Will be visiting Montreal in late February briefly

[Celirra]

Well as the title says, in case you clicked here without reading the title (we all do it),

Might be visiting Montreal in late February briefly

I'll only be there for a few days, maybe 5 days at most. But, I've never been before (I've just barely been in Quebec as is) and I want to get as much out of my trip as I can.

I guess the point of me posting this is to ask the Canadiens here (I know there's at least a few), or anyone who knows anything about Montreal, if there's any must-see places in the city; be it neat landmarks, interesting events, or good food-places (or as they're commonly known, "restaurants") that are relatively obscure or less-traveled.

I'd ask if anyone would want to show me around, but I'll be there during the weekdays most likely so it's pretty inconvenient timing. Just recommendations would be swell and much appreciated!

EDIT: see later posts, trip confirmed

[MikeShinoda12345]

heyooooooooo
Me and MarioNintendo are here

And also even though I haven't met them apparently Hakulyte, Opkiller, and Hateandhatred chill here too
They all speak French which is also cool cause I don't

[Celirra]

My french is about enough to ask where the washroom is, to purchase food, and to say sorry; can read it well enough for maps and recipes at least. I'm a pretty good Canadian I suppose.

I think most people are more small-town Quebec than Montreal on here from what I remember, but hey, good to know there's potentially a bunch of people from Montreal proper here.

[Artic_counter]

It's been a while ever since I went there but I hear the Biodome and Insectarium are pretty nice.

http://espacepourlavie.ca/en

I've been living in Montreal for 5 years now, but most of my free time was primarily used on studying and chilling out at the local pub so I'm not the exactly the best tour guide.

[Celirra]

Originally Posted by Artic_counter

It's been a while ever since I went there but I hear the Biodome and Insectarium are pretty nice.

The biodome seems really nifty, I'll probably check that out; thanks a bunch!


Also found some ITG machines in Montreal so I'll probably do that a bit, I'm excited for that.

[MarioNintendo]

Originally Posted by MikeShinoda12345

heyooooooooo
Me and MarioNintendo are here

And also even though I haven't met them apparently Hakulyte, Opkiller, and Hateandhatred chill here too
They all speak French which is also cool cause I don't

^^^^

When are the five days? We could totally organize an afternoon the three (or more) of us and have fun! Despite living in Montreal, I'm a terrible sightsee-er. Two places you simply CANNOT miss, however, are:

1) Mount Royal Park (free), most precisely the Kondiaronk Belvedere (although we only call it the Belvedere)
2) Old port of Montreal and surrounding streets. The Science Museum is located there, if you enjoy that!

Also, make sure to try the local breweries if you like beer. We make some fine stuff And poutine. And our crumbling buildings and architecture.


edit: just editing to confirm the biodome is indeed worth it

[Celirra]

Originally Posted by MarioNintendo

^^^^

When are the five days? We could totally organize an afternoon the three (or more) of us and have fun! Despite living in Montreal, I'm a terrible sightsee-er. Two places you simply CANNOT miss, however, are:

1) Mount Royal Park (free), most precisely the Kondiaronk Belvedere (although we only call it the Belvedere)
2) Old port of Montreal and surrounding streets. The Science Museum is located there, if you enjoy that!

Also, make sure to try the local breweries if you like beer. We make some fine stuff And poutine. And our crumbling buildings and architecture.


edit: just editing to confirm the biodome is indeed worth it

Admittedly it is very much a *maybe* situation right now as it is dependent on whether or not something works out regarding a family member's work; I'd essentially use them being there for work for many months as an excuse to "visit" them (aka enjoy Montreal). Assuming it does all go through though, it would be roughly the 20th-24th of february, give or take a day or two in either calendar direction.

Anyways, that kind of thing is exactly what I was looking for! The old port looks like everything I'd imagine from Montreal, and The Belvedere looks amazing as well.
I've made it a habit to try the local beer of wherever I go, so that's a definite yes. It'd be neat to try authentic poutine as well, the closest to poutine I've had in the Toronto area is Harvey's and that's mostly just a tub of grease.

I'll keep you updated with confirmation, all this is really making me hope it all works out. I've always wanted to go to Montreal and this is making me even more hyped.

[MarioNintendo]

Side note about poutine: it can be as diverse as beer itself. No two montrealers like the same poutine. You have to know that when you ask around or are looking for info.

For example: the traditional suggestion for visitors is La Banquise. It's definitely not a bad poutine, but it's nothing exceptional. It's like the "Mario in Mario Kart" of poutines. There's a lot of choice on the menu to customize your poutine, though. On the other hand, since everyone recommends this place, it fills up quickly, so much so that the line continues outside. Not worth the hassle.

My personal suggestions to you:
1) Patati Patata: Very tiny place, so you might wait outside too, but there's a reason: only 6 people fit in at a time lol. Absolutely unique and delicious fries, definitely a place you'll remember. The reviews tell you all you have to know.
2) Frites Alors: This is a franchise, so your result might depend on which location you choose, but this has the advantage of not having to travel around the whole city just for fries. This place makes, in my opinion, the best fries and sauce (not taking about poutine's gravy, I mean actual mayonnaise sauce) I've ever eaten. They also make a mean sandwich. Their poutine is also most definitely up there. I adore this place. It's my most regular.
3) Poutineville: Never personally been to this one, but I keep hearing great things about it. You can create your own poutine, from scratch, kind of like at subways. There are also some suggestions in case you have no idea what you're doing. Reviews are positive.

A key thing to remember: you don't need add ingredients on your poutine. Not a lot, anyway. Two reasons:
- That's how the restaurants make their money, it's expensive
- All restaurants, no exception, puts all of the custom ingredients on top. Which means you'll eat them in your first few bites and you'll eat the 2/3 of your poutine without them anyway.

That's why I always order the classic, plain poutine everywhere I go. Just my opinion, though!

[MarioNintendo]

Basically, eat as much poutine as you can rofl

[Celirra]

Whew, looks like I'll be living off of poutine and beer. Not a bad culinary experience I'd say!

This is pretty eye opening for me though, I never considered any "poutine" that had anything but gravy and cheese curds to be true poutine, but it seems like there's much more variety than I've come to expect. I'd probably stick with the classic anyways though, at most maybe adding a bit of extra cheese or onions or something minor, that's able to leave a lasting flavour.

Patati Patata intrigues me greatly, the notion of a smaller setting and a memorable experience is music to my ears, it's exactly what I'd want from a poutinery. The reviews for it appear to be nothing but praise too, so that's a definite. It'd be neat to try a franchised poutine as well, just as a basis to compare a more... typical version to a truly special one.

[MikeShinoda12345]

I'm generally only in Montreal for eight months of the year because I go home every summer, and also because I don't speak French, so I've seen embarrassingly little of Montreal too
Out of those three I've only been to Frites Alors, we can basically explore together~

[Celirra]

That sounds like a great idea yeah, for sure! It's always better exploring with company~

[MarioNintendo]

I'm always down for poutine :V

[evanescence_death4ever]

Can I visit, too? I've never even seen poutine or anything that resembles it..?

[Celirra]

If you can make it up and such of course! You're always welcome, Eva

[j-rodd123]

there are loooooooots of strip clubs there

[Winrar]

If you're into Pump It Up there's Amusement 2000 Plus. I also recommend going to Schwartz's for some smoked meat sandwiches.

[Celirra]

Originally Posted by Winrar

If you're into Pump It Up there's Amusement 2000 Plus. I also recommend going to Schwartz's for some smoked meat sandwiches.

Schwartz eh, I'm definitely interested in trying a smoked meat sandwich up there. I'll keep an eye out!

A chance to play PIU would be neat too, sweet.

[Vrasms]

Dirty Dogs has some amazing poutine. LaSalle Drive-In, too.

[xXOpkillerXx]

I'm down for a night downtown, hit me up (or felix/marionintendo) for that matter, bars/pool/food/arcades/etc. you can't be bored hehe.