Toronto or Montreal?? Which is the more interesting for a tourist, and why?

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Patricia D

I live outside of Toronto and it's a great city but my mom used to say when she was a little younger than me that she would go up to Montreal for the weekend and have a great time. She used to say there was nothing better than going out at night to the little French bistros and just order French Onion Soup and a bottle of wine - it sounds like an amazing way to spend a night with friends. Toronto has a lot of things to do but Montreal sounds really interesting to visit.

p_wabbit

I would think Montreal,

Toronto's a great city, for sure - but truth be told, rather typical of a lot of North American cities (albeit cleaner, safer and more multicultural than most).

Montreal on the other hand, is quite unique in that it is the only bilingual city of its size on the continent. Its rich with a type of history and culture you willnot find elsewhere - plus its host to a variety of imigrant cultures from around the French-speaking world, including Asia, Africa... Plus IMO Montreal is more scenic.

Jeffrey

Toronto

Ten Kenorland

I can't speak for Montreal as I haven't been there and I will have to admit to a disdain for French speakers. (They're kind of like us ugly Americans who want everyone to speak our native tongue.)

I will tell you what I saw of Toronto was nice. My host told me that Toronto brags of being the most multi-cultural city in North America. There are many great things to see in Toronto, but I was on business and didn't have much time for them. We did take a side-trip that tips the scale for me on the Montreal/Toronto comparison:

Go see Niagara Falls! It's about an hour to 1-1/2 hours drive from Toronto. What an amazing natural wonder! Take the tourist boat ride close to the falls. It is a lot of fun and awesome to see.

No Brainer......MONTREAL!!!!

Toronto is nice but too much atitude, expensive and frankly it's not much in the way of fun. It has it's landmarks and some degree of charm but it is mostly becoming a giant condo factory.

Montreal on the other hand has the old port, the mountain, the bicycle system, it's a great walking city, the subway if far superior. Also, Montreal is home to one of the most beautiful Botanical Gardens, the Olympic park, the latest of fashions (well before T.O. gets them), did I mention the food, bagels, smoked meat, caleche (carriage) rides, Notre Dame Cathedral, oh yes, the people, the clubs, the festivals..........that's just the start.

sazza

My best friend grew up in Canada and she tells me Vancouver is the best. You can watch the whales and there are loads of small islands... also vancouver has a huge China Toen second to none

daisie

Montreal

Geneo

Both have their attractions! I presume that you haven't visited either or. If you're into sports and like hockey; there's the Hockey Hall of Fame; you can see the Jays play baseball, the Raptors (Basketball); the Leafs (Hockey) and the Toronto Rock (Lacrosse); the Argos (football), soccer etc. The CN tower is always a great attraction and it is celebrating it's anniversary this year. It is still the world's tallest free-standing structure.
Montreal's greatest attraction is it's multi-linguism. It's like visiting a foreign country without ever leaving Canada. Old Montreal is beatiful; scores of attractions for varied tastes and speaking of tastes, there are restaurants from every corner of the world. Cuisine, nightlife and free outdoor concerts e.g. Montreal is the city of festivals - Just for Laffs, Jazz Festival etc - tens of thousands of spectators - all free of charge; everyone enjoying the music and it truly is one of the world's safest cities. Visit Bonjour Quebec or Montreal.com for additional information.

Zeek

Toronto b/c there are many attractions to do and see such as:

-an MLB baseball game in summer (Jays)---Montreal doesnt have a team
-an NHL hockey game in winter-spring (Leafs)
-an NBA game in winter-spring---Only NBA team in Canada
-the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), best museum in the country
-the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), best art gallery in the country
-the CN tower (tallest free standing structure in the world)
-the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame

---> as you can see from above, there's something for EVERYONE in Canada's greatest city, Toronto!

Romeo

Les deux! Both!

edsawyer - goodnight, Debra

Douglas Coupland once described Toronto as 'the Yellow Pages sprung to life'. As someone who grew up in Toronto, I can tell you that I have to agree. Toronto is well-organised, clean, beautiful and home to the world's biggest phallic symbol... but it has a tendency to be clinical, generic, devoid of passion and comparable to dishwater.

MontrÃ©al, on the other hand, is a completely unique city. I've only been there a few times, but it's a city that doesn't make sense, that contradicts itself, that gives you a sense of dislocation, but makes you thrilled to be alive. It's just got that 'certain something' that's hard to come by in North America. You'll love it, you'll hate it, you'll wonder why you came, you'll not want to leave...

Despite being a native son if its grand enemy, my vote goes to MontrÃ©al.

ryanz4

Montreal. Toronto has way too many problems now, I wouldn't waste my time going there.

And for anyone that complains about the french in Montreal, you have to put up with people speaking 100 different languages in toronto.

pricetravel

Both offer totally different experiences. Montreal seems like you are visiting a city in Europe. Old Montreal is full of restuarants, shops and street performers. It is an upscale city. Mount Royal with St Josephs Oratory overlooks the city and is a wonderful place to visit.

The arcitecture of the city (both old world and modern) is beautiful.

Toronto is spread out over tons of neighborhoods with varying cultures. If you want an english culture instead of French, Toronto is better. They have a beautiful park on the harbor with activities throughout the summer. You can drive to Niagra Falls in a couple of hours. You can see a baseball game.

Messdeck Annie

I have spent time in both cities and for me, it would definitely be Montreal. Toronto is fantastic but it is essentially just another great very large city whereas Montreal is like visiting another country. Staying in Montreal, in a B&B in old Montreal is the next best thing to actually visiting Paris. I have spent time in Paris as well, and I know that Montreal is as close as you can get without actually flying to France. There are so many things to do and see. I love just people watching while sipping red wine at an outdoor cafe, eating at French bistros, the food is awesome! I love prowling through the offbeat boutiques and antique shops. At night, I love strolling through the narrow streets, walking over the cobblestones and watching horse-drawn carriages go by. I just love Montreal also for the pubs and bars on Crescent Street. I usually try to attend one of the festivals, such as The International Jazz Festival or the NASCAR races. Below is my favourite place to stay. Whatever city you choose, have a great stay!

psd1941

Toronto or Montreal!
Both are expensive in real!!

alyssa

The Assembly Hall (Lakeshore Village)
Art Gallery of Ontario
Ont. Association of Art Galleries
Bata Shoe Museum
The Beaches Boardwalk
The Beaches.com (east)
Beaches Jazz Festival
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Bruce Trail Association
Burlington Art Centre
Cabbagetown
Casa Loma
Canadian Air Show
Canadian National Exhibition
CHIN International Picnic
CN Tower Web Site
Colbourne Lodge
Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery
Gallery 44 - Contemporary Photography
The Docks
Gardiner Museum
Greektown
Ontario Museums Association
Guildwood Village
Harbourfront Centre
Hockey Hall of Fame
Kortright Centre for Conservation
Markham Museum
Metro Convention Centre
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Metro Home Show
Metro Toronto Parks Facilities
Metro Toronto Zoo
Molson Indy
Textile Museum of Canada

For large version, click pic

Oak Ridges Trail Association
Old Fort York
One of a Kind Show
Ontario Museum Association
Ontario Place
Ontario Science Centre
Paramount Canada's Wonderland
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
Robert Mede Gallery
Royal Agricultural Fair
Royal Ontario Museum
Santa Claus Parade
St. James Cathedral
St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Neighbourhood
SkyDome
Toronto Aerospace Museum
Toronto Boat Show
Toronto Jazz Festival (downtown)
Toronto Dragon Boat Race
Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto Island Community
Toronto Music Garden
Toronto Eaton Centre
Toronto Island Park
Toronto Regional Conservation
Waterfront Trail
West Rouge
Yummy Baguette

this is everything to do in toronto
you have art gallerys to night life toronto sounds great

The city is located on an island near the Ottawa and St. Lawrence River. Bridges connect all sides to the mainland. In the middle of Montreal is a 233 m-high, nonnative volcano, Mont Royal. The downtown area is a busy district, offering the experience of many skyscrapers, shops, restaurants and luxury accommodations. Neighborhoods, such as the Latin Quarter and the Mile End await your arrival.

At the southern end of St-Laurent Boulevard, past Chinatown, tourists find the historic district of Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal), a major tourist attraction, offering a glimpse of cobblestone-laden streets and horse-drawn carriage rides. Visit artifacts from 1642 where the cityâ€™s first European settlers began their lives on this land at the Montreal History Centre (Centre d'histoire de Montreal) as well as the Pointe-Ã -CalliÃ¨re Museum of Archaeology and History. The oldest buildings in Montreal can be viewed here. The Sulpician Seminary (Vieux Seminaire Saint-Sulpice) dates back to the late 17th century.

Beyond the St-Lawrence River, the Expo 67 islands of Ste-HelÃ¨ne and Notre-Dame was the site where Montreal hosted the World's Fair some 30 years ago. Today La Ronde Amusement Park entertains tourists, as well as the Gilles Villeneuve Racetrack (Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve) and an excellent casino.

During the winter season, avoid the snow and cold by visiting the Underground City comprised of an elaborate system of interconnected pedestrian and Metro (subway) networks, linking buildings, boutiques, restaurants and even residential apartments.

Montreal Canada offers the illusion of a year-round party- you can call this city â€œFestival Centerâ€, entertaining visitors with various activities, including jazz, comedy and cinema. Come in June where you can treat yourself to the sounds of electrifying music at the International Jazz Festival or wait until August, for the cityâ€™s largest film festival. Allow yourself to become whisked away by the alluring nature of Montreal. The city is ready for the taking as you explore its fashionable boutiques, famed cuisine and over 18 miles of indoor pedestrian walkways.

montreal however is very historic so if u wanna see historica sights its montreal

all though its depends on how long your going
say u go for eight days spend four in toronto and four in montreal
well if u have the money of course
otherwise i would probably pick toronto now and save montreal for your next trip.

Mannie H

I would say Montreal for its mixture of English and French. Albeit both are wonderful tourist sites. Visiting both of them myself this summer. Make sure to visit Quebec, also.

turkish_ girl

both. I live in toronto but I went last WINTER to montreal. In winter montreal is the best place to visit..

spike

toronto
it was voted once most beautiful city in the world

Doogy

Having lived in both places, Montreal for 20 years, Toronto for a little over 10 years, I would have to say that Winnipeg wins hands down.

The other two don't even come close.

Both are dirty unfriendly cold places where everyone is out to work their angle, while people actually bid each other a good day when passing in the streets of Winnipeg.

Trust me when I say that it took some getting used to for a big city to act that way.
It took me completely by surprise.

Artemisia

Do you have to pick just one? Both have tons to offer.

And of course it depends on your interests. Toronto has better theatre; Montreal has slightly better shopping. Toronto has slightly better and more diverse restaurants; Montreal has better culture & history. Toronto is closer to other interesting tourist destinations (e.g., Stratford, Niagra Falls); Montreal is closer to some spectacular countryside.

Really, you're going to have a great time in either city, so it could come down to which is easier to get to from wherever you're coming from.

allison r

MONTREAL IS THE MORE INTERESTING FOR A TOURIST CAUSE THEY HAVE LOTS OF ATTRACTION, SIGHTSEEING REVIEWS AND THAT WILL MAKE TOURIST COME THERE AGAIN AND AGAIN. A ANOTHER THING THATS GOOD ABOUT MONTREAL IS THAT THEY CAN SPEAK FRENCH AND TORONTO CANNOT SO THIS ALSO ATTRACTS FRENCH SPEAKING TOURIST TO COME TO MONTREAL WHEN THEY LIKE.

roberthumphrey@rogers.com

if it's a family vacation Toronto is better there is more for kid's like the cn tower casa loma Niagara falls is only 1 & 1/2 hours drive away but if is is just for some friends or husband and wife than montreal is the place to go. better night life

p.s. im from toronto

jelly_jam_maplesyrup

Toronto is awesome if you want to actually DO things ...there are tonnes of things to do however montreal is really kewl...tonnes of history and awesome food but its more historical
soooo if your active and like action go to toronto
if you like history n food go to montreal

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