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Filter by city: Montreal | Laval | Québec City
road trips from montreal

I went whale watching in Quebec — Here's what I wish I knew before going

Last month, I decided to finally check a classic Quebec adventure off my bucket list: whale watching in Tadoussac.

Late August is peak whale-watching season on the St. Lawrence, and the town feels built around that fact. Every café window and souvenir shop is buzzing with people hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the dozen or so whale species that call the nearby waters home. And I knew I hadn't come all this way just to observe them from the shore.

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montreal news

I tested my filtered fridge water against Montreal tap water and the results surprised me

If you're one of the many people who paid extra for a fridge with a built-in water filter, you probably assume it's quietly handling the stuff you don't want in your glass. I've always treated mine that way, swapping it out every six months like clockwork, confident it was giving me something cleaner than what comes straight from Montreal's taps.

Until now, at least.

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montreal news

I tested my Montreal apartment's tap water to see if it's really safe to drink

Do you trust Montreal tap water, or is there still a part of you that wonders what's really in it?

I've never really been a tap water person. In my kitchen, the fridge's built-in filter has always been my safety net, and I refill my bottle straight from it without thinking. It's not that Montreal's water tastes bad, but I've always had this lingering doubt about what else might be swimming in it.

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montreal bungee

Montreal's new 210-foot bungee jump helped me conquer my fear of heights (kind of)

Old Montreal's Convoyeurs Tower is about to become a hotspot for thrill seekers from around the world, thanks to a new attraction called Montreal Bungee. At 210 feet high, it's officially the tallest bungee jump in Canada — and somehow, I found myself at the edge of it.

As a writer who covers what's happening in Montreal on a daily basis, I usually spend more time talking to the people behind the scenes than actually taking part myself. I'm way more familiar with press releases than adrenaline rushes. So when I first heard about Montreal Bungee setting up shop right in the heart of the city, I figured I'd be covering it in some facet.

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I moved from Toronto to Montreal and it was the best decision I ever made

The views expressed in this Opinion article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.

Toronto-born and raised, I always thought living in Canada's biggest city was the obvious choice. It was the metropolitan area I was most familiar with and I’d never ventured outside of Ontario except to visit major cities in the U.S. Still, I’d never considered living elsewhere until I met my partner.

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I moved to Montreal not knowing how to speak French — Here's how I learned FAST

The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.

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how not to be a dick

How Not To Be A D*ck At A Protest: 7 Ground Rules & Pro Tips For Not Making People Hate You

Attending a protest, march or demonstration, whether it's a pride parade or an abolitionist rally, is often among the first ways people engage with causes that matter to them. Montrealers rally for the climate, for better tuition, for lives lost to police violence and more. But there are often unspoken yet vitally important rules that govern behaviour at these events, especially those that more directly challenge systemic forces.

Thanks to a handful of regular protest marshals, attendees and organizers, I've compiled a list of some of the best rules of thumb to keep in mind when attending a protest for something you care about without making its organizers — or attendees — think of you as their next political enemy.

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I Tried BBQ In Montreal As A Southerner From The U.S. & It Went Shockingly Well

While Montreal's summer heat occasionally echoes the sweltering warmth of the Southern United States, it’s the suffocating humidity that really reminds me of my North Carolina roots. Still, my heart often yearns for the comforting flavours of home: the greasy fried chicken and the slow-smoked brisket, staples of Southern cuisine that formed the backdrop of my childhood. Transplanted into Canada's most Francophone province, I've grappled with the futility of replicating these culinary experiences — until now.

I wasn't sure that trying Canadian barbecue as a Southerner was a great idea but went against all better judgment to Le Boucan Smokehouse, a Griffintown restaurant with nods from Eater Montreal (rest in peace), CBC and even the Food Network. Of all the meals I could bring to my homesick palate, I hoped against hope that this one might do the trick.

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How Not To Be A D*ck To Unhoused People: 8 Ways To Show Your Neighbours You Care

Homelessness isn't a poison on the city or a shadowy figure hiding in the alleys: it's a lived reality that many people, especially marginalized people, have to contend with on a daily basis — in rain and snow and scorching heat. Many of us are inclined to ignore, shake our heads or avoid eye contact, but we know (or at least, I hope we do) that this isn't a real solution.

A solution to homelessness, besides regulating housing as an inherent human right rather than a privilege afforded to few, starts with humanizing, engaging with and caring for the people in your community, even those you'd rather pretend don't exist. Here is your cheat sheet to being a nicer person to those less fortunate than you. It's easy, I promise.

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How Not To Be A D*ck In A Montreal Park: 7 Tips For Public Partying & Picnic Politeness

Drinking in the sunshine and drinking, in the sunshine, are two of Montreal's favourite summer pastimes, and we're lucky enough to have legislation that allows these sacred pleasures, where other, lesser cities fail to do so. But parks are for more than just the idyllic consumption of alcohol — they're shared spaces that offer Montrealers the opportunity to spend time together outside of stuffy offices or loud restaurants.

Despite their myriad options for entertainment and relaxation, Montreal parks do have rules, most of which are directly articulated on the city's various websites. Some of these are a little overzealous, in my humble opinion, so consider this a measured response that splits the difference between legal responsibilities or personal courtesies and the right to fun. These seven points are your guide to being the coolest group at the park, or your money back, guaranteed.

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You're Not A True Montrealer Until You've Experienced 9 Of These 17 Summer Struggles

We love to hate Montreal in the winter, and we love to love her in the summer. But the city is sorely missing a true account of its summer struggles — the moments that remind us that every season has its charms. Don't be distracted by all the festivals and natural lighting and endless lazy days under the canopy at Parc Maisonneuve. The hot season still sucks sometimes, but thanks to this list, you can identify just how assimilated you are into Montreal's generous yet unforgiving summer.

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montreal bus

How Not To Be A D*ck On A Montreal Bus: 8 Terms & Conditions Of The Social Contract

Montreal bus drivers are among the city's most unsung heroes, despite serving a crucial role in connecting commuters to their work, loved ones, errands and escapades. As their grateful riders, we sit in the drivers' massive, ambling vehicles for but a brief moment. But in that time, much can happen, from the heartwarming (aww, that baby smiled at me!) to the deeply infuriating (that young adult is taking up five people's worth of space and I just want to RELAX).

We've all been the bad guy on the bus at least once in our lives — unless you're some kind of straightedge beacon of light and love who never forgets to give up their seat. Good for you, but the rest of us need a gentle reminder of the expectations in the social contract we sign every time we tap an OPUS card against those newfangled fare checkers.

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