Commission - Spring Time for Montreal

This past winter in Montreal was one of the longest and coldest the city had seen in over a hundred years. Day after day the weather was below freezing; the snow started to fall in early December and carried right through until April. In the past week has it started to melt but only because of the rain. Montreal is still waiting for warmth and sun. Still, people are emerging from their homes ready to enjoy being outside without their skin hurting from the cold.

Spring in Montreal is enjoyable but it's not pretty. With the snow gone the ubiquitous potholes are evident. In some areas the streets are so rough that you would think there'd been a recent war. Not only do they not look nice, potholes are especially hard on Montreal drivers who take aggressive driving to a competitive level. The faster you go and more dangerous maneuvers you make the better driver you consider yourself to be. Going fast on Montreal roads is hard on cars, which are already in less than ideal shape. Rusting from being continuously blanketed by snow and all the salt that coats the roads gives them that distinctive Montreal look.

Still, with better weather there's a lot to be done in Montreal, even in rainy spring. The famous Atwater market, with its open air fruit stands selling local organic produce, artisan cheeses and decadent, hand-made chocolates is open.This is a great place to spend a Sunday morning, especially with your family. The food court sells unique, quality homemade meals. There's even an oyster bar. It's located in the beautiful St. Henri neighborhood which has some of the most celebrated bars and restaurants in the city.

Once you get your groceries, you could always head to one of Montreal's many green spaces for a walk. It's probably still too wet to sit on the grass but it's a great place for people watching. If you go to Mount Royal you can hike through the woods. There are reports of families of hawks living there. If you're lucky, you can see all of them circling above you, hunting for the small prey that has emerged from the snow.

If you make it downtown you could stop by the Montreal Museum of Fine Art. Not only does it have a new visiting exhibition in town, the permanent collection showcases breathtaking works of art by the Masters and you can visit it for free. Downtown also has some of the most epic architecture in the city. Just walking down Sherbrooke street is an event in itself. While you're there, take a stroll through the campus of McGill University and see how many gargoyles you can spot dotting the historic buildings. The Reservoir just above campus is a great place for outdoor jogging, perfect for working off those winter pounds.

Spring in Montreal might not be as warm as one would like, but it's still a great time to enjoy the city. The pleasure the citizens feel at being able to go outdoors is palpable and the many ways to have fun without spending money are finally accessible again. Just make sure to bring an umbrella!