Hellobee Boards

Hi! I've don't live in Ottawa or Montreal but have visited several times.

Will you have access to a car? The best way to get around is by car but train is probably your next best option.

There's not much to do in Ottawa except for visiting Parliament Hill.

Montreal is fun for shopping and eating. St. Catherine Street is where the shopping is. Old Port is a nice area to stay. It is near the water and is very picturesque with cobblestone streets, small shops and tons of restaurants. It reminds me of Paris.

Iconic food that you must eat while in Montreal:

- Montreal smoked meat at Schwartz
- Poutine! You can get this dish at alot of restaurants but a really fun place with a huge variety of different poutines is La Banquise.

That's what I can think of the top of my head. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

It can get pretty cold in December. A snow suit would probably not be a bad idea. The wind chill in Ottawa can get pretty bad but it really depends on whether we are having a mild year or not.

I'm actually just on the train on my way back home from Montreal. DH and I were there for a long weekend and I lived there for five years in the early 2000s. I absolutely adore it.

We like to rent an apartment via airbnb.com in my old neighbourhood (the plateau), but if you're looking for hotels I like being along Sherbrooke, as its quite central and easily accessible to a variety of neighbourhoods.

In terms of what to do while you're there: the Old Port is a big draw but ridiculously touristy. It's a nice place to walk around, but I highly recommend avoiding eating down there, as most restaurants in the area are tourist traps.

Montreal is a city of neighbourhoods and its fun to explore hem as they each have heir own feel. Some areas to look into, depending on your interests: The Plateau, Mile End, St. Henri and, of course, the Old Port.

For restaurant recommendations: Chowhound has a very active Quebec board.

Weather: it will be cold and a snowsuit would be appropriate for your LO. It hovered around 0 degrees Celsius this past weekend and December can be downright frigid (but thankfully not as bad as January and February).

Feel free to PM me if you think of any specific questions.

ETA: While in Ottawa, your LO might like the children's museum at the Museum of Civilization....it used to be pretty awesome...not sure if its changed at all. Definitely worth looking into.

Either car or train would be your best bet between Ottawa-Montreal. And YES to the snowsuit. It's -3C right now.

For Ottawa ... have a shawarma & a beavertail, check out the museums & the National Gallery (we have a TON - Science & Technology, Museum of Civilization, Museum of Nature, War Museum (although I'd personally skip that one)). The canal won't be open yet which is a pity....
Here's a few ideas you might want to check out: http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g155004-Activities-Ottawa_Ontario.html

@glimmersnaps: lol Canada isn't a frozen tundra but Ottawa is!!! In the winter anyways... It's gross and hot here in the summer. I hope you have fun