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| - An iconic MTL landmark to celebrate my review # 600!
The old port is one of the best magical tourist destinations in Montreal, south of downtown right along the water. In spring + summer and early fall it's bustling on the weekends with people walking up and down the streets and in the alleyways. It's a great adventure for a sunny day (not too shabby for a rainy day also)! In the winter the crowds are less but the charm is different very tranquil winter wonderland feel none the less. The best I can describe it is in the winter if you shake an old "village scenery" snow globe, this is what old Montreal feels like! Simply amazing like a Santa's village!
The old port offers some excellent boutique hotels. Some of the top are :
The St James, Nelligan, Auberge du Vieux port, St Sulpice
If you want to stay somewhere a bit further but more chain style the Westin, Intercontinental and W Montreal are just a bit of a farther walk away but closer N to St Catherine's.
There are restaurants, evening lounges (a plenty) in Vieux Montreal and the food scene there is quite vibrant. Some of my faves to name a few in the old port are:
Gibbys, Jardin Nelson, The Keg, Modavie
Lots of tourist shops, high end art Galleries on the West side but lots to explore.
Parking is a royal PITA and very expensive. I'd recommend "biting the bullet" and paying by the water the hefty rate (you can encircle the area for 30 min with no luck) or parking further away and walking down from the Subway (champ de mars or Square Victoria).
All in all it's a must see when in Montreal no matter how much time you have! It's fun to wander the cobblestone streets and get a feel for the charm and feel of the neighbourhood!
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