Getting Oriented

Montréal is divided by a grid of streets roughly aligned east–west and north–south. North–south street numbers begin at the St. Lawrence River and increase as you head north; east–west street numbers begin at boulevard St-Laurent, which divides Montréal into east and west halves.

• Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal). The oldest part of the city is known for historical buildings, street performers, and charming restaurants.
• Downtown and Chinatown. Shop on rue Ste-Catherine, walk over to Chinatown for lunch, and check out the museums.
• The Latin Quarter and the Village. People-watching is the order of the day here. Have a drink on a terrace overlooking rue St-Denis. 
• The Plateau, Mile End, Little Italy, and Outremont. Come to these fashionable neighborhoods for Sunday brunch, upscale boutiques, and art galleries.
• Parc du Mont-Royal. Where city dwellers seek refuge and enjoy some of the city's best world cuisine in adjoining Côte-des-Neiges.
• Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. See the site of the 1976 Olympics, explore the universe in the planetarium, and take in great parks and gardens.
• The Islands. Île Ste-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame make up Parc Jean-Drapeau, a vast playground with an amusement park, a casino, and the Grand Prix's Formula 1 race track.