A College Student's Mapping of Montreal

Author: Matthew Christ

Just two and a half hours north of Middlebury over the Canadian border is one of North America's most sophisticated and amusing cities — Montreal. Because of Middlebury's close proximity to this bustling city, students often take advantage of its culture, history and fun.

The city of Montreal has much to offer college students on a very limited budget. Because French is the official language, the city has a very European feel. When you are in Montreal you truly feel away from New England. There is a very happening nightlife, with copious amounts of dance clubs restaurants and bars.

The Montreal Casino is a must-see, at least once. It is a gigantic, illuminated cylindrical structure that looms over the St. Lawrence River. Driving and parking can be difficult, so a taxi is the best way to get to the casino. There are many floors, each containing a variety of gaming opportunities. The slot machines are a great way to begin, especially for an inexperienced gambler. The card tables can be a lot of fun, but beware of the minimum bets for the table because they can get pretty pricey.

The gigantic casino, a 10-minute cab ride from the city, offers visitors a chance to make a quick buck (or loose a few) at the slots or the blackjack table.

Another perk for many college students is the city's low prices, one of the greatest parts about Montreal. With the favorable Canadian/American exchange rate, prices are much less expensive than those in the United States.

Very few preliminary plans are needed for a weekend in Montreal. Because it is a very busy city, making hotel reservations in advance is strongly recommended. Any hotel located on Sherbrooke Street or St. Catherine Street is right in the middle of the city and a perfect location. The Holiday Inn has very reasonable rates, as does The Ritz-Carlton, surprisingly, which offers special seasonal room prices. When the rooms are filled to capacity and the exchange rate is taken into account, a hotel room in a prime location can be as low as $10 a night per student.

The journey to Montreal is simple. Route 7 North to Burlington, then Interstate 89 North through Canada and into Quebec. From there, signs to Montreal will lead you the rest of the way.

Crossing the border can be a precarious experience. The guards reserve the right to search random cars and to ask very specific questions about the nature of the trip. Just remain calm and tell them everything they want to know. Make sure that you travel with at least a driver's license or other official government-issued identification — a passport is ideal.

Once in Montreal, your first stop should be Old Montreal and the Old Port. This is the area of Montreal that is most European and the place where you will get a true feel for the history of the city. The narrow, cobblestone streets are filled with great restaurants and shops and there is a very relaxed, foreign atmosphere.

Other tourist activities include the Biodome and the Museum of Fine Arts. The Biodome is located in Olympic Park and provides a great way to spend a quiet afternoon after a night on the town. The paths inside the dome lead visitors through tropical, desert and arctic environments, each with the temperatures, fauna and flora of the respective bioregion.

The museum is very small and has a limited collection. Although it has very few major works, it does include some pieces by the great masters of art. Because it is so small, it is very manageable and only an hour or two is required to see the entire museum.

As dusk falls over the city, St. Catherine Street begins to light up. The bars are packed and lively, as are the numerous dance clubs. However you may choose to spend your night, Montreal definitely offers numerous nocturnal opportunities.

A popular spot is the Peel Pub, located on Peel Street right off of St. Catherine Street. A great dance club is 737, located at the top of a skyscraper — one of the most popular spots in Montreal with amazing views of the city.

I heartily recommend keeping cash on hand to tip for service in the city.

Montreal's barkeeps are not shy if they feel they have been slighted, so be aware that heavy tipping is expected.

A weekend in Montreal is an affordable way to dine in a wonderful variety of restaurants, take in some culture and have a great time. When you are in need of a break from the ordinary, a trip to Montreal will refresh and rejuvenate.