I'm actually headed there in the morning....taking the train up along the Hudson....hoping the fall folliage is great....Thursday Night in the Big M....then on to Quebec City for a weekend wedding and then back
to the big M on Monday....for some cruising...
Keep them coming....however we are in good company as my bud,
Mr. Louis....as I call him will give us the tour of our life....as always...
not having to drive in the Big M....is a glorious treat.
I'm curious as Hell about Quebec City....never been there...any tips mighty might or Jump?
My buddy took us by the Cirque du Soleil school last time we were there. It isn't really close to anything but they have this great glass
building where people work out on the trapeeze. You can see them
in full view.....I personally think it is one of the greatest works of
architecture I have ever experienced.
My trip will take me to the Jewish Community in the Big M to look at synagogues. Seems to be my thing these days....research research...research....and travel.
i've never been to quebec city. though Le Chateau Frontenac is one of the most glorious old hotels in the history of old hotels, or so i hear: Look Here.
Montreal is an awesome town, its hellishly cold though maybe even in october, I know march is nasty. Habitat is way to far out of the way to check in a half a day, I would probably cruise down Ste Catherine and head south at some point to check out the old town. The nightlife there is awesome. Don't bother with the Lbatt blue, ask for the local fare, its awesome beer.
nobody's arguing the difference in quality my man, just that labatt is so eastern canadian, it's like going to kentucky and saying you prefer scotch over bourbon. you dig?
don't get me wrong, i love the good stuff too...but there's a time and a place for a real man's beer like bud, or in this case, labatt's.
you walk into one of the sketchier clubs on ste.catherine or down near the molson centre and try and order one of your blanche de chambly's and you'll just get laughed at...
man, i do love yuengling. in college i lived on the black and tan. i thought it was the best thing since i left the breast, but nowadays given the option i prefer the lager.
when i was in philly this summer i fell in love with yards philly pale ale. pretty tasty, though i didn't get to sample any of their others...
[/end hijack]
here's another MTL suggestion...if the Habs* are in town, go see a hockey game. never before have you seen so many rabid canadians! awesome!
* - Habs is short for Les Habitantes, and is the local nickname for the Montreal Canadians.
snooker's right on the fall foliage...where are you from? if you're not from the northeast, this might be a great time to get out of the city and see the leaves.
or just head up into the Parc aux Mont-Royal, there will be plenty of leaf peeping to do there.
In Montreal, there's the CCA which has the beautifully, expensively, technically detailed interior (well, entrance), a photogenic sculpture garden, and an excellent bookshop. The nunnery beside it is cool too.
Listen to Stars, from their Montreal period, they'll fill you in on the vibe.
There's the big gay street, which is far cooler than I expected with french speaking transvestites and heiry leather queens. I got quite excited.
The eponymous Mont-Royal - don't bother with the peak and the park, but drive around the side that faces the river and marvel at some of the residential work on the hillsides. When I was there there was so much building going on that at the weekends you could just march round half-built houses, seeing what they would become - the best thing I did in Montréal, without a doubt. The cathedral is worth a visit too, just on the other side of the hill. It's monumental modern with a neon cross and a set of external stairs that would have made Mussolini weep with joy.
The botanic gardens was slightly underwhelming though it neighours the Olympic stadium, which was also slightly underwhelming. If you've been in Europe the Notre Dame cathedral will underwhelm also.
Eat seasonal food.
Habitat was cool, though I found it difficult to photograph, and there's the bucky globe thing too down at the expo site. Those and some casionos and highway, river crossing, travel, stick to the city...
Even as a hardened fan of my home borough, I take my hat off to the Montreal.
The CCA ( the canadian centre for architecture ) one of most unique building / architecture collections in the world. Ms. Bronfman is the one who insisted her father hire Mies for a couple big black towers ( you may have read about them, the seagram building ). The Center is basically her life's collection, she's somewhat of an architecture philanthrapist.
Great book store too. I spent a day there many years back, always has a great gallery, collection., not a bad building in its day too.
check any building by Dan Hagunau ( not sure of the sp ) but he's done a few museum's down by the old city / waterfront area, very good regional guy who doesn't get enough respect.
By the way, can anybody share their views on personal safety in downtown Montreal -- beyond the normal precautions anybody should take in any large city, is there any reason for concern when walking around the town? Any particular areas to avoid? Is a stroll in the evening to be avoided?
Oct 10, 07 10:10 am ·
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Montreal - what to do?
Found out today I'll be going to Montreal in connection with a project -- will be there week after next (i.e. October 17).
I'll be staying somewhat near Place Bonaventure and will have about 1/2 day of free time to check out the city on my own.
Anybody care to share some thoughts that might help an architect make good use of that free time?
BTW, I've done a search and enjoyed reading the other threads that have touched on this topic - anybody got anything new to add, please?
what about habitat?
you want to do habitat? that sounds like it would take a lot of doing.
man oh man...MTL is an awesome city!
no time to post links right now, but here are a few suggestions:
Atwater Market in West MTL
Vieux Montreal (Old MTL, Notre Dame Cathedral, old buildings and shit...really pretty neighborhood...)
La Toque - Best gastronomic dining in the city
Also try La Chronique for excellent bistro fare.
Amazing Indian food all over, especially in Lavalle...
Go to the cheesy casino, hit the clubs on Ste.Catherine...rooftop raves, all-night DJ parties, etc.
Hang around McGill and watch the canadian cuties roll by...
Drink Labatts Blue, go to BEN's for awesome Smoked Meat sandwiches...
seriously, i could go on and on..i love that town.
you could steal a sceptre ...
I'm actually headed there in the morning....taking the train up along the Hudson....hoping the fall folliage is great....Thursday Night in the Big M....then on to Quebec City for a weekend wedding and then back
to the big M on Monday....for some cruising...
Keep them coming....however we are in good company as my bud,
Mr. Louis....as I call him will give us the tour of our life....as always...
not having to drive in the Big M....is a glorious treat.
I'm curious as Hell about Quebec City....never been there...any tips mighty might or Jump?
My buddy took us by the Cirque du Soleil school last time we were there. It isn't really close to anything but they have this great glass
building where people work out on the trapeeze. You can see them
in full view.....I personally think it is one of the greatest works of
architecture I have ever experienced.
My trip will take me to the Jewish Community in the Big M to look at synagogues. Seems to be my thing these days....research research...research....and travel.
i've never been to quebec city. though Le Chateau Frontenac is one of the most glorious old hotels in the history of old hotels, or so i hear: Look Here.
i stayed at chateau frontenac for dirt cheap during a soccer tourney.
quebec city's kinda bland, montreal's a great place to visit, good music scene as well...
Montreal is an awesome town, its hellishly cold though maybe even in october, I know march is nasty. Habitat is way to far out of the way to check in a half a day, I would probably cruise down Ste Catherine and head south at some point to check out the old town. The nightlife there is awesome. Don't bother with the Lbatt blue, ask for the local fare, its awesome beer.
sure Apu, now you gotta' diss the labatt's?
that's like going to germany and not drinking beck's. shame on you.
sewriously though, there are myriad awesome beers coming out of Quebec, notably the ones from Chambly made by Unibroue.
i especially love the MAUDITE.
great stuff indeed.
(no, seriously, get a booth at one of the clubs on ste.catherine and chill with a bucket of labatts. life is just THAT good.)
Maudite is what im talking about! There are so many better newfoundland and quebec beers than Labatt, but then again i'm a bit of a beer snob.
nobody's arguing the difference in quality my man, just that labatt is so eastern canadian, it's like going to kentucky and saying you prefer scotch over bourbon. you dig?
don't get me wrong, i love the good stuff too...but there's a time and a place for a real man's beer like bud, or in this case, labatt's.
you walk into one of the sketchier clubs on ste.catherine or down near the molson centre and try and order one of your blanche de chambly's and you'll just get laughed at...
sometimes you gotta do as the romans do...
(and kill the brick.)
Point well taken mighty.
I mean hell, i've been drinking Yuengling for weeks now.
my point exactly.
man, i do love yuengling. in college i lived on the black and tan. i thought it was the best thing since i left the breast, but nowadays given the option i prefer the lager.
when i was in philly this summer i fell in love with yards philly pale ale. pretty tasty, though i didn't get to sample any of their others...
[/end hijack]
here's another MTL suggestion...if the Habs* are in town, go see a hockey game. never before have you seen so many rabid canadians! awesome!
* - Habs is short for Les Habitantes, and is the local nickname for the Montreal Canadians.
wow - you guys are awesome - thanks for all the ideas - sounds like I can't possibly become bored.
keep the thoughts coming - lots of time left before I fly out.
snooker's right on the fall foliage...where are you from? if you're not from the northeast, this might be a great time to get out of the city and see the leaves.
or just head up into the Parc aux Mont-Royal, there will be plenty of leaf peeping to do there.
view from the park...
In Montreal, there's the CCA which has the beautifully, expensively, technically detailed interior (well, entrance), a photogenic sculpture garden, and an excellent bookshop. The nunnery beside it is cool too.
Listen to Stars, from their Montreal period, they'll fill you in on the vibe.
There's the big gay street, which is far cooler than I expected with french speaking transvestites and heiry leather queens. I got quite excited.
The eponymous Mont-Royal - don't bother with the peak and the park, but drive around the side that faces the river and marvel at some of the residential work on the hillsides. When I was there there was so much building going on that at the weekends you could just march round half-built houses, seeing what they would become - the best thing I did in Montréal, without a doubt. The cathedral is worth a visit too, just on the other side of the hill. It's monumental modern with a neon cross and a set of external stairs that would have made Mussolini weep with joy.
The botanic gardens was slightly underwhelming though it neighours the Olympic stadium, which was also slightly underwhelming. If you've been in Europe the Notre Dame cathedral will underwhelm also.
Eat seasonal food.
Habitat was cool, though I found it difficult to photograph, and there's the bucky globe thing too down at the expo site. Those and some casionos and highway, river crossing, travel, stick to the city...
Even as a hardened fan of my home borough, I take my hat off to the Montreal.
The CCA ( the canadian centre for architecture ) one of most unique building / architecture collections in the world. Ms. Bronfman is the one who insisted her father hire Mies for a couple big black towers ( you may have read about them, the seagram building ). The Center is basically her life's collection, she's somewhat of an architecture philanthrapist.
Great book store too. I spent a day there many years back, always has a great gallery, collection., not a bad building in its day too.
check any building by Dan Hagunau ( not sure of the sp ) but he's done a few museum's down by the old city / waterfront area, very good regional guy who doesn't get enough respect.
By the way, can anybody share their views on personal safety in downtown Montreal -- beyond the normal precautions anybody should take in any large city, is there any reason for concern when walking around the town? Any particular areas to avoid? Is a stroll in the evening to be avoided?
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