Our Sunday in Montreal was epic. Epic for me because I was able to get Mark into an Art Museum willingly!
We started our day on the hop on/hop off bus tour. We like to do these as a general overview of an area and hop off when we want to check out something further. The bus went by Chinatown where we learned the ornate arches leading in were given to the city by China. We learned that the gay village used to be a very seedy part of town but is now filled with stores and restaurants and is full of life. There is a neat multi-block long section of art strung up over the pedestrian street. We went by the Italian section and the “New York” of Montreal where many movies are filmed as if it was really New York. We passed many beautiful old churches, many dating to the 1700’s per our guide.
Then the bus stopped at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. There is a giant Dale Chihuly glass tree on the steps on one side of the street and two huge hearts on the other side. I really wanted to go inside but he is just not a museum guy. Then the guide reminded us all that the museum is closed on Mondays. This was the only day we could do it. I had Mark right where I wanted him. I was ticking off all the reasons today was the perfect day in my head, prepping to rattle that list off to him when he said, “We should go in. I’d like to see Picasso.” We couldn’t get off the bus fast enough. I was not letting this chance slip away.
The special Picasso exhibit did not disappoint. I’ve always liked his quirky style and there was plenty of different mediums on display. The man truly was an artistic genius. Paintings, etchings, pen and ink drawings, sculptures and more rounded out the special exhibit. We then walked through the rest of the museum where we got to check out lots of interesting pieces. Mark did turn into a giggling 13-year old boy a couple of times but all in all, it was a wonderful couple hours.
Next up was the top of Mt. Royal. It’s the highest point in the city and there was a bike race going in the park on so of course we had to find it. We walked through McGill University on our way to the path and stairs up the mountain. One of the buildings along the way reminded me of Hogwarts.
Mt. Royal is a beautiful city park. They did a good job with paths that can be used for walking, running and biking. The views from the Mount Royal Chalet are vast. We’d seen the top part of a giant cross on our way up the path and decided to find it after we’d taken in the sights from the chalet. It was installed in 1924 and can be seen city-wide. We could hear noises from the race down below us so we wound our way back down the path until we saw a small footpath that took us down a steeper trail to what felt like the bottom of the park. We arrived long after the race had finished. We were hearing the band and cheers for the later riders. If we had known about the race, we would have been there bright and early to cheer the riders. We love a good bike race.
The walk back to the hotel was through the financial district, or at least that’s what I figured it was with all the banks. Today was our last chance to see inside the Notre Dame Basilica as we kept missing tour times all weekend. We hustled passed the hotel and to the basilica just in time for the 4pm guided tour. I am so glad we made that tour time. The basilica is beautiful on the outside but it doesn’t compare at all to the inside. I had to stifle a WOW when we got inside. The parish dates to 1672 and the organ was installed in 1891. There is so much to take in. Each pew rail is carved with a different man. There is one woman, the most important woman in the Catholic church, Mary. Beautiful woodwork is everywhere. The ornate stained glass windows depict the religious history of Montreal. The equally ornate Chapel of the Sacred Heart sits directly behind the large and ornate basilica altar. Where the basilica is bathed in blues, reds and purples; the chapel is lighter wood and white. No pictures allowed in the chapel.
We hit the hotel in time for their free happy hour, gotta love Embassy Suites. Sitting on the patio the trees along the sidewalk were just starting to change. Yeah! We were getting to see a little bit of fall! Dinner this night was at an Irish pub that had football on. Our walk back to the hotel afterward was crisp as the cold weather was coming. This Arizona girl loved wearing pants and a light jacket when it was 100+ at home. A quick check of my watch showed we had walked almost 12 miles. Sure wish I’d ordered dessert at the pub!
Monday would be our last day in Montreal, I planned a great time exploring while Mark worked back at the hotel. Stay tuned…
Check out our fun time in Montreal here:
Montreal & St. Joseph’s Oratory