How to kill time in Montreal...

June 14, 2006 7:05 PM

I'm doing a totally crazy trip to Montreal next week and need some advice form residents of the fair city.

It will be my first trip to Montreal and I really don't know what to do to kill time between my 6:30am arrival at STATION CENTRALE and the book reading I'm going up for that starts at 1:00pm in the vicinity of the intersection of Rue Ste-Catherine O and Rue St-Marc. Any suggestions? Bonus points for an excellent Sushi restaurant in the area that will be open by no later than 11:30am for lunch.

I'm leaving again that night at 10:20pm and have plans after the book reading so no suggestions for afternoon/evening stuff.

posted by ChazB to Travel & Transportation (12 answers total)

The metro in montreal is quite simple and fast (or in obscure local vernacular, the tro she's fast) so if you want to try tourism you can get over to the olympic stadium and go for a nice walk in the botanical gardens or spend a few hours in old montreal walking along the canal.

The great thing is that if you don't mind some walking your 20-30 mins from the plateau (parc, st-laurent, st-denis) where you can cruise the boutiques, hit the cafes, or hang out on the mountain.

Highly recommend stocking up on the famous st-viateur bagels at st-viateur and parc.

But really it's all about montreal @ night and as you have that covered...
posted by Smegoid at 7:18 PM on June 14, 2006

Highly recommend stocking up on the famous st-viateur bagels at st-viateur and parc.

Likewise, but as a New Yorker I was confused by them until I realized they only come alive when toasted.
posted by StickyCarpet at 7:54 PM on June 14, 2006

Bagels have to be eaten within the first couple of hours, ideally the first hour. After that they can be toasted for a day or so. Then you have to get more.
posted by zadcat at 8:18 PM on June 14, 2006

zadcat: are you talking Montreal bagels? Because they are different. (To my mind they always need toasting, even right out of the wood fired oven.)
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:22 PM on June 14, 2006

Heh, heh, just checked you profile. Nevermind.
posted by StickyCarpet at 8:23 PM on June 14, 2006

strip club. Club super sexx.
posted by Kifer85 at 8:29 PM on June 14, 2006

Foufounes Électriques great "punk" club

Kama sutra great strip club

Katsura excellent sushi etc


514) 849-1172
2170 RUE DE LA MONTAGNE
MONTRÉAL, QC H3G 1Z7






Schwartz's Montreal smoked meat " touristy "


For the next expedition ( see below)



If you want a really good club for dancers take the last turn off on the 401 before you enter Ontario.Head south and you will find it ,shades of Amsterdam !!!
posted by plumberonkarst at 8:46 PM on June 14, 2006

For an excellent strip club, Wanda's.
posted by Juggermatt at 12:04 AM on June 15, 2006

Sounds like you're going to see Wil Wheaton. I wish I was in Canada, I'd totally go see him! I second the botanical garden at the Olympic Stadium, if you get a chance. But I'm kinda a zoo nerd. :)
posted by antifuse at 1:23 AM on June 15, 2006

Actually, if you're going to go out to the Olympic Stadium & you like bugs, I'd go for the Insectarium. Best entymological place ever.
posted by dame at 5:53 AM on June 15, 2006

Montreal sushi is by no means great. We just aren't close enough to the ocean. However, we have a disproportionate number of great restaurants, so you might be ultimately more satisfied looking something other than sushi.
posted by dobie at 7:13 AM on June 15, 2006

Antifuse found me out. Bugs and plants sounds good. Maybe I'll check them out. I may also end up staying until sun morning so maybe I'll get to some of those strip clubs too.
posted by ChazB at 2:36 PM on June 15, 2006