Bringing a Friend To Montreal for His First Time?

Razor · #1 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 1:59 PM**

Hi all!
Maybe this thread would be better in the Quebec// Montreal section, but I thought I would ask here?

I myself have been to Montreal a few times..More for Hab games with buddies, where we drove back to Ottawa right after. When my wife was alive, we went on a few summer day trips just to stumble around, walking St. Catherine following our noses, and we always ended up in old Montreal for dinner before heading back. My wife and I always seemed to find some cool serendipitous little things, or we just lucked out onto things just by happenstance..A drum festival at a park downtown for example.

Anyways, my pal from SW Ontario has never been, and we'll be there for a few weekdays in the first week of July, staying at a motel downtown..We are going to do the stereotypical things like do the smoked meat sammie thing, and trip around Old Montreal..He's like me, where I'm okay with no game plan, and just tour around checking things out on foot or on the Metro, but I'm open to suggestions?..I was thinking of driving up to Mont Royal, just for the view..My friend is also aware that Montreal has a great food scene, so we are prepared to eat well!..We only have 2 days..For someone's first time, would you just say to stick to exploring downtown, tripping down St. Catherine, old Montreal, and maybe check out some downtown neighbourhoods and pubs?.Who knows, there could be a good live band on a weekday..I'm tempted to take him to Grumpies, because I had a good time in that pub! I also thought of checking out Olympic stadium, but am not sure...Thanks ahead!

WhipperSnapper · #2 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 2:32 PM**

I don't think there is any activity in the Montreal section. They all gravitated to off site local forums like agoramtl and mtlurb. May want to check those out if this post doesn't pan out.

Happenstance was it when I was young but, now, I prefer everything planned out as I got old. It's weird.

YOWetal · #3 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 4:04 PM**

I'm sad that you are from Ottawa but have only been to Montreal a few times.

Two days is short but I would also reccomend a bit outside the downtown neighbours for parks, walking, shopping etc. Westmount, Mile End, Laurier, even further east is filled with cool hoods.

Rico Rommheim · #4 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 4:18 PM**

Spend a day in downtown and old mtl. Then spend another day in a real neighbourhood. Go to mile-end and hang around Fairmount and Bernard and St-Viateur streets. Lots of food and drink and shops in a real dense urban hood.

Walk everywhere. Avoid driving in the city.

Calgarian · #5 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 4:19 PM**

I'll be in Montreal for the first time in May, so I'm following this lol.

Razor · #6 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 4:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOWetal

I'm sad that you are from Ottawa but have only been to Montreal a few times.

Two days is short but I would also reccomend a bit outside the downtown neighbours for parks, walking, shopping etc. Westmount, Mile End, Laurier, even further east is filled with cool hoods.

I'm originally not from Ottawa either, but to your point..Yes.I love Montreal, so over the years, I should of made it a point to visit it more often. (been there maybe 6 times). Thanks for your suggestion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

Spend a day in downtown and old mtl. Then spend another day in a real neighbourhood. Go to mile-end and hang around Fairmount and Bernard and St-Viateur streets. Lots of food and drink and shops in a real dense urban hood.

Walk everywhere. Avoid driving in the city.

Yes to avoiding driving, and taking note of you suggestions..Thank you!

harls · #7 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 8:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

Walk everywhere. Avoid driving in the city.

This above all else.

Get a day or weekend pass for the métro if you get tired of walking.

Calgarian · #8 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 8:15 PM**

Montreal has a reputation as being dangerous for pedestrians, any truth to that?

Rico Rommheim · #9 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 9:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Montreal has a reputation as being dangerous for pedestrians, any truth to that?

It does? Never heard that one.

Razor · #10 Posted **Mar 17, 2026, 10:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

This above all else.

Get a day or weekend pass for the métro if you get tired of walking.

Yes, we discussed grabbing a couple of metro passes. I hate driving in Montreal, and I plan to keep my car parked at motel. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Montreal has a reputation as being dangerous for pedestrians, any truth to that?

Not sure about that, but it's dangerous for us Ontario motorists who don't know our way around!..Darn Freeway (The 40) has both left and right exits in some spots!

harls · #11 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 12:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Montreal has a reputation as being dangerous for pedestrians, any truth to that?

No.

Maybe belligerent out of towners screaming anti-french shit on Ste. Catherine after a night out at the strippers might get some flak.

harls · #12 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Yes, we discussed grabbing a couple of metro passes. I hate driving in Montreal, and I plan to keep my car parked at motel. Thanks!

If you want to save money on a hotel, just get something cheap near Montmorency metro station in Laval. Or that ugly building in Longueuil. Park the car and play around the city with your subway pass.

MolsonExport · #13 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:03 AM**

there was a montreal thread created by James Bond I believe, and it was filled with suggestions of things to see and do by the local and former Montreal crowd.

MolsonExport · #14 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:04 AM**

here it is: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263627

Loco101 · #15 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:05 AM**

I would add to check for what festivals are going on when you'll be there. Also see if there are outdoor concerts or if places will have outdoor entertainment. I've often enjoyed just the random things you'll find in Montreal that are going on without really much planning.

It's never boring walking along St-Denis Street or Crescent Street and finding live music. If you like jazz I recommend the Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill (it's actually located downstairs in a building on Mackay Street just off Sainte-Catherine) for good drinks, food and jazz. The jam sessions are really fun.

If the weather is nice it's always fun to walk up Mount Royal and go to the Kondiaronk Belvedere (lookout) and take photos. It's a classic thing to do in Montreal.

Wherever you are there is almost always interesting architecture and details is so many things you don't see elsewhere.

I could recommend so many other things but I'm hoping a few others on here mention some ideas.

MolsonExport · #16 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Montreal has a reputation as being dangerous for pedestrians, any truth to that?

the Jaywalking capital of Canada? I'd say pedestrians are probably more of a danger to motorists.

James Bond Agent 007 · #17 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 1:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

here it is: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263627

Be sure to catch my videos on pages 6 and 7 of the thread for suggestions as well.

isaidso · #18 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 3:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

this above all else.

Get a day or weekend pass for the métro if you get tired of walking.

+1

EnvisionSaintJohn · #19 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 3:46 AM**

There’s many places in Canada your friend could go for that… but Montreal is probably the best option!

Razor · #20 Posted **Mar 18, 2026, 11:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

If you want to save money on a hotel, just get something cheap near Montmorency metro station in Laval. Or that ugly building in Longueuil. Park the car and play around the city with your subway pass.

The Motel is already booked (Peele street in Ville Marie), and yes to Subway pass..That's the plan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

here it is: https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263627

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco101

I would add to check for what festivals are going on when you'll be there. Also see if there are outdoor concerts or if places will have outdoor entertainment. I've often enjoyed just the random things you'll find in Montreal that are going on without really much planning.

It's never boring walking along St-Denis Street or Crescent Street and finding live music. If you like jazz I recommend the Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill (it's actually located downstairs in a building on Mackay Street just off Sainte-Catherine) for good drinks, food and jazz. The jam sessions are really fun.

If the weather is nice it's always fun to walk up Mount Royal and go to the Kondiaronk Belvedere (lookout) and take photos. It's a classic thing to do in Montreal.

Wherever you are there is almost always interesting architecture and details is so many things you don't see elsewhere.

I could recommend so many other things but I'm hoping a few others on here mention some ideas.

Thanks to you both!..We only have a couple of days, so a combination of just going with how the wind blows and stumbling around, sight seeing on foot, with some light targeted planning seems to be how we will be doing things..It's his first time there, and he's down with walking a lot, with the metro pass in our back pockets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Bond Agent 007

Be sure to catch my videos on pages 6 and 7 of the thread for suggestions as well.

Will do..Thanks!