Montreal was founded in 1642 and just celebrated its 375th Anniversary. Granted, the city is not as old as some of the other stops on the circuit (such as Barcelona, the host of the MILLIONS Grand Final) but it’s just as enchanting; helping make MILLIONS North America one of the must-play poker events of the year.
Montreal is filled with history, culture, and tradition; all of which are on full display in Old Montreal. No visit to our city would be complete without a trip through the cobblestone streets filled with charming little shops, bistros, and cafés that take you back to another time.
The original site of Montreal, named Ville-Marie at the time, is precisely known, and as expected, it is located in Old Montreal. Start your journey through time at the Pointe-a-Callière Museum by exploring an original underground circuit leading through archaeological excavations. It’s very cool.
There are obviously plenty of museums and historic sites in Old Montreal and some, like the Château Ramezay, the Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site and the Notre-Dame Basilica were covered in Historic Sites & Landmarks at #7 a few weeks ago.
Visit Bonsecours Market; inaugurated in 1847, the Market is one of Canada’s finest heritage buildings and contains restaurants and bars along with over a dozen boutiques featuring some of the best made-in-Quebec creations you will find. On your way out, head west along Saint-Paul Street and take in its picturesque architecture and ambiance. This will take you to Place Jacques-Cartier, one of the most popular gathering spots in Montreal.
Old Montreal is also home to some of the best restaurants in the city and finding something good to eat will not be a problem – deciding which to try though is another matter. But we will help you out with that in the coming weeks.
While technically not part of Old Montreal, the Old Port is only a hop, skip and a jump away, and can add a few thrills and chills to your travels.
The Montreal Observation Wheel offers a breathtaking view of the Saint Lawrence River, Old Montreal, downtown and the mountains. Take the ride in the evening for a magical experience. And don’t worry about the weather – cabins are air-conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. Do some ziplining at Tyrolienne MTL Zipline, right above the Bonsecour Basin. You could also rent a pedalo or quadricycle for a little exercise.
Whether you are in Old Montreal or the Old Port, there’s always something to see or something to do and no matter how often you go, it never gets old. So make sure to take an afternoon or evening while in town for MILLIONS North America and visit a truly beautiful place.