Ste-Hélène/Notre Dame Island, Montreal

Don't confuse this with the Biodome. The Biosphere is located in the geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller to serve as the American Pavilion for Expo '67. A fire destroyed the acrylic skin of the sphere in 1976. In 1995 it was converted to have four exhibition areas, a theater, and an amphitheater, all devoted to promoting awareness of the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes ecosystem. Multimedia shows and hands-on displays invite the active participation of visitors, and there is an exhibition related to the activities of the ocean explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. In the highest point of Visions Hall is an observation level with an unobstructed view of the river.

Member of the Six Flags International family only since a few years, La Ronde is the biggest theme park in the Province of Quebec. With 35 rides such as the Boomerang, the Vertigo, the Manitou and many more others big thrills, it is sure to satify any rides freak as well as little ones, for whom a new section has been added with 6 new rides and 4 modified. Home to theaters and aquatic shows, it is also a great place to enjoy parties among friends in its restaurants and bars or even to attend the Loto-Quebec's International Firework competition. Picnics are tolerated on the site, as well as bringing your own drinks, provinding they are not in glass bottles. Lockers are available to store personal belongings at a small fee and parking is not problem, as the park has it's own very large parking area: price to park - $10,00. Adults (12 and up) get in for around $30.00 and children (3 to 11) for $20.00, seasonnal passes are available as well as tickets bought in advance through Admission.com services... All prices mentionned are without taxes (16%)

The park fills the northern reaches of the Île Ste-Hélène with a sailing lagoon, an "Enchanted Forest" with costumed storytellers, and a Western town with a saloon. There are also Ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, carnival booths, and plenty of places to eat and drink. Thrill-seekers will love rides like Le Boomerang, Le Monstre, and Le Cobra, a stand-up roller coaster that incorporates a 360° loop and reaches speeds in excess of 97km (60 miles) per hour. While many of the 35 rides test adult nerves and stomachs, there are ample attractions for youngsters, such as the Tchou Tchou Train and the Super Volcanozor, which combines 3-D images of dinosaurs with swooping, twirling transport among them.

Le Grand Prix du Canada - Formula One, June 13-15, 2003
Yes, Montreal is on the World F1 map!!
And it's bringing a lot of people in town, lots of daugh being spent here.

We have a very big bias for Jacques Villeneuve, son of Gilles Villeneuve, born in a small town East of Montreal. A star for all quebecers.
He opened last year the Newtown (got it? Newtown... Villeneuve??), very expensive, though pretty good restaurent on Crescent.

The Formula 1 Air Canada Grand Prix!!!
The drivers favorite!
The winner of the FIA GP organisation of the year award!

And the public's favorite!
Come and see F1 racing at it's best!! Experience the atmosphere of the worlds fastest and most technologically advanced racing!!

It's really hard to sell this place without using clichés, but it's so great..all I can say is GO!!!

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In 1967 Montreal organized a large exhibition to celebrate 100 years of independence. The most significant buildings were preserved and used to different purposes.

The Biodome (using the American pavilion) and the Casino (French and Quebec pavilions) are the most remarkable sights of a wide gardened area that includes the Gilles Villeneuve circuit.

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L'Ile Sainte Helene, on the St Lawrence River, is a popular place for outdoor recreation. It also has some points of interest that make it worth visiting. As of 2009, the Fort Stewart museum is closed, but during my visit some bagpipers from the fort put on a public show. The Levis Tower, built in the 1930s, offers a wonderful view of the city and the river.

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R Buckminster Fuller was a visionary and inventor, who is best remembered for the geodesic dome. Built out of triangles, the strongest geometric shape, this dome towers over l'Ile Sainte Helene.

It was created for Expo '67, for the US Information Agency. After the Expo, the USIA donated it to the city. In the early 1990s, Montreal architect Éric Gauthier redesigned the Biosphere as an educational institution, to enhance understanding of our environment. It re-opened in 1995.

Its contents are rather ho-hum, but this remains a truly impressive edifice. The view from the upper floor is great.