Canada: Québec Province: Montreal: Bell Centre

My first visit to the Bell Centre, Montréal by Waynesworld

Hi, I drove my 16 year-old son and 2 of his friends to a rock concert at the Bell Centre in Montréal last Thursday night. The warm-up band was The Mars Volta and the headliner was Red Hot Chili Peppers. Great concert! I’ll comment more in a 43T entry. The concert review the following day said that 16,900 people were in attendance! We were loud, that’s for sure…and we passed the message on to the band that we loved their music!

I was very impressed by “Centre Bell” (en Français). I thought it was very beautiful and many things in the arena main seating area looked quite similar to Scotiabank Place in my own hometown. I really liked the atmosphere in the exterior lobbies on level 1 and 2, it was first class, with nice subdued lighting, carpeting and friendly staff. The food was nice and hot but very expensive. A large coke and a slice of pizza was $9.25 CAN! The seating is comfortable but there isn’t a lot of leg room. I found that I wasn’t able to stretch my knees out at all. Overall though, I could see that this would be a wonderful experience to watch a hockey game there.

As for Montréal, it’s a truly beautiful, cosmopolitan North American City, not a typical one. I forgot just how large it is. When we arrived, the traffic was very congested, stop and go on the autoroute #40, especially near the Decarie Expressway exit. My son wanted to drive there (NOT!) hahaha….I know some adult friends who won’t even drive in Montréal. The drivers are aggressive, but mostly predictable, I only encountered one slow driver that whole evening, haha.

I regret not having time on Thursday, to walk around the downtown area before or after the concert. As it was, we returned home around 2:30am!! It’s about a 2.5 hour drive from downtown Montréal to the west end of Ottawa.

over 6 years ago

Comments:

Carrie Marshall

Carrie Marshall
Banciao

You betcha!

I assume you’re not talking about a pick up truck. ;) If we’re talking semi’s, there are loads of giant ‘truck stops’ along the highways. You can park and have your choice of Timmy’s, McDonald’s or Burger King plus a fill up and a nap. Happy truckin’!

Waynesworld

Waynesworld
Ontario

The Burger King near our home closed down.

That was very surprising. First time I saw a fast food joint close down. ;) I know it wasn’t very busy.

There’s lots of competition in Kanata, I guess and there are many more restaurants that will pick up the slack.

I am not a fan of McDonalds and I’m trying to buy more healthy foods these days. Fortunately, my sons both like salads, too. Otherwise, though, they are very picky. One won’t eat fish, while the other one won’t eat steak. They both like chicken, but one won’t eat ham. It’s funny how we remember our kids’ preferences so easily. By the way, both my boys LOVE tortière. lol

Carrie Marshall

Carrie Marshall
Banciao

Kanata?

That’s around my old neck of the woods. I grew up in Carleton Place.

It’s funny. When I was in high school, we used to love driving to the McDonald’s in Kanata when we had an hour or two to spare. Our parents never knew, which added to the excitement.

Now, I can’t stand McDonalds. There are McDonalds and KFC restaurants everywhere in Taiwan. I think kids love it more here than in Canada and I didn’t think that was possible. Ask a kid what their favorite restaurant is and they’ll mention one of the two every time. It’s a little scary.

You’re lucky your sons are health concious, although it must be frustrating to cook something that they both like. How do you do it?

Waynesworld

Waynesworld
Ontario

We don't do it, haha...we eat a lot of chicken.

When my older son is away for a meal, we will have fish, etc. We try to work around their picky preferences, but sometimes we just say to them, “…this is what’s for dinner, get over it, we’re not a restaurant.” lol

I mentioned to you previously that I lived near Carleton Place. ;)

I didn’t realize that KFC has such a foothold in Taiwan. Have a nice Thursday, globetrotter. :)

Carrie Marshall

Carrie Marshall
Banciao

You did

and I remembered after I’d posted. I was kinda hoping you wouldn’t notice.

Yep, it’s true. I’m terrible at keeping track of details and often put my foot in my mouth before I can stop myself. ;)

KFC is HUGE in Taiwan. Gosh, they love their fried chicken here.

Yesterday one of the teachers brought in an extra bag of fries from KFC and gave it to 6 of her students and they were going nuts! I wish I’d had my camera. Six of them pushing and shoving to get a few cold fries. Ewwww.

Happy Thursday to you too Wayne.