Every time I spend time in Montreal, I go to the Quartier des Spectacles because most Ville Marie…read morefestivals take place in this area. In the summer, it's pedestrian only on the area right around St Catherine, so it's easy to get around on foot and see all the stages and sights. The present-day Quartier des spectacles largely overlaps the site of Montreal's former Red Light district, whose history extends back to the beginning of the 19th century. Between the 1920s and the start of the 1960s, the neighborhood was home to an impressive number of cabarets that headlined famous artists. Montreal garnered a reputation as a fun-loving city, and tourists started to arrive in great numbers. The American Prohibition (1920-1933) increased Montreal's popularity, but also created conditions that led to the growth of organized crime, prostitution and illegal gaming houses. It is during this time that the neighborhood was christened the Red Light district. Beginning in the 1950s, professional theatre started to take hold.... in this neighborhood, the new energy took shape in the construction of Place des Arts, the metro system (three stations service the Quartier) and in the establishment of Hydro-Québec's headquarters. The following decade was marked by the building of Complexe Desjardins, which spurred commercial activity in the area, and the campus of the Université du Québec à Montréal, a university founded on the values of the democratization of knowledge and culture. In 1982, the Montreal International Jazz Festival presented outdoor concerts in the neighborhood for the first time. The natural vibrancy of the downtown area along with the many empty lots supported the proliferation and expansion of festivals over the years. Important cultural events became one of the Quartier's motors and one of the principal attractions of the city for tourists and locals alike.

There is so much going on at the Quartier des Spectacles especially on a weekend or even on…read moreweeknights. You will find a lot of tourist in the area. We arrived on a Tuesday night to Montreal and because we were staying 13 mins walk from Quartier des Spectacles, we came here for a visit. We didn't expect that there would be performance happening at night in the center of Quartier des Spectacles (near Desjardin Complex). At the Quartier des Spectacles, you will find a lot of restaurants and as mentioned before the entrance to the beginning of the Underground Tunnel is located at Desjardin Complex. This part of the city is quite busy after 10 am to 11 pm. Places des Art is also located smack center at the Quartier des Spectacles for those who wants to watch any live orchestral performances. https://www.quartierdesspectacles.com/fr/carte/#places-publiques-animees

We visited Saint Laurent boulevard in particular to go to Eva B's vintage clothing store which was…read moregreat but the area is also great for street art and cool quirky cafes and bars. We enjoyed this area.

In Old Montreal Rue St. Laurent runs from the river toward down town…read more Starting at King Edwards Quay on the river, cross Rue Commune (the road that follows the river) and you are on Rue St. Laurent. It's a busy road with lots of traffic lights, but follow it and you will cross under the Chinatown Arch. Keep following it, and you will arrive at Schwartz Deli. Walk on, and you arrive in Little Italy. Granted, that is a *lot* of walking. I should know, I did it. But you see a lot of Montreal along the way. Plenty of shops, restaurants, pubs and businesses. The city is very bike friendly, so watch that you are not walking into an oncoming bike from one of the cross streets. Montreal also has a good public transit service, so you might want to hop on a bus and see it all from your seat. In any event, if you find yourself on Rue St. Laurent no matter which direction you walk, you're bound to find something interesting.

Mile end is so much fun. There are tons of stores and restaurants to discover. Talking walks around…read morethe area is my favourite thing to do. This is where I used to hang around and eat with my friends back in high school, it's where I discovered tons of stores with quirky and special products, it's where I spent the majority of my time since moving to Montreal! There's also a summer festival hosted here and it's top notch!

Short North meets Italian Village, times 10! Bikes everywhere (PS, this city is very bike friendly…read moreand eco conscious!), not to mention murals on sides of buildings. Everywhere. And they are wonderful representations of this area. This neighborhood is Short North meets Italian Villlage, with a splash of Franklinton mixed in. This district is the place to stroll if you're looking for any kind of a foodies. Poutine, coffee shops and cafes, vegetarian, vegan, fine chocolates, breweries, wine, fine dinning, or just excellent cheap eats, it's all here! There are several mainstay restaurants and businesses in Mile End that are a historical significance for Montreal. Bagel, anyone? Perhaps some ice cream to cool yourself? The district is flush with character and charm. From the murals abound, to the abandoned and revamped warehouses, you can't come to Montreal and not head west to spend a day, or two, or three perusing the sidewalks!

Sunday's at Tam Tams is a given. If you're here in the summer, it's always a blast…read more Two drum circles for your free entertaining pleasure. On a side note, that pink inflatable chair looks comfy. This was the second drum circle, a little smaller but just as feisty and frantic. I was also watching two guys have the most intense hacky sack session. I ventured up (north) through the woods and walked through people doing yoga, acro yoga, slack lining, throwing frisbees, etc. Just lots of chilling, picnicking and hanging out with good food and drinks. I even found my way to the elusive/exclusive medieval sword fighting battle grounds. All I can say is you can't help but stare. Grown adults and kids combine to battle (ie. play fight) with full on gear and costumes.

A must see event if you're in Montreal on a Sunday. You'll love the feeling you get losing yourself…read morein the music and dancing... or maybe that's just a contact high. It definitely feels like a step back into the 60's with the barefoot dancing, hempen clothing, smell of marijuana, Hare Krishnas, and all. If you like people watching, this is definitely a place to go. Hippies and squares alike can come together in enjoyment of a pleasant afternoon and dance to the music. Maybe try your hand (foot?) at slack line walking, if you're brave try the free cookies from the Hare Krishnas, check out the many wares people sell - mostly jewelry, clothing, pipes and other tchotchkes. Downsides: I didn't see any facilities (not that I think one could accommodate the hundreds of people present) and as a result, a number of people took care of business in the wooded area. There is also a good bit of second-hand smoke (tobacco and pot) floating around, so if you're sensitive to that or are concerned about your children being near that, maybe enjoy from afar. Easy to find/hear from the area surrounding east Mont Royal. If walking's a bit much for you, the #11 bus will take you there from Mont-Royal Metro. Definitely check this out on Sundays!

Vieux-Port de Montréal, or the Old Port, is part of the Vieux-Montréal area of the city. Along with…read morethe adjacent area that's filled with shops and restaurants, this is one of the top destinations for tourists visiting the city. There's a lot to see and do here; the promenade is quite long, and is filled with great views of the water and surrounding architecture. One of the main focal points here is La Grande Roue de Montréal - a large Ferris wheel that sits right on the water's edge. Additionally, there are carnival rides, food trucks, ziplining, and a beach that's open seasonally. Since I was there in autumn, most of the attractions and beach areas were closed for the season. It was still a great experience though because there were clear views of the water and foliage in the background. I also found myself sitting, people watching, and soaking in the aesthetics. No matter what time of the year, though, it's definitely worth stopping here during your time in Montreal.

During our last visit, we spent some time just relaxing and hanging out around the Old Port. My…read morehusband and stepson got on the ferris wheel (La Grande Roue de Montréal) and had a great time, being able to see far from atop. The tickets were $28CAN per adult. There are also places to rent paddle boats and many benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. There are food trucks in one area of the Old Port and shops in another section A great place, day or night to hang out and people watch...

We visited Marche Jean Talon on a Monday morning during our Montreal-Quebec city summer vacation…read more From the variety of shops, to the quality of produce, it absolutely blew us away! Can't believe it's open all day every day; wish we had anything close to this in our neighborhood. Street parking was easy to find on a weekday morning, and the market was pretty quiet when we arrived just before 10 AM. We split a rocket, goat cheese, walnut panini on ciabatta, which was delicious. I also tried a few cheeses at the extensive cheese shop, and the staff were friendly and helpful. I could have spent hours at the marketing roaming, admiring all the vibrant, fresh produce, and watching local artists sketch and paint the floral section -- which is stunning. It was a great place to buy souvenirs and trip gifts from local vendors. If only we had time to come back to Marche Jean Talon multiple days on our trip. Highly recommend!

Okay... The market…read moreis huge and has a great selection of fresh fruits, flowers, and local food stalls (the vibes are 10/10). However, it's super touristy, which means prices are inflated and finding parking can be a literal nightmare. It's a cute place to visit on a sunny afternoon to grab a snack, but if you're just looking for cheap, quick groceries, you might want to look elsewhere.

Guys there's nothing to see or do here in the winter right now, heads up. It's just some wooden…read morerocking chairs and a wooden carousel mouldering under the snow near the market. Looking forward to seeing what they do with this space come spring 2015!

One of the friendliest cities I have ever visited. I love the mix of French and English cultures…read moreand architectures. Throughout the year, there are always festivals and cultural events. Not to mention the great restaurants and cafes all over. The French culture brings great bakeries (Pâtisseries) all over the city, from local chains to small mom-and-pop stores. The past few years, there have been more and more pedestrian areas for people to enjoy the businesses without the hassle of car traffic. A city for all seasons.

What a great city! So much food, art, and culture to enjoy. Centre Bell is such a wonderful…read moreplace to see hockey and the views from Mount Royal and the Biodome to view animal habitats were unmatched experiences as well. Montreal is a city that is quite bilingual although some neighborhoods are more francophone and others more anglophone. The modern areas as well as the old city are worth seeing. In fact it even beat London, DC, Chicago, and Seattle as our favorite city once we went but that got surpassed by Quebec City. Be sure to go to both

One of my favorite sections of Montreal is the Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin). I just love walking…read moreup and down Rue St Denis and check out the nice restaurants, shops and cafes in the area...all so quaint.... Historically, the Quartier latin was the first area in which the Francophone bourgeoisie settled in Montréal at the beginning of the 19th century, and various institutions have followed suit over the years: Théâtre Saint-Denis, Bibliothèque Saint-Sulpice, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), and so on. The district is thus home to one of the most dynamic student campus in the city. The neighborhood is also home to numerous festivals and an effervescent nightlife. Many years ago, the Comedy Festival (Juste pour Rire) used to be all up and down Rue St Denis...then it moved to the Quartier des Spectacles, but this year, part of it came back to Rue St Denis. Restaurants and bars of all kinds serve up local craft beers and Québec spirits, and play host to music shows of all kinds. During the summer season over 60 outdoor patios welcome locals and tourists celebrating the long-awaited arrival of warm weather. A fun area to stroll around if you are in the city....

If you are seeking nightlife, outdoor sidewalk cafes, diverse restaurants and a boutique shopping…read moreexperience in Montreal, the Latin Quartier checks all those boxes. All generations can be found in the Latin Quartier as well as languages spoken. French, English, Spanish, German and Chinese to name a few. I enjoyed eating at Saint=Houblin-Quartier Latin restaurant and had drinks at Le Salut Back. Wall murals and street art add to the artistic ambience of the Quartier. During the spring, summer and fall the streets are bussing with tourists, locals and college students. The University of Quebec and Montreal has a campus in the Latin Quartier. Inns and hotels are plentiful but check them out for your suitability. The higher end hotels are in downtown Montreal. The Grande Bibliotheque du Quebec is located in the Latin Quartier and if you are like me, it is a must see to explore. The library opens early and closes late to accommodate students. The Montreal film fest takes place in the Latin Quartier. Place Emilie-Gamelin is a nice shaded and quiet park with sculptures. There are occasional free concerts in the park. The public subway has links to the Latin Quartier with a stop on Berri Street. You can walk from from Vieux Port to Saint Denis, the heart of the Latin Quartier, in less than a half hour.