Attractions

Montréal is a feast of choices, able to satisfy the desires of both physically active and culturally curious visitors. Hike up the city's mountain Mont-Royal in the middle of the city, cycle for miles beside 19th-century warehouses and locks on the Lachine Canal, take in artworks and ephemera at some 20 museums and as many historic buildings, attend a Canadiens hockey match, party until dawn on rue Crescent and The Main, or soak up the results, both concrete and spiritual, of some 400 years of conquest and immigration: It's all here for the taking.

Once you've decided what you want to do, getting from hotel to museum to attraction is pretty easy. Montréal has an efficient Métro system, a fairly logical street grid, wide boulevards, and a vehicle-free underground city that all aid in the swift, largely uncomplicated movement of people from place to place.

If you're planning to check out several museums, consider the Montréal Museums Pass.

For families with children, few cities assure kids of as good a time as this one. There are riverboat rides, the fascinating Biodôme -- which replicates four distinct ecosystems -- the creepy-crawlies of the Insectarium, a sprawling amusement park, the Vieux-Port Centre des Sciences de Montréal, and magical performances by the city's hometown Cirque du Soleil circus company.

When planning your visit, you might want to note which museums have restaurants or cafés so that you can plan a meal there. Most museums, although not all, are closed Mondays.

Elsewhere in the City

A 20-minute drive east on rue Sherbrooke or easy Métro ride from downtown is an area known as Olympic Park, which has four attractions: the Stade Olympique (Olympic Stadium), Biodôme de Montréal, Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden), and Insectarium de Montréal. All four are walking distance from each other, and there's a free shuttle in summer. You could spend a day touring all four sites, and kids will especially love the Biodôme and Insectarium. Combination ticket packages are available, and the Biodôme, Jardin, and Insectarium are all included in the Montréal Museum Pass. Underground parking at the Olympic Stadium is C$12 (US$10/£5.15) a day, with additional parking at the Jardin Botanique and Insectarium.

Money Savers

* Time your trip to coincide with Montréal Museums Day. On the last Sunday in May, over two dozen museums open their doors for free in a city-wide open house. There are even free shuttle buses to get around.

* Flash your AAA card. Members of the American Automobile Association get the same discounts as members of its Canadian sister, the CAA. That includes reduced rates at many museums, hotels, and restaurants.

* Buy the Montréal Museums Pass. Good for 3 consecutive days, the pass gives entry to 32 museums and attractions, including most mentioned in this chapter. The price is C$45 (US$39/£19) for a pass that includes unlimited access to public transportation and C$35 (US$30/£15) for just the museums. There are no separate rates for seniors or children. The pass is available at all participating museums, many hotels, and the tourist offices at 174 rue Notre-Dame (in Vieux-Montréal) and 1255 rue Peel (downtown). To find out more, call tel. 877/266-5687 or visit www.montrealmuseums.org.