Where to Shop in Montreal
Montreal is a city famed for bitterly cold winters and beautifully dressed Montrealers who eat exquisite food and drink wine long into the night in Montreal’s many late-night bars.
Tourists in Montreal are doubly lucky because when Montreal’s Metro system was built for Expo ’67, the city built an underground system of malls at many metro stops that were built under office buildings or combination office and apartment buildings. The idea was that residents could go from underground shopping mall to underground shopping mall without the inconvenience of heavy coats and boots. Today, this underground city, La Veille Souterraine, remains at the height of its popularity.
Board the Metro at the McGill Station and travel to Peel at the Eaton Centre, the heart of the Underground City. Go to the Atwater Metro stop, which also features shops, which focus on flowers in the summer months. Next door is Place Alexis Nihon, which borders the affluent, once-English only suburb of Westmount.
East of McGill is Place Ville Marie and Place Bonaventure, which are hotel, office and exhibition complexes. Truly a marvelous experience to shop at luxurious, unique artisan clothing boutiques, delectable French restaurants Quebecoise style and at department stores, while snacking on chocolate or espresso or Montreal’s famous New York water bagels available only at two bakery factories.
If the weather is good, which it is for eight months of the year, barring rain, ditch your auto downtown at a parking meter, knowing you can re-load the meter via your debit or credit card from many locations in the city. Walk along Ste. Catherine street for souvenir shops, classic eateries, old European-style eateries and unique boutiques that feature crafts, athletic gear and high fashion.
For a look at how the young Francophone Montrealers dress, venture East from McGill University along Rue Prince Arthur and you’ll hit the pedestrian promenade, where you’ll see artistically styled clothing in shops next to delicious cafes and restaurants that your taste buds tell you you cannot pass up.
Venture further East along Rue Prince Arthur past Rue St. Laurent to Rue St. Denis East for more flavor of the local Quebecoise culture and dress. Make sure you have your credit cards with you, and if not, get credit cards before you travel, as you may end up wanting some expensive souvenirs.
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