Which is the best area to stay in Montreal?
By Robert Toto. March 06, 2023
The best area to stay in Montreal is the historic district of Old Montreal, which was a French settlement in the 17th century and still retains some of the architecture of that time period. Because it spans an area of only 0.4 square miles, it is easily visited on foot, bike or even horse-drawn carriage, if that fancies you. This neighborhood is a mix of both old and new offering fabulous art, architecture and culture. You can walk the charming cobblestone streets to visit its vibrant plazas, delightful cafes and shops. Or you can pop into one of its modern art galleries.
Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada after Toronto, and it is also the city with the largest percentage of French speakers, after the city of Paris. Home of the Cirque du Soliel, Montreal is an exciting place to stay because of its many festivals and events going on all year round. It offers fascinating attractions, outstanding French architecture, delicious cuisine, and a rich culture. It is even a great place to stay for winter fun, such as ice skating, sledding, and skiing. And with its underground city that runs along the metro line and houses businesses, shops, restaurants, and concert halls, you don’t even have to go outside if it’s too cold!
Approximately 1 mile west of Old Montreal, the Quartier des Spectacles is the best place to stay for arts and entertainment. It covers a small area where the major attractions are within walking distance, and at night, its Luminous Pathway lights up the cultural landmarks with a glowing red carpet. Regardless of season, there is always something going on in this neighborhood, as it offers over 40 festivals a year, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Just for Laughs comedy fest and Francofolies, a French-language music festival. With over 30 performance halls in this area, you have your choice of entertainment, from plays and dance performances to operas and concerts.
The Gay Village, or simply the Village, is located a little over a mile north of Old Montreal. This is the best place to stay for its parties and nightlife. It is the largest gay village in North America, and a place where everything goes and all are welcome. You will find a rainbow flag at the Ville-Marie and rainbow pillars at the entrance of the Beaudry Metro station, as well as a canopy of colorful balls on the main drag of Sainte-Catherine Street, which is closed to traffic from June to September. Fierté Montréal is the neighborhood’s famous annual LGBTQ pride festival. Y
This neighbourhood is full of 20th century buildings as well as many 19th century churches, with the St Michael church being visually one of the prettiest. There are a few parks to explore and include Parc Jeanne-Mance, Parc Lafontaine and Carre Saint-Louis, which all offer stunning views over the area and many people use the parks for cycling, skating and lots of ball sports. This area has many theatres, art galleries, music and vintage clothing stores, which makes a great wander around especially as there are a handful of Victorian homes too.
This neighborhood has the feeling of its own village in the city, which is just to the east of downtown and is home to some wonderful tourist attractions. This area was the main focus of the 1976 Montreal Olympics and the Stade Olympique was built in the north east corner of the district. There are tours that can be arranged, who can take you around the stadium as well as outside where you will see various sport facilities like the cycling dome, ski slope and BMX venue. The Botanical Gardens of Montreal are a real treat and there are numerous fun-themed gardens and has a museum of insects and other creepy-crawlers.
Approximately 5 kilometers to the south of Montreal, this trendy neighborhood has something for everyone. It is a place to stay for anyone who enjoys shopping and going to the beach as they are all walking distance from each other. The area is served by three metro stations and is just a few stops from the downtown core.
Laval is Canada’s second largest suburb after Mississauga, Ontario. Going to the suburbs may not seem ideal for tourists, but Laval offers a great shopping experience and entertainment. The orange line of the Montreal metro goes into Laval, making it easily accessible from downtown Montreal. Home to three metro stations, this suburb is located twenty minutes north of Montreal and is great for shopping and entertainment. Place Bell, a concert and entertainment value, is located steps away from Montmorency station. Just a bus ride away from Montmorency metro lies Carrefour Laval, Quebec’s largest shopping mall. It is a must with its decor inside the mall.
Located in the heart of Montreal, Little Italy is known not just for its restaurants, but also for the Marche Jean-Talon. Marche Jean-Talon provides a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as its cafes and pastry shops. It is easily accessible by two metro lines. The best time to go is during Grand Prix weekend in June as Boulevard Saint Laurent, the main street that crosses through Little Italy, is closed off to traffic for the Grand Prix festival which features vintage cars and Ferraris. The street is also closed off during the Italian festival that takes place in mid-august to coincide with Italian week in Montreal.
This north-end neighborhood has its own set of parks and shopping attractions and is easily accessible by the metro. Right by the Prairie River, and a ten-minute bus ride from Henri-Bourassa metro is Parc Nature du Ile Visitation. This nature park will have anyone appreciate the sounds of the river, particularly near the hydro dams with its waterfalls. The park is good for strolling or to simply relax. The park is also not usually crowded due to it being away from the city center, a must for those who do not like crowds.
Robert Toto
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