Fodors - Fodors Montreal & Quebec City 2014

Ask Quebecers what they think of their city, and theyll rattle off tons of things to improve: potholes, bureaucratic corruption, construction strikes, parking meters, and the list goes on. Then ask them if they would move anywhere else in the world, and the answer is always a confident no. Any indication that the cold weather is gone and Quebecers will head to an outdoor terrace.

Locals in both Qubec City and Montral enjoy their city in the summer, with after-work drinks, picnics on the weekends, volleyball in the many parks, and with impromptu rendezvous outdoors. One of the most important rules here is to absorb as much sunlight as possible before the snow plows arrive to roar down the streets yet again. The European feel makes locals proud to call Qubec their homeand its a vibe that remains active, as exiles from France and Italy make their way to this province to find work in their native languages.

With the massive success of home-grown band, Arcade Fire, international record labels are paying more and more attention to the city. The emerging Montral music scene is comparable to Seattles Indie music explosion of the 1990s. Bands such as The Stills, Half Moon Run, and Chromeo are making Montral concert halls the place to be.

The province of Qubecs two-tiered political structure, in which power is shared at both the provincial and city level, makes for great water-cooler conversation. The municipal sector had Montral in quite a stir when, in 2013, four city mayors were in and out of power in just one year, and many other city officials resigned as a result of corruption.

At the provincial level, the Parti-Qubcois has always focused its energy on making sure the province preserves its differences from the rest of Canada. French-language police fussed over the word pasta, trying to ban it and the Italian word for bouteille (bottle) from a restaurants menu. When the owner took to Facebook and gathered up waves of support from his customers, the officials backed down. Its likely that most citizens couldnt care less, and want nothing more than to enjoy the cultural diversity the province offers.

Things are looking up in Montrals Downtown arts district, the Quartier des Spectacles, as it continues to expand and grow. Its also the only place in the world with year-round artistic projections on the building facades and windows. Enjoy the views, but watch your stepwater fountains shoot up beneath many of its concrete walkways.

As for Qubec City, its emerging as a premier stop for summer concerts and festivals. On the Plains of Abraham, outdoor performances accommodate over 250,000 spectators, and people come from all over to watch under the stars. Past performers such as Madonna and Celine Dion have helped put Qubec City on the entertainment map, and in 2013, Paul McCartney and Rush entertained fans.

Montrals soccer team, The Impact, began competing in Major League Soccer in 2012. After that the fan base increasedand adding the popular (and hunky) Italian heavyweights such as Marco De Vaio and Alessandro Nesta probably didnt hurt with bringing in some new fans, either.

Not wanting to feel left out, Qubec Citys mayor, Regis Labeaume, has decided that one of his priorities will be getting an NHL team back in town. Hes building a C$400-million stadium, but theres no team yet: if you build it, they will come seems to be the thinking.

Montral has come a long way since its 2009 introduction of Bixi, the bike-rental scheme that has since expanded to New York City, London, Chicago, and many other cities. Using the system, you pay to take a bicycle from a rental station and then leave it at a station near your destination. Every year more bike paths are added to city streets (there are at least 300 miles of them now), much to the chagrin of some drivers. Those who prefer to use their feet to get around are happy as well. In 2013, three additional car-free zones, bringing the total to five, were created to encourage walking during the summer months.

Montral. Both Montral and the island on which it stands take their name from Mont-Royal, a stubby plug of tree-covered igneous rock that rises high above the surrounding cityscape. This is a bustling, multiethnic city of neighborhoods, from the historic Old City to the hip Plateau.

The Laurentians. The Laurentians (les Laurentides) encompass thousands of miles of forests, mountains, and lakes, but for many people the draw is Mont-Tremblant and its world-class ski slopes. At just 1 hours from Montral, the area has also become a favorite weekend golf destination.

The Eastern Townships. Called les Cantons de lEst in French, the Eastern Townships region has quaint architecture and rolling hills that might remind you of New England. Atop imposing Mont-Mgantic, youre 3,150 feet closer to the heavens. Far from city lights, the sky here is ideal for stargazing.

The Outaouais. Bordering the Ottawa River, the Outaouais is known for its many lakes, majestic views, hiking trails, and interesting wildlife, as well as the imposing Chteau Montebello, often called the worlds largest log cabin.