Hellobee Boards

maybe it's because i work in toronto and grew up just north of it but i would say montreal... it just feels more vacation-y to me because it is so european feeling. it feels more special somehow! i haven't been in years though so i can't make specific recommendations... not that helpful

@regberadaisy: Just check the dates you plan on going, there's the just for laughs comedy festival, jazz fest and osheaga music festival in montreal. Toronto is hosting the pan am and para pan am games, plus theres always events in the summer. You may want to attend or avoid those weekends depending on your preferences.

I always advocate for trying somewhere new. If you've never been to montreal it's a great city, the old town is pretty and the food/drinks are great!

We've spent quite a bit of time in both cities, but more time in Montreal because DH is from there and we have friends still living there. I'd still recommend Montreal over Toronto. Because of it's size it's more similar to just about any major city in North America, whereas Montreal still has a lot of Old World appeal. And you do not have to speak french to get by there. Just speak english and the proprietor of the store/restaurant will speak back to you in english.

As for recommendations, I have a bunch. My two favourite "special" restaurants are La Queue de Cheval and Moishe's (a long-time Montreal establishment). They're considered fine-dining steakhouses, and are a bit pricy, but definitely worth it for something like an anniversary.

A much cheaper, but definitely checklist-worthy, option to dining in Montreal is Schwartz's Smoked Meat. Another Montreal tradition, you've never had Montreal smoked meat like this before, and it's not uncommon for there to be long lines outside of the restaurant. It's definitely not sit down and take your time dining, but worth the experience. If you give me an idea of what type of food you prefer, I could provide some additional suggestions.

For things to do there are always festivals and shows going on, including the Jazz Fest (I think it's usually June-July), International Fireworks Competition (Wednesdays all summer), Just for Laughs, Cirque de Soliel fest, etc.

Places to visit include: the Botanical Gardens, the Old Port (lots of buskers and cobblestones), the BioDome, Mont Royal/St. Joseph's Oratory (great views), and lots more.

It's probably easiest to stay close to the downtown (Centreville) core, and there are lots of recognizeable hotel options in that area. From there you can just park your car, and take the subway (Metro) everywhere you need to go. Montreal is very accessible.

You do see a bit of spike in prices/dip in availability during festivals, but it's not until Grand Prix time that things get crazy. Definitely avoid the city during that time, unless racing is your thing. You have to book really far in advance (i.e., months to a year) to get a hotel then.

If you're into shopping, there are a lot of stores and boutiques along St. Catherine's, and the malls along there extend below street level (one entrance is at Hudson's Bay or La Baie) and go on for several blocks.

I grew up in Montreal and moved to Toronto a few years ago....and I definitely say Montreal hands down!