Travel Advice - Quebec City and Montreal

[sygazelle]

My wife and I are cruising from Boston to Quebec City in September, followed by a couple of days in Quebec City and a couple of days in Montreal. We've been to Boston but the rest of the itinerary is new to us.

I'm looking for travel tips (hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, etc) in Quebec City and Montreal. We are excited about seeing this new (to us) part of Canada. Our schedule is open so we can spend a few days extra if necessary.

[Alfisti]

I have been to Montreal many times for work and play, TBh a lot of the charm will be lost as Quebec City does the whole "Europe in north america" thing better than Montreal.

Montreal will be fine in english, for QC i'd recommend at least trying some French as they may otherwise bristle.

For Montreal, the nightlife is good, always been it's strong suit here as the drinking age is 18 not 19 so lots of young uns keep the vibe going. Hit up Mont Royal park in the day, hit the patios in old montreal and find a good place to eat some mussels.

See the Basilica, roam the old town. Controversial opinion but there's not much to actually SEE in Montreal, there's no real landscape or great site like a proper tourist city , it's more a wander around and people watch kinda place.

[WayneM3]

We were in Montreal last summer and went whitewater rafting and had a blast. I am used to having to drive hours away for something like that and this is on the river right there not far from downtown and the rapids were fun without having to spend a full day on the activity.

[Murf the Surf]

Quebec city is beautiful. Lots of old world charm there, great restaurants, the whole place is practically a museum. Don't miss lower town.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Montreal will be fine in english, for QC i'd recommend at least trying some French as they may otherwise bristle.

Things must have changed since I was there in 1980. If I wasn't taking high school Spanish as my foreign language at the time, my family would probably *still* be there looking for the road back to the USA! Every last road sign was in French only.....

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Things must have changed since I was there in 1980. If I wasn't taking high school Spanish as my foreign language at the time, my family would probably *still* be there looking for the road back to the USA! Every last road sign was in French only.....

It still tries to be French but they know English well enough, QC on the other hand ... yeah best try French at least or you may get a baguette over the skull.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

It still tries to be French but they know English well enough, QC on the other hand ... yeah best try French at least or you may get a baguette over the skull.

I'm reminded of the old joke: "The rumor that English is spoken east of Montreal is just that." I don't speak French and never found it to be an issue, either in Quebec City or in the Eastern Townships (where English is more commonly spoken).

QC is definitely not to be missed and the Eastern Townships south of the city are worth a moderate detour on the way to Montreal. It's pretty country to explore just driving around, and the food tends to be very good, especially duck in all the ways the French and Quebecois like to prepare it.

[freakystyly]

Not for everyone, but at least try the bagels in MTL. They're very different from the bready NY style.

And if you're driving on the island, no right on red!

[Buug959]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Not for everyone, but at least try the bagels in MTL. They're very different from the bready NY style.

And if you're driving on the island, no right on red!

Sage advice... on both counts.

[Betep2024]

Im based in Toronto so we visit Montreal and, even, Quebec City, actually quite on a regular.

Last time, we’ve been in QC was just last Aug/Sep and stayed at the Fairmont Frontenac (basically the main hotel there). Can’t stay that it was the best of the hotels we stayed at (plus we were w there a toddler) so book the main hotel restaurant in advance lol (we learnt it the hard way, unfortunately).

On the other hand, there’s an absolute epic restaurant around the corner from the hotel (Le Clan). this restaurant is such a gem and I’d say will hit Michelin restaurant list pretty soon.

All in all, I’d definitely recommend staying at the Fairmont at least for one night as they have a lot of things to offer (hotel excursion, river boat tour, a lot of Fairmonts even have horse back riding tours as part of hotel activites (not sure if this one has too) but there are definitely carriages outside of the hotel that can take you on a nice city tour.

Overall, QC is quite small but there’s plenty to wander around (citadel, old town restaurant street, other petite lanes and lakeshore areas (you can rent bikes for those), old churches, University area etc.

Montreal, oh gosh… where do you even start lol. Montreal, I can even adjust a trip based on how many people are heading, as well as on the composition of such lol (alone debauhery, couples trip, close friends pack, bachelor party trip, family weekend getaway, you name).

Again, I’d really recommend staying at Fairmont there again (as it went through major reno in the last few years) but is actually 2-3 cheaper than even the one in QC but much greater value.

Wandering around for the 1st is going to plenty. Maybe, rent bikes for the day and can go all the way to the other side (Parc Jean-Drapeau). Plenty to see at the Old Montreal, there’s pretty famous food market on the other side, Montreal Casino on Friday / Saturdays actually such a blast (they do literally have legit great disco parties there).

If you have time you can even drive to Mont-trembland (about 1 hour north of Montreal). I personally love it all year around but it is skiiing resort primarily.

[Maynard]

Mont Tremblant does have something besides skiing for the car-people: https://www.pistemonttremblant.com/ ce qui en fait un des circuits les plus intéressants et les plus exigeants au monde