Best of 2009 Travel: Part 7 of 10 - Montreal

Old Town Montreal

It’s hard to encompass the vibe of an entire city in a paragraph or two, particularly one as vibrant as Montreal, so I’ll stick to three highlights of my visit this past autumn.

Getting Around: Montreal’s subway system is an extremely convenient way to get around the city. Beyond its convenience many of the stations are great architectural caliber and public art is plentiful. From tile murals to stained glass portraits to the fanciful light shades there’s something to see at almost every stop. Montreal has also recently begun offering a bikeshare program where you can rent a bike at stations around the city and return it to any other station with an available slot. Old town in particular is nice and compact and perfect for cycling and the numerous parks make biking appealing as well. All in all, I didn’t need to drive anywhere once I arrived in the city.

Architecture: Most visitors know to expect the nice Old World architecture when they come to Montreal, but the city is also home to another important architectural assett, the Canadian Centre for Architecture. The Centre functions largely as a museum but also has archives and other resources invaluable to practicing architects. The rotating exhibitions are of the highest caliber and explore a wide range of up-to-the-minute topics as well as historic retrospectives. It’s not to be missed by anyone with a passing interest in the field.

Outdoor Market: There’s almost no better way to spend a lazy Sunday in Montreal than roaming the Mont Royal Market. The street is closed off to make way for vendors of all kinds – many offering clothing related items. Food is also available from various stands and the mood is relaxed and friendly. It’s a nice break from the tour bus highlights of the city and it’s a nice way to enjoy the weather if it’s agreeable.