So I'm taking a vacation to Montreal in a few weeks..

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Two friends and I are heading up north from August 3rd to the 7th to see the sights and hit the Bars etc. I was just wondering if any of you guy's who have been there or are possibly from there could offer advice on what to see, where to stay etc.? Also I know I obviously cant bring a firearm, but, what are the rules about pocket or carry knives in Canada? Anything gun related there worth checking out?
 
Unless you speak "Quebec" French be prepared to be treated rudely or ignored. Montreal used to be one of the great cities in North America - the separatists have ruined it. There are some wonderful people in Montreal (and Quebec) but you have to weed through a lotta "other types".

As far as guns go... forget it! Liberals have made Canada "Safe"!
 
When I was there, a few years ago, everywhere we went (businesses) greeted you "Bonjour, Hello" and then proceeded based on your response. No french was necessary.

I don't know about gun stuff, but the Redpath Museum at McGill University has shrunken heads. Unfortunately they were out for cleaning when I was there. :)
 
Canada is much safer than the U.S. when it comes to violent crime. That's just a fact. And it isn't about firearms.

-Sans Authoritas
 
Swiss army knife is probably OK. Anything bigger is iffy.

I have been to Montreal (about two years ago) and found it very pleasant and friendly. And I don't speak french.
 
Canada is much safer than the U.S. when it comes to violent crime. That's just a fact. And it isn't about firearms.

-Sans Authoritas
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LOL... Haven't been in my area of Canada or next door in Alberta I guess....

I'll spare the stories and links...
 
Montreal is more American friendly than Toronto.

Montreal probably has the most crime of any city in Canada. I can remember this being said as far back as the 1980s. It is still safer than places like LA or Chicago.

Defending yourself with a knife in Canada is probably going to land you jail time. Use a fountain pen or something like that instead. Knives as tools = OK, Knives as weapons = NO!
 
I was just there. I don't know about knives. I had a leatherman micra with me, but that was it.

Check out the "Old City" I think they call it. It's pretty cool to go at night. Be prepared to be surprised when it comes to food. The food tended to be a little weird (for my tastes), and the portions were very very small (here in America we're definitely used to larger meals than the rest of the world! - I never really understood that until I started traveling internationally).

The bus tour is pretty neat to do on the first day as it will give you a better idea of what you want to do while there.

The Asian district/Chinatown is really freaking weird and didn't seem safe IMO.

Check out the olympic dorms (Now a condo building) as you'll recognize it from movies along with the wireframe globe thingy (kind of like a wireframe version of the Epcot Center globe) that is across the water from the dorms. Also, their stadium is pretty cool. The science museum is neat too. Expect mimes and jugglers. There were a lot of them (I didn't mind since I'm a hobbiest juggler).

That's most of what I remember. I was only there for 3 days or so though. Oh yeah, if you like art, the Art Museum is actually very nice, possibly even better than my two favorite art museums (Cleveland and Boston MFA)

I may have been breaking the law with my little Leatherman, but I didn't think about it until I was already there. If you go to a gun store there, take a pic as I'd love to see what they look like and carry. I should have visited but I didn't.
 
Montreal probably has the most crime of any city in Canada. I can remember this being said as far back as the 1980s. It is still safer than places like LA or Chicago.
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Having lived in Chicago, I think you are very safe if you stay in the loop and near north side (streeterville/gold coast). Not 100% safe, but very safe. The overall crime stats are bad, but heavily influenced by the anarchy on the south side.

I can't comment much on Montreal except to say I was in the downtown/hotel area, a block or two from the underground system, and I felt quite safe.
 
Federal law in Canada (basically) prohibits carrying anything as a defensive weapon. Items justifiable as a tools, OTOH are ok. If you were compelled to subsequently press that tool into service under exingent circumstances you could eventually be acquitted, but you would likely be arrested and tried in a court of law. (So the circumstance had better be pretty compelling).

So you're on pretty safe ground with something like a Swiss army knife or a Leatherman. Belt pouch is better to avoid concealed weapon charge. A machete in an urban setting would be hard to justify. Drinking establishments could be more stringent about what they will allow (by policy).
 
Don't believe all the noncence about being treated rude if you don't speak french. I was in Montreal a few years back for a big martial arts conference and we had an excellent time. The old city is beautifull, the food fantastic, and women were out of this world. No firearms allowed (it is Canada after all) but I always carry my lock blade and we never had any problems where ever we went. Enjoy. It's a trip well worth taking.
 
montreal is very nice

be sure to go down to the old port. it is a very historic city and the older areas are very nice.....plus lots of strip clubs lol

when i was ther there were cops every were and many were actually wearing bullet proof vests while jsut walking around...very cool
 
Been there many times (used to drive a truck...14 years worth)....If I'm lucky I will never have to go back...

Just remember...nord = north, sud = south, est = east, and oust (think I spelled that one wrong) = west.
 
I'm not so concerned with the crime rates of the city, carrying a knife just makes me feel more secure. Thanks for the tips guys!
 
Unless you speak "Quebec" French be prepared to be treated rudely or ignored
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Most people who say that have never set a foot either in Quebec nor in France.
When they HAVE been to France, it's generally Paris, and they're suprised to find rude people in a big city environement.

New Yorkers are equally rude.


ps: It always helps to learn how to say the greetings, just making that little of an effort can open you many doors.
 
To answer the question of why I'm going, I am college aged male and Canada happens to have a drinking age a few years lower than our own not to mention some very nice gentelmans clubs from what I've heard. Also I look at it as an adventgure being a different country I want to explore and take in the sights.
 
Remember to make sure your cell phone works there. Avoid rough neighborhoods (which are probably just where the "gentleman's clubs" are). Stick to well patrolled tourist areas after dark.

Make sure we don't end up reading "Underage American charged with drunken assault in Montreal strip club".
 
Montreal is beautiful, but the French Canadians are among the rudest people I have ever met. Expect the cab drivers to overcharge you and get indignant if you know the correct fare and refuse to be overcharged. If you pay in dollars, expect to get shorted on the exchange. When you change your Canadian money back to U.S. money, expect a 20% charge for the service at many places. Expect exorbitant charges on phone calls to the U.S. Finally, don’t think Montreal is typical of Canada. I will never go back to Montreal unless I have to.
 
To answer the question of why I'm going, I am college aged male and Canada happens to have a drinking age a few years lower than our own not to mention some very nice gentelmans clubs from what I've heard. Also I look at it as an adventgure being a different country I want to explore and take in the sights.

Ugggh----c'mon. You can't save the gas and find a nudie bar that will allow you in in the lower 48--or at least one in WESTERN Canada????

In truth, I spent my 18th B.day in Winnipeg--it was my first 'guy' trip and we fished. I even brought a pellet rifle into Canada to plink with.

We crossed in Ontario and headed west (drinking age was 18 vs. 19).

Everyone was nice in Manitoba (spl?) from my recollection. The Beer was VERY expensive and we had to go to a governemnt store to buy it.

Oh, have fun and be safe...I hear the pub food is great.
 
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