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About Montreal Montreal is Canada's second-largest city and is an island surrounded by the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. Located in a French-speaking province in an English-speaking country, Montreal is a bilingual city with a large immigrant population and international visitors that give it an eclectic, cosmopolitan vibe. It has a thriving arts and culture scene, plenty of stylish shopping, and excellent dining and dancing.
The city of Montreal offers great values for travelers, U.S. or otherwise. The city hosts over a dozen annual festivals ranging from the world-renowned International Jazz Festival to the Just for Laughs Festival. Many of these include free events/performances. Hotel deals are plentiful throughout the city.
Montreal is the second-largest French speaking city outside of Paris so it helps to speak a little French, or at least attempt to, especially east of St. Laurent Blvd, the historical demarcation of English and French-speaking Montreal. The city is beautiful in the summer months thanks to the cool breezes from the mighty St. Lawrence, but come November, Montreal is cold. The average winter temperature is 14 degrees.
Like many historic cities, Montreal is an blending of neighborhoods, each with its own style and attractions. To get the most out of a visit, it's a good idea to select one or two neighborhoods in which to sleep, dine, and play, then plan to explore another neighborhood or two on a return visit.
In addition to the active nightlife, diverse culture and excellent restaurants, Montreal has some remarkable attractions. Among these is Old Montreal, home to the stunning Notre Dame Basilica.
Also worth a visit is Parc Jean Drapeau. This man-made island hosted Expo '67 and hosts the Grand Prix every year on the Gilles Villeneuve race track. In the middle of the track you'll come across a large golden building, the Montreal Casino, formerly the pavilion of France. The popular theme park La Ronde sits on the end of the island and is where the annual International Fireworks festival takes place in June and July. For the perfect view of the city go to the top of Mont Royal or take in the view from the rooftop terrace at Place Ville Marie, Montreal's tallest building. If you are an art lover, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is Canada's oldest, and one of its best.
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