours from Montreal. My H and I actually spent a romantic weekend there, before we were married and before any kids. Gosh, it seems like a lifetime ago!<p>We stayed at a B&B and had a great time. The part I thought was really neat was that you could bring your own bottle of wine into the restaurant. I remember we brought a bottle, but ran out during dinner, so ran across the street to a little store to buy another bottle. It saves $. Not sure if you can do that where you are.<p>It's pretty exciting. Lots of nightlife and people everywhere. We had the most fun just walking downtown, checking out all the stores (very fashionable place) and people watching.<p>I have a cousin who grew up in Montreal. I'll give him a call and try to get some specifics for you and I'll let you know and I'll ask my H what he suggests - his memory is so much better than mine.<p>H&S

Montreal is a fabulous and romantic city, my favorite in Canada (tied with Quebec City). I lived in Montreal for 15 years and often think about moving back.<p>As for must sees, I think Old Montreal is definitely not to be missed. I also like St. Joseph's Oratory. The combination of the two is a terrific combination for seeing two very different times in Montreal's rich history. But, if you only have time for one 'sight', then Old Montreal. But you need a few hours, at least, for Old Montreal, although you could also easily spend the day.<p>In terms of restaurants, there are so, so many. If you like steak, then Gibby's on Youville is wonderful; it is built in a two century old stable and serves a 'to die for' starter salad and melt-in-your mouth cuts of meat, as well as some other more traditional fare. There are also many, many lovely restaurants in Old Montreal that serve old fashioned foods only. For trendy eating downtown, try Crescent street's many restaurants and bistros. For an inexpensive meal at some Montreal 'staples', Ben's serves great smoked meat and the Bar-B-Barn serves fabulous ribs and roasted chicken.<p>The Crowne will treat you nicely and is walking distance to all the downtown sites and shopping, as well as Old Montreal.<p>A large majority of Montrealers are bilingual, and almost everyone in the travel and service industry. So, you will be well served with English as your language of communication.<p>I will add a short reply to the earlier MBer's the French spoken by Montrealers being
bastardized' - I beg to differ. Certainly most Montrealers don't speak Parisien French, but then Mexicans do not speak Spanish as it is spoken in Madrid; and neither do all Montrealers speak the 'patois' that many find difficult to understand. If one's French is good, one will understand and be understood by nearly all French speaking Canadians, whether Montrealer, Quebecer or Franco-Manitoban. (I could continue with a discussion of what it would be to compare North American English to the English spoken by the Britsh and how incomprehensible we are to the Brits and anyone having learned based on the British model. Possibly we have 'bastardized' the English language? But, I won't.) Now, I am getting off my soapbox.<p>The weather in mid-September will probably require a long sleeve shirt during the day and a warm sweater or light jacket at night, but there is a chance that it will be very warm and humid - as we often see a one week period of summer in September, with temperatures warm enough for tank tops. So, pack a little variety or better yet, just buy what you don't have at one of the thousands of fabulous boutiques all over the city.<p>Have fun and if you can fit in a moonlight walk while going to have a drink at a bar, walk from the Crowne to Crescent street and back. You will see lots of period architecture, well-dressed Montrealers and one of the most alive cities (and might lives) you will ever visit.<p>Amusez-vous,<p>OneDay<p>[ May 14, 2002: Message edited by: OneDay ]</p>

thank you so much everyone-the suggestions are great. we are getting there early morning and leaving late to return-so i fave 3 full days. we plan on spending one in old montreal, we have one dinner with the trip at the casino, so that gives me two free days and one free evening. so i have time, i just wanted to know specific places to see. keep it coming-im writing all this down and loving it. <p>dear oneday-i for some reason got a not great feeling about your comment on hotel?(in our family, when someone says- oh its niiiice-thats the kiss of death and you know they hate it. so, if there is anything i need to know, like pick another hotel, please tell me now. thanks.

Je ne parle pas même français. Et regard à ceci, ici je corresponds en français. Vérifiez ce lien pour voir comment je l'ai fait. Mais, ne dites pas n'importe qui. <p>http://babelfish.altavista.com/<p>Translation: [img]images/icons/grin.gif" border="0[/img] <p>I don't even speak french. And look at this, here I am corresponding in french. Check out this link to see how I did it. But, don't tell anyone.

"Milos" is one of the most sought after restaurant in Montreal at the moment so definitely make a reservation. It is located on Park Ave. and try appetizers only for the whole dinner. For other restaurants, try Peel St., good mix.<p>St. Catherine Street on Friday night is hopping, comparable to Yonge Street in Toronto.<p>Could be fairly cold in September, especially with the wind coming in from the St. Lawernce, therefore a jacket is desirable.<p>Crown Plaza is a nice hotel. My very favourite hotel in Montreal is Le Germaine on Mansfield. A walk thru Old Montreal is a must, I find it very nice on a Saturday morning.

nikko,<p>No 'kiss of death' on the Crowne, truly. It really is a nice hotel and you will be well treated. It is well located and has good amenities.<p>If you want to stay in Old Montreal rather than the downtown core, I would recommend the Inter Continental, which is one of my current favorites.<p>And if you want very upscale, then the Four Seasons on Maisonneuve (I think) is fabulous, at the foot of Mount Royal, close to St. Catherines, Crescent Street, and Peel, and within the designer shopping district.<p>But, you really can't go wrong at the Crowne.

Sorry OneDay, but both my ex-husbands were from Montreal, and as an anglo, I got really trashed. The french I learned in high school (in the 70's) did me not good in conversation, they actually laughed at me when I tried, so forgive me my defense, sorry if I have offended

thank you all again so much-i am truelly looking foward to this. keep the suggestions comming.