Good to know: Even if you speak French, you may be better off speaking English. Although it’s a bilingual Franco-Anglo city, natives may throw you off by speaking French Canadian, which is different from European French.
Local flavor: Poutine, a concoction of french fries with fresh cheese curds that’s covered in hot gravy, is the native snack. Order it with another local favorite, foie gras, at Au Pied du Cuchon, which is famous for its Quebecois comfort food.
Get your bearings: Montreal’s downtown features a subterranean world linked by 20 miles of shop-lined walkways. Spanning several blocks, it allows you to travel between hotels, restaurants, the movies, and the Metro without going outside–perfect for subzero winters.
Get cultured: The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the country’s most famous museums. Pieces by Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Cezanne are part of the permanent collection, which also includes works by Canadian Indian, Inuit, and Canadian artists.
Place we love, even if it’s touristy: Notice the Parisian influence as you saunter along the St. Lawrence River waterfront, window shop at boutiques along cobblestone streets, and breeze into the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica of Old Montreal. Book Now
