For those coming to #ISA2023, welcome to Montreal!
I called the city home until recently, so put together this 🧵 on things you can do. Hope it's helpful.
The city has tons to offer – especially beyond the trap of conference halls and Ste. Catherine’s street!
MTL is a city of neighbourhoods.
Explore them!
Three I recommend are Verdun, Little Italy, & the Plateau (esp Mont Royal street). All have great, quirky bars, some of the best restaurants in Canada, and are just plain beautiful and fun.
A visit to MTL is not complete without heading up Mont Royal (that big bump in the middle of the city).
From the conference, your best bet is to head up and through McGill, so you can check out the university.
The mountain has a ton to offer, with lots of great trails that are easily accessible, great to run, x-country ski, or just merrily stumble up with friends.
If you get hungry or thirsty, there’s a great cantina a Beaver Lake, on your way up (or down).
If you head up, make sure to check out the view of MTL from the Kondiaronk Belvedere: montreal.ca/lieux/belveder…
You can’t see Alaska, but you can see pretty far!
You can also go to the cemetery on the mountain, & visit the grave of Mordechai Richler, the city’s beloved novelist.
Now, if you’re feeling really adventurous & want to see what a spaceship stuck in the ground looks like, check out the Olympic Stadium.
It’s my favourite building city (an unpopular take) & 100% worth a visit. If you get out there, you can also check out the biodome!
McGill’s campus is worth checking out. And it’s changing.
You won’t actually see a statue of its founder James McGill, as the university and its student body is grappling with the fact that McGill enslaved Indigenous and Black people. More on that here: montreal.ctvnews.ca/researchers-pi…
For those interested in art, the Musée des Beaux Arts is a walk away.
If you’re feeling like throwing down cash to get some new art, I highly recommend La Guilde: laguilde.com/en
It’s been around since 1906 and has a stunning collection of genuine Indigenous art.
On the theme of Indigenous peoples, remember: you are on unceded Indigenous land of the Kanien’kehà:ka. Learn about them: kahnawake.com/community/hist…
We are guests here and must take that seriously.
And if you're planning to do a land acknowledgement at #ISA2023, be sure to make it meaningful. Don’t make it a performative moment or akin to “please turn off your cellphones”.
Here are some useful tips: native-land.ca/resources/terr…
Help to decolonize.
Of course, and I’m sure everyone coming knows this – the Old Port is stunning. Do check it out but remember: it can also be a tourist trap.
And if find yourself down there and fancy a cocktail, check out Cold Room: thecoldroommtl.com
Speaking of cocktails, Montreal is a cocktail heaven.
Some of my favourite, special spots are Big in Japan on St Laurent and the Cloakroom on Rue de la Montagne.
They’re both a bit secret too, so you’ll feel special when you go. But also: sshhhh
For food, you don’t need me. There are so many phenomenal restaurants here. But if you have a couple of spare hours, do make sure to check out two of Montreal’s best markets: Jean Talon and Atwater: marchespublics-mtl.com/en/marches/atw…
They’re both gems.
For sports lovers, this is a rough time for Montreal.
Their hockey team is doing terribly. They’ll also never be as great as the Ottawa Senators, which you should 100% tell every Montreal Canadiens fan you see. Expect hugs.
But the Habs doing badly might just mean you can score some tickets cheap.
Bonus: the arena is a short walk away from the conference hotels.
Again, welcome to Montreal!
Please do take some time to explore this city and what it has to offer. It’s a cultural mecca, and super easy to get around via bus, metro or on foot (so long as there’s no blizzard). Avoid Uber though - it's super unreliable here. #protip
I hope other Montrealers and regulars can share other great things about the city in the thread.
Have fun, have a great #ISA2023, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! ✌️
Another great spot for drinks and dinner, and very near the conference (with incredible views): jesuisunenfantterrible.com/place-ville-ma…
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