Need to get out and take a break from all the “studying” of Reading Week? Here are a few ideas that won’t break the bank and give you a little taste of what Montreal has to offer during the chillier months:
Mount Royal’s Beaver Lake Rink
Sun-Thurs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri-Sat 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mount Royal can easily be turned into a nice outdoor afternoon trip. It offers stunning views of the city from many lookouts, a chance to check out a little bit of nature in the big city, and who can turn down skating on Beaver Lake? Attached to the manmade lake is a refrigerated skating rink. If weather cooperates, you’ll even be able to skate out onto Beaver Lake. The cost? As long as you bring your own skates, it’s free. If you don’t own a pair then you’ll have to settle for a rental pair that will set you back $7, but you’ll get two hours of icy fun.
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Tues-Fri 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Are you in need of some culture this reading week? The Musée des Beaux-Arts has a great selection of exhibits to check out right in the heart of downtown. The next few weeks you can take a look at pre-Columbian art, African art, 17th and 18th century Dutch prints, a one-of-a-kind glass sculpture collection, and Ben Weider’s collection of Napoleon’s items. There is also a temporary exhibit on Kees van Dongen, a Dutch Fauvist painter. Entry into the general collection is on a donation basis and to take a guided tour of the temporary exhibit it will cost you $7.50 with a student ID.
Skating and drinking at the Old Port
Mon-Wed 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thurs-Sun 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Winter Bar: Thurs-Fri 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sat 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
It’s mid-winter and the Old Port is still a blast. A massive skating rink is set right into the Quays. Each night has a different musical theme and a live DJ on Friday nights. If it’s a bit too nippy outside why not head into the Winter Bar to warm up a bit. You’ll be able to keep your skates on and have a few under a tent turned winter lounge. Take some time to wander around the cobble stone streets of Old Montreal, even in winter it is quite something. To skate on the Quays it’s $7 for the day, and $14 if you’ll need to rent a pair of skates.
Biodome/Botanical Gardens/Insectarium
Tues-Sun 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Looking forward to spring? Why not get a little taste before the thaw is here for real. The Biodome offers the chance to walk through five different ecosystems and the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of their inhabitants. Then head over to the Botanical Gardens for a little bit of greenery. Butterflies and moths will be fluttering freely starting Feb. 19. Speaking of insects, the Insectarium is right next-door. You’ll be able see the live collection featuring ants, bees, and a few other miniature ecosystems. To see all three it will cost you $20.25 with proof of student ID, and you’ll also get a free shuttle bus between the sites.
Montreal Impact
Feb. 25, 8 p.m.
Fresh from Italy the Impact head back to the pitch to play some footy with the Mexican club Santos Laguna. The game will be played at the Olympic stadium and tickets are still available for $10. 42,000 have been sold already, so it’s sure to be one big party . . . with a bit of soccer thrown in.
Nuit Blanche
Feb. 28
Now in its sixth edition, Nuit Blanche promises to be a memorable all-nighter fuelled by many coffees. Metros will be running all night and there will be free shuttle busses between the six zones. Here is just a small taste of what’s on the schedule for this year. To kick off the night there will be a fireworks display down at the old port at 8 p.m. While still at the Old Port, why not take a ride on the Ferris wheel, free of course, to get a different view of old Montreal. Parc Jean-Drapeau (9 p.m. to 3 a.m.) turns into a winter play land and offers snowboarding in the newly built Zone 514, tobogganing under the stars, and skating on the Saint Laurent River. You’ll pay $10 for each activity, but it will cover the cost of equipment. Feeling the need to laugh? Just for Laughs will be putting on three shows, the first starts at 8 p.m. Each show will cost a rib-tickling $5. If art is more of your thing, then head to the underground city. From McGill to Place d’Armes, the subterranean city will be crawling with art exhibits. Best of all, it’s free.
