Attend a Tam Tam
A weekly festival that takes place at one of the biggest parks in Montreal. There are generally two sections–a drum section and an electronic music section, but the drum one is more popular. It begins with one person playing the drums and soon, everyone follows. A Sunday tradition, people come to the park to relax and have a picnic. While some practice juggling, others dance to the beat of the drums, while many may just choose to unwind with their friends, play a few games and basically do as they please. You can also carry a hammock and a blanket and simply unwind after a hectic week of sightseeing. The tam tam starts around 12 pm and goes on till around 7 pm and is the perfect way to send the entire afternoon and evening in Montreal.
Visit Old Montreal
You're trip to Montreal is incomplete if you don't visit Old Montreal. Walk down the cobbled streets lined with ancient buildings. As you enter the first section, you will see it packed with artists selling paintings and doing caricatures. Walk on to see people performing live acts–stunts on a ladder, a stand up show, people playing musical instruments and other street performances. As you walk down further, you will come to the pier. Carriage rides are available for a ride all through Old Montreal.
Walk around the Jean-Talon farmer's market
A permanent farmers' market for fresh fruits and veggies, you can also find organic maple syrup, butter and honey as well as sauces, jams and ciders. If you're lucky, you may even find 15 varieties of peaches. Located in the heart of Little Italy, the open-air Jean-Talon Market is one of the oldest in Montreal. If you're staying in Montreal for a while, don't hesitate to buy some grapes, a variety of olives, cauliflowers in different sizes, different types of eggplant, as well as a variety of cheeses.
For the shopaholics
Head to Old Montreal, where you have a street full of shops waiting for you. A lot of local artists and designers also have their stores here. Even if you're not planning to buy much, walk around to see what different artists produce. Walk into Kaliyana if you'd like to pick up a few outfits with designs influenced from around the world or to Lunch-à-Porter, a store dedicated to different kinds of lunch boxes, bottles and bags to carry your lunch in.
For the foodies
For the best brunch, head to L' Avenue, where you must try their Eggs Benedict and French Toast. Another must try is their Oreo Milkshake. Huge and a bit on the steep side, have one sip and you'll know why you're paying that price. Located on Avenue Du Mont-Royal E, there's a huge line to enter; don't be surprised if it takes you an hour and a half only to get in. While you're in Montreal, don't miss out on deep fried Beaver tails topped with either caramel, Nutella, banana, cinnamon or sprinkles from BeaverTails and Queues de Castor, a Canadian‑based chain of pastry stands operated by BeaverTails Canada Inc. The chain's namesake product is a line of fried dough pastries, individually hand stretched to resemble a beaver’s tail. Head toLa Banquise, if you intend on trying some poutines, a common Canadian dish made with French fries, topped with a brown gravy and cheese curds. Pick up a sesame seed bagel with cream cheese and your choice of toppings from Fairmount Bagel, one of the oldest bagel bakeries. Old Montreal also has some lovely restaurants, where you can sit out on the patio and enjoy a glass of wine and a meal. You might have to wait for about half an hour if you plan to eat at Olive et Gourmando, but they have fresh sandwiches and yummy soup, which make for a great lunch option.
As told to Avril-Ann Braganza
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}