Jürgen Horn and Mike Powell coordinate their travels to avoid cold weather, but they miscalculated the April temperatures in Montreal. Lucky for them, the city is well-prepared, with a vast network of tunnels that connect public buildings from underground. They make use of the Underground City to avoid traveling outside.
“Underground City” is certainly an evocative name, bringing to mind a sort of subterranean, alternative Montreal, populated perhaps by near-sighted mole-people. But the reality isn’t that exotic. Montrealers are often amused to learn that their elaborate maze of tunnels has become a bonafide tourist attraction… because that’s really all the Underground City is: tunnels which lead from one set of buildings to the next.
To long-time residents, these passageways are purely utilitarian; part of their boring, daily commute. But to newcomers like us, the Underground City is much more interesting. Many of the tunnels are decorated with art. There’s odd architecture, and an endless array of shops. The interior courtyards to which they lead are often beautiful. It’s fun to emerge from a random passageway into surroundings which are entirely new and unexpected. And the people-watching is magnificent, especially when cold weather drives the city’s numerous crazies underground.
Altogether, twenty miles of tunnels make it easy to traverse downtown Montreal for shopping, entertainment, dining, and more without ever coming in contact with the elements. See the Underground City at For 91 Days.