Montreal Tourist Trap Tips by brazwhazz

One of the city's most storied buildings, the old Montreal Forum (home to the legendary Canadiens hockey team), has been transformed into an aggressive eyesore.

If the exterior looks confusing, just wait until you get inside. In a classic case of identity crisis, the building contains a mish-mash of businesses, including a Future Shop, a souvenir shop, a liquor store, some restaurants and a movie complex. Sadly, an increasing number of the old Forum seats -- one of the links to the building's past -- are badly damaged.

The only vestiges of the place's 75-year hockey history are to be found at the "Spot Molson", where you can take a photo of a statue of the late, great Maurice Richard. Somewhere on the second floor (but nowhere to be indicated) you can also see a handful of vintage hockey items behind glass windows.

By taking away the old Forum's soul, we Montrealers have been cursed by the hockey gods. Is it any coincidence the Canadiens have not won a cup since 1993?

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: In all fairness, the Forum AMC movie complex presents a much greater variety of movies than the nearby Banque Scotia complex. Also, the best of the restaurants is the Burgers & Benedicts, and the food there is actually pretty good.

Aside from basic groceries, most goods and services have a 7.5% Québec sales tax (QST) as well as a 6% goods and services tax (GST), which also applies everywhere else in Canada. The GST is calculated on the price including the QST, which means it also effectively comes to around 6.5%.

These taxes are never included in the prices displayed. It is wise to play it safe and count an extra 15% when you are planning your purchases.

Leave a Comment

Alternative: The Eaton Centre in downtown Montreal offers tourists tax-free shopping. To take advantage of this, you must get a Tax Refund Form at the Global Refund office located on the 4th floor.

Many travel guides still list Ben's Deli as one of the best places for smoked meat. The fact is Ben's Deli closed in December 2006, two years away from its 100th anniversary, due to a ridiculous dispute between the owners and the staff.

The unionized employees had been on strike since July, demanding a 40-cent raise over their average salary of $8 an hour (not far above the minimum wage in the province) and other improvements in their working conditions, when the announcement was made. What a sad end for this former Montreal landmark.

Leave a Comment

At Least Do This: The Ben's Deli sign is still up for now, although part of it is obstructed by a real estate developer's ugly blue banner, and you can even peep in the windows, but your craving for corned beef on rye will have to be satisfied elsewhere.