The big downtown shopping strip is Sainte Catherine Street. Between Atwater in the west and Berri in the east, there are thousands of shops, including hundreds underground. If you can't find it here, you probably don't need it. Affluent Westmount, just west of downtown, Greene Avenue is where the well-heeled like to spend. For the equivalent shopping experience but with a French accent, head to Laurier Avenue in Outremont.

If you're looking for trendy boutiques, your best bet is Saint Laurent or Saint Denis. In both cases, the shopping really starts north of Sherbrooke Street, and the merchandise ranges from the traditional to the highly esoteric. Many so-called 'ethnic' shops are also located here.

On Sainte Catherine Street east of Amherst, in the neighbourhood known as the Gay Village, one can find adult toys of all kinds. It can be fun to browse, but may not be the best destination for the whole family!
If you're looking to purchase paintings or sculpture, Sherbrooke Street West between Guy and Peel is where many of the major galleries are located. For antiques head for Notre Dame Street West between Atwater and Guy.