My visit to this library was during the Covid-19 period when my library card expired…read more I wasn't really interested in borrowing physical books but because I recently got a Kobo eReader and libraries which are part of Montreal (such as Bibliotheque du Boise) offer the ability to download certain ebooks via the Overdrive platform. Montreal libraries had the possibility of borrowing ebooks and without renewing my library card, I was able to borrow ebooks for a certain number of months and then go through this same process again but I decided to just visit the library to renew my library card. I verified that the library was open and went there to renew my library card. Upon entering, there was a security guard at the door who asked me whether I was picking up books and I informed her that I was showing up to renew my library card. I used the hand sanitizer which was there and waited to be served by one of the library workers. Once she was ready, I gave my driver's license (showing proof of address residency) and my old library card and within a few minutes, she provided me with a new library card. When I got home, I was able to borrow Overdrive ebooks from the libraries part of the Montreal network's website: https://bibliomontreal.overdrive.com/

We took an early morning stroll around the Old Port area of Montreal. We grabbed a coffee and…read moreheaded to the water. Joggers, dog walkers and other early morning folks were out enjoying the quiet, cool of the day. There are boat docks, green spaces, benches, the giant Ferris wheel, a big water feature, the ferry, a 'beach' where you can rent a chair and umbrella and enjoy the river views, a zip line and the old clock tower and it's attached memorials. This area gets very busy during the day and the quiet of the morning felt like we had the place to ourselves. We watched the boats start off for their day and the geese feeding along the green way. The clock tower was closed this early in the morning, as was the beach, but we enjoyed the stroll none the less. There is a bit of parking in this area and a public restroom is in sight of the old clock tower along the roadway to a parking area. If you are an early morning fan, this is a great spot for some early morning exercise. If you want some fun, this is definitely the place you want to be during the day.

The Clock Tower is the replica of The Big Ben and it was built in 1922 to commemorate sailors lost…read moreat sea during WWI. It is situated on the Victoria Pier overlooking beautiful St.Lawrence River and it is distinguished feature of the Montreal's Port. The tower is 45 meters tall. We visited in a winter months when it was closed but apparently you can climb the stairs to the top.

A really beautiful modern library, with wifi signal... I don't like reading, but they got some nice…read morehangout spots inside and outside the building! Also there's a board game room, so that's pretty chill...

I love all the windows! The greenery inside and the lighting really help distract you from the…read moregloomy weather outside during the fall. My toddler enjoyed the French books and play area. It was really clean and well kept. I loved seeing all the surrounding condos and green space. It felt like an urban oasis. The locals must thrive off this place! I'll just drive or metro it over once or twice a month :) Parking tip ** I parked on St. Denis between Bellechasse and Rosemont, there were several spaces available on a Thurs afternoon.

"I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay Watchin' the tide roll…read moreaway" (Otis Redding) "Grand Quai" translates into English as "Great Dock". The Port of Montreal's Grand Quai is a multi-purpose facility in the Old Port of Montreal. It serves as a passenger marine terminal for the cruise ships to load and unload their Montreal tourists and also serves as a venue for private events. The top of the building features a huge space with glass walls to offer a 360-degree panoramic view of the city and river. I was there last week to attend a formal charity gala for over 560 people, and the Quai was a magnificent host for our event. The room was set up with over 50 round tables of ten with black linens, and a gorgeous bar. I'm not sure who set up what -it was either the Grand Quai staff or Las Olas Caterers. But either way, the result was spectacular, and I have to congratulate the Grand Quai management and staff on putting together such a beautiful room and fantastic experience for the hundreds of guests.

This is where the big cruise ships come in but it was nice and quiet the day we visited. We…read morewalked out to the end where there are nice views of the river and many chairs if you'd like to rest a bit. The main attraction here seems to be a tall glass structure that you can buy tickets to climb to get views of the city and river. We weren't interested in that and so moved on after enjoying the uncrowded view.

The busy square of Place d'Armes is very much in the city center. The twin towers of Notre-Dame…read moreBasilica front the public space, as does the historic Bank of Montreal and its small museum. The Old Seminary of Saint Sulpice, adjoining the Basilica, dates from 1685. Place d'Armes is a key piece of Montreal, historically and aesthetically speaking. It is the oldest stone dwelling in a city where originally most buildings were constructed more cheaply and simply in timber. History is everywhere- At its center is a majestic Gothic fountain, a beautiful monument to Paul de Chomedey, the French military officer who founded Montreal. and it's surrounded by what seems like a "best of" Montreal monuments: Notre-Dame Basilica, the Saint-Sulpice Seminary, and the majestic Aldred building, an Art Deco icon built in 1931 for the New York-based Aldred & Company. The 23-story, tiered building has been called Canada's answer to the Empire State Building

Amazing square in Old Montreal! It is right in front of Notre Dame and has plenty of great…read moredecorations and sometimes has music playing.

Our visit to the US Consulate for a Visa went smoothly and reasonably quickly. There is a lot of…read moreroadwork so we're happy we left early to arrive on time. The Consulate did an excellent job of scheduling appointments in such a way that the line outside was short, there was enough seating for everyone, and we were leaving only 1 1/2 hours after arriving. There are 32 approximately 4" by 4" lockers to place cell phones/cameras etc inside. It's best not to take them just in case all lockers are in use. But it's nice for those who don't have family outside. Some people were surprised that their loved one couldn't accompany them. I was able to accompany my loved one because of being over 80 years old. Everyone we encountered from security to those who verified documents, took fingerprints, and performed the interview, were professional and approachable. The way they presented themselves was calming to nervous applicants. Our questions were answered patiently and thoroughly. Thank you for both the positive experience and outcome! Unlike other reviews I've written, we won't be back.