Toronto, vs Ottawa vs Montreal

[IHateMyJob2004]

I only speak English. In my few trips to Canada, I don't think it is a big issue. Which is the best place to be a tourist?

 

[dennilfloss]

Quebec City owns all those as a tourist destination. Otherwise Ottawa.

 

[Red Squirrel]

All 3 are great places to visit. Personally I'd pick Ottawa.

 

[OlafSicky]

Quebec is nice but the French/Canadian people are the worst people in the world. You have never met more arrogant ignorant people in the world eh !!!

 

[Markbnj]

Quebec City owns all those as a tourist destination. Otherwise Ottawa.

This.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Quebec is nice but the French/Canadian people are the worst people in the world. You have never met more arrogant ignorant people in the world eh !!!

Some can be arrogant especially if you don't speak French. I deal with lot of Quebecers and all the ones I deal with are nice though, some even speak English as they want to practice it.

 

[Imp]

Quebec City owns all those as a tourist destination. Otherwise Ottawa.

This. English may not go as far as in Montreal, but the people should be nice and accommodating. Pick up a phrase book to try.

Ottawa is meh. It's like D.C. in that it's a government town. Very bi-lingual town. Toronto is essentially every other big city in the U.S. of A. and very vanilla. Last time I went to New York City, I felt like I was walking through Toronto.

Quebec is nice but the French/Canadian people are the worst people in the world. You have never met more arrogant ignorant people in the world eh !!!

This is also true...

 

[silverpig]

Toronto is english speaking and a big city, so it's a good option.

Montreal is functionally bilingual - you can function 100% normally in english. It's also a ton of fun.

Ottawa is the same as Montreal. Lots of great museums to see, and touring parliament is neat too - I've seen Americans on tours there before.

 

[yllus]

I've lived in Toronto my entire life, and I'd say Montreal for the following reasons:

- Toronto is the biggest and most cosmopolitan of any Canadian city, with the best restaurants and widest range of activities.

- Quebec City is up there with the prettiest Canadian cities, but is tiny and, frankly, is rather boring aside from one street.

- Ottawa is the most boring city in Canada.

- Montreal has the best, most unique vibe of any city in North America; the French-speaking influence lends it that. It also has a great museum district, good public transportation and it's even relatively cheap.

 

[dustb0wlkid]

Anyone who does not recommend Montreal is flat crazy. Ottawa is especially lol.

 

[mmntech]

Quebec is nice but the French/Canadian people are the worst people in the world. You have never met more arrogant ignorant people in the world eh !!!

It depends. Their biggest flaws is they're very abrupt with people and certainly have no tact, especially when dealing with anglophones and outsiders. Thus they come off as being very rude and arrogant. I work with a French-Canadian girl and she's like that. Really sweet once you get to know her but just rubs people the wrong way. They require... special handling.

As per the original question, I'd say most people in Montreal speak fluent English. Especially since the city is an economic hub.

Ottawa is a gorgeous city, especially in the summer.

Toronto probably has the most stuff to do. However, I'd only go there if you're attending a specific event. Unlike New York, it's one of those places where you can see it all in one or two days and that's it. T.Dot is a model generic city with nothing really special about it IMO. However, there's great wine tours in Niagara-on-the-Lake.