There's so much to do in Montréal we can't possibly list it all here but this site provides some excellent guidance.

Arsenal is an modern arts gallery near our home in Griffintown. The unusual exhibitions are not curated to focus on any one particular style. Exhibits change frequently so have a look at their site to see what's happening during your visit to Montréal .

Check out the Pounding the Pavement exhibit of 400 images showcasing the growth and change of Montréal from the 19th century through today.

If your head isn't already pounding on Sunday morning, why not join a hippie drum circle in the park? It's a beloved and fragrant Montréal tradition.

What's more fun than a bug hunt?

Have you ever wanted the thrill of driving heavy equipment like an asphalt paver? No? Neither has anyone else in Montréal. Tax dollars are used in abundance to decorate Montréal's streets with traffic cones and detour signs but that's as far as it goes.

Any visit to Montréal would be incomplete without a stroll through the Old Port of Montreal.

The history of the old port dates as far back as 1611 when French fur traders used the port along the Saint Lawrence as a trading post. Today its cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques and restaurants nestled in some of North America's most beautiful preserved architecture.

While you enjoy shopping in Downtown Montréal you're likely to need a quick bite, or a drink, or both. The Time Out Market has you covered. There's over a dozen stands to get you refueled and ready to go again. No reservations are necessary at this popular food court.

There's nothing artsy-fartsy about our favourite chain of breakfast joints. Canadian cuisine is well-cooked at this restaurant. L'Oeufrier offers good bacon, 20 variations of eggs benedict, an assortment of poutines and grilled potatoes. They also serve the best coffee and smoothies in the city. Go here when you need to fill a hole and recover from a late night out. Reservations aren't necessary but depending upon the location and the hour you may wait as long as 30 minutes to be seated.

Whilst traipsing about Le Plateau pop into Le Réservoir, a charming microbrewery, for a pint. Their craft stout is a favourite of John and the rooftop deck offers a fantastic view of one of Montreal's funkiest neighbourhoods. Le Réservoir also offers a great burger on their menu. Be sure to check out the murals on the surrounding streets during your visit.

Also topping our list of favourite places for breakfast, Bar George offers a more refined set of options for brunch and a full bar at all times. Set in the 140 year old mansion of Scottish tycoon, Sir George Stephen, you'll love the old-world details like stained glass and the exquisite woodwork. Indulge in the Boudin Noir Benedict, decadent Pain Perdu, or fill up with the Full English. Order a bottle of champagne. You'll be ready for a nap after brunch.

As French peasant tradition has it: "Tout est bon dans le cochon"—meaning all parts of the pig can be cooked—an approach this Maple Country restaurant embraces. Here, they make no bones about serving offal (andouillette, calf sweetbreads, beef tripe—all top quality) as a starter, for example. An entire section of the menu is dedicated to foie gras, one of the house specialties. There is also plenty of variety: trout from the lakes of La Mauricie National Park with wild mushrooms; scallop quenelle with chicken sauce and mussels. Finish with the famous pouding chômeur—the province's emblematic "poor man's pudding." The energy in the open kitchen during the dinner rush is palpable.

Even just walking past this place you get a taste of the cheerful atmosphere and bonhomie that reign inside. Steaks and seafood, as well as incontrovertible French bistro classics (such as rabbit à la royale and calf sweetbreads) take pole position here. And be sure to add that extra portion of fries on the side. This indulgent cuisine is best enjoyed with your sleeves rolled up—little wonder they provide you with a napkin the size of a sheet. Proceedings are orchestrated with discreet efficiency, warmth, and good humor.

Liverpool House is Joe Beef's sister restaurant, conveniently located right next door. Although some of the recipes are shared with Joe Beef, the Liverpool House focuses more on seasonal and seafood dishes served with Québécois flair. This is where we go when we want to treat ourselves but stay within our neighbourhood. The offerings change weekly but are always perfectly prepared and to make things even better you can add foie gras to almost anything. Sit in the back bar with the shuckers. Follow your server's advice and let them pair your wine and food courses and you will roll out fat and happy.

A classic address that has been a mainstay on Montréal 's restaurant scene for over 30 years. Chef-owner Normand Laprise and his team take full advantage of Québec's seasonal terroir to put together their generous dishes. Their solidly traditional cuisine looks primarily to French gastronomy, with the occasional foray into Italian territory. Dinner takes the form of a seven-course tasting menu; at lunchtime, the varied menu features classics such as oyster gratin, beef tartare, and duck leg. The attractive glass-paned wine cellar sets the tone: the establishment has more than 700 wines ready to be uncorked. Toqué! features some of the best service in Montréal .

Located in Little Italy, this top-flight wine bar is an absolute cornerstone of the Montreal scene. At the helm, Vanya Filipovic and Marc-Olivier Frappier, ardent lovers of food and wine, run this establishment which exudes a singular energy. Reservations open 30 days in advance and are snapped up in the blink of an eye. The name pays tribute to Jura wine producer Jean-François Ganevat, famous for calling all his friends "mon lapin" ("my rabbit"). The concise menu lists around 15 dishes for sharing, all made with fine products: meats matured on the premises, ultra-fresh fish, house-made pasta, and delicious sorbets. The wine cellar is made up of bottles from small producers, with a lot of natural wines. Mon Lapin frequently tops "best of" lists from around the world. Check it out if you can get in.

You know John's not going to have a list without at least one sushi restaurant on it and this is his go-to in Montréal. In the Westmount neighborhood, Chef-owner Antonio Park serves up vibrant and balanced Japanese/South American fusion cuisine. To the sound of 80s pop, diners tuck into dishes such as precisely cooked suzuki accompanied by fragrant chimichurri and maitake mushrooms, or a selection of tuna sushi with specialty condiments: bluefin tuna with daikon steeped in yuzu, marinated jalapeño albacore, longfin tuna with ginger flower... This is an extensive and mouthwatering menu, that is also available as an omakase experience in the evening, for a culinary voyage with stopovers in Japan and Argentina. Do the omakase, you cannot go wrong.

Here in the Plateau Mont-Royal, this historic bistro has been serving happy diners for several decades. Founded by theater enthusiasts, it has become a must for night owls (last orders at 12:30am). A large Parisian-style counter lit by Art Deco lamps, burgundy walls, mirrors, and black-and-white tiles make for an inviting decor. The handwritten menu promises culinary authenticity. Chef Jean-François Vachon masters the French classics: celery remoulade, chicken liver pâté, smoked herring, beef tartare, veal kidney in mustard sauce, and grilled salmon with lentils and spinach. For dessert, don't miss the maple profiteroles and the île flottante with caramel. Smiling and efficient service along with carefully selected Burgundy wines and Québec vintages complete the experience.

Cloakroom has won numerous awards for good reason. This cozy speakeasy focuses on classics with a few modern twists. Tucked away in a tailor shop in the Golden Square Mile, Cloakroom offers a selection of vintage spirits and house-made tinctures, amaros and liqueurs.

Cloakroom's history includes it being the place of John and Sandra's first unchaperoned meeting.

Le Mal Necessaire also follows the classic cocktail with modern flair model and has recently moved to a new and larger location. It still offers an intimate vibe with plush velvet booths while offering the city's best versions from tiki canon.

Bar Bisou Bisou is a newish arrival on the Montréal cocktails scene and betters rival bars in the Old Port. Locals need to give this one a go as it's not geared purely to the visiting tourist. This stylish Mediterranean-style aperitivo bar in Old Montréal is wrapped in stone walls, whitewashed brick and colourful tiles. It’s the place to go for sherry, vermouth, amari and all manner of fortified wines. Sip them by the glass or mixed in a low-proof cocktail.

Tucked in a basement in the heart of Le Plateau: hipsters, wine, scotch and jazz. Cool, daddy-o.

Upstairs is another great spot to catch live jazz and sip a civilized beverage. Upstairs is a downtown venue that features internationally acclaimed artists as well as local groups formed by university students. Check the schedule in advance and reserve seats for your choice of sets.

Le Bureau is our local living room and favourite watering hole. It's the convivial nexus of our Griffintown community and features craft cocktails, assorted tapas bites and a proper pour of Guinness. Hopefully you'll come to love it like we do when you join us for our celebration here on September 20.

Bands in Town will keep you up to date on any shows and concerts over the weekend.