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Think you know Montreal? It’s bilingual, it’s got pretty architecture, it’s chilly in the winter. All true, sure, but there is a lot about this historic city that surprises visitors. Read through these facts about the largest city in the province of Quebec (stay tuned for: cheese, maple beer, underground tunnels, unsaintly saints, and a potential feud with New York City) and then start searching for your hotel — resisting a visit is futile.
1. Montreal loves cheese.
2. You know what else they love? Maple syrup.
About three-quarters of the world’s maple syrup comes from Quebec, which, in practical terms, means you can’t walk a couple of blocks in Montreal without a whiff of the sweet aroma of maple cookies, maple butter, maple candy, maple salts, maple salad dressing, maple coffee, maple beer, or, well, you get the idea.
2. Their streets are named after fake saints.
Though Montreal is often called the “City of Saints” because of the many streets named after these holy figures, in many cases, they are actually just the names of wealthy and influential friends of the city’s early architect.
4. In the winter, you can cross-country ski right downtown.
No need to head out of the city to ski resorts — there are over 200km of trails in the city, including some in Mount Royal Park.
5. The first cat cafe in North America was opened in Montreal.
Nothing like a little coffee with a temporarily-adopted fur baby.
6. Montreal has its own kind of bagel.
It’s sweeter, more dense, and has a bigger hole than its New York cousin.
7. Montreal has the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada.
And the second highest in North America after NYC.
8. The city has its own Mural Festival.
Street art is incredibly popular in Montreal (bet you thought it was all prim-and-proper, didn’t you?). Saint-Laurent is a good place to check it out.
9. Ice hockey was invented in Montreal.
The first indoor game was played in the city in 1875.
10. Montreal has an underground city.
With 18 miles of tunnels and shops, you could almost avoid the cold winter altogether.
11. Montreal is known for its festivals.
And not just in the summer when the weather is nice. Events like Igloofest keep residents and visitors partying all year long.
Source: gogobot.com