Montreal Local Slams ChatGPT's Tourism Tips

MTL Blog

Montreal is a vibrant city with a lot to offer first-time visitors and long-time residents alike. But when it comes to tourism tips, it really depends on who you ask. And in the age of artificial intelligence, you'd think getting good advice would be easier than ever. So we asked ChatGPT for what it thinks are the top landmarks worth visiting in the city. It dutifully churned out its response in a matter of seconds. But as it turns out, host and lifelong Montrealer Alex Melki has, shall we say, a very different perspective. Whose tips do you prefer?

Transcript

00:00Welcome to the vibrant city of Montreal, a city steeped in rich history and adorned

00:05with iconic landmarks that tell tales of its past, which you might actually get to see

00:10while you're avoiding potholes, or on a construction detour, or enjoying the most bipolar weather

00:15in Canada.

00:16I'm Alex Malky, and we're about to find out what ChatGPT thinks are the top 5 main attractions

00:21in Montreal.

00:22I feel like it's going to suck.

00:25Our first stop is Mount Royal, from which the city takes its name.

00:28This majestic mountain offers breathtaking views, and is a symbol of Montreal's heritage.

00:34Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect behind New York's Central

00:38Park, Mount Royal is a beloved retreat for locals and visitors alike.

00:43I'm going to stop you right there, because this is already wrong.

00:45Freddie Law designed Mount Royal Park, not Mount Royal.

00:48How do you design a mountain?

00:50And listen, locals wouldn't even call it a mountain, they'd call it a really big hill.

00:53A hill, that when you get to the top of it, you're greeted with three things.

00:57One, feral tourists, all time of year, summer, winter, doesn't matter.

01:00Giant, but adorable raccoons.

01:02And, admittedly, the best view of the Montreal skyline.

01:06Now look, it is a bitch to go up those stairs in the summer, but when you get to the top and

01:10you see that view, it's worth sweating your ass off for.

01:12Our next landmark is the iconic Notre Dame Basilica.

01:15This architectural masterpiece stands as a testament to Montreal's rich religious history.

01:21It's gothic revival style and vibrant stained glass windows have captivated worshippers and

01:27art enthusiasts for centuries.

01:29I bet you 90% of Montrealers have taken a picture in front of this church, but have never stepped

01:34foot inside of it, which is a damn shame, because other than being the backdrop of Celine Dion's

01:38wedding, which, you know, whatever, it's actually beautiful inside, and it is the coolest place

01:43to watch a light projector show.

01:45I'm not really sure how to describe it, but it's dope.

01:48And here's what you do.

01:49You pop into an SQDC, buy yourself some legal edibles, and maybe you have yourself a religious

01:54experience.

01:55It's the one kind, not the died-for-your-sins kind, you know?

01:58Crossing over the mighty St. Lawrence River, we find the magnificent Jacques-Cartier Bridge.

02:03Named after the French explorer who claimed Canada for France, this iconic bridge has connected

02:09the island of Montreal to its south shore since 1930, serving as a vital transportation link

02:15and a symbol of unity.

02:17Listen, anybody that calls the Jacques-Cartier a landmark has probably never left their hometown,

02:21or the West Island.

02:22It's, at best, a C-tier Golden Gate Bridge that, for some reason, the city has decided

02:26to slap on a bunch of lights like it's a Christmas tree.

02:29I don't get it.

02:30And listen, they're probably going to have to rename it in a couple of years when JC gets

02:33cancelled, so don't get too attached.

02:35Steeped in history, the old port of Montreal is a vibrant district that traces its roots

02:40back to the city's early days.

02:42Originally a bustling trading hub, it now offers a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern entertainment.

02:49From its cobblestone streets to its waterfront promenades, the old port is a testament to

02:54Montreal's enduring spirit.

02:56Hear the words, goblestone streets, one more goddamn time, I'm going to lose my mind.

03:00The old port, and old Montreal in general, is Europe for people who have never been to

03:04Europe.

03:05And a very expensive first date, I learned that the hard way.

03:08But listen, if you're going to be in the old port, at least go over a block in old

03:11Montreal, do a little digging, find yourself some cool spots like El Pequeño or Cauldron,

03:16which are conveniently right next to each other.

03:18Not that sad stretch of sand they call a beach.

03:21Last but not least, we arrive at the awe-inspiring Olympic Stadium.

03:26Constructed for the 1976 Summer Olympics, its iconic inclined tower and retractable roof

03:31have become symbols of the city.

03:33Today, the stadium hosts sporting events, concerts, and exhibitions, leaving a lasting

03:38legacy of athletic excellence and architectural grandeur.

03:41Big O, more like big waste of money, I'm sorry, that was terrible, I'm so sorry, but listen,

03:45does it look cool?

03:46Yes, objectively, it's awesome, it looks like a giant spaceship.

03:49Does it do anything?

03:50Nah, it's just kind of there, all the time, just staring at you like a giant hairy mole

03:54on your face.

03:55But right next to that hairy mole is the biodome, and the planetarium, and insectarium, and the

03:59botanical garden, all of which are way more worth your time and money.

04:04And if you have any more of those edibles left over, now's the time to gobble them down.

04:07Montreal's landmarks stand as pillars of the city's past, present, and future.

04:13They embody the diverse cultures, the resilience of its people, and the desire to create a city

04:18that merges tradition with innovation.

04:20Join us in Montreal, and immerse yourself in the stories woven within these five magnificent

04:25landmarks.

04:26Discover the magic, embrace the history, and let the spirit of this remarkable city captivate

04:31your heart.

04:32For more information that can actually help you find fun things to do and great places to

04:35eat, check out mtlblog.com.

04:38It's a website.

04:39We had to have those before TikTok.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended