Canada's insider blog

I read an article somewhere that explained what the Summer Solstice was all about.  Astrologically, it has a lot to do with planets and the sun and energies aligning, and it started yesterday at 10:33pm PDT to be exact.  However, aside from the scientific and astrological explanations, most of us celebrated the official beginning of summer today! 

And Montreal could not have given me a more beautiful day to see all the hidden, local-knows spots I wanted to fit in.  The weather was incredible: Sunny and warm with just the perfect amount of breeze at the right time.

After breakfast, we quickly made our way the Olympic Park.  Being from Vancouver and eagerly anticipating the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, I just had to see the Montreal Olympic site for myself. We took the metro, which was very quick and cheap.  (A much better alternative to being stuck in traffic on a hot day.)  Once we arrived, we walked by the Montreal Biodome, a unique museum that houses interesting ecosystems.  We were so excited to go up the funicular at the Montreal Tower Observatory that we ran out from the metro and immediately got in line. There were massive lines to get on, clearly a tourist favourite. From the outside, the observatory is housed in this giant, futuristic white-and-grey long tower, a concrete structure that overlooks the park. I had no idea that the observatory is located in the highest inclined tower in the world.  And the views of the Montreal skyline are spectacular.  Feeling playful, we pinpointed some spots from the observatory deck that we wanted to visit. 

I think we planned an exciting itinerary that you could also follow when you visit Montreal, so I’ll share the route with you: After visiting the Olympic Park, take the green metro to Berri-UQUAM and then the orange metro to Mount-Royal.  When you get out of the metro, take a left and walk a few blocks to a deliriously healthy and trendy restaurant called Aux Vivres. It’s vegan cuisine, that is so fresh and innovative (and inexpensive) that you’ll go back for more.  Not only can you purchase vibrant art made by local artists, but you can also indulge in a swets without feeling guilty. (Hint: try the cinnamon and chipotle brownies). 

Next, walk to Mount Royal, “the mountain” as Carolyne calls it, where most people go jogging, biking and walking.  It's a lush green forest with trails that Montrealers use to stay fit.  This is where you’ll find the Tamtams.  Every Sunday in the summer, at the foot of the Sir George-Etienne Cartier Monument, hundreds gather for a free-and-peaceful drumming circle.  Check out the video here for more.  After some heavy drumming, dancing and people watching, take a cab to Mile-End, the hipster neighbourhood in town. This is where you can find some popular must-experience Montreal foodie-places like St. Viateur Bagel (Rachel Ray and Kelly Rippa are fans) Le Social, Café Olympico and Soupe.

If you can't eat another morsel more, go digging for photos that'll fire-up any living room wall with life.  If you’re tired and want to experience how the locals get home, hop on the St. Laurent bus around that area,  which will take you to the heart of Old Montreal (where a  new adventure will surely begin).  I can't wait to see where we end up tomorrow...