Planning: way in the hell in advance department.

[gridlore]

Kirsten and I are planning on attending the 2009 Worldcon in Montréal. I'm determined not to spend the entire con in the Palais des congrès de Montréal the entire time, so... what are the must-see things in the city? I know we're going to have at least one stout native guide, but I'm interested in what others who live there/have been there think.

After that, we're thinking about going to Washington, D.C. for a few day. I have my political/military/history geek wishlist, but what are the hidden treasures?

Comments

[grimmwire.livejournal.com]

The obvious touristy thing would be to wander through Old Montreal (http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca/eng/accueila.htm), which is like wandering the backstreets of a European city without actually leaving this continent. Fortunately the old town is a short walk from the Palais de congrès.

I don't know if you're interested in cathedrals, but Notre Dame Basilica (http://www.basiliquenddm.org/en/) (in Old Montreal) is a pretty good example. The really crazed bit, however, is the Chapel in the back -- mind-boggling.

From there it's a short toddle down the hill to the Old Port (http://www.quaysoftheoldport.com/en/Default.aspx), where there's Science Centre I've never been in, a park where there are basically continuous festivals throughout the summer, boat tours, and so on.

Also in the Old Port is the Museum of Archeology and History (http://www.pacmuseum.qc.ca/index.aspx?lang=EN-CA). It's not very big but it does house an active archaeological site. You can walk down steps into the remains of 300-year-old buidlings, level by level, until you're standing on the flagstones of what was once the port itself, at the site of where the city was founded. Nifty.

A Metro ride will take you to the Biodome (http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/site/site.php?langue=en) The building is part of the insane 1970's futurist Parc Olympique. The Biodome is a no-brainer because, hey: PENGUINS!

Avoid the overpriced funicular ride up the absurdly tilted Olympic Stadium tower: it won't provide you with any view you can't get for free by wandering up to the belvedere on Mont Royal.

Just north of the Olympic Stadium is the Botanical Gardens (http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/jardin.htm). Worth seeing if you like carefully classified plants. Even better: the Insectarium (http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/insectarium/en/index.php)!

If it's still going on while you're in town (and I think it should be), the International Fireworks Competition (http://www.internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com/en/programmation/calendrier.aspx) is pretty terrific. I'll let you know where to find the best viewing spot (short of actually paying to see it from the bleachers at the amusement park, La Ronde (http://www.laronde.com/larondeen/)).

That's all I can think of at the moment. More will definitely occur. Summer in Montreal is crazy; there's always a dozen different festivals going on at once.

(Dunno much about military-history sites in Montreal; you're on your own there.)