1

Piknic Electronik is #1 on my list! It's best around sunset.

Other than that...walk around the city, especially the Plateau, Mile-End and the Old Port. I'm less excited about downtown. My favourite walk is along Avenue Duluth from St. Laurent east to Parc Lafontaine. If it's nice out, lounging by the pond at Parc Lafontaine is really great. It's also worth dropping in on Tam-Tams (a big drum circle) at Parc Mont-Royal on Sunday, perhaps before Piknic. Of course, climbing up the mountain for a view of the city is a must.

And eat: Schwartz's, Poutine, Bagels. If you're interested in food at all visit www.chowhound.com. There are many threads detailing Montreal's "must" restaurants, including threads on cheap eats. If you like beer, there are some excellent brewpubs in Montreal (Dieu du Ciel, L'Amere a Boire, Le Cheval Blanc for starters). Nightlife is centred on St. Laurent, Mont-Royal and Crescent/Bishop Streets. Look up www.montrealmirror.com for all info on clubs, concerts, theatre, etc.

If you can, browse a Lonely Planet or other guide to the city. It'll help get you oriented.

2

I just got back from a long weekend trip to montreal on monday, so maybe i can help answer some of your questions

i stayed at a hostel called montreal central, which as the name suggests is very central and id definitely recommend it.

as for sights, there is the mountain, old montreal, the ile notre dame, olympic area. depends what you're into really. or you could just go for a walk down st catherines which is kind of the main street and goes on forevever with shops, bars, restaurants, and some seedy establishments as well.

as for food, its got to be schartz's and poutine!

3

Hi,

I live in Montreal and I totally agree with ref_traveller. You have to leave downtown and the rest that is suggested, Nothing to add really. All good.

4

The Old Port,
Rue St Laurant / Rue St Denis for people watching,
Little Italy for food,
Jean Talon markets,
a stroll along the St Lawrence,
Brew Pubs suggested above,
Mont Royal,
The Village for people watching of a different kind,
The underground shopping, just for a look,
And last but not least, I see you have already been and gone, judging by the dates in your OP, so I trust you enjoyed Montreal.

5

just spent a week in montreal with my bf--i lived there and love it. he didn't get what all the fuss was.
i think the problem was staying on st catherine street--damned central, but you don't actually see many montrealers there.
i'd stay somewhere on the plateau or even rosemont/little italy (petit patrie).
longer commute, but you'll get a better sense of the city's vibe. and the restaurants are dang cheap in little italy, beaumont bagels is a great source for your picnics.

6

For bagels, the most famous (and delicious) institution is St. Viatuer bagels at 273 St. Viateur Ouest (they have a very good web site).

The Biodome.
Lac-aux-Castors on Mont Royal (during nice weather only).
Day trip north to the mountains (Laurentides), if you have a car.
Trying to to get through the Decarie circle at rush hour. :)

7

nobody rushes on the decarie at rush hour. :)
great for spotting groundhogs, though.

8

Groundhogs, my kids loved em :-))

9

I agree with the great suggestions on bagels and Schwartz's of course. My wife and I compiled a list of some of the best traditional foods and drinks last June (which include these two), but there is some much more!
http://eatyourworld.com/destinations/canada/quebec/montreal