Montreal has been hosting the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978 and every year it gets keeps getting bigger and better. Grand Prix weekend isn’t all about the race, however. This event gets tourists and locals alike swarming the streets of Montreal in search of the most luxurious showcased cars and the most happening parties. Where should you go during the busiest weekend in Montreal? We’ll break it down for you.
The Race
The race takes place on the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Parc Jean Drapeau. The practices, qualifying, and actual race take place on Friday, June 6th, Saturday June 7th, and Sunday, June 8th, 2014.
Friday, June 6, 2014
Practice #1: 10:00-11:30
Practice #2: 14:00-15:30
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Practice #3: 10:00-11:00
Qualifying: 13:00-14:00
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Race day!
Get your tickets here.
Crescent Street
Stop by Crescent Street between Ste. Catherine and de Maisonneuve and have your senses assaulted by live shows and concerts, DJs, pit stop challenges, and much more. The street is closed for pedestrians from June 5th to June 7th, 2014. Drop in to popular clubs like The Roxbury, Light Ultra Club, and Stogies. Rosalie Restaurant, a block away from Crescent, also offers Grand Prix weekend special events every year.
Not to be missed is the Peel Paddock, another street festival just for the Canadian Grand Prix. The Peel Paddock is sponsored by Belvedere and Moët and usually has a theme. In the past, the street has been covered in sand, and another year it was covered in turf grass and parasols. Peel Street is closed between Ste. Catherine and de Maisonneuve from noon to midnight June 5th to June 8th.
The Main
Looking to spot some vintage cars, or looking to showcase your own luxury car collection? St. Laurent Boulevard is your best bet. Again, find DJ sets, dancers, terraces, and so much more. The street is closed off between Des Pins and Sherbrooke from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. from June 5th to June 8th, 2014. Check out popular clubs like Suwu, Buonanotte, Globe, and Bside.
Further west on St. Laurent Boulevard is Montreal’s Little Italy, between Jean Talon Street and St. Zotique. There you’ll find Italian fare at every stop (most importantly, gelato) and too many vintage cars to count. We promise you’ve never seen so many Ferraris in one place (unless you work for Ferrari, or the Grand Prix, or… we’ll stop now). You’ll find the street closed off for pedestrians all weekend-long.
Old Montreal
Looking for somewhere to go minus the heavy crowds and street festivals? Visit Old Montreal and take a step into Europe. Walk down cobblestone streets and drink up the vibrating energy around you. Popular bars and clubs include Champagnerie, Flyjin, Philemon, and Terrasses Bonsecours.
In sum, downtown Montreal is street party after street party all weekend-long. Sip on some bubbly all the while enjoying the eclectic sights and attractions Montreal has to offer. You can explore the whole city without ever losing your high.
Shopping
Central Downtown Montreal is your one-stop-shopping destination in Montreal. Visit Ogilvy, Les Cours Mont Royal, and Holt Renfrew for your upscale shopping needs. The Eatons Center, along with all the stores on Ste. Catherine Street, will be thriving with deals and promotions to lure in the shopaholics (that’s you). Want to avoid the Grand Prix crowds? Try Laurier Street West or Old Montreal for trendy boutiques.
Transportation
Montreal has so many modes of transportation, you may have a hard time picking just one. We have cabs swarming the downtown area that will offer you a ride and an interesting conversation, for a fee of course. Our cabs also accept payment using the Uber app for those of us who don’t carry cash. The STM (Societé de Transport de Montréal) has bus and metro services (3$ a ticket) that will take you everywhere around and off island, making it easy to get from point A to point B. Check out their website for maps and schedules.
Finally, if you want to get some exercise on the way to your destination, try Montreal’s Bixi services located all over the island. With Bixi, you can rent a bicycle ($7 for 24 hour usage for non-members; see website for more rates) from any automated station and ride around town to your heart’s content. Simply put the bike back in any other station (no need to go back to the one where you picked it up from) when you’ve arrived at your destination. Central Montreal has added numerous bike paths for the convenience and safety of cyclists, making Bixi a great way to travel. Check out their website for more information.
Restaurants
All this walking (or bike riding) will surely get you hungry. Check out our Eat and Foodies Guides picks. Let us feed you!
Itineraries
With so many options of activities and places to visit, it’s normal if you’re a little overwhelmed. Let us help you plan your Grand Prix weekend in Montreal! Click here for more details.
The Canadian Grand Prix happens once a year, so it’s definitely not an event to miss. Witness and take part in one of Montreal’s most anticipated festivals.
