I'm not Canadian but I've been there a few times.
1-buy a bag of milk.
2-get a liter of Coke in a glass bottle.
3-Go to a natural place just to enjoy the quiet. If you safely can this time of year
4- look at the sky at night. Even rural America has more light pollution than you will get up there.
No literally, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches are to die for. Also the bagels. Montreal boils theirs in honey water rather than salt water, so they got a sweeter taste!
You can see the Citadelle of Quebec (actual surviving fort) or the Chateau Frontenac (Canada's biggest castle) in Quebec City, the Mont-Royal forest (which is an extinct volcano) in Montreal. You can also tour around Montreal to see all the weird Expo buildings with weird architectures!
learn how to order something at a restaurant in french, but don't actually understand french, so you need to confess to them that you don't actually know french when they make any kind of followup question.
If your goal is to experience peak Quebec, you want to be at a little league hockey game in a small town, imo. Ideally, you should be a little drunk and get way too invested in the game. Do not pick a fight with the ref.
Exploring rural Quebec in general is truly gorgeous if you just wanna drive and look at things. Renting a cabin for a few weeks in winter in the Laurentides is always a good time.
Quebec City has cool history. I can recommend some tattoo artists in Montreal if that's your jam.
I would say sled dogs in my area, but sadly the snow melted 2 days ago so I don't think that's something doable right now. Same for snowmobile but that one is for rich and people too crazy about snow for some reason. ATV in the mountains is doable though
Definitely a tour of the old city if you find yourself in Québec City. It’s a lovely European-style neighbourhood, cobbled streets and stone buildings and city walls. Plenty of historical stuff to visit, too.
Just food in general lol I was going to make a joke about leaving as I am from Ontario lol but jokes aside the food scene in Montreal is very good. fun fact but I personally hate the poutine because it is just cheese curds, gravy and fries lol it is nothing special.
There are so many people in these comments who hate us Québecers, huh...
If you're in the greater Montreal area, I'd take a walk around the docks or other of the nice historical areas. Otherwise, it really depends on where you are. Québec City, for example, has the magnificent Chateau Frontenac!
Old Port of Montreal is great, but definitely touristy, but also just going through the underground mall network downtown can also be cool too. Sugar shacks are open only at a specific time of the year so check to see which one you're near and see if its open then. I.e. Feb-March usually
Get bagels (Quebec bagels hit different)
Go to La Ronde
Go see a Canadiens game
Go whitewater rafting
Go to the Montreal botanical garden
Visit Notre Dame
Get some smoked meat sandwiches (Schwartz's Deli is awesome)
I've also heard there's a zipline somewhere? Could be fun.
Montreal Smoked Meat, fresh bagels, maple syrup, and if you get the chance to sample it, try some of the Uniqbru beers, but beware as they are extremely potent.
Montreal smoked meat/bagels and crepes are pretty good if you want food! If you like architecture then check some churches/older areas in quebec. There's also ski mountains if you want that! Have a fun time in Canada and grab a souvenir bottle of maple syrup🍁
If you're in Montreal, then going to Bota Bota spa is fun. It's a docked former ferry -> water theatre -> spa boat with gardens on the land side that have varying water treatments, etc., and soaks, and you just kinda do a circuit while looking at the river. https://botabota.ca/en/
Depends which parts. I'm sure Montreal has plenty pf entertaining stuff but there's also just so many beautiful walking trails, parks, etc. In Québec city. Old Québec is also a classic.
Never been to that part of Canada. But I remember a video from long ago in school for french. In it had a treat of maple syrup poured into ice/snow then a stick was placed in it. Basically turning it into a popsicle
Climb Mount Royal. It's the one with the giant neon cross. Try to avoid driving around Montreal, though Drag Race Canada makes more sense if you do. The countryside between Montreal and Quebec is gorgeous, they don't call it Le Belle Province for nothing.
Maple syrup cone. Maple syrup on salad. If you're there in Feb, go Carnaval de Québec with bonhomme (and ice slide and parade). Go snowshoeing, snowmobiling; walk through old qc and take pictures or visit stores;
If you're in quebec city, Paillard has a good brie ham sandwich (brie+ green apple)!
During summer, you can whale watch in chicoutimi and gaspé (rocher percé). There's also some nice trails in the saguenay area. If you like architecture, there's a lot of nice churches
If you like cool views of water, you can drive around lac saint Jean (you could do it in a day if you really want). Or if you're more south, the st Lawrence river. Or if you're super east, Gaspé Bay of the atlantic coast
Depends on where ya may be! But Montreal has an awesome smoked meat spot called Reuben's Restaurant Delicatessen. Food is great, recommend the fatty brisket. (Dont go to the seakhouse called Reuben's) The Gardens and Biodome are lovely, and downtown and the old city are great spots to shop and see!
Having lived here my whole life, I can say that the majority of French Quebecois I've known are welcoming people. Some of them a little irreverent or snarky, but still mostly friendly! :P
It's mostly crotchety old dudes that have been unpleasant to me. XD
We can bearly tolerate one region to another in France and that without counting the indépendant mouvement, the most in common is we hate the parisian, so do not call not french French
So if you wish to buy a house, avoid corsica, the indépendant mouvement is known to use explosive on the house of the not local, and in many place they do not like outsider, so if you want to live in France, go in a place where they are a frontier with another country, they are more nicer
Depends on location; Montreal? Old port (very europeran-looking), chinatown, downtown/red light.
Defo some smoked meat and St-Viateur Bagels, food-wise. St-Denis street has some amazing stuff too.
And Timmies.
A few awesome museums around the old port as well, depending what tickles your fancy.
Visit Quebec's old town. The Montreal botanical gardens are nice (but probably not right now). In Drummondville, there's a village of old buildings that has been lit up for the holidays. There's the St-Joseph Oratory on top of Mont Royal
Would say, if you have time to dip down into New Brunswick, or if anyplace in Quebec's decided to pick them up, to try an Atlantic Canadian Donair.
Specifically only sold in Atlantic Canada due to the process used to cook the beef. Apparently spit roasting is against food laws in other parts o.o
Holy shit your in my province! Uhh the botanical garden is very pretty I've heard! If your a fan of architecture we also have some (I believe Gothic?) Style cathedrals that simply look gorgeous in the montreal area
I'm actually pleasantly surprised, because "the bad place" was really horrible with the quebec-bashing. Now they are a minority, and gather no engagement. Hopefully this means more people gain an appreciation for our little corner of earth :)
For Poutine, you'll want an actually GOOD poutine. Some places have boring poutines, and some fast food places will mess it up (too melty cheese or soggy fries).
If you're going to Montreal, try "La Banquise". For Quebec City, I got a really good one at the "Bureau de Poste".
"La Banquise" is the restaurant that convinced me that I could actually enjoy poutine, and "Bureau de Poste" was one of the better poutines I've had while living in QC. I also hear good things about "Ashton's"
Most actual restaurants will have at least a decent one, though!
Do not go in a char, that what they call a car, mapple serupe, that where in Canada they produce the most (at least that what i Heard), lurn a bit of french to ? Well, some word are similar in english thank to normand invasion
If you can find some pancakes with real maple syrup and Canadian bacon that would be good. Someone else mentioned it but Schwartz deli if you are in Montreal.
Depending on where you are, the old portions of the big cities like Old Montréal are gorgeous! The fashion is fun to check out too, and if there's any in your area the walkways that wind through the small forests are a MUST! I have family up there and love just walking around when I visit~
If you're looking for other food recommendations, traditional bagels are so good you can eat them like donuts, the maple syrup is delicious, cheese curds are soooo good, and proper montreal smoked meat sandwiches are amazing!
if ur gonna get poutine, Fromagerie Larivière usually does the best ovreall poutine, Lemaire too if ur around drummondville. Ashton used to be the best but i got told the cheese isn't as good anymore and i haven't went there for years
If I must make a suggestion on a more personal level… I suggest you check out Dracolite and Les Artisans d’Azure. If you enjoy DnD and possibly LARP as well, those places are gonna be right in your alley!
Depends on where you are. If you’re either in Quebec City or Montreal, the food is particularly good and varied~ though I highly suggest you visit Gaspé! Rural yet touristic, by the sea, the seafood and the landscapes are really nice!
I mean, prioritize the poutine. Don't miss out on the poutine, so make sure poutine is at the top of your list. I hope by now you've already had some, but if not, get the poutine.
I would recommend go to Montreal for the most part. Not gonna say leave it like some people, but a lot of the things that Quebec has going for it is interesting history and Montreal is very multi-cultural. Just be careful as there are rude people in Quebec. Shame you never came to the Maritimes.
I forgot where it was I did this when I was in Quebec back in Junior High School, but go to a Maple Syrup farm. You get to try fresh maple syrup and will even get you to try a syrup Popsicle.
Check out Old Quebec! It’s a beautiful area in terms of architecture and there’s some wicked places to go shopping! Highly recommend Les Trois Tours if it’s still there
If you are a fan of infrastructure and history, I'd suggest visiting Quebec city itself. There's still the same buildings and there's law of preservation so fortifications, cannons and more is still there
The syrup. Like the actual graded syrup. It is seriously life-changing to have proper fresh quality maple syrup, although I'm personally a bit more partial to the syrup of Vermont cause I'm sentimental
Joking aside, it really depends in what part of the province you are, if ur in Quebec city, visit the old part of town, it's a whole experience in itself, saguenay try the their tourtière, gaspé is an amazing seaside city, you can visit the rochépercé
Also, there's quite a few Scandinavian style spas with hot and cold baths around the province which are generally a nice time. (Sorry if this second recommendation came too late)
If you can, head to a sugar bush/shack and have some maple syrup (likely turned into taffy over ice). Otherwise, stop somewhere for some good pancakes and maple syrup.
Unironically I believe you can still skate on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal? I know that used to be a thing but because of climate change idk if it still is
Grab some weed and leave before an Ashkenazi guy cosplaying as a Jamaican tries to hit on you in some butchered mix of Pidgin and Quebecois French. Also, remind them that more Canadians natively speak Cantonese than French before you return to help keep them from making their own version of Drake 👍.
Not sure you can get them there, since I believe they are mainly sold in the western provinces, but if you can find them get Old Dutch brand Ketchup chips.
Those are THE ketchup chip imo, anyone who tells you to try Lays brand ketchup chips are setting you up for mediocrity.
sugar shack, hockey game, tourtiere, skating outdoors (depending on where you go in QC there's manmade rinks or lakes/canals), bagels, smoked meat sandwiches
Comments
Visit REAL Canada
1-buy a bag of milk.
2-get a liter of Coke in a glass bottle.
3-Go to a natural place just to enjoy the quiet. If you safely can this time of year
4- look at the sky at night. Even rural America has more light pollution than you will get up there.
No literally, Montreal smoked meat sandwiches are to die for. Also the bagels. Montreal boils theirs in honey water rather than salt water, so they got a sweeter taste!
Enjoy the old city and forts. I hope it isn’t too cold out that way and that you enjoy Canada. <3
If your goal is to experience peak Quebec, you want to be at a little league hockey game in a small town, imo. Ideally, you should be a little drunk and get way too invested in the game. Do not pick a fight with the ref.
Quebec City has cool history. I can recommend some tattoo artists in Montreal if that's your jam.
schwartz deli is the bst smokes meat out there
the museum of modern art in Montreal is stunning
the view from mont royal is beautiful
The snow is THICC, the air is cold, the rain is heavy... And in the summer it's real hot and muggy.
Falltime's real nice, though!
If you're in the greater Montreal area, I'd take a walk around the docks or other of the nice historical areas. Otherwise, it really depends on where you are. Québec City, for example, has the magnificent Chateau Frontenac!
After that try to get some steak. Canadian beef is great
Go to La Ronde
Go see a Canadiens game
Go whitewater rafting
Go to the Montreal botanical garden
Visit Notre Dame
Get some smoked meat sandwiches (Schwartz's Deli is awesome)
I've also heard there's a zipline somewhere? Could be fun.
$20
Sure, it's above zero, but BOY is it wet!
When you get back to the states, compare the taste. I promise this is worth your time, and it's easy.
https://botabota.ca/en/
But yeah, that stuff's magic!
If you're in the city, def check out the Old City.
Also, get some crepes for breakfast with proper maple syrup.
If you can find a sugar shack (cabane a sucre) , check that out too.
https://urbanguidequebec.com/cabanes-a-sucre-a-guide-to-quebec-sugar-shacks/
https://www.valcartier.com/en/activities/tour-hotel-de-glace-ice-hotel/
Fight them all Jo
If you're in quebec city, Paillard has a good brie ham sandwich (brie+ green apple)!
If you want to see some historical sites, Old Montreal is beautiful, as well as the Cathedral up Mt. Royal
Male syrup. Like, at a sugar shack made right in front of you frozen to a popsicle stick in the snow
I don't know what the Quebecois have in their heart (possibly poutine) but I'm sure it is wonderful too!
It's mostly crotchety old dudes that have been unpleasant to me. XD
Defo some smoked meat and St-Viateur Bagels, food-wise. St-Denis street has some amazing stuff too.
And Timmies.
A few awesome museums around the old port as well, depending what tickles your fancy.
Specifically only sold in Atlantic Canada due to the process used to cook the beef. Apparently spit roasting is against food laws in other parts o.o
If you don't drink, waffles with real syrup!
Visit a sugar shack if you can/eat some tire d'érable
I guess other stuff might depend on where you go.
Like a historic downtown area, it’s really neat!
https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/old-quebec-city/petit-champlain
Lots of cool sightseeing and old architecture, and pretty scenery outside of the cities!
Quebec City also has a super pretty and cute tourist district up on top of the hill in the city, among the old fortifications.
Aside from those, I don't really get out too much, sadly. XD
If you're going to Montreal, try "La Banquise". For Quebec City, I got a really good one at the "Bureau de Poste".
Most actual restaurants will have at least a decent one, though!
Wait; maple syrup on snow!! (AKA maple taffy)
(to be clear I was like... 12 the last time I went to Quebec so I maybe shouldn't be trusted over actual Quebecois opinions.)
baileys tim hortons iced capp <3
Joking aside, it really depends in what part of the province you are, if ur in Quebec city, visit the old part of town, it's a whole experience in itself, saguenay try the their tourtière, gaspé is an amazing seaside city, you can visit the rochépercé
Source: Grew up in Montreal.
You can do some really fun stuff with them!
https://youtu.be/DvR6-SQzqO8?si=hAqVX5fD7y-V4BP-
Osti, thats beautifull.
Unironically I believe you can still skate on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal? I know that used to be a thing but because of climate change idk if it still is
Those are THE ketchup chip imo, anyone who tells you to try Lays brand ketchup chips are setting you up for mediocrity.