The city center is experiencing a sort of renaissance, so much so that new places can make Montrealers feel like they are traveling in their own city. Here are some suggestions for a downtown trip.
“Welcome to MEM. Is this your first visit? “, says the guide Angel Mota, welcoming us at the top of the stairs of the new Montreal Memories Centre, inaugurated last September to replace the old Montreal History Centre. As the first to arrive, we are entitled to a presentation of the VIP locations. “This whole part is free,” says Angel, inviting us first to learn what Montreal is called in the different languages of the province’s 11 indigenous nations.
With its key location, right next to Central and Café Cléopâtre, the MEM is a space on the history of Montreal, but also on the lives of Montrealers. We reproduced the facade of a convenience store, a plex balcony and even parking signs that were difficult to decipher. We recovered the rainbow balls of the late Claude Cormier, as well as the neon signs of famous establishments that have disappeared, including 281 and La Boîte Noire. It’s a place where you can stroll for a long time, but where you can also only spend half an hour (ideal with the family). Two exhibitions are in progress, one on Le Chaînon and another immersive presenting Montreal characters. The permanent exhibition will not be open to the public until 2024.
On this third day of the school strike, the refrigerated ice rink on Esplanade Tranquille is very busy for a gray Thursday morning in November. This free attraction is truly a nice addition to the Quartier des spectacles, and the kids love it when the zamboni refines the ice cream every 90 minutes. With a surface area of 1,500 m2, the largest refrigerated ice rink in Montreal can accommodate up to 400 people. There are fire pits and chairs all around to comfortably enjoy the winter. You can rent skates on site and eat at the Galaxie restaurant. A café also overlooks the charming public square.
The Grand Marché de Noël returns for another year to liven up the Place des Festivals. Until December 30, we can count on the presence of 105 artisans (Etico, Face, Maison Théier) and the holding of 150 events, whether quizzes or shows by Barbe rousse, Le Chœur du Brouhaha, Kevin Bazinet and Maxime Landry. Take the opportunity to admire from the air the two immense towers connected by a footbridge of the Maestria condos, which seem to have grown overnight on the land of the former Spectrum!
Too rarely do we frequent our city’s hotels, whether for a staycation or simply to admire the decor of the halls. The one at the new Honeyrose hotel is sublime and can be seen when you sit down at the Commodore restaurant or in its café section, where you can grab pastries and takeaway meals. There are also a few tables to sit at and it was the perfect option for a mother-daughter (6 year old) outing. We shared a pasta salad with bocconcini and leek soup for less than $20, which was very reasonable for how chic the place was.
Note that a visit to the toilet is essential because every detail of the 1920s decor and the infinity effect of the mirrors seduce the eye. Throughout the hotel, the marriage of colors, brightness and textures – ash pink, gold, wood, marble and velvet – attracts and comforts the eye. Once again, designer Zébulon Perron and his team have created an impeccable design.
What to do until our next caffeinated destination? So many choices: the exhibition that is a retrospective of the work of the artist Marisol at the Museum of Fine Arts? A little shopping? A trip to the Newon Asian market in Faubourg Sainte-Catherine? One of our favorite free activities downtown is also simply strolling around the magnificent campus of McGill University.
To take a break with a hot drink, we suggest the cute and unique little Côte Mtl café, nestled in a corner of Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, just north of Sherbrooke, where we want people to enjoy outside in a West Coast atmosphere. During our visit, the barista indicated that a sort of tent and a heater will be installed for the winter. After all, you have to embrace our Nordicness to appreciate it!
A quick survey of those around us confirms this: many people have seen the Ring in photos, but have not taken the time to walk around the imposing steel circle 30 meters in diameter suspended from the above the Esplanade Place Ville Marie. In the evening, it lights up at the same time as the cross of Mount Royal which can be seen in the distance.
After admiring the work of the CCxA firm (formerly Claude Cormier Associés), why not stop by the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth artisan market, or grab a bite to eat at Cathcart Restaurants and Biergarten?
There was a time when, after a show at the Métropolis (now the MTelus), there were few options for a drink other than the Sainte-Élizabeh pub or the Foufounes Électriques. The times are changing. Vino Disco just opened across the street from Midway and next to Central. The place describes itself as a “sound bar”. You can drink good wine there, but also dance and eat pizza. When we visited, in the early evening, we were expecting a group of 50 people. We loved the relaxed and festive atmosphere, and the glass of rosé wine from the Testalonga vineyard (from Swartland, South Africa) suggested by our host Amy Tang.
