Montreal & Quebec City in July

[sicilygirl]

We're headed to Montreal & Quebec City in early July.  I've just started booking things, and so far I've got our flight to Montreal and our hotel there for 3 nights.  We plan on staying the other 4 nights in Quebec City and flying home from there.  

I got a really good deal on the one-way flight there, so I just decided to go ahead and book it.  I'll book the flight home from QC based on what my fare alerts tell me.  In Montreal, we're staying at the InterContinental Montreal.  It was a good deal and the location looks pretty good.  Any advice on where to stay in QC?  I'm also interested in some day trip ideas and specific recs on food or things to do while in either city.

Also, if anyone has any good info on the Jazz Festival that's happening while we're there, let me know!  We're pretty excited to check out some fun concerts as we explore the city.

[mbcdefg]

I've been to Montreal three times, but always in November. Here's what we've done:

- Biodome
- Biosphere
- Au Pied de Cochon (pork/duck restaurant - you will need reservations)
- Dieu du Ciel (craft beer)
- La Banquise (24/7 poutine)
- The Sparrow (brunch)
- Jean Talon Market (different food/craft vendors, very cool)
- St. Joseph's Oratory (church)
- Notre Dame Basilica (church)
- Juliet et Chocolat (crepes and cocoa)

[librarygirl]

DH and I visited Montreal last year in July and had a fabulous long weekend there. (On a side note, I'm hoping to get to Quebec City in December for the Christmas scene).

Notre Dame Basilica was incredible-plain and understated on the outside but simply stunning on the inside.

Wandering the streets of Vieux Montreal is a must although I've heard the old section of Quebec is even more lovely.

We visited Parc du Mont Royal (we stayed on the main path, quickest way to the top for the beautiful views of the skyline) although there's tons more to do inside the park grounds as well.

We also visited Marche Atwater which was a lot of fun, especially in the warm weather.

Poutine, if you've never had it you definitely want to try it. There are lots of places around the city to get it but I'd recommend the slightly out of the way La Banquise, it's considered to be the best place for poutine in the city (it's in the area of the park although we took a bus to get there then). I think it even got a nod from food snob Anthony Bourdain.

For restaurants we stayed in Vieux Montreal and just had incredible meals at Bonaparte (French) and Osteria Venti (Italian).

Knowing some French is definitely helpful. Although everyone in the tourist industry speaks English, metro workers and bus drivers, English was more limited or non-existent I found. But knowing some polite pleasantries in French are definitely a good thing too.

I have a lot of Montreal re. posts in my blog.

www.theredheadedtraveler.com/2013/08/quebec-not-your-typical-canadian.html

[dorothyinAus]

In Quebec, I like to stay at the  Hotel Champlain


I'd definitely recommend a visit to Ile d'Orleans, and Ste. Anne de Beaupre is lovely if you're into churches.  Canyon Ste. Anne and Montmorency Falls are nice as well, but all are bit out of town, so you'll have to book a tour if you're not renting a car.  There is an excellent Tourist Information Bureau across from the Chateau Frontenac at Place d'Armes, which has plenty of information on tours and other activities if you aren't renting a car.  In town, Dufferin Terrace should be great for hanging out and enjoying the view from Upper Town, and walking along the wall is a nice thing to do.

[sicilygirl]

Thanks for all the recs! I may have more specific questions as my trip planning gets a little further along.

librarygirl, I really wanted to go at Christmastime, but I'm scared I couldn't handle the cold (being a Texas girl and all)!

[librarygirl]

sicilygirl

I currently live in Pittsburgh where it can get very cold. But I will never forget a grad school professor who was from Montreal and thought people in Pittsburgh to be the wimpiest people ever when it came to cold weather.

I naively thought that Montreal didn't get blistering hot weather...they do, ha. Obviously restaurants/hotels etc were air conditioned but the airport bus (and all public trans) did not have a/c. And of course Notre Dame does not as well-we were there on a Friday in July when a wedding was going to be taking place, the bride's gown was stunning but I can't begin to imagine how hot she was. Nothing but tight ball gown style material.

[lishie]

Jan 20, 2014 15:37:35 GMT -5 sicilygirl said:

We're headed to Montreal & Quebec City in early July.  I've just started booking things, and so far I've got our flight to Montreal and our hotel there for 3 nights.  We plan on staying the other 4 nights in Quebec City and flying home from there.  

I got a really good deal on the one-way flight there, so I just decided to go ahead and book it.  I'll book the flight home from QC based on what my fare alerts tell me.  In Montreal, we're staying at the InterContinental Montreal.  It was a good deal and the location looks pretty good.  Any advice on where to stay in QC?  I'm also interested in some day trip ideas and specific recs on food or things to do while in either city.

Also, if anyone has any good info on the Jazz Festival that's happening while we're there, let me know!  We're pretty excited to check out some fun concerts as we explore the city.

We did a 5 day trip last year at that time. Flew into Montreal and then the train to QC, flight home from QC.

Quebec City had its big music festival going on at that time It wasn't just Jazz. They had everything from indie alt rock to Stevie Wonder performing. I loved it. We stayed within the walled city and it was wonderful. We could walk everywhere.  We found some great restaurant outside the touristy neighborhoods. The festival had QC really crowded, but it was a ton of fun.

[lishie]

Also, we had no clue about the music festival until the week before, and the all access bracelets were sold out. If you bought ahead of time, they appeared to be fairly reasonably priced.

[sicilygirl]

Jan 22, 2014 13:28:44 GMT -5 lishie said:

Also, we had no clue about the music festival until the week before, and the all access bracelets were sold out. If you bought ahead of time, they appeared to be fairly reasonably priced.

I was talking about the Montreal International Jazz Festival.  I had no idea there was another music festival going on in Quebec City at the same time!  I'll have the check that out too!

[lishie]

Jan 22, 2014 13:34:20 GMT -5 sicilygirl said:

Jan 22, 2014 13:28:44 GMT -5 lishie said:

Also, we had no clue about the music festival until the week before, and the all access bracelets were sold out. If you bought ahead of time, they appeared to be fairly reasonably priced.

I was talking about the Montreal International Jazz Festival.  I had no idea there was another music festival going on in Quebec City at the same time!  I'll have the check that out too!

www.infofestival.com/The-Festival/

The 3rd to 13th this year.

We were there the 10th to 12th last year and loved the festival.

[sicilygirl]

Jan 22, 2014 14:27:56 GMT -5 lishie said:

Jan 22, 2014 13:34:20 GMT -5 sicilygirl said:

I was talking about the Montreal International Jazz Festival.  I had no idea there was another music festival going on in Quebec City at the same time!  I'll have the check that out too!

www.infofestival.com/The-Festival/

The 3rd to 13th this year.

We were there the 10th to 12th last year and loved the festival.

Well that looks awesome!  Hopefully they release the line-up for this year soon.  Thanks for the info!

[majesty318]

Montreal restaurant recs:

Les Deux Singes de Montarvie - amazing food! Pretty sure it's #1 on Trip Advisor or is near the top, if not. We loved it. We live in metro NY and found the price incredibly reasonable compared to a similar experience around here. You will definitely need reservations. And it is not really conveniently located but definitely worth it.

Also Olive et Gourmando for lunch (Old Port area). There will be a line. But they have awesome sandwiches & soup.

I also recommend the Porte a Callieres museum. It is about the history of Montreal and I found it fascinating.