From Sault Ste. Marie to Montréal, with a French kiss
When you fly from Sault Ste. Marie to Montréal, you’ll land in the midst of Québec’s French Canadian culture.
Whether you’re listening to Francophone tunes in one of the city’s clubs or tasting Québecois fare in an outdoor café, you’ll find European charm in every corner of Montréal. French flair is infused into Montréal’s soul, from the pedestrian-friendly streets of Vieux-Montréal, to the towering gothic revival architecture of Basilique Notre Dame de Montréal.
If you’re looking for things to do in Montréal, follow your nose. With food this good, Montréal’s most popular places to eat are also some of the city’s most notable points of interest. The most sophisticated of palates will be pleased by the city’s French-inspired flavours. Even basics like bagels, poutine, and smoked meat make for memorable eating experiences on your visit from Sault Ste. Marie.
For your dessert, get a taste of Montréal’s museums. From the Musée des beaux arts de Montréal, to the Musée Pointe-à-Callière archaeological site, there are plenty of ways to get to know the city.
At the Biodôme de Montréal, the city’s surrounding ecosystem is contained under the roof of a former velodrome, along with three other ecosystems from across the Americas.
The city’s own ecosystems shine in the Parc du Canal-de-Lachine waterfront park. The Lachine Canal, like Sault Ste. Marie’s own canals, is perfect for a waterfront walk. Stroll through this 14.5 km urban park or cycle along the Lachine Canal bike path. As you continue, you’ll pass through some of Montréal’s most noteworthy neighbourhoods, where you’ll have even more opportunities to explore the city.
Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
On the rise
Experience one of Montreal’s most up-and-coming neighbourhoods during your trip from Sault Ste. Marie, with a day in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
For most of its history, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve was a working class neighbourhood. In an effort to offer leisure opportunities to the area’s labouring inhabitants, the Dufresne Brothers designed a series of civic buildings. This early foray into urban planning included public baths, a market, and a theatre (some of which still stand today).
The neighbourhood has taken on a hipper reputation nowadays, and the chic nickname of HoMa to go along with it. Along rue Ontario Est, trendy restaurants have risen as a sign of the area’s rebirth.
Even with this influx, many of HoMa’s old eatery institutions remain popular. Gerry’s Delicatessen and Restaurant La Pataterie still have a hold on the hearts (and stomachs) of residents with their classic comfort food. Bar Davidson has a well-earned, well-aged appeal, having served drinks to Hochelaga-Maisonneuve since the 1930s.
Everywhere you go in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the shadow of the 1976 Stade Olympique seems to follow you. The leaning tower that holds up the stadium’s roof serves as a landmark that makes navigating the neighbourhood easier.
In the nearby Espace pour la Vie, three institutions offer a triple threat of education. From the creepy-crawly Insectarium, to the indoor outdoors of the Biodôme, and lush greenery of the Jardin Botanique, these collections offer a unique look at the link between nature and humanity.
Immerse yourself in nature in Parc Maisonneuve. Another product of the Dufresne Brothers’ initiative, this 63 hectare park is a mark of HoMa’s past and its future oriented perspective. While the Dufresne Brothers probably didn’t foresee your visit from Sault Ste. Marie to Montréal, you can still enjoy their vision with an afternoon in Parc Maisonneuve.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Montréal’s island escape
Travel through Montréal’s archipelago park system on the islands of Parc Jean-Drapeau.
Spread between Île Notre-Dame and Île Sainte-Hélène, Parc Jean-Drapeau is the most-visited park in Montréal. This popular urban escape is only 5 minutes away from the centre of the city, making it an easily accessible day trip while you’re here visiting from Sault Ste. Marie.
During the summer, the gardens of Parc Jean-Drapeau drape the islands in green. In the Jardin Floralies, flowers bloom by the thousands, alongside towering trees, and outdoor art. Over the whole of Parc Jean-Drapeau, 15 works of art are installed. Wander through the park’s 25 km of trails to see this outdoor gallery.
Many of these artworks are left over from Expo 67, Montréal’s impressive 1967 World’s Fair. Another remnant of Expo 67, the spherical lattice Biosphère acts as a reminder of the imagination of the 1960’s. This futuristic building acted as the United States Pavilion during the fair, but now it holds the Musée de l'Environnement. This environmental museum is dedicated to exploring the relationship between the natural and human worlds.
Enjoy Parc Jean-Drapeau’s serene environment in one of the park’s outdoor sports venues.The Olympic Basin was originally built for the 1976 Olympic Games, but you don’t have to be an athlete to kayak, row, or canoe through this aquatic course. Afterwards, trade in paddles for pedals to cycle through Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
When the Circuit isn’t serving as a cycling path, it hosts the Montréal Grand Prix. During June, F1 racing cars whip around the track, in a competition of speed and skill. If you’re not here for the final lap, Parc Jean-Drapeau still provides plenty of fast paced fun. Casino Montréal and the La Ronde amusement park are adrenaline pumping at any time of the year.
Parc Jean-Drapeau’s past is on display at the Musée Stewart. Learn about the history of European influence on Québec and North America as a whole through the museum’s artifacts. Silver, parchment, and ivory works are your window into the lives of the city’s early settlers.
After a visit to this Museum, you’ll have a new perspective on Montréal’s heritage to bring back with you to Sault Ste. Marie.
Getting to Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in the departures area.
Sault Ste. Marie Airport (YAM) is about 19 km / 12 mi from downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Transportation
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxi and car service from downtown costs about $45 CAD.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Landing in Montréal
There are many options for transportation to downtown Montréal from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
The trip is about 20 km / 12 mi from downtown Montréal.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Downtown
Car rental services are available at the kiosks on the ground floor of the multi-level parking complex, located in front of the passenger terminal building of Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
Taxis to downtown cost about $40 CAD. Car service costs about $50 CAD.
Uber pickup is available at Montréal Airport. To find your ride, exit through door 6 on the Departures level. Fares from YUL to downtown Montréal start at $36.
The 747 P-E-Trudeau Airport / Downtown shuttle bus provides service from the airport to downtown. The fare is $10 CAD.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) Parking
There are many parking options at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montréal. Choose from Terminal, Economy, or Indoor parking, with rates starting at $7 for 20 minutes and at $20 for 24 hours. The airport also offers the convenience of ValetParc parking for $42 for 24 hours.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
