Car rental Montreal - Downtown, Canada

Shopping in Montreal Downtown

Montreal Downtown, also known as Old Town, is one of the busiest parts of the city. It's packed with shops, shopping spots, restaurants, cafes and night clubs. While Old Town is mainly populated by tourists, it's also the heart of Montreal's business community.

Downtown is a bustling hub of students, business professionals and shoppers from Concordia and McGill universities. Many chain stores and restaurants line Rue Sainte Catherine, while Rue Notre-Dame is home to a bustling bar scene. Cultural attractions in this part of town include the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, which features works stretching back hundreds of years. The main Chinatown is marked by wooden gates and quaint, family-run restaurants.

The main road to downtown, Montreal's St. Honorat Street, connects many of the area's buildings and businesses. However, many people walk up and down the street using the many gateways to get to where they need to go. For those who can't make their way through the streets, buses can take them to anywhere else. The most popular routes are the Orange Line, the Grey Line, the Green Line and the Metro Westin.

Aside from its beautiful buildings, Old Town is also home to many historic buildings, such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Notre-Dame Basilica. The Old Portage Museum houses artifacts from early North America, including a replica of the fur trade ships of the period. For more natural treasures, visit the Natural History Museum.

Old Portage is also a popular tourist attraction for tourists who want to explore the natural harbor. Many visitors can spot whales and dolphins as they pass by. The beaches are ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving. Those who want to go snorkeling should be careful as there are sharks close by.

If you are looking to enjoy some historical sights in Old Town, check out the La Presse and the Canadian Museum of History, which both feature early Canadian history. The Montreal Stock Exchange, founded in 1867, features all types of Canadian securities.

The central core of Montreal, the Plateau, features many shops, condos and boutiques, along with some of the best shopping in the world. The high rises and skyscrapers provide a unique shopping experience, and many of the stores are open 24 hours a day. If you have trouble finding an empty storefront, there are many on-site retailers, including many designer boutiques. The biggest draws in the Plateau are the numerous restaurants, including a hip night-life district that includes the hottest clubs in the city.

The historic Little Italy is located on the Plateau near the downtown core, and has long been an attraction for locals, who seek out its unique atmosphere. Shopping here involves a trip up and down the main street, Rue Des Montpetre. and along the Promenade Notre-Dame, which overlooks the river. This part of the Plateau also features an art gallery and a museum devoted to the life of Franz Boas.

Shopping in Montreal Downtown is something to do year round, but it gets more popular during the holiday season. If you want to see the holiday lights, head to Le Bistro Mont Royal to view them at night. There are also Christmas markets where you can buy items like chocolates, handcrafted jewellery, paintings and handicrafts.