STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hey...I only just saw this post. I second what Luckylily said - the Plateau/Mile-End area is the best. The main tourist-y area, centered around Rue Ste Catherine, is pretty - well - kind of boring, unless you want to take pictures of the many, many huge and famous strip clubs along there (Montreal does not ghetto-ize it's sex industry - the clubs line the main commercial/shopping streets), which many tourists seem to. Heh.

You don't have to worry about safety in Montreal at all. I used to walk home at 4am in the morning often, alone, and never got hassled. It's known as a super safe city.

What do you want to do? Shop? Eat? Sightsee? Shopping = Plateau, especially along St Laurent, Rue St Denis and Ave Mont Royale (lots of really awesome thrift shops on this st.). For eating, Duluth (street) is the best, it's full of little restaurants. Holt Renfrew (Canada's highest-end dept. store) is on Rue Sherbrooke and another super high end dept. store is Ogilvy, on Rue Ste Catherine, if you're into that.

Just grab a small map, because all of these places are within walking distance.

Are you planning on going soon? Because Jan and Feb in Montreal are - well, you might just die it's so cold. I would never advise visiting during those months, unless you're a masochist and/or insane.

Pepper - I think Montreal is a fabulous city for the urban vacation - shopping/eating/cool hotels etc. and none of it too expensive. There is a winter festival but it's in December and will probably be over by the time you get there.

Do you live somewhere that gets a real winter right now? If you don't, I strongly advise against visiting in Jan/Feb - you literally cannot be outside it's so cold, so wandering the streets, which is a big part of Montreal's charm, is out. March is also cold and slushy - spring doesn't really arrive until late April/May, but once the weather warms up it's like the whole city comes out of their houses and does 5 months of intense living to make up for the winter hibernation!

All of the festivals (comedy, jazz, film, Indy) are in the summer, but personally I would recommend June because it won't be as crowded with tourists (although this doesn't bother some people...I get frazzled by crowds) and the weather will be nice, the outdoor cafes will be open etc.

Let me know if you decide to go because I can give you some specific recommendations. You HAVE to got to L'Express (restaurant) - best food in town.