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Montreal solo travel: why you should go alone on your next trip.

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UPDATED: November 3rd 2022

As someone who speaks a little French, I have a particular fondness for visiting Canada, especially the province of Quebec. For me, a solo trip to Montreal was truly special in many ways, especially as a (basic) French speaker and huge hockey fan. What’s not to love?

So are you ready and excited to take a solo trip to Montreal? Do you already have a list of things to do alone in Montreal? Then, believe me, I am super stoked for you. Montreal’s a wonderful city for both a weekend getaway, as well as an extended stay, and I promise you won’t run out of great attractions to keep you busy and happy.

If I’m being 100% honest and transparent with you, in addition to Vancouver and neighboring Quebec City (seriously, solo travel in Quebec is great), Montreal is one of my favorite cities in all of Canada. I loved it to pieces.

Table of Contents

My Montreal Solo Trip Experience

This trip confirmed that Montreal is one of the best first time destinations for solo travel in Canada . No doubt.

Despite visiting in November, with colder weather, I still bravely ventured solo in Montreal and had an incredible time even though I only had three days to see the city. I explored neighborhoods, took pictures of street art, ate a lot of poutine, explored a world famous university campus, and so much more. I didn’t feel lonely at all.

Why else did I love Montreal so much do you ask? As some of you already know, I’m a huge hockey fan and had zero problems blowing my budget at a Canadiens game , on a Saturday night nonetheless! It will always be one of my favorite travel experiences. Totally worth spending $95 CAD. 

Anyway, in this post, I will break down the benefits of traveling alone to Montreal . You shouldn’t hold back, because you’re traveling by yourself.

And, if you’re a first time solo traveler, Montreal’s the perfect place to “get your feet wet.” This Canadian city will embrace you with open arms and lots of poutine.

Why You Should Travel Solo in Montreal

Alright, now let’s discuss Montreal’s complete and total awesomeness in detail. As you can already tell, I think that Montreal’s a fantastic city for solo travelers and definitely embodies most positives of traveling alone , haha. And I always tell the truth.

Perfect Solo Weekend Escape

First and foremost, Montreal’s very easy, especially for Americans on the east coast, and the city itself is relatively compact.

Coming from New Jersey, my flight was only 55 minutes long. 55 bloody minutes. Even a fearful flyer like me can do that. Just pack a small carry-on. The planes are usually small.

Excellent Public Transportation

Once you arrive in Montreal, it’s simple to reach all the sites by walking or taking the subway. I thought Montreal’s Metro was efficient, clean, and understandable.

I used the metro mostly during the day (I spoiled myself and took cabs at night), but I never felt unsafe on the platforms or trains. Montreal has great infrastructure in place for tourists.

No worries in that department.

Experience “France” in North America

Furthermore, at least for Canadians and Americans, Montreal is a great alternative if you want to travel to Europe, but don’t have the time or funds readily available.

For example, everyone spoke French in the streets and I felt as if I had been transported to a medium-sized city in France. It was super awesome that I didn’t go through jetlag hell to experience French culture.

As a side note, make sure to brush up on some French phrases before going to Montreal. 

Plenty of Opportunities to Meet New Friends

Finally you ought to go solo in Montreal, because meeting other travelers is easy in this part of Canada! For example, I talked to a lot of lovely people at my hostel, M Montreal , and met a fellow independent traveler on my food tour of Mile End. In Montreal, you don’t have to stay alone if you don’t want to.

Solo Travel Montreal: Essential Tips

Traveling to Montreal is a ton of fun and fairly easy, but it’s always better to be prepared before you travel alone.

Research is super important.

Luckily for you, I’ve written about all the best things to know about solo travel to Montreal including safety tips, solo travel friendly accommodation, essential items, and more!

What Should You Bring to Montreal?

These items are important for any time of year when you visit Montreal alone. Don’t leave them at home!

• A Compact Mirrorless Camera:  Your camera phone will work fine in a pinch, but if you want professional photos of Montreal, then you should step it up a notch. My favorite camera for travel is the Sony Alpha 6600 Mirrorless camera ! You will take gorgeous shots. 
• Lonely Planet French Phrasebook:  Practically everyone speaks English in Montreal, but it’s polite to learn a few phrases of French for your trip here. It demonstrates respect for Montreal’s culture. 
• Lonely Planet Montreal and Quebec City Guide:  Lonely Planet writes my favorite guidebooks! This city guide to Montreal and nearby Quebec will keep you up to date on the best attractions, restaurants, and hotels that the city has to offer visitors! 
• Stylish Black Walking Boot:  In Montreal, you will be walking around a lot, especially if you do the hike to Mont Royal. Bring these comfortable yet still fashionable walking boots to keep your feet happy!
• Travel Insurance:  Canada is known for its universal healthcare. However, this care is available to citizens. If you get sick in Canada, welp, you will have to pay out of pocket. Always buy travel insurance to cover illness and accidents overseas.

Purchase Travel Insurance Ahead of Time

Argh, time for my lecture about protecting yourself and your health. Here it goes. Don’t even think about exploring Montreal alone without good travel insurance. Seriously. Do. Not. Even. Think. About. It,

Sure, Canada has universal health care, but come on now, it’s for residents only and extremely expensive if you’re a traveler who falls ill. Don’t take the risk. You want travel insurance.

As for me, I always buy World Nomads for my trips and have had zero problems with them. Travelx Insurance is another wonderful platform that gives you the option for both “run of the mill” travel insurance and adventure insurance. Don’t leave home without it.

Prepare for the Cold Canadian Weather

Montreal is cold. Actually, in the dead of winter, Montreal is bloody freezing. You need to prepare ahead of time especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.

I’ll give you an example of how cold Montreal is. I took my solo trip to Montreal in early November.

However, walking outside in the wild and whipping winds after the Canadiens Game was one of the coldest moments of my life. Yes, almost as cold as snorkeling Silfra in winter. Part of the problem was that I underdressed for the weather. Don’t be me.

So, if you’re visiting Montreal in winter, take the chill in the air seriously. Wear thick gloves. Pack a scarf. Utilize layers and long underwear. You don’t want to freeze.

Pace Yourself at Night

Montreal has a great nightlife and you ought to go out. I’m not staying trap yourself inside your hostel.

However, make sure to pace yourself. I think 2-3 drinks is a reasonable limit when going out for several hours. If you’re nervous about going out alone at night, join up with a local pub crawl and make lots of new friends! There’s safety in numbers.

Learn to Speak a Little Bit of French

Montreal is located in Quebec where the primary language is French. It’s polite to learn a few phrases of French – even though everyone I met in Montreal spoke English. Saying “bonjour” upon entering a cafe or a small shop goes a long way in the hearts of locals.

Also – don’t be rude and tell people that the French spoken in Quebec isn’t real or not as “correct” as the French dialect spoken in France. Yes, it’s different, but not any less “correct.” Mind your manners. No one likes a “Know-It-All.”

Arrive to the Airport Early (If Going Back to the USA)

Whew, we made it, guys. My final tip for your Montreal solo travel experience is to know ahead of time if you need clear customs or not. I had to go through USA customs in Montreal instead of Newark. Which obviously takes time. If I had waited until later to call a cab, I wouldn’t have made it home.

Guys, I’m serious, you don’t want to goof off with time on flight days. Sure, I’m late sometimes for dinner or casual meetups, but I don’t mess around when it comes to arriving at the airport on time. Neither should you.

Exploring Montreal Alone — Is It Safe?

For obvious reasons, the biggest concern when traveling to any new place alone is safety. I receive emails and DMs about crime and safety all. the. time. And I completely get it.

However, for a city its size, I thought Montreal was very safe. As a solo female traveler, I experienced no harassment as I wandered Montreal during the day and night. Montreal has a decent sized homeless population (which is sad considering how cold it gets there), but they didn’t bother me once. Simply walk around like you own the place.

Regardless of my own experience, though, I still don’t want you to fall in the complacency trap. Let friends and family know where you’re staying, and provide them with a loose itinerary of your plans in Montreal.

Finally Montreal has a big party culture – which is one of the reasons this city is so popular. Avoid going out alone to the bars and clubs. Find other travelers at your hostel to tag along with if you want to enjoy Montreal’s nightlife.

Furthermore, you should exercise caution by keeping your drinking under control. Intoxication makes it a million times easier for unsavory people to take advantage of you. I promise I’m not victim blaming. No one has the right to harm another person – drunk or not – but limiting your alcohol intake is an easy way to remain aware of your surroundings.

As I’ve said, I mostly took cabs at night, and I think this was the right decision to make. While I don’t think it’s unsafe to walk alone, you can still minimize your risk by splitting cab fare with your newfound friends.

Where to Stay for My Solo Trip to Montreal

As always, I don’t recommend staying out in the distant suburbs for your solo trip in Montreal. You have plenty of accommodation choices right in Montreal’s downtown. Read reviews carefully. Don’t sacrifice cleanliness and comfort for price.

During my trip, I chose to stay at M Montreal Hostel and had a great time. The hostel was centrally located and clean with a very friendly and helpful staff. I loved the fresh croissants for breakfast, too! 

Accommodation Suggestions

• Auberge HI Montreal Hostel: A laidback and large hostel that organizes a ton of activities. Also located in Montreal’s downtown for a great location. See prices on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com.
• BBV Bed and Breakfast: Location, location, location! This cozy B&B is located right in Montreal’s Gay Village, allowing easy access to the city’s nightlife. See prices on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com .
• M Montreal Hostel:  A lively hostel in the Gay Village with one of the best breakfasts available to solo travelers. See prices on TripAdvisor.com and Booking.com .

The Best Things to Do Alone in Montreal

Montreal has a lot of great activities that you can do alone. Seriously, there’s an endless amount of things to do in Montreal and you won’t feel bored. I mean, I brag a lot on this blog about how Canada’s a perfect destination for new solo travelers for many reasons.

The main reason I love going to Canada? People, in general, leave you the heck alone. You’re not stared at. You’re also not subjected to some of the ridiculous scams that plague major European cities such as Paris.

At the same time, Canadians are truly lovable and friendly, and they will help you if you ask them. I’ve never had a bad encounter with the locals and Montreal was no exception! You’re free to do whatever you please.

Now let’s talk about what to do in Montreal alone.

Go to a Canadiens Game

Duh. Of course I’d mention this idea. I love hockey. Love, love, love hockey. It’s my favorite sport in the entire world.

Book tickets ahead of time. Hockey is very well loved and games sell out fast.

Although I went to the Canadiens game with another traveler, I definitely think you can go to the stadium alone and still have a great time! The fans are so passionate. Their adoration of hockey is contagious. Don’t miss out on this unique experience.

Take a Food Tour in Mile End.

Montreal’s known for its food. Seriously, you guys, you can’t visit Montreal and not eat.

I’m shy about eating alone so I took a food tour in Mile End with Local Food Tours. As you wander this gastronomic neighborhood, you’ll devour bagels, chocolate, wine, pastas, and so much more. I thought my stomach would burst (in the best possible way) at the end of our delicious adventure.

And the best part? You’ll make new friends over food! Win/win situation for solo travelers.

Hike to the Top of Mount Royal.

Do you like hiking? Then you’re in luck, because you’ll see the best views of Montreal from Mount Royal. I happened to go in the fall when all the leaves were yellow and orange. The scenery was to die for.

Use this time in nature to relax and reflect. You won’t regret it.

Go to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

I love going to art museums alone. What better time to reflect on life than to relax and stare at amazing art?

You can find Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on the historic Golden Square Mile stretch of Sherbrooke Street. This is the city’s largest museum and spans multiple buildings, so big art buffs might want to dedicate an entire afternoon to this museum.

Honestly, even if you don’t love art museums, I still think it is important to dedicate some of your time to a city’s culture. Art museums are a great avenue for doing just that.

Walk around McGill Campus 

Furthermore you want to visit McGill’s gorgeous campus when you take a solo trip in Montreal. I mean, I absolutely love visiting beautiful universities, so a splendid fall walk around McGill was an absolute treat for me! I seriously wish I would have attended college here. It is literally stunning. 

McGill is a top ranked university, which unsurprisingly consists of several elegant and historical buildings (the university was founded in 1821). You can easily walk to Mount Royal from McGill, too, making it a convenient place to visit after your lovely hike.

I have no doubt that a stroll around McGill is one of the best things to do in Montreal by yourself.

See Old Montreal

Although Quebec City is more well-known for its charm, you can still feel as if you’re in “old world” Europe when you visit the Old Montreal neighborhood.

This part of the city is a beacon to tourists so you won’t stand out or feel weird walking around alone.

My favorite places to visit were the famous (and luminously lit) Notre-Dame Basilica and the informative Pointe-a-Calliere Museum , which is dedicated to history and archeology.

Old Montreal is compact and easy to explore in a single day, making this neighborhood one best places to go alone in Montreal.

I hope you enjoyed my guide all about Montreal solo travel, as well as all the places to go alone in Montreal! So, have you ever been to Montreal? What suggestions do you have? Thanks for reading!

Rachel Elizabeth

At 22, I took my first overseas trip to Bermuda. Took a break to follow the "American Dream." Had my self-esteem broken. Embarked on my first solo trip to Scotland at 26. The travel bug dug its way under my skin. I now book multiple trips a year.

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Ultimate Montreal Solo Travel Guide for a Flawless Trip

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Wondering if Montreal, Quebec in Canada is the right city for a sophisticated solo trip? As an experienced solo traveler, I just spent an incredible three days traveling alone in Montreal. Below, I am sharing everything to know and expect before your own solo Montreal getaway.

Founded in 1642, Montreal is one of the oldest modern cities in North America and has French as its official language. Attempting French during your stay is certainly appreciated, but rest assured that English speakers will have virtually no trouble getting by. That said, Montreal is a great city for Francophiles, who will appreciate seeing historic French architecture and devouring croissants and other delicious pastries at local cafes.

Are you ready to tackle the city of Montreal on your own? Without further ado, let’s dive into everything you should know and expect as a solo female traveler visiting Montreal for the first time.

Solo Travel in Montreal: What You Need to Know

Why travel to montreal.

Of all the possible destinations, why did I choose Montreal? And why did I travel solo?

• I wanted to practice my French
• I had leftover flight and hotel credit from a cancelled trip a few years back
• Montreal’s fairly short distance from Cleveland makes a short trip quite feasible
• Montreal is particularly charming to visit during Christmas time
• Poutine, one of the city’s signature dishes, happens to be one of my favorite foods

Still wonder why I traveled to Montreal alone when I usually travel with my husband? The simplest answer is that he was completely out of vacation days by December and I was craving a solo trip . 

Wandering a city alone is actually something that I enjoy once in a while. It’s an empowering practice that re-teaches me to be independent and rely on myself. I’d already traveled solo to Charleston, South Carolina and the Netherlands earlier in the year and was ready to tackle a new city.

Top Attractions in Montreal

Montreal is a modern city full of culture and history. Here are the top five must-do attractions during any visit:

1. Wander Old Montreal

Stroll the charming cobblestone streets of the oldest part of Montreal.

2. See the Grandeur of Notre Dame Basilica

Admire the intricate carvings and staining glass of this Gothic Revival cathedral inspired by Notre-Dame in Paris .

3. Tour the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum

This archeological museum takes you underground to settlements that existed in Montreal’s early days and even pre-dating the city’s founding.

4. Climb to the Mount Royal Chalet

Where you can see some of the best views over Montreal and the St. Lawrence River.

5. Dive into the Foodie Scene

Try the city’s iconic dishes, including smoked meat sandwiches as Schwartz’s, a Montreal-style bagel at Fairmount, and poutine at La Banquise.

Montreal First Impressions

I arrived at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport around 5pm and it was dark. The next morning, it was still dark when I woke up around 7am. While by no means the darkest city in the world during December, just know that winter in Montreal means less daylight.

My first day exploring Montreal had called for snow, but unfortunately brought cold rain and slush instead. However, the city remained cheery with Christmas lights and decorations lining every street and adorning historic squares like Place d’Armes. Christmas markets had already been popping up around Montreal, but seemed to mostly open up on weekends.

I was staying in Old Montreal at the Auberge du Vieux-Port , but it didn’t take me long to realize most of the must-visit foodie spots are in other neighborhoods. Therefore, I bought a 3-day metro pass at the nearest station to easily get around during my stay.

I encountered a lot of construction while exploring Montreal, at times causing entire sidewalks to be closed. Sometimes the bike path would be open instead, while other times I had to cross the street or walk carefully along the side of the road.

One more quick realization I had: having arrived on a Sunday night, I found that most of Montreal’s top museums and some popular restaurants are closed on Mondays. Check ahead of time to avoid a wasted journey and to ensure you don’t miss out!

Meeting Other Travelers

My favorite way to meet like-minded people when traveling solo is by booking tours. Unsurprisingly, the most social of these tend to revolve around eating and drinking.

I booked an Old Montreal walking tour for my first day. Although we mostly listened to our guide while strolling the quaint streets, it was nice to be around some other people for a while.

My favorite experience was taking a food tour of Montreal’s Mile End neighborhood . This vibrant area features lots of street art and some of the city’s best and most unique eateries.

There were only five people in our group, not including our guide. Therefore, we were always able to eat at the same table and everyone interacted and chatted with one another. While I don’t always have quite this positive of an experience on food tours, it’s always amazing when it happens!

Montreal Likes & Dislikes

What I Liked About Montreal

• Availability of amazing poutine right at my fingertips and extensive cafe culture. Montreal is the perfect city to explore with a food tour !
• Staying at a cozy hotel in Old Montreal and learning all about the surrounding historic streets during this dedicated walking tour .
• Rampant Christmas decorations and festivities all over the city
• Ease of using the city’s metro system
• Favorable exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and US dollar

What I Disliked About Montreal

• Most top restaurants required a car or metro ride from Old Montreal
• Almost slipping on various sidewalks and when climbing Mount Royal because I was wearing worn out sneakers (good boots are a must in winter!)
• Eating the city’s culinary specialties at less than optimal freshness. Don’t order poutine on DoorDash and always ask for the freshest bagel at Fairmount or St-Viateur .
• Walking the entirety of St. Laurent Boulevard from Old Montreal to visit Schwartz’s Deli . There was a lot of trash, empty store fronts, and a seedy atmosphere at times. However, conditions improved as I got closer to Schwartz’s.
• Smoked meat sandwiches. I’m sorry to all the smoked meat lovers out there, but I found these to be really overrated. As a disclaimer, I’m not a big sandwich lover and wouldn’t rush to try pastrami in New York either.

Safety in Montreal

Montreal is generally a safe place for solo travel, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Below are my observations on safety that I personally dealt with while in Montreal. You can read more about safety in Montreal here .

• Slippery Conditions: During winter, Montreal does a great job managing snow and ice. That said, it’s still possible to encounter slippery patches on the sidewalk, as I had to catch my balance my than once. I recommend wearing sturdy winter boots and avoiding icy sections of walkways.
• Walking in Montreal after dark: Montreal has plenty of vibrance after sundown, with an array of bars, clubs, and restaurants to check out. In fact, some eateries even stay open for 24 hours ! While I generally make it a practice not to be out wandering after dark when traveling alone, that can be hard to avoid during short winter daylight hours. You shouldn’t fear being out in the early evening hours, but always stay vigilant and let someone at home know where you are if possible.
• Petty Crime: Although Montreal is among the safest cities in Canada , it’s always good to take normal precautions with your belongings. I never keep all my cash and cards on me, and I generally wear my small purse in front of my body.

Should Solo Female Travelers Visit Montreal?

I loved Montreal for solo female travel and felt very comfortable wandering along the old port, visiting museums, and exploring trendy neighborhoods near Mount Royal.  A travel companion is definitely not a requirement for soaking in this city’s romantic cobblestone paths and mountaintop views.

In fact, I saw plenty of other solo females out shopping, riding the metro, and grabbing a table for one at local restaurants. I overall felt safe navigating Montreal on foot and while using public transportation. If Montreal is calling your name, don’t hesitate to book this as a solo adventure!

Montreal makes an excellent destination for a solo trip, whether this is your first or tenth time traveling alone. This francophone city is atmospheric during any time of the year, and its safe reputation allows you to feel comfortable while exploring the top sights. The question is whether you prefer summer patios or holiday sparkle?

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Montreal Solo Travel Guide

Planning a solo trip to Planning a solo trip to Montreal ? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:

QUICK FACTS

• Second largest city in Canada (after Toronto), with a population of 1.8 million .
• Originally named Ville-Marie (City of Mary), it was named after Mount Royal – the triple peaked mountain in the heart of the city.
• Once the industrial and financial capital of Canada, Montréal eventually lost the edge to Toronto in the late 20th century. Regardless, the city remains a cultural, technological, media and financial powerhouse (second largest economy in Canada by GDP).
• Located on the Island of Montreal, as well as on smaller islands (including Ile Bizard).
• Nicknames: The City of Saints, The 514, Real City, La Métropole, Sin City, MTL, Mount Real, La belle ville.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Currency:  Canadian Dollar  (CAD).
• Spoken languages: predominantly  French  (with a sizable English-speaking population).
• Best time to visit: from  May  to  October .   Summers are humid, while winters can get very cold (with frequent blizzards).
• Arriving via airport: the airport shuttle costs $9.00 , while regular public transport can get you to the city for just $3.00 . A taxi from the airport will cost approximately $45 .

WHERE TO STAY

• Best hostel for solo travelers: Auberge Saintlo Montreal . One of the few hostels in the city, this one is a clear winner – very clean, with friendly staff, and conveniently located for exploring the city. Breakfast included. Book ahead to reserve a spot, especially in the summer (when accommodation prices in MTL go up like crazy).
• Rue Sainte-Catherine (St. Catherine Street) is great for shopping and is close to Old Montréal.
• You can’t go wrong with accommodations near or within  Chinatown , St. Denis , Sherbrooke and St. Laurent , all located walking distance to the city’s top tourist destinations.
• For more upscale and trendy hotels, try the city’s Old Port area.

GETTING AROUND

• STM is Montréal’s public transit system. The STM includes buses, subway (Métro), Paratransit, senior shuttle bus and a taxi bus. A single ride is $3.00, which includes subway and bus (with transfers). Daily, weekly, and monthly passes are also available – a pass offers unlimited rides on subway and buses (including the airport bus).
• Taxi companies servicing Montréal include: Atlas  (514 485-4888), Taxi Rosemont  (514 255-1313) and Diamond  (514 273-6331). Taxi fares start at $3.30 and increase $1.60 per kilometre; or $0.60 per minute.
• Uber has arrived in Montreal! A great alternative to traditional taxis – cleaner cars, faster service, and (usually) cheaper rates.
• BIXI Montreal is the city’s popular bike rental service, available from April to November . Rent a public bike from one of the many automated BIXI stations around the city.

MONTREAL NIGHTLIFE

• Drinking age is  18 , last call is officially 3 AM (many clubs and bars stay open all night).
• Note : with over 300 bars and 50 strip clubs, Montréal is one of the world’s top nightlife destinations.
• Main nightlife: Francophone scene on  Saint-Laurent (between Sherbrooke and Pine), Anglophone scene on Crescent Street (between Sherbrooke and Maisonneuve).
• Hip/local scene: Mt . Royal (Le Plateau Mont-Royal), Old Port .
• Other nightlife areas: St. Catherine Street West, The Latin Quarter, and the Gay Village.
• Great bars in Montreal for solo travelers: Diese Onze (live jazz), Le Système, L’Escogriffe Bar (live music), and Sans Soleil Bar.
• Looking for clubbing ? Try Bar Datcha or Stereo (techno).

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

• Roam around through the Underground City , a giant complex filled with restaurants and shopping. With over 20 miles of tunnels, the also includes residential and office space. If you are visiting during the winter, this is a great place to take a break and warm up.
• Check out the Olympic Park . Located in the heart of Montréal, this dome once held the 1976 Olympic Summer Games and now includes the Montréal Biodome, Insectarium, a municipal golf course and the Montréal Botanical Gardens.
• The  Montréal   Botanical Gardens contain over 20,000 plant species in over 30 different (specialized) gardens. Two of the gardens include a full Japanese Garden and the largest Chinese Garden outside of Asia.
• The Notre-Dame Basilica is the city’s oldest church. Finished in 1656, it features an amazing interior of stained glass windows depicting scenes of the city over time.
• The Canadian Railway Museum is a treat for any railroad enthusiast, featuring over 150 locomotives and railway cars/vehicles.

INTERESTING WALKS

• The Old Port always makes for a great walk. Start at St. Paul, and continue to the old port along any of the streets.
• Hike up  Mont  ( Mount) Royal . This 200 hectare park sits on the mountain on Montreal Island, and boasts the highest spot in the city (234 meter elevation).
• Walk along St. Laurent Boulevard for a mix of everything. If you’ve got the energy, try to go all the way from Little Italy to City Hall (or vice versa). You’ll pass by different neighbourhoods, unique shops, and will be overwhelmed by food and drink options.

LOCAL WISDOM

• Don’t forget that you’re in Quebec, and French is the official language. Even if you don’t know the language, try to learn a few key phrases . Locals will appreciate your effort. You will find that many residents actually speak English, and will switch over once they realize you’re not a local. Don’t worry: no one expects tourists to speak French!
• Great restaurants in Montreal that locals love: Le Filet ($$$ – seafood), Le Pégase ($$ – French), Sparta Poulet Grec ($), Pamika Thai ($$),  Antep Kabab ($ – Turkish), McKiernan ($$ – great chicken), ChuChai ($$ – vegan/vegetarian), Ohana Sushi Vegan ($$).
• Where to find  good cheap eats : just about anywhere! While in town, make sure to try the famous Montreal smoked ham , bagels , as well as some authentic poutine . A time-honoured local tradition is also to have a beer at a bar with a terrace. Pop by any of the Falafel St. Jacques locations for delicious food on a budget (great vegetarian options).
• Dangerous areas : while the city is generally safe, it is best to avoid the following areas (especially at night): Ontario Street East, St. Catherine East (except the Village), and the far east end of Montreal (past Papeneau).

Recommended trip duration:  3-4 days

• Toronto, Canada
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Home > Canada > 25 Things To Do Alone in Montreal: Solo Travel in Montreal

25 Things To Do Alone in Montreal: Solo Travel in Montreal

By Dymphe / May 21, 2022

You find many things to do alone in Montreal . Because of these fun activities, solo travel in Montreal is incredible.

Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec in Canada . It's a city with great sights. For example, you can find the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Biodome in Montreal.

Those who are traveling alone to the city of Montreal will have a lovely time. The city is perfect if you like meeting new people or if you like being by yourself.

Some of the best activities for solo travel in Montreal are a guided bike tour and a food tour. These are perfect if you want to learn about the city.

But there are many more things to do alone in Montreal. If you want to have fun and you want to meet others, you can join a group and learn about coffee.

Or you can be active and play badminton with a group! There are many possibilities in the city which is amazing.

Table of Contents

1. Take Part in a Guided Bike Tour of Montreal: Fun and Active Thing To Do Alone in Montreal

One of the best things to do alone in Montreal is doing a guided bike tour of the city.

During a guided bike tour of the City, Old Port & Plateau you discover a lot of places in the city. So this is great if you want to see the sights.

A local guide leads the way and takes you on a wonderful experience that takes about 3 to 4 hours.

There are many bike paths in the city, which makes discovering the city by bike very easy to do. Especially if you love being active when you travel, this is very fun.

Also, when you do a tour by bike, you can cover a lot of the sights of Montreal at the same time. Because of this, this tour gives you a great overview of the greatest places in the city.

Furthermore, you do this tour with a group of other people. And this allows you to socialize when you are doing solo travel in Montreal!

2. Learn About Coffee During a Group Experience

The following experience is one of the best things to do alone in Montreal if you are a coffee lover.

The " Coffee Sensory with a Food Scientist " is an experience that takes about 90 minutes.

During it, you learn about the growth of coffee and about the process of coffee making! This is so much fun for solo travel in Montreal.

Besides that, you do a smelling and tasting exercise with coffee that is great to experience. And after that, you do coffee cupping.

3. Do a Guided Scooter Tour of the City

A unique way to see the city during solo travel in Montreal is by scooter. For this, you can do the " Guided Scooter Sightseeing Tour in Montreal ".

During this tour that takes about 3 hours, you travel to a lot of places in the city by electric scooter.

This is a great way to get around in Montreal, as you can see a lot in a shorter amount of time. You'll visit some notable sights in the city and you go through various neighborhoods.

4. Explore the Chocolate Shops: Lovely Thing To Do Alone in Montreal if You Like Chocolate

Another one of the best things to do alone in Montreal is exploring the chocolate shops of the city.

You can do so during the " Ultimate Chocolate Tour in Montreal ".

During this walking tour, you go to various chocolate shops in the city. What's great is that you taste a variety of chocolate along the way. In total, there are at least nine tastings of chocolate, which is great!

Furthermore, you'll learn about the process of making chocolate, which is very interesting.

Also, you do this tour with other people. This makes this experience a lot of fun during solo travel in Montreal!

5. Walk Through the Montreal Botanical Garden

If you like nature, this is one of the best things to do alone in Montreal for you!

The Montreal Botanical Garden is a wonderful place full of nature. It is a National Historic Site of Canada, which makes the place very special to visit. Furthermore, it is one of the best botanical gardens in the world.

You find here many themed gardens and greenhouses.

Some of the most notable gardens of the place are the Chine Garden and the Alpine Garden. Each garden has other plants.

Another unique thing here is the Lion de la Feuillée This is a sculpture of a lion that you can find in the rose garden.

Going here is a great way to relax when you are doing solo travel in Montreal! You can stroll through the garden and enjoy all the beauty of nature.

6. Explore the Outdoors of Montreal Through a Meetup Group

If you want to explore the outdoors near the city, you can join a Meetup group.

The Montreal Outdoor Adventure Club is perfect if you want to take part in outdoor events. This is one of the most fun things to do alone in Montreal.

For example, they have meetups where you can go hiking, biking, kayaking, and much more.

These events are a great way to get active in the city, and you can make friends among the other members!

7. Tour the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Great Thing To Do Alone in Montreal If You Love Art

If you like art, you should definitely go to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts during solo travel in Montreal.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a wonderful museum where you can find all kinds of paintings!

These include a variety of paintings from all over the world. For example, you find here paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Delacroix.

Moreover, this is the largest art museum in the country.

You can do a guided tour of the museum, which is one of the best solo activities in Montreal. During these tours, you'll learn more about the collection and you do this with other people.

8. Go Cycling With Others

Do you want to cycle in the city, but don't want to do this alone? Then, you should definitely check out this Meetup group.

The " Montreal Cyclists and Bike Enthusiasts " Meetup group organizes rides once every week. These rides are a great workout. And what's great is that you can socialize with others at the same time. So it's one of the best things to do alone in Montreal if you want to be active!

Keep in mind that this is an intermediate and advanced cycling group. You have to be able to ride for more than 55 kilometers during one ride to join.

9. Go on a River Sightseeing Guided Cruise

Going on a river sightseeing cruise in Montreal is another one of the best things to do alone in Montreal.

During this experience, you sail on the St. Lawrence River and see the city's sights from the water!

You can see a lot of the waterfront buildings of the city and a guide tells you all about the history of the city. This is very interesting if you like learning about history.

Moreover, you do this cruise with other people, and you can meet others during the experience.

10. Join a Food Tour

Joining a food tour of Montreal is another great activity during solo travel in Montreal!

This experience allows you to learn about all the dishes you can find in the city. There are both international, as well as local dishes that you can try!

During this food tour that takes about 3 hours, you go to various food venues in the city.

Examples of food that you'll try are Alsation tarts, stuffed gnocchi, and more!

Also, you do this food experience with other people, which is great when you are doing a solo trip. Eating in the company of others is much more fun than eating alone!

11. Learn Making Your Own Macarons: Fun and Unique Thing To Do Alone in Montreal

Another great activity during solo travel in Montreal is to learn how to make your own macarons!

During the " Learn to bake French Macarons " you learn exactly that!

You learn about the whole process and then make them.

In the end, you leave with some delicious pastries that you can eat at home. That definitely makes it one of the best things to do alone in Montreal.

Also, when doing this experience, you join other people that take part in it. This makes making your own macarons also a great social activity!

12. Explore Contemporary Art at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal

Another one of the best things to do alone in Montreal is to see contemporary art. You can do that at the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal .

This is a great contemporary art venue where you can find a great collection.

Moreover, the art you can find in the collection comes from Quebec, Canada, and other countries. This makes it a great place to learn about the region's art as well, which is lovely!

What's great is that you can find a variety in the types of contemporary art. For example, there are paintings, photos, sculptures, and more.

Also, there are often temporary exhibitions that make going here even more interesting! There's always something new when you visit!

When going here all by yourself, you can immerse yourself in the art, and have a wonderful experience!

13. Play Badminton in the City

If you want to play badminton with other people, you can join a Meetup group.

The " Badminton Montreal " group is great for this. This group hosts various badminton events in the city and near it.

At these places, you can play badminton with other people. This makes it a great way to get active and meet others during solo travel in Montreal.

14. Experience the Zipline in Montreal Old Port: Very Unique Thing To Do Alone in Montreal

You can find a zipline in Montreal Old Port . This is a very popular attraction in the city that will give you a unique experience for sure!

Going here is great to do on your own. You are on the zipline on your own anyway!

15. Ride a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Another one of the best things to do alone in Montreal is discovering the city by hop-on hop-off bus.

A hop-on hop-off tour of Montreal is a very convenient way to see the various sites of the city.

There are 10 stops in total. At each stop, you can leave the bus. When you finished roaming around at the stop, you can then hop on the bus again and go to the next stop.

What's great as well is that there is an audio guide onboard the bus. This allows you to learn a lot about the city.

When you doing solo travel in Montreal this is great, as it makes seeing the city's sights much easier!

16. Do a Tour of the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History

The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History or the "Pointe-à-Callière Museum" is great to visit on your own!

At the museum, you can find a collection of all kinds of artifacts from the city's past.

The permanent exhibits tell you the story of Montreal, which is very interesting.

Also, there are often changing exhibitions focused on a certain theme of archaeology.

One of the best things to do alone in Montreal is doing a tour of the museum. During this, a guide from the museum shows you around, tells you a lot, and is ready to answer your questions.

17. Go Hiking With a Group of People: Perfect Thing To Do Alone in Montreal To Make Friends

If you like hiking, but you prefer to do this with others, you can join the " Montreal Hiking Group ". This group is amazing for solo travel in Montreal.

The group hosts all kinds of hiking events through the parks and trails in and near the city.

These events are great if you want to get active when you are in the city. Besides that, hiking with others is a great way to make new friends in Montreal.

18. Do a Self-Guided Tour of the City

Prefer seeing the city on your own? Then, you can do a self-guided tour.

During a self-guided tour, you follow a tour on your phone all by yourself. For this, you can use the self-guided Montreal tours by GPSmyCity .

You decide which tour you do and how long to spend at each stop. This is a great way to explore the city while still keeping control of your day!

19. Sample Montreal’s Food and Drinks With a Group of Others

Another one of the best things to do alone in Montreal is joining the " Montreal Food and Drink Meetup ".

This is a group that you can join if you want to explore the restaurants and other places with food and drinks. And it is especially great if you want to do that with other people!

That's because, during the events of this group, you can do that! You explore the food and drink places with others.

This is a great way to explore new things and make friends at the same time!

20. Learn How to Make Your Own Ravioli: Fun Thing To Do Alone in Montreal If You Like Food

Another one of the best activities for solo travel in Montreal is learning how to make your own Ravioli.

During a ravioli workshop in Montreal , you make the pasta dough from scratch which is great. After that, you make a filling and create the ravioli.

At the end of this experience, you can taste the delicious pasta you made. You do this together with the other people that take part in the experience. This is also why it is a great activity, as you can have food with others!

21. Make Your Own Bagels During a Workshop

An iconic treat of Montreal is the bagel, which is why it is great to learn how to make your own!

You can do this during a Montreal bagel workshop !

A guide tells you all about bagels and explains how to make your own.

You learn about different types of flour and about kneading techniques. Furthermore, you learn what makes bagels special in comparison to other bread. And you learn about the seasoning of bagels.

At the end of each step, you can try out your delicious bagels.

You do this with experience in a small group, which makes it a great way to socialize while having food. This is wonderful during solo travel in Montreal.

22. Do a Walking Tour and Learn About History and Architecture in Old Montreal

If you want to learn about the history and architecture of Old Montreal, you can do a walking tour.

During the Old Montreal 2-Hour VIP Walking Tour , you walk through the city together with a small group. A local guide leads the way! This tour definitely belongs to the best things to do alone in Montreal.

You go to various places in this part of the city. Here you can learn a lot about the design of the buildings. And the guide tells you about the history of the places you visit.

Furthermore, you tour the Notre-Dame Basilica, which is beautiful to see!

23. Do Yoga and Workouts in Nature: Relaxing Thing To Do Alone in Montreal

If you like doing yoga and working out, you can join a Meetup group for that.

The " MTL Yoga and HIIT Cardio in Nature " group hosts events with free yoga, which is great to experience on your own. Yoga is a great way to relax!

Also, there are HITT cardio meetups that are great as well. These meetups are a fantastic way to get active during solo travel in Montreal.

Moreover, because you do these classes with others, you may make some new friends when you go here.

24. Go for a Relaxing Walk at La Fontaine Park

La Fontaine Park is a beautiful park in the city of Montreal. You can go here for a relaxing walk on your own.

Or you can go for a run all by yourself at this park, which is lovely too!

25. Join a Canal Kayak Tour

Doing a canal kayak tour to Old Montreal is another one of the best things to do alone in Montreal.

This is an experience that takes about 3 hours. During it, you go kayaking on the Lachine Canal. Along the way, you see a lot of historic sites, and you can see lovely wildlife.

What's great is that you don't need any experience with kayaking to join this tour.

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Are you ok with shared bathrooms?..I was going to suggest the Grey Nuns residence but they do not seem to have availability for your dates.

Have a look on booking.com, put in your dates and see if there is anything that pops up for your dates.

Another option might be The Sandman hotel in Longueuil (short Metro ride to Old Montreal) but it will not suit your budget either...

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g155030-d489010-Reviews-Sandman_Hotel_Montreal_Longueuil-Longueuil_Quebec.html

You might also try the residences at UQAM and McGill. Universities operate their student residences as hotels in the summer. They are well located downtown and offer good value.

https://www.mcgill.ca/accommodations/summer

Should also note that weekend is a long holiday weekend in most parts of Canada (although not in Quebec) which may have an affect on how busy the city is and hotel rates.

Bienvenue Bed & Breakfast is in a fabulous location - simple, clean place. There are others.

B&B's are a good suggestion. It looks as though Gingerbread Manor has rooms available in your budget. They are well reviewed here on TA.

https://www.gingerbreadmanor.com/

Thank you so much!

This post has been removed at the author's request.

@tomabu stop posting lies about Airbnb on the forums

Airbnb does NOT screen listings. It's like Craigslist.

There are countless illegal airbnb's in this city.

We do not recommend airbnb as people are often screwed over with cancelled bookings or illegal bookings

"Planning to be there 07/29-08/03." If you go 1 wk earlier or later it will be considerably cheaper.

Although it is not a long weekend in the province of Quebec it is in the bordering provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick and prices seem to be greatly increased on July 29 perhaps in anticipation of increased cross provincial tourism for the weekend.

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Solo Travel in Montreal: Food, Art & Culture

July 10, 2019 by Janice Waugh

One of the many markets to visit in Montreal. Credit FR © Kelly Jacob

For those who want a cosmopolitan city with a unique French culture, but don't want to leave North America, solo travel in Montreal is a wonderful option.

Montreal is a city I am truly fond of. It's a typical destination for friends and family for a weekend getaway. Like New York, people return again and again to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy its many experiences.

French is the primary language but English is spoken at hotels, restaurants, museums, and other public places. About 12% of the population have English as their mother tongue and 55% of Montrealers are bilingual, making the city a cultural experience that's easy to manage.

Located on an island in the St. Lawrence River, you can expect to experience more French the farther east you go and more English the farther west you go. But, in the center, there's a good mixture of both. Boulevard Saint-Laurent , known as The Main, is considered the east-west divide in the city.

This mural was made in honor of Leonard Cohen, a native Montrealer.

Table of Contents

Why Go to Montreal?

• The Culture . From the very distinct Montreal architecture (everyone notices the outdoor, often spiral, staircases) to the joie de vivre shared through a passion for music, food, fashion, and festivals. Montreal is a fun city to explore.
• The Food!  Whether it's bagels and Montreal smoked meat you're after, (Schwartz's is the classic destination for smoked meat), elegant French cuisine, or a vegan gastronomic delight, the city has what you want. See below for a list of recommended Montreal restaurants.
• Fashion. Montrealers, French and English, are fashionable. There is a strong fashion industry in the city which also means great shopping! Check out Poème on St. Laurent Blvd. where multiple designers show their wares.
• Festivals . The city is famous for its festivals, especially the Just for Laughs/Juste pour rire festival. As the founding city of Cirque de Soleil, it's not surprising that it also has a circus festival. Every week, from spring to fall, there's a festival. In the winter you can expect some as well, though not quite as frequently.

Murals have become popular means of sharing the history of place around the world. The same goes for Montreal. Montreal was the Canadian center of commerce up until the late 70s and was controlled largely by the English. Things changed over the course of the Quiet Revolution in the 60s, a not-so-quiet period after that culminating in the FLQ crisis and then dramatic political change led by a separatist party for many years that included two referendums. There is lots of dramatic inspiration for murals in Montreal.

How to Get to Montreal

About an hour from the US border, the city is easily accessible by train, car, and, naturally, plane.

• Amtrak . It's about an 11-hour ride from New York City to Montreal by Amtrak but it takes you through gorgeous country along the Adirondack line.
• Via Rail. Multiple trains go from Toronto to Montreal daily. The trip is about five hours.
• Flights . Montreal is a 1 1/2-hour flight from New York City and just over an hour from Toronto. However, you need to account for the time getting from the airport in Dorval, just west of Montreal, into the city.
• Road trip . By car you can take as long as you want but the time is typically about the same as the train.

Old Montreal is in the foreground.

Solo Travel in Montreal: A Few Highlights

• Visit Old Montreal.  Old Montreal and Old Quebec City are the closest you can get to Europe in North America. Old Montreal dates back to the 17th century with cobblestone streets and charming shops, cafes, and restaurants with terraces. Take a tour on a calèche, which is a horse-drawn carriage. Old Montreal stretches along the St. Lawrence River for more than 2.5 km and offers a variety of festivals, concerts, cruises, and excursions, an urban beach (Clock Tower Beach), the Montréal Science Centre, and even an IMAX theater.
• Go to the Mountain . Opposite to Old Montreal, which is on the waterfront, is Mount Royal, overlooking the city. It's a healthy walk of about an hour and a half that takes you through the city's financial district and McGill University (which is an interesting walk in itself) into glorious green space. Mount Royal Park is yet another park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the man behind New York's Central Park. It offers great views of the city, boating at Beaver Lake, bird watching, and a variety of winter activities if you're there in the cold weather.
• Hang Out on the Plateau . Formally known as Le Plateau Mont-Royal, this area of Montreal is artsy, full of restaurants, parks, and cafes. Public pianos are scattered around the area for anyone to play. It's the location for the Fringe Festival and Montreal Pop. Many of the restaurants on Prince-Arthur or Duluth are BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine). You just have to spend time there.
• Engage in Montreal's Bagel Wars . In my opinion, Montreal bagels are the best bagels in the world. The question is, are they better from Fairmount Bakery or St-Viateur Bagel? You need to taste both to decide. Fortunately, they are within a few blocks of each other in the Mile End section of the Plateau. Just be prepared to wait in line as they make bagels all day long and there are usually people waiting for them fresh from the wood-burning ovens. It's worth taking a Mile End food tour while you're there.
• Enjoy a “ 5 à 7 ” .  In Montreal, “Cinq à Sept” is happy hour and, again, the plateau is the perfect place for it. There are great options throughout the area. If you want to focus in, try Mont-Royal Ave E. where Bily Kun and Plan B are within a block of each other.
• Look for the murals on St. Laurent Blvd . There are huge murals on buildings at every intersection. Go in June and see the walls get a makeover. Artists come from around the world to help redecorate this famous street. St. Laurent is a very long street so head for the intersection of St Laurent Blvd and Rachel Street.
• Montreal's Churches . With its French heritage, Catholicism runs deep in Montreal. Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours, built in 1771, is in Old Montreal and also houses a museum dedicated to Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, the founder of the Congregation, and the colony’s first teacher. She was canonized by the Vatican in 1982. The building of Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal dates back to the 1820s, though it sits on a site of a parish church that dates to the 1600s. Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal sits, as one might expect, on top of Mount Royal looking over the city. Saint Joseph's Oratory is a pilgrimage site where many people climb the almost 400 steps on their knees.
• Montreal's Museums and Galleries . For history, go to Pointe-à-Callière and the Château Ramezay. There's also the Montreal Science Centre. For art, go to the Musee des beaux-arts de Montreal, the MAC which is the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, and many private galleries around the city. There's also the community run Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre and Museum on St. Laurent Blvd.
• Take in the Night Life . Montreal is alive and busy at night and, if you've read  Solo Travel Safety: The Fundamentals for Safe Travel , you'll know that a public place is where I feel safest. While the Plateau is a worthwhile evening destination, St. Denis Street in the center of town has been the street for nightlife for decades. But local clubs are not the only option. There is the Place des Arts with performances year-round. For English theater check out Centaur Theatre Company. For feminist, English theater go to Imago, located on St. Laurent Blvd.
• PY1 . This is a project by Guy Laliberté, the man behind Cirque du Soleil, and his new multimedia company Lune Rouge Entertainment. Called  Through the Echoes, PY1 Pyramid combines laser projectors, moving set pieces, LED light fixtures, a massive screen and surround-sound speakers to involve the audience in a story that spans the creation of the universe to the present, and beyond.

Recommended Restaurants in Montreal

Restaurants in montreal for every taste.

• Le Bremner – Old Montreal spot, dark and romantic off a cobblestone street tucked into a basement. I'm not sure about full plant-based options as the menu is quite small, but it seems like the type of place that would be happy to whip something up custom. Excellent cocktail and wine lists.
• Le Select Bistro – On St. Laurent, old school classic French bistro. They bring a huge jar of the best pickles and mustard I’ve ever had to every table no matter what you order. You should be able to find the menu online and it’s quite extensive.
• Arthur’s Nosh Bar – A little out of the way (near Atwater market if I remember correctly) but definitely worth the trek. It's a casual lunch and brunch spot with a Jewish deli spin, and has lots of vegan options.

Vegan Restaurants in Montreal

Living a plant-based diet I wasn't sure how many restaurant options I'd have in Montreal. Here are three I went to and loved. There are others.

• LOV – The letters stand for Local, Organic, and Vegan. The food was great and they also have large communal tables if you feel like being social.
• Copper Branch – This is a quality, fast food restaurant with limited, casual dining. It' primarily a take-out joint but the food is of top quality and 100% plant-based. There are about a dozen locations in Montreal. They are franchising in and beyond the city so watch for them popping up elsewhere.
• Aux Vivres Plateau – This was Montreal's first vegan restaurant and it is now an institution in the city. It's located on the Plateau on St. Laurent Blvd as well as in Westmount on Sherbrooke Street West. In addition to the restaurants they have boutiques where they sell some of their products. Great food!

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Ideas for solo travel in Montréal

Daniel Baylis

Daniel Baylis is a writer and adventurer. Born in British Columbia, Daniel came to Montréal with the kooky bohemian notion that he would write poetry, learn to speak French and fall in love. Having achieved various levels of success in said domains, he now focuses his energy on a new hobby: artisanal pickling.

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This article was updated on April 24, 2023.

Travelling solo can be a wonderful way to experience a city—you get to do what you want, when you want, with only me, myself and I to please. And boy does Montréal have pleasing offerings! The gazillion festivals spanning every season provide a perfect backdrop for mingling or simply sitting back to watch the crowds. The various markets are ideal for strolling. The safe-as-can-be public transport system—and bike rental service—mean you can explore every neighbourhood and green space in towns across the city, easy peasy. Whether you’re planning on quality alone time or looking to meet locals in their element, here are some ideal places to tick off the list while in Montréal solo.

In Old Montréal, Crew Collective & Café   is a former bank turned coworking space and an ideal place to sit and sip a latte, especially on a rainy day. At the heart of Mile End,  Café Olimpico  has a spacious patio where socializing is the standard, and a sister location at the  Hôtel William Gray . You’ll find plenty of chatterboxes at old-school coffeeshop Café Italia , in Little Italy.  Dispatch  offers tasting monthly events, perfect for learning about coffee while mingling.

As one of the most important art institutions in North America, the  Montreal Museum of Fine Arts  is the premier stop for any art aficionado. For more modern tastes, visit Canada’s leading museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art: the  Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal . For archaeology and history, check out  Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex . The  McCord Stewart Museum  holds collections of costumes, decorative art, aboriginal objects, paintings and prints. Finally, the  Phi Centre  showcases the arts in all their glorious forms—check out the event schedule for a listing of live performances.

One of the best ways to savour the city is to visit one of the  local public markets . With a wide range of regional products and readymade foods to munch as you explore,  Jean-Talon Market —located in the heart of Little Italy—is the largest and most culturally diverse market in Montréal. For a smaller yet equally mouth-watering option, the art deco-style  Atwater Market  offers an array of specialty products and delicatessen treats. (Plus, it’s located in the picturesque Quartiers du canal.)

Guided Tours

Takes the guesswork out of navigating the city with  Spade & Palacio , who offer non-touristy thematic walking tours that focus on less-visited neighbourhoods, perfect for the young and young at heart. For an architectural slant, opt for the cycle excursions by  Montréal On Wheels .  Choose your own adventure with  TourBird , which offers a series of curated self-guided audio walking tours that will help you explore Montréal’s eclectic and colourful neighbourhoods at your own pace. Each tour is sectioned so if it starts to rain or snow, you can just hit pause and pick it up again later! 

The wintertime fat bike tours of Mount Royal led by  Fitz Montréal Bike Tours will introduce you to a magical side of the city, but their summertime tours are fantastic too.  Try  Local Montréal Food Tours  for tasty gourmet tours through the Mile End and Old Montréal districts, or discover even  more food tour options here . Finally,  Guidatour  offers personal tours available in 21 languages!

Park spaces

Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (the same landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park), Mount Royal Park —the “mountain” at the heart of the city—is Montréal’s most iconic landmark, and the most popular place to snap a selfie. Ranked among the most beautiful urban circuits in the world, the  Lachine Canal  is a stunning linear park, ideal for cycling. In the heart of the Plateau neighbourhood, Parc La Fontaine is the type of place to sit on a blanket and observe locals in their natural environment. If you’re really ambitious, here are a dozen  other green spaces in Montréal .

From haute couture to vintage threads to home décor, Montréal offers unlimited options for shopping. For years,  Saint-Paul Street  was the city’s main street and many of the renovated 19 th  century buildings serve as designer shops, art galleries and artist studios. Mile End is great for well-curated vintage and local designer are, while the Plateau will offer lots of handsome unique boutqiues. At  Complexe Desjardins , you’ll find a store dedicated entirely to local crafts,  L’Art des artisans du Québec , full of woodwork, blown glass and amazing finery. From there, you can connect to  the malls in the underground network . For more mainstream shopping, Sainte-Catherine Street West (and its various shopping malls) offers the perfect place for retail rehabilitation. Find out more here .

One of the best options for dining alone is to find restaurants where you can eat at the bar. Local favourites such as  Pizzeria Magpie ,  Restaurant Leméac , L’Express , Brasserie Harricana , Pamplemousse , Hoogan et Beaufort and  Nora Gray  are just a few that offer great bar seating. Of course no Montrealer would bat at eyelash at anyone settling in at a table alone, so the city is your oyster! Here’s a list to get you started . If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves, take a cooking class from  Ateliers et Saveurs  or the  Chocolate Academy . You’ll make food and friends.

When it’s time to mingle, Montréal cocktail bars offer picture-perfect backdrops. Join the handsome crowd in Old Montréal at  The Coldroom , where the cocktail menu is all hits. On the Main, aka Boulevard Saint-Laurent,  Big in Japan  may be hard to find (the door is unmarked!), but once you’re in you’ll feel instantly at home.  Le Mal Nécessaire , in Chinatown, offers a Tiki-inspired menu and a friendly (and hipster) crowd. Anywhere that tickles your fancy will welcome you in typically warm Montréal fashion, whether your thing is fancy cocktail bars , dance clubs , show bars , sports bars or hidden gems . Happy exploring!

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• CAREER FEATURE
• 01 April 2024

How scientists are making the most of Reddit

• Hannah Docter-Loeb 0

Hannah Docter-Loeb is a freelance writer in Washington DC.

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Reddit’s many ‘subreddit’ communities offer channels for discussing science and are of interest to social-media scholars. Credit: Amy Lombard/New York Times/Redux/eyevine

It has been almost 18 months since Elon Musk purchased Twitter, now known as X. Since the tech mogul took ownership, in October 2022, the number of daily active users of the platform’s mobile app has fallen by around 15%, and in April 2023 the company cut its workforce by 80%. Thousands of scientists are reducing the time they spend on the platform ( Nature 613 , 19–21; 2023 ). Some have gravitated towards newer social-media alternatives, such as Mastodon and Bluesky. But others are finding a home on a system that pre-dates Twitter: Reddit.

The site was founded in 2005, originally as one all-encompassing forum where users (known as redditors) could post content such as links, texts, images and videos. Anonymous user upvote (or downvote) and comment on each other’s content, deciding on what performs well enough to reach others’ feeds.

Social media for scientists

Today, Reddit is divided into communities, called subreddits, each with volunteer moderators who review content. These subreddits have names that begin with ‘r/’ and are devoted to all sorts of subjects, such as literature, solo travel and Washington DC. Reddit is regularly irreverent: r/trees is for people to share content about marijuana, whereas r/marijuanaenthusiasts is the place to look at trees. It is sometimes dangerous — some communities have amplified conspiracy theories. And there are subreddits devoted to science, ranging from the broad r/science to more specific ones, such as r/bacteriophages.

As of December 2023, according to Reddit’s own statistics, the site had 73 million daily active users, more than 100,000 active communities and had amassed over 16 billion posts and comments. In February 2024, it was the eighth most visited website in the world, ahead of both Amazon and TikTok (see go.nature.com/3tugxbq ). And on 20 March, the company floated on the New York Stock Exchange, where it was initially valued at US$6.4 billion. With most researchers now needing to pay to download useful amounts of data on X, Reddit is another option to survey the Internet hivemind. Although changes made last year threaten researchers’ ability to pull data as easily as they once did, Reddit says access to its data continues to be free for non-commercial researchers and academics.

“As the social-media landscape started changing, we really started thinking about the other spaces besides Twitter that people are using,” says Nicholas Proferes, a social media researcher at Arizona State University’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in Phoenix, who co-authored reviews on the use of Reddit for research 1 , 2 . Here, Nature reports on how Reddit is providing scientists with continued avenues for connecting with other researchers, gathering data and engaging with the public.

Networking and collaboration

Yvette Cendes’s journey on Reddit began in 2014. Cendes, who is currently a postdoctoral scholar at the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, found herself with some downtime during her PhD studies in astronomy, and started poking around on the platform. She came across a thread in which users were panicking over how imminent γ-ray bursts from supernovae were going to wreak havoc and kill people — something that she knew to be untrue. She resolved to jump into the comments and clear things up, and this was the start of her science-communication career.

Since then, Cendes has made a name for herself on Reddit and even created her own subreddit, with nearly 17,000 members. “It’s a very good way to get good knowledge out there,” she says.

Scientists also use Reddit to get tips and tricks from other scientists. The r/biotech subreddit features news about biotechnology innovations and career advice; r/datascience is a community specifically for data-science professionals. There’s even a subreddit devoted to electron microscopy, from which users can seek guidance on the technology.

Yvette Cendes discusses astronomy as a science and a career on Reddit. Credit: Floris Looijesteijn

Not everyone is as forthcoming with their names and credentials on Reddit, which can make networking a bit more challenging than on other sites, says Cendes. But the pseudoanonymity can also be beneficial. Groups such as r/labrats offer safe spaces for scientists to discuss their research or dilemmas with others of similar backgrounds (and these groups are sometimes used by science journalists looking for article ideas). The anonymity provides some protection for people to post without fear of retaliation, and to seek counsel. In one discussion, for instance, a user laments how their principal investigator published a paper based on their research without giving credit, and considers hiring legal support.

Reddit can also be a great jumping-off point for early-career scientists or those trying to pivot between specialties. Kevin Ortiz Ceballos, a graduate student at Harvard University’s Department of Astronomy, happened upon one of Cendes’ posts about how to become an astronomer back when he was in secondary school. He credits it with helping him to switch from literature to physics and eventually astrophysics. Engaging in conversations about professional astronomy before entering the field himself was a huge asset.

“The fact that Yvette made it so accessible gave me the tools I needed to take the necessary steps to study and prepare what I needed to get into astronomy grad school,” he says. The two have since connected in person, and even collaborated on a project that was recently submitted for publication.

With all of its subspaces, Reddit can be overwhelming at first. Cendes encourages potential users to take it slowly, find the communities they are most interested in and go from there — putting keywords in the search function and perusing the different subreddits that come up.

Research and analysis

The information embedded in posts and comments from Reddit’s millions of users can also be a treasure trove for researchers studying online behaviours. In 2022, NASA collaborated with master’s students at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, to use Reddit data to locate landslides (see go.nature.com/3tlum6t ). The team scraped the site for mentions of ‘landslide’, before analysing and validating relevant mentions to add to the NASA landslides database. According to the team, this verification was needed because a Reddit post about the song ‘Landslide’ by the rock band Fleetwood Mac might “give us insight about the changes and challenges of life, but it doesn’t do much for global disaster detection”.

TikTok for physics: influencers aim to spark interest in science

A 2021 review 2 in Social Media + Society , co-authored by Proferes, chronicled 727 manuscripts published between 2010 and 2020, that made use of Reddit data. These studies spanned all sorts of disciplines — from computer science to medicine to social science.

One reason that Reddit is ripe for research is that there are few bureaucratic hurdles to clear compared with what’s required for other studies involving human beings. “It is a publicly accessible web forum in the US and so is not considered to be human-subjects research,” says Proferes. Institutional review boards view Reddit research as “exempt from ethical review”, he says.

However, Proferes and his co-authors emphasize the need for intentionality and sensitivity when collecting data from the site. Consider a subreddit such as r/opiates. Data on substance use are often difficult to procure from in-person interviews or other social science methods, but because of Reddit’s anonymity, people are more open to sharing such information on the platform. However, using the subreddit for research could be seen as invasive by a community that considers itself a semi-private anonymous support network. Certain communities on Reddit are also wary of scientific researchers.

The 2024 review co-authored by Proferes 1 lists some of these considerations and suggests steps such as obfuscating usernames in published work and collaborating with moderators.

“Academia and data populations have a very sore history of, frankly, academics coming in and just taking,” says Proferes. The online community “is not getting any benefit whatsoever. It is very exploitative. There’s some real historical reasons, too, why folks may be highly suspicious or dubious about researchers coming in, even in these digital spaces.”

Research findings derived from Reddit posts should be shared with users, says Sarah Gilbert. Credit: Steven Shea

“It’s really easy when you’re working with these large data sets to just think of the data points in them as literal data,” says Sarah Gilbert, research director of the Citizens and Technology Lab at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and a co-author of the review. “Spending time in the community and learning the norms and actually reading it, it turns that data into people. It gives a better sense of who is going to be included, more like human-subject research.”

Gilbert also recommends sharing whatever published research comes out of trawling through Reddit data with those who provided the information. “Hopefully what you learnt is beneficial to the community so they can see data is used for something,” she says.

Connecting with non-scientists

Reddit can be a way for scientists to use their expertise to answer any questions the general public might have, says Cendes. She is a regular on r/space, educating users about topics such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

Kelly Zimmerman, a PhD candidate in ecology at Montclair State University in New Jersey, has connected with and educated other users on Reddit. When she started on the platform about 12 years ago, she mostly used it to find journal articles of interest on r/ecology and r/biology. But, like Cendes, she noticed how curious users were about scientific topics that were in her area of expertise, and she now often engages in discussions on subreddits such as r/whatisthisbug.

Thousands of scientists are cutting back on Twitter, seeding angst and uncertainty

Although she previously used X, Zimmerman thinks that Reddit provides a more engaging experience. “I felt like I was just talking into a void — there wasn’t a lot of response on Twitter,” she says.

One way for scientists to try their hand at science communication on Reddit is through ‘ask me anything’ (AMA) sessions, in which researchers answer users’ questions in their own time. Moderators pull in verified researchers to provide responses — even renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking participated. (To schedule an AMA with r/askscience, you can e-mail the moderators.)

With both AMAs and general discussion forums, there is an art to making sure that information is communicated effectively and succinctly. “We’re trying to keep it as scientific as possible, but in layman’s terms, so that non-scientists can understand cutting-edge science that’s coming out right now,” says Zimmerman, who also moderates some science subreddits.

Nathan Allen, a synthetic chemist based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a former moderator at r/science, likens it to writing a persuasive e-mail. “On Reddit, you have got to convince the general public that this has some general interest to them, and you’ve got to develop it and build the message and make sure people stay on point,” he says. “You get a lot of practice writing concise explanations of complicated things that people who aren’t necessarily scientists are able to digest and understand.”

When using Reddit in any capacity, Zimmerman encourages scientists to make sure to read the rules before making a post or comment, and to mind their manners, just as they would on any other social-media platform. “Be polite,” she says. “Just because you’re an anonymous username doesn’t mean you should be rude to other people.”

Jennifer Cole, a biologist and anthropologist at Royal Holloway University of London, notes that using Reddit for scientific communication is not without its problems. Moderators do a lot of work behind the scenes and often face a torrent of abuse for trying to maintain standards, says Cole. And although using people’s real names can help with credibility, it can also make academics and experts targets for harassment and abuse. Although the site does not provide support for users who experience abuse, a spokesperson for Reddit noted that the platform has policies to prohibit both harassment and the sharing of personal or confidential information, and that these policies are enforced by the internal safety teams.

It can also be used to spread falsehoods. R/conspiracy has repeatedly posted misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. Climate deniers are also present on the platform, although a decade ago the science forum specifically banned climate change deniers. Asked about misinformation, the Reddit spokesperson said that because Reddit is governed by upvotes and downvotes, quality and accurate information tend to rise to the top.

Interviewees agree that Reddit is at its core a social media platform, and social media has the potential to be toxic. But when scientists engage, there’s also a lot of great scientific communication and debunking of misinformation. “Don’t be afraid to talk to the people,” Zimmerman says. Those “who are not scientists are just as curious as we are. There’s nothing special about being a scientist. We are like everybody else, and sometimes folks forget that.”

Nature 628 , 221-223 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-00906-y

Fiesler, C., Zimmer, M., Proferes, N., Gilbert, S. & Jones, N. Proc. ACM Hum. Comp. Interact. 8 , 5 (2024).

Article   Google Scholar  

Proferes, N., Jones, N., Gilbert, S., Fiesler, C. & Zimmer, M. Soc. Media Soc . https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211019004 (2021).

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