It’s the height of summer and with that, a lot of tourists visit central Montreal.
However, a drive west along Highway 20 allows visitors to discover a whole new set of popular destinations far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue has long been a mecca for people to visit.
The city on the western tip of the island boasts independent restaurants, boutiques and a boardwalk widely considered second to none in the West Island.
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In fact, the mayor argues her town has more to offer for tourists than all the other West Island municipalities.
“It’s never just one big thing. It’s a whole bunch of little things that add up over time,” Paola Hawa told Global News.
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Nevertheless, Pointe-Claire officials also argue their city is second to none.
The West Island municipality has a bustling commercial village just a city block from Lac Saint-Louis.
There are numerous historical landmarks, including the oldest windmill on the island of Montreal and the always popular community centre, Stewart Hall.
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Next door, Dorval is in the midst of a $3.2 million renovation job on its main street, Dorval Avenue, which serves as the gateway to the shops and restaurants and parks on popular Lakeshore Drive.
The city boasts one of the nicest waterfront green spaces on the island, Pine Beach Park, a destination spot for boat watching, working out or attending an outdoor concert in the charming gazebo.
“We have a lot to offer with our infrastructure, green spaces and we have also Dorval Village, which is also another place on Lakeshore Drive where there’s small businesses, restaurants, boutiques and so on,” Sébastien Gauthier, a city spokesperson told Global News.
So, with the summer tourism season in peak period, the race is on to see which municipality will draw the largest number of tourists willing to spend some time and their money in the West Island.
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