Fast Track to Montreal Sightseeing

View of Downtown Montreal from the Mont-Royal Park 1

Montreal's metro is a quick and easy way to travel around the city. Consisting of 65 stations at present and spread out over four lines named Blue, Green, Orange, and Yellow, the metro stops at or near major attractions, venues and services throughout the city. Operated by the Societe de Transport de Montreal (STM - Montreal Transit Corporation), the metro provides service for an estimated 700,000 commutes daily.

Construction began on the metro in the early 1960s with the urging of mayor Jean Drapeau. Around the same time Montreal learned they would be hosting Expo 67, forcing city planners to amend original designs by adding an additional line and extending others. Six years later the metro opened to the public, a much-anticipated event celebrated with pride.

Today the metro, one of two in Canada, continues to be the primary transportation system in Montreal and visitors can use it to their advantage, hitting hot tourist destinations while saving time and money. Stations are strategically located throughout the city and are marked by blue and white signs with a downward arrow indicating entrances and exits. Tickets can be purchased at booths in any station or from convenience stores above ground.

Changing Lines
For some trips it may be necessary to change lines. Connections can be made between the green, orange and yellow lines at Berri-UQAM, between the green and orange lines at Lionel Groulx and between the Blue and Orange lines at Jean Talon or Snowdon. Note the line's name and the last station in the necessary direction of travel and proceed to the appropriate platform. To change from the metro to a bus or vice versa, pick up a transfer, known as a correspondence, from the machines after the turnstiles in the station, or ask the bus driver for a transfer after purchasing a ticket. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes, and the time stamped on the ticket indicates when it will expire.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Montreal's cityscape is composed of districts or neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct atmosphere and featured attractions. Reach many of these popular hangouts using the metro, and also find an assortment of shops, restaurants and museums central to Montreal's charm and allure.

Downtown
Montreal's downtown is a fusion of old and new, with modern skyscrapers and historic churches setting the backdrop. The area is encompassed by Rue Sherbrooke to the north, Rene-Levesque Boulevard to the south, St-Laurent Boulevard to the east and Rue Drummond to the west. A hub of excitement, this cosmopolitan area features major museums, department stores, the city's main railroad station and many luxury hotels. Retreat from the cold winters and humid summers below in the Underground City, a network of shops, restaurants, banks and cinemas located beneath Montreal's downtown streets and accessible by several metro stations. The layout consists of corridors and tunnels leading to open plazas. Above ground, visitors can also explore the districts and neighbourhoods of Montreal's downtown including Chinatown, Quartier du Musee, Quartier des Spectacles and Quartier International de Montreal.

Chinatown
Location: South of Boulevard Rene-Levesque and at the intersection of Rue Clark and Rue de La Gauchetiere
Metro Stop: Place-d'Armes

Chez Chine Restaurant at the Holiday Inn Montreal Centre-Ville 2

Montreal's Chinatown is a vibrant district, filled with restaurants and shops delivering Asian flavour and style. Its origins date back to the 1860s, when Chinese immigrants made their way to Montreal for work and new opportunities. The first Chinese laundry opened in 1877 on the corner of St-Antoine and Jeanne-Mance streets, followed by Sun Ling Lung, the first grocery store in the area, located at 72A de La Gauchetiere Street. Built in 1826, the Wing Building is the oldest structure in Chinatown and today houses a fortune cookie manufacturing plant. Visitors to the district are greeted by two white stone lions gracing the entrance on Boulevard St-Laurent, and the pagodas of the Holiday Inn Select Montreal Centreville are examples of Chinese influence and style. Holidays and festivals are celebrated in the streets, with vendors hawking traditional crafts and exotic foods.

Quartier du Musee
Location: Major streets include Rue Crescent, Rue de la Montagne and Rue Sherbrooke
Metro Stop: Guy Concordia/Peel

Art, fashion and culture reign supreme in the Quartier du Musee, or Museum Quarter, with a multitude of high-end boutiques, art galleries and fine-dining establishments located along its main streets of Crescent, de la Montagne and Sherbrooke. A central landmark is the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing contemporary Canadian talent as well as classic masterpieces from international artists. Go for a walk in the neighbourhood and enjoy viewing the old Victorian-style buildings and structures influenced by Anglo-Saxon and Italian architecture.

Quartier des Spectacles
Location: Intersection of Rue Ste-Catherine and St-Laurent Boulevard, bound by Rue City Councillors, Rue Berri, Rue Sherbrooke, and Rene-Levesque Boulevard Metro stop: Place-des-Arts

Quartier des Spectacles is the quintessential spot for some of Montreal's most popular events including the Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs. Check the WorldWeb.com Travel Guide events page for an extensive list of all types of happenings in the area. Bars, performance halls and cultural venues line the streets of this downtown sector, making for a lively and entertaining stop. Popular attractions include the Monument Nationale, the National Theatre School of Canada, with two stages for small- and grand-scale shows, the Metropolis, a trendy concert venue and the Musee d'Art Contemporain de Montreal, exclusively dedicated to showcasing contemporary artworks including a large collection of work by French Canadian abstract artist, Paul-Emile Borduas.

Quartier International de Montreal
Location: Main streets include Rue St-Urbain, Rue St-Antoine, Rue St-Jacques (between McGill and University), University and Viger
Metro Stops: Square-Victoria/Bonaventure/Place-d'Armes

Linking the city's business district with Old Montreal, the Quartier International de Montreal (QIM) is an urban area dedicated to architecture, design and arts and culture. Take a break in the newly restored Victoria Square and admire the water jets and rows of meticulously planted trees, or visit Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, a plaza named after the Quebec artist that designed its elaborate fountain, La Joute. La Joute, or the Joust, is a visually appealing structure composed of bronze sculptures and a central fountain that at one phase is encircled by a ring of fire, operated by a kinetic sequence. The Palais des Congres (convention centre) is a major international draw, hosting several events and meetings throughout the year. The modern design of the building and the use of light and colour achieves a dynamic atmosphere.

	Terrace on Place Jacques Cartier - Old Montreal 3

Old Montreal and Old Port
Location: Flanked on the north by Rue St-Antoine, on the south by Old Port, the east Rue Berri and the west Rue McGill
Metro Stop: Cote-Vertu

A walk around Old Montreal will leave visitors enchanted by the 18th and 19th century architecture lining its cobbled streets. Museums, boutiques, art galleries and sidewalk cafes are all found along its narrow pathways including Rue St Paul, Montreal's oldest street. Many of the city's popular historic attractions are located here, including the breathtaking Notre Dame Basilica, across from Place d'Armes, and a favourite summer hangout, Place Jacques Cartier, lined with street artists, outdoor cafes and kiosks. An obelisk marks where Montreal's first settlers landed in 1642 at what was then called Ville Marie, and at the Champs de Mars, remains of fortified walls are visible. Enjoy people-watching while strolling along the promenade Rue de la Commune, situated along the Old Port. The romance and charm of Old Montreal is best captured during the night, when buildings and monuments are illuminated, basking in their glorious past and present beauty.

Parc du Mont-Royal
Metro Stops: To reach St. Joseph's Oratory get off at Cote-des-Neiges and for the park get off at the Mont-Royal stop

Spanning an area of nearly 200 hectares (500 acres), Parc du Mont-Royal, affectionately known as the “mountain” by locals, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect of New York's Central Park. Three peaks make up the park, including Outremont, Westmount and Mont-Royal itself. Opened to the public in 1876, Parc du Mont-Royal continues to be a popular destination for tourists and Montrealers alike, with several activities available year-round. Enjoy inner-tubing, cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, birdwatching and cycling. Beaver Lake on the hill is an attractive area for a picnic and a refreshing dip, and is equipped with changing rooms and snack bars. Main attractions flanking the hill include the towering St. Joseph's Oratory, with its massive dome, historic cemeteries including Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery (Catholic) and Mont Royal Cemetery (non-denominational but mainly Protestant), and the University of Montreal's campus, with its blend of green spaces and modern architecture. Lookouts on the hill include an area called the Chalet, offering panoramic views of the city and the river.

Parc Jean-Drapeau
Location: Islands of Sainte-Helene and Notre-Dame
Metro Stop: Jean-Drapeau

Situated in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, Parc Jean-Drapeau consists of the islands of Sainte-Helene and the man-made Notre-Dame, both chosen for the location of Expo 67. Between 1963 and 1967, Sainte-Helene Island was expanded using 25,400,000 tonnes (28,000,000 tons) of backfill and Notre-Dame Island was entirely created from scratch, using earth and rocks removed during excavations from the metro construction. Main highlights include the Montreal Casino, housed in the former Quebec and French Expo Pavilions, and the amusement park La Ronde, also the site for the Montreal International Fireworks Competition held in the summer. Walk through the gardens, swim at the aquatic complex, relax on the beach or explore the trails scattered around the islands.

Little Italy
Location: Along St-Laurent Boulevard between rue St-Zotique and Rue Jean Talon
Metro Stop: Jean-Talon

Make a stop at Little Italy for a taste of Italian culture, fashion and food, all the while admiring the churches and architecture. Many Italian families settled in the Montreal area after the Second World War, continuing their traditions and upholding their roots from the homeland. Walk down St-Laurent Boulevard, which features Italian designers, and then head for Rue Dante, lined with cafes, trattorias and shops serving authentic Italian cuisine and specialty coffees such as espresso and cappuccino. The Jean-Talon Market, a major attraction in this area, explodes with freshness. Hundreds of stalls and gourmet shops sell fresh produce, meats, cheese, baked goods and other food products. Find Italian markets with authentic Italian delis, and stocked with imported products and multiple types and name brands of pasta.

The Plateau
Location: Bordered by Boulevard St-Joseph in the north, rue Sherbrooke to the south, Avenue Papineau to the east and Rue St-Urbain to the west
Metro Stop: Mont-Royal

	Antique Shop on Saint-Laurent Boulevard - Plateau Mont-Royal 4

This trendy neighbourhood is located northeast of Montreal's downtown area. During its start as a working class area, the Plateau was home to many foreigners that arrived to new beginnings. St-Laurent Boulevard became known as the Main, and was predominantly Jewish, although the Plateau as a whole was a mix of several different cultures and traditions. Today it continues to feature a multitude of tastes and trends with old warehouses and homes having been converted into shops, boutiques and restaurants. A favourite stop is on St-Laurent Boulevard at Schwartz's Deli, famous for its smoked meat sandwiches.

Pole des Rapides
Location: Lachine, LaSalle, Le Sud-Ouest and Verdun boroughs
Metro Stop: Angrignon

Montreal Skyline Viewed From the Parc Jean-Drapeau 5

Native Montrealers and tourists flock to Pole des Rapides, located on the southwest part of the island by the St. Lawrence River and Lachine Canal. Visitors will find bicycle trails, picnic areas, and historic and cultural sites. Attractions include the Atwater and Lachine markets, Fleming Mill Historical Interpretive Centre and Angrignon Park. The Parc des Rapides offers views of the Lachine Rapids and opportunities for birdwatching including herons and ducks. Watersports include rafting, kayaking and canoeing, and throughout the year festivals or activities abound in the surrounding boroughs of Lachine, LaSalle, Le Sud-Ouest and Verdun.

Quartier Latin
Location: Centered on Rue St-Denis, between De Maisonneuve Boulevard and Rue Ontario
Metro Stop: Berri-UQAM

The Quartier Latin is a cultural and commercial centre, first settled by Montreal's Francophone middle class at the beginning of the 19th century. Today the area encompasses several theatres and cinemas including the Quartier Latin Movie Theatre, an entertainment complex with 3200 seats, coffee shop, billiard tables, bar and underground parking. Educational and cultural establishments are also found in the district including the Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Cegep of Old Montreal and the Bibliotheque Nationale du Quebec. A mixture of merchants and restaurants round out the attractions making the Quartier Latin a featured spot for Montreal culture and experiences.

	Outdoor Terrace on Saint-Denis Street, Quartier Latin 6

The Village
Location: Along Rue Ste-Catherine from Rue St-Hubert to Rue Papineau
Metro Stops: Berri-UQAM/Beaudry

Montreal's Village is one of the largest gay and lesbian communities in North America. The atmosphere is vibrant and energetic, and a variety of cafes, boutiques, nightclubs and antique shops line the streets. A rainbow of colours marks the Beaudry metro station, serving as a symbol of diversity and acceptance in the community. Several festivals and annual events are held in the Village, including the Divers/Cite pride parade in August, which celebrates sexual diversity, and the Black and Blue Festival held in October, a non-stop circuit party. Montreal hosted the first World Outgames in 2006 and continues to welcome and support alternative lifestyles.

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