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Montreal   Travel Guide

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13 Best Things To Do in Montreal

Updated December 14, 2022

Montréal's museums, landmarks, shopping districts and nightclubs provide plenty of entertainment. For a taste of historic Montréal, spend a day exploring the 18th-century buildings of  Vieux-Montréal , which now house small museums and souvenir

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Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) free

As the site of the original city of Montreal, Vieux-Montréal (accessible from the Orange Line's Place-d'Armes and Champ-de-Mars métro stations) is the hub of the city's culture. Not much has changed in this neighborhood despite the city's rapid urbanization. Horse-drawn carriages traverse cobblestone streets and meander past such notable sites as the Basilique Notre-Dame , the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), the Vieux-Port (Old Port) and the Marché Bonsecours (Bonsecours Market).

Here, you'll mingle with Montrealers at sidewalk cafes while overlooking the river, or enjoy the summertime street performers at Place Jacques-Cartier. This is also a popular shopping area (despite the kitschy souvenir shops), and numerous bars and clubs bring Vieux-Montréal to life come sundown. Recent visitors said this area is a must for strolling, eating and experiencing the history of Montreal and feels very European thanks to its beautiful architecture.

Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique Montreal) Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique Montreal)

Thanks to 10 large greenhouses – each tailored to a specific theme – the 190-acre botanical gardens is home to more than 22,000 species of flora and offers scenic year-round respite from the metropolis' downtown core. Spend some time strolling through the tranquil bonsai trees in the Japanese Garden or learn about the principles of yin and yang in the Chinese Garden, which showcases designs from the 14th to 17th century Ming Dynasty. Outdoor gardens include a colorful rose garden and a stunning alpine garden.

Recent visitors called the garden a must-visit with lots to see. If you're visiting with kids, don't miss the ever-popular toxic plant garden. What's more, the Insectarium is one of the largest insect museums in North America, with more than 250,000 specimens of living and naturalized insects. Permanent exhibits include We Are the Insects, Atta Ants, Butterflies Go Free (a favorite among the garden's youngest visitors) and The BuzzGround, a fun discovery zone especially for kids. Reviewers say the variety is amazing and that kids love visiting.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts)

Montreal's most prestigious museum has been building its collection of fine arts for more than 150 years. Feast your eyes on an impressive assortment of Canadian and international works, including pieces by such renowned artists as Rembrandt, El Greco, Renoir, Cézanne and Picasso. Other interesting members of the museum's collection include 18th-century English porcelain, artifacts from World War I and several beautiful pieces of furniture designed by Frank Gehry.

Recent visitors described the exhibits as outstanding and worth the admission price, and highly recommend spending a few hours here if you have the time. There's also a bookstore and restaurant located on-site.

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Parc du Mont-Royal Parc du Mont-Royal free

This 761-foot hill from which Montreal got its name is the largest of the city's parks. Towering over central Montreal (and accessible from the Green Line's Peel métro station or the Orange Line's Mont-Royal métro station), Parc du Mont-Royal is frequented by joggers, picnickers, dog walkers and bicyclists throughout the year. During the warmer months, you can rent row boats to take on the park's  Lac des Castors (Beaver Lake), while the Chalet du Mont-Royal offers breathtaking park and city views any time of year. Also, be sure to stop by the  Croix du Mont-Royal  (Mont-Royal Cross), or the park's two cemeteries (one English and one French).

Recent visitors highly recommended walking up the stairs to the top of the hill for an unbeatable view of the city, but reviewers also warned it's a steep trek.

Jean-Talon Market Jean-Talon Market free

In a world dominated by overly refrigerated, fluorescently lit supermarkets, the Jean-Talon Market is literally a breath of fresh air and one of the largest public markets in North America. Located a block or so off Boulevard Saint-Laurent (accessible from the Blue Line's Jean-Talon métro station), this open-air market entices with the aromas of grilled sausages, Quebecois cheeses, mounds of fresh produce, home-grown spices and handmade chocolates.

Even if you're not looking to buy, recent visitors recommend that you take a stroll through the market to meet and mingle with Montrealers and check out the convivial setting. Others praised the variety saying this is a must-visit for foodies and a great place to find Montreal specialties.

St. Joseph's Oratory (Oratoire Saint-Joseph) St. Joseph's Oratory (Oratoire Saint-Joseph) free

Sitting adjacent to  Mont-Royal , this immense basilica is the highest point in Montreal. Dedicated to St. Joseph, Jesus' earthly father and Canada's patron saint, St. Joseph's Oratory was designed in an Italian Renaissance style with a copper dome rising 318 feet high. The inside of the basilica is decorated with intricately carved murals and thousands of votive candles leading to the crypt. St. Joseph's Oratory receives several million visitors each year (the most devout Catholics climb the basilica's 99 steps on their knees).

Recent visitors agree this stunning basilica is a must-see, for both devoted and secular tourists, calling it spectacular. Recent visitors were particularly fond of the view from the top of the structure. If you'd rather not climb to the top on our two feet, there is a free shuttle that transports visitors from the main entrance on Queen Mary Road to the top.

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal) Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal (Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal)

It is said that when architect James O'Donnell designed the Notre-Dame Basilica in 1824, he was so moved by the outcome that he himself converted to Catholicism. Constructed in a Gothic Revival style and adorned with intricate statues and tranquil chapels, this grand church can accommodate 3,200 worshippers.

Recent visitors said a trip here is worth it, and highly recommend taking the time to go on a 20-minute guided tour. Reviewers were also complimentary of the "Aura" sound and light show that is offered regularly.

Barbie Expo Barbie Expo free

This whimsical exhibit, in what it bills as the largest permanent collection of Barbie dolls in the world, has more than 1,000 Barbies on display. Many of the dolls have been dressed to the nines by designers such as Christian Dior, Armani, Vera Wang, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta and practically any other fashion designer you can think of. There's even a fashion show, with Barbie models on the catwalk, with a Barbie audience in attendance. In addition, special celebrity-themed Barbies, such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Cher are on display, as well as Barbies designed as movie characters, such as the cast from "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Twilight Saga." Recent visitors said the exhibit is fun, adorable and for many, brings them back to their childhood.

Admission to the museum, which is located in the Les Cours Mont-Royal shopping center, is free. The exhibition is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is direct access from the Peel métro into the mall. For more information on the exhibition, visit its official website .

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Montreal Holocaust Museum Montreal Holocaust Museum

This powerful museum's mission is to tell the story of Jewish communities before, during and after the Holocaust. It offers both permanent and temporary exhibits featuring testimonies and objects from survivors to teach visitors about genocide in the past as well as in the present. Recent visitors called the museum humbling and moving, especially the video collection, which is narrated by survivors.

The museum, located near the Côte-Sainte-Catherine métro station (orange line), is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Saturdays. Admission for adults is CA$8 (about $6) and CA$5 (about $4) for kids 18 and younger. Note that the museum's permanent exhibition is not suitable for children 8 and younger. The museum recommends setting aside between 90 minutes and two hours to tour its exhibitions. For more information, visit the museum's website .

Museum of Archaeology and History (Pointe-à-Callière Museum) Museum of Archaeology and History (Pointe-à-Callière Museum)

Many say that this is the best place to begin discovering Montreal. While the modern architecture may not be typical of a history museum, the real reason to come here is to hop in the elevator and head underground. Here, an archaeological dig revealed the foundations of the city's original settlement, established in the 17th century. You can follow the development of Montreal from its days as a fledgling colony and on up through the present day to an exhibit showing the city's multicultural lifestyle. During the summer, the museum hosts numerous period fairs and festivals.

Recent visitors highly recommend visiting the museum for its excellent exhibits and great staff. Others said it appeals to children as much as adults thanks to an exhibit devoted to pirates.

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20 Best Things to Do in Montreal

By Todd Plummer

Montreal is one of Canada's most exciting cities, but it's also an incredibly historic place. When French explorer Jacques Cartier visited what is now known as Montreal in 1535, he found a thriving community of St. Lawrence Iroquois, whom are now believed to have inhabited the area for at least 3,000 years. Flash forward to today, and there are centuries of history weaving their way through each and every neighborhood, and a plethora of museums, tours, and architecture that all speak to that. But Montreal hums a modern tune as well, with music and nightlife, and world-class design and technology community, and some of the best food in the world . From Plateau to Verdun, our editor's picks of what to do in Montreal will have you leaving the city enlightened, full, and probably a little bit tired—all marks of a trip well spent.

Read our full Montreal travel guide here .

Mount Royal Arrow

Mount Royal Park, Montreal's unofficial playground north of downtown, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame) and inaugurated in 1876. The park sprawls more than 692 acres and is a favorite destination of Montrealers, who make use of the park year-round, from jogging and enjoying family picnics in summertime, to skiing and tobogganing in winter. Attractions include the Mount Royal Cross (first erected in 1643), Mount Royal Chalet, Beaver Lake, and Sir George Etienne Cartier Monument.

La Grande Roue de Montréal Arrow

Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River just steps from Old Montreal, the largest observation wheel in Canada, brings guests nearly 200 feet into the sky, offering panoramic views over the city, tee river, and Mount Royal. It’s touristy, but it’s worth it for those of us who love seeing cities from above. Bringing you high above Old Montréal, each ride is long enough for you to appreciate the sights and start to understand the city’s topography, but not so long that you’re wishing it would be over. For added thrills, upgrade to the “VIP Package” aboard gondola number 42: It’s the only one on the wheel that has a glass floor and Italian leather seats.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Arrow

The MMFA was founded in 1860 and has since grown into one of the most visited museums in North America; visitors flock from all corners of the globe to view the outstanding permanent collection: some 43,000 works from antiquity to today, much of it on display throughout five pavilions. The enormous institution also hosts seasonal blockbuster exhibitions. Be sure to visit the breathtaking Napoleon collection.

McGill University Arrow

Canada's leading research university occupies a prime piece of picture perfect real estate in central Montreal, nestled between Mount Royal and the skyscrapers of downtown. Whether you're dropping in for a lecture or just passing through on your points elsewhere, spend a little time getting lost amid the buildings here and you'll be rewarded with some serious Hogwarts vibes. Walking up the main entrance from the front gates, you'll be greeted by the inspiring, iconic tableau of the Arts Building cupola framed by Mount Royal; museums and libraries are to your left, and imposing gothic revival classroom buildings to your right. Guided tours are available and depart from the Welcome Center on rue McTavish, just make sure to sign up online as group sizes are limited.

Jessica Puckett

Cassie Shortsleeve

Arati Menon

Marché Jean-Talon Arrow

In the heart of Little Italy, Jean Talon Market, one of the largest open-air markets in North America, is an unmissable Montreal experience for food lovers. The space, which is full of small shopkeepers, bustles with activity year-round; you'll find local fruit and vegetable growers, butchers, bakers, fishmongers, grocers, and restaurateurs. It's hugely popular with locals and tourists, and if you're looking for old-world charm, there's nothing better.

OASIS Immersion Arrow

There's a deep history of and passion for design and technology in Montreal, and this immersive exhibit held at the Palais des Congres is the largest of its kind in Canada. The show itself is a stunning display of natural landscapes, videos of artists performing and creating, poetry that floats across the screen, and psychedelic designs that transport the audience; the substance of the show itself appeals to adults and children alike. Because you need to book tickets in advance the exhibit never gets too crowded, so you'll be able to keep your distance from others and experience the magic without feeling cramped. Expect to hear lots of "oohs" and "ahs."

Space for Life Arrow

The Montréal Space for Life, home to the Biodôme, Insectarium, Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, and Botanical Garden, is the largest natural sciences museum complex in Canada. This is a great place to explore and embrace the natural world; don't miss the “Gardens of Light” lantern festival and the dazzling “Butterflies Go Free” event, both held annually at the Botanical Garden.

Cafe Olimpico Arrow

Founded in 1970, Café Olimpico is a European-style café that serves a wonderful selection of coffee, espresso drinks, and Italian pastries. The Mile End landmark is a favorite among hipsters and artists, including Montreal-raised singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

Bota Bota, spa-sur-l’eau Arrow

There are two volumes of conversation allowed at Bota Bota, a floating spa docked in Montreal's Old Port: “quiet” and "silence." Since opening in 2010, it has become an attraction for locals and tourists drawn to its spa treatments and hydrotherapy circuit. You can soak in a mineral-rich hot tub—and perhaps conquer that jet lag—while gazing upon the Downtown core, Mount Royal, and the historic Old Port, all from the river. While admission is typically limited to guests over the age of 18, the spa recently brought back its popular “Pirates Layover,” where children between 12 and 17 can visit on select dates to learn about and experience the benefits of hydrotherapy.

MURAL Festival Arrow

From Mile-End to Griffintown, Montreal is covered with murals. Public art is a huge part of the city’s cultural landscape, and each summer for about ten days, the annual MURAL Festival offers live painting sessions, workshops, and music performances in celebration of the street artists who keep this city (which can be oppressively grey and cold for much of the year) so colorful. Luckily for those of us who can’t make the trip up north during the festival itself, many of the murals are left up year-round. Boulevard Saint-Laurent is now the largest street art corridor in Canada, with works ranging from figurative representations of historic Montrealers to more abstract designs: The MURAL Festival website has a wonderful dynamic map to help you navigate them all.

Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill Arrow

Upstairs, located downtown, is home to many Montreal-based acts, such as renowned drummer Jim Doxas, blues queen Dawn Tyler Watson, and jazz legend Ranee Lee. But international musicians often headline at the club too, which was also the first off-site jazz club to be a part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival; it has also been selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the world’s 150 most important jazz clubs, so you know there'll always be something good on.

Pointe-à-Callière - Museum of Archaeology and History Arrow

Pointe-à-Callière, the largest archaeology museum in Canada, is built atop the historic Old Montreal sites where the city was founded in 1642. There is lots of drama here, from the excavated remains of the original settlement to interactive video installations. Pointe-à-Callière also presents three to four temporary exhibitions every year.

Saint Joseph's Oratory Arrow

The majestic Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, one of the world’s great Catholic basilicas, was founded by Saint Brother André, who is credited with thousands of miraculous healings. More than 2 million people visit the pilgrimage site each year (both religious and non-religious), and its dome is the third-largest of its kind in the world after the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro in Côte d'Ivoire and Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome . It's without question one of Montreal's most impressive architectural jewels.

Beyond the Bagel Tour – Museum of Jewish Montreal Arrow

Jewish food historian Kat Romanow knows her bagels, bialys, and rugelachs. Her Beyond the Bagel walking food tour, offered through the Museum of Jewish Montreal, is a highly informative, well-organized romp. The Plateau and Mile End might be known today for their posh hipsters and nightlife hotspots, but this tour pulls back the curtain on the layers of history found in this part of the city. It's a much more fulfilling dive into Montreal cuisine than just grabbing a bagel or smoked meat sandwich on your own. As much of the excursion is outdoors, just note that this one is not generally offered between November and March.

Lachine Canal Arrow

The Lachine Canal flows from the historic buildings of Old Montreal, past the gentrified glass condo buildings of Griffintown, and through the hipster neighborhood of St. Henri before flowing into the industrial areas of Angrignon and Lasalle. Because it cuts through so many residential neighborhoods, you'll get a real glimpse of how Montrealers spend their downtime. On warm summer days, there isn't a better place to go for a jog or walk in the city.

Guidatour's Old Montréal Walking Tour Arrow

Guidatour's professional guides have earned their excellent reputations, and the company's Old Montréal East and Old Montréal West itineraries both stop off at the must-see Notre-Dame Basilica , including an interior visit at no additional charge. Both tours last 90 minutes, and they're best for those looking for a crash course in the history of Montreal. You'll be amazed at how many hidden treasures you stumble upon in such a short time span. As much of Guidatour’s offerings are held outdoors, scheduled tours are generally on hold for the colder months. If you can brave the cold, however, feel free to reach out directly through their website to inquire about setting up a private tour.

Les Tam-Tams du Mont Royal Arrow

Since the mid 1960s, the informal, yet institutionalized, phenomenon known as Tam Tams has been one of the city's quirkiest and most beloved traditions, coming to Mont Royal Park every Sunday during the warmer months. At the base of the George-Étienne Cartier Monument obelisk, groups of friends, strangers, and percussionists from all walks of life gather to form communal drum circles, artisans and craftspeople sell their wares and LARPers (that's, Live Action Role Players) have lightsaber fights and medieval jousting matches.

Cité Mémoire Arrow

Cité Mémoire, the largest outdoor video-projection installation in the world, features 25 tableaux composed of images projected on alley walls, trees and the ground throughout Old Montréal accompanied by narration, and music. The work as a whole tells stories of famous and not-so-famous Montrealers; and they put forward themes and values central to the city's identity. You'll learn about Marguerite Bourgeoys, the French founder of the Congregation of Notre Dame of Montreal, as well as sports icons Jackie Robinson (whose season with the Montreal Royals was important in his breaking of baseball's color barrier) and Maurice Richard. There are also tableaux about The Jewish Children’s Transport train (the orphans who survived Nazi concentration camps and were adopted by Montrealers); the burning of the Parliament in Montreal in 1849; Montreal’s fabled Sin City era (set to the rhythm of Montrealer and jazz icon Oscar Peterson’s piano).

La Banquise Arrow

If you go to just one poutine joint in Montréal, make it la Banquise in the Plateau district a 1968 institution that's known far and wide for its classic and comprehensive poutine menu. You'll find something for everybody here, from meat gravy to vegan sauce. Late night, be prepared for long queues of hungry club-goers.

Cabaret Mado Arrow

Like much of Montreal's Gay Village, Cabaret Mado, a cabaret drag bar, is a little gritty, a little sparkly, and utterly fabulous. Mado, an icon in Quebec's vibrant gay scene who has performed for more than 30 years, often oversees the nightly festivities herself by hosting live drag shows most nights of the week. It's a pretty intimate space, so there isn't a bad seat in the house. Just be warned: Those seated in the front row are most vulnerable to be corralled into the show (willingly or unwillingly).

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Must-see attractions in Montréal

Parc du Mont-Royal

The charming, leafy expanse of Parc du Mont-Royal is charged for a wide range of outdoor activities. The wooded slopes and grassy meadows have stunning…

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal

Montréal’s Museum of Fine Arts is an accessible and beautifully updated oasis of art housed in architecturally striking buildings. A visit here is a must…

Basilique Notre-Dame

Old Montréal

Montréal's famous landmark, Notre Dame Basilica, is a 19th-century Gothic Revival masterpiece with spectacular craftsmanship – a visually pleasing, if…

Oratoire St-Joseph

The stunning Oratoire St-Joseph church built on the flanks of Mont-Royal commands grand views of the the Côte-des-Neiges area and northwest Montréal. The…

Jardin Botanique

Montréal’s Jardin Botanique is the third-largest botanical garden in the world, after London’s Kew Gardens and Berlin’s Botanischer Garten.

Place d'Armes

This open square is framed by some of the finest buildings in Old Montréal, including its oldest bank, first skyscraper and Basilique Notre-Dame. The…

Pointe-à-Callière Cité d'archéologie et d'histoire de Montréal

One of Montréal's most fascinating sites, this museum takes visitors on a historical journey through the centuries, beginning with the early days of…

Montréal's Old Port has morphed into a park and fun zone paralleling the mighty St Lawrence River for 2.5km and punctuated by four grand quais (quays)…

Canal de Lachine

A perfect marriage of urban infrastructure and green civic planning: a 14km-long cycling and pedestrian pathway, with picnic areas and outdoor spaces…

Marché Jean-Talon

The pride of Little Italy, this huge covered market is Montréal’s most diverse. Many chefs buy ingredients for their menus here or in the specialty food…

Parc La Fontaine

At 34 hectares, this great verdant municipal park is the city’s third largest, after Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Maisonneuve. In the warmer months weary…

Marché Atwater

Just off the Canal de Lachine, this fantastic market has a mouthwatering assortment of fresh produce from local farms (some promoting sustainability),…

Musée McCord

With hardly an inch to spare in its cramped but welcoming galleries, the McCord Museum of Canadian History houses thousands of artifacts and documents…

Rue St-Denis

The backbone of Montréal’s francophone shopping district, Rue St-Denis is lined with hat and garment shops, uberhip record stores and terrace cafes…

At this captivating exhibit you can amble through a rainforest, explore Antarctic islands, view rolling woodlands, take in aquatic life in the Gulf of St…

Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours

Known as the Sailors’ Church, this enchanting chapel derives its name from the sailors who left behind votive lamps in the shapes of ships in thanksgiving…

Québec’s largest amusement park, La Ronde has a battery of impressive rides, including Le Monstre, the world’s highest double wooden roller coaster, and…

Centre Canadien d'Architecture

A must for architecture fans, this center is equal parts museum and research institute. The building incorporates Shaughnessy House, a 19th-century gray…

Maison St-Gabriel

This magnificent farmhouse in Pointe St-Charles is one of the finest examples of traditional Québec architecture. The house was bought in 1668 by…

Boulevard St-Laurent

A dividing line between the city’s east and west, Blvd St-Laurent (previously ‘the Main’) has always been a focus of action, a gathering place for people…

Église St-Pierre-Apôtre

Located in the Village, this neoclassical church from 1853 has a number of fine decorations – flying buttresses, stained glass, statues in Italian marble …

Écomusée du Fier Monde

This striking ex-bathhouse explores the history of Centre-Sud, an industrial district in Montréal until the 1950s and now part of the Village. The museum…

Place des Arts

Montréal’s performing-arts center is the nexus for artistic and cultural events. Several renowned musical companies call Place des Arts home, including…

The artificial peninsula Cité-du-Havre was created to protect the port from vicious currents and ice. Here, in 1967, architect Moshe Safdie designed a set…

Belvédère Kondiaronk lookout

There are excellent views of downtown from this wide semicircular vantage point fronting the Chalet du Mont-Royal. To the left you can even make out the…

Avenue du Mont-Royal

Old-fashioned five-and-dime stores rub shoulders with a wide array of trendy cafes and fashion boutiques on Ave du Mont-Royal. The nightlife here has…

Île Ste-Hélène

This island in the St Lawrence River still bears interesting traces of its use as a World War II prison camp, a fort and a 1967 World's Fair. Today you…

Chalet du Mont-Royal

Constructed in 1932, this grand old white villa, complete with bay windows, contains canvases that depict scenes of Montréal history. You’ll also see…

Château Ramezay

A home of French governors in the early 18th century, this mansion is one of the finest examples from the ancien régime. It was built for the 11th…

Hôtel de Ville

Montréal’s handsome City Hall was built between 1872 and 1878, then rebuilt after a fire in 1926. Its rigid square-based dome and nod to the baroque makes…

Musée d'Art Contemporain

This showcase of modern Canadian and international art has eight galleries divided between past greats (since 1939) and exciting current developments. A…

Insectarium

The Insectarium houses an intriguing collection of creepy crawlies. Reopening in early 2021 after two years of remodeling, most of its 250,000 specimens…

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Occupying the site of the hugely successful 1967 World's Fair, Parc Jean-Drapeau consists of two islands surrounded by the St Lawrence River: Île Ste…

Created from 15 million tons of earth and rock excavated when the metro was built, Île Notre-Dame is laced with canals and pretty garden walkways. The…

Morgan Arboretum

This 245-hectare forest reserve holds Montréal’s largest grouping of native Canadian trees – fragrant junipers, cedars and yews – but also exotic species…

Parc Nature du Cap-St-Jacques

Located about 35km west of the city, Cap-St-Jacques is arguably the most diverse of Montréal’s nature parks, with a huge beach, more than 40km of trails…

Montréal’s circus mecca resides in the working-class St-Michel district, and is a great place to see a show. This innovative complex (from the French…

Although this neighborhood, perfectly packed into a few easily navigable streets, has no sites per se, it's a nice area for lunch or for shopping for…

Place Jacques-Cartier

The liveliest spot in Old Montréal, this gently inclined square hums with performance artists, street musicians and the animated chatter from terrace…

Fonderie Darling

Tucked away in a little-visited corner of Old Montréal, the Darling Foundry hosts avant-garde, often large-scale exhibitions and installations in its two…

More destinations you need to see

The top 10 attractions in Montreal

Things to do

From centuries-old landmarks to festivals featuring the biggest bands in the world today, Montreal is both a modern and classic city that’s everything except boring.

Notre-Dame Basilica

Walking around the Old Port neighborhood of Montreal, it would be hard to miss the two large towers of the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal External Link Title peeking out above the skyline. If you're impressed by the outside, just wait until you walk in those doors. Completed in 1829, it's the first Gothic Revival-style church built in Canada, and the stained-glass windows and beautiful religious paintings leave many visitors in awe. Walking into the Basilica is like walking back through history. Pope John Paul II visited these walls, which also hosted the funerals of Prime Minister Pierre-Elliott Trudeau and hockey legend Maurice Richard. Admission to the Notre-Dame Basilica includes a 20-minute guided tour that introduces you to its history, architecture and art. You can also celebrate mass or take an extended tour for access to the sacristy, galleries, and baptistery.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal External Link Title is appropriately named in one sense: it's the oldest neighborhood in the city, and contains the site where Montreal was first established in 1642. Its cobblestone streets scream of Europe and horse-drawn carriages take people through the maze of attractions, and yet, the crowds that gather in Old Montreal scream youth and excitement. People fill the many local fashion boutiques and cafes. People stream into the area the walk, bike, boat the beautiful waterfront (known as the Old Port) during the day, and to drink and dine at the many modern restaurants at night. And this doesn't only happen in the summer. In late January, thousands of people don snow suits and fill the harbor for Igloofest, an outdoor electronic music festival. OId Montreal is an incredible mixture of new and old that you won't want to miss.

Mount Royal

Mount Royal is a mountain located right in the heart of downtown Montreal, much of it within a large park of the same name. It was actually Frederick Law Olmstead, the designer of New York’s Central Park, who designed Mount Royal Park, and the two landmarks serve a similar purpose: existing as an outdoor space in the city, where people meet, hang out, spend time outdoors, play sports, and much more. Climb to the lookout point at the top, visit the giant cross and look out over the entire city of Montreal. Or, visit on a Sunday for one of Mount Royal’s biggest draws: tam-tams. Tam-tams are weekly gatherings (weather-permitting) of drummers, dancers, vendors and just about anyone else. It’s a big outdoor party and you’re invited.

A photo posted by Tourisme Montr?al (@montreal) External Link Title on Oct 8, 2015 at 8:40am PDT

St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal

Driving around Montreal, you might notice a big, rounded, green roof standing tall on the horizon. That roof belongs to St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal External Link Title , the largest church in Canada and a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. At 97 meters, that huge roof -- the dome of the Oratory basilica -- is the second highest in the world, behind only Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Climb the long rows of steps and enjoy the amazing view of the city before heading inside. Take a tour and visit the small original chapel, as well as the Basilica, the gardens and the museum, which features religious and artistic exhibits.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Don your beret, wax your mustache, and pop over to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts External Link Title to see some of the 41,000 works in its collection. Founded in 1860, the museum is actually the most-visited are museum in Canada, attracting over one million art-lovers every year. And it's an art museum in the broadest sense of the word, as traditional fine arts, music, film fashion and design all have a place inside its falls. In a few hours of browsing, you might encounter an ancient glass vase, a painting by Rembrandt, and unique modern furniture. New "travelling exhibits" join the collection every year, meaning you'll never have the same experience twice.

Sainte  Catherine Street

Sainte Catherine Street (Rue Ste.-Catherine locally) is the shopping hub of Montreal. Whether you’re after high-end designers, chain store brands, local boutiques or simple souvenirs, you’ll find it on this street. At nine miles in length, Sainte Catherine Street crosses Montreal’s downtown core from east to west. You could walk it for hours and encounter a different experience at every corner. Restaurants, bars and cafes line the street, which is easily accessible by bus or metro (subway). The Montreal Forum, former home of the legendary Montreal Canadiens, and major venue Place-des-Arts are both located on Sainte-Catherine’s. Visit in the summer and watch the street come alive as sidewalks get eaten up by patios.

The Underground City

Now that you’ve enjoyed one of the country’s busiest shopping streets, it’s time to see what lies beneath it. Montreal is home to what is widely called an “underground city.” The RÉSO, as it is officially named, is a network of nearly 20 miles of underground paths and tunnels which connect shopping centers, subway stations and buildings. You can enter the network from the street, nine major hotels, or eight different subway stations, and have access to 2,000 stores, 17 museums, a hockey arena, a movie theatre, night clubs, and countless other restaurants and businesses. Whether you’re trying to escape a cold day outside, you love to shop, or you just enjoy exploring, join the 500,000 people who make their way through the underground city every day.

Place des Festivals

In the heart of downtown Montreal is an entertainment district known as the Quartier des spectacles. The centerpiece of that district? The Place des Festivals External Link Title . The Place is essentially an outdoor public square built to host big festivals and big crowds, and it definitely stays true to that purpose. Just for Laughs, the Montreal Jazz Festival, and a number of other events make use of the space to host free shows and concerts year round. The largest interactive fountain in Canada, with 235 water jets, sits inside the square, as do four huge light towers and two glass-encased restaurants. No matter when you're in Montreal, the Place des Festivals will have something worth checking out. 

Space for Life

Montreal's Space for Life External Link Title (Espace Pour La Vie) is a collection of four different experiences: The Biod?me, Botanical Garden, Insectarium and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. The space is about reconnecting us with nature and our place in the universe, all in one convenient and exciting place. In just one day, you can stop and smell about 22,000 flowers and plants, have lunch alongside penguins or lynx, try and decide whether something is a stick or a bug, and then sit back and enjoy a 360-degree projection of the Northern Lights. You could do all of that in one day, but you might want to set aside a couple. There's a lot to see.

Pointe-?-Calli?re Museum

How fitting is it that a museum of archeology and history sits on the exact birthplace of Montreal? The Pointe-?-Calli?re Museum External Link Title was founded on Montreal's 350th birthday in 1992, and now acts as a highlight reel of the city's history dating back to the 14th century. With the help of multimedia and new technologies, you can see how local First Nations cultures lived, how the British and French influences shaped the city's evolution, and how Montreal became the city it is today. Remains of centuries-old buildings and grave sites? Archeological relics from the region's first settlers? Rotating exhibits related to all things Canada? Yeah, this museum is a history buff's playground.

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60 Best Things To Do in Montreal & Most Fun Activities

The best things to do in Montreal whether you’re a local or a tourist.

In this article, I’m covering the best activities in Montréal year-round. If you’ve ever wanted to know a local’s favourite things to do in Montréal, you’re in the right place.

Did you know Montréal is the largest city in Quebec? It’s home to Cirque du Soleil, Mount Royal and over 200 islands. Yep, Montréal is the largest island in the Hochelaga Archipelago, so it’s surrounded by water.

Whether you visit in the summer, winter, autumn or spring, you’re in for a treat! Meander down cobblestoned streets with a croissant in hand in summer or go tubing in Mount Royal Park in winter.

Related: If you still haven’t booked accommodation for your Montreal vacation yet, you need to visit our extensive guide to the best hotels in Montreal .

Top Things To Do in Montreal

Are you ready to discover what to do in Montreal year-round? Because this is the ultimate Montreal activities guide, we’ve broken it down into sections for easy scrolling. So take your pick from outdoor adventures, Montreal tourist attractions, foodie treats and the best events.

Best Montreal Tourist Attractions

Here are the best Montreal tourist attractions you can visit year-round.

Montreal's Old Port and the Ferris Wheel

If an unparalleled view of Montreal is what you are looking for, take a ride on La Grande Roue de Montreal, Canada’s largest Ferris Wheel. Rising 60 metres tall and located in the Old Port of Montreal, it offers riders a panoramic view of downtown Montreal as well as the St Lawrence River. Open all year round, this 20-minute ride has views spanning up to 28 kilometres on a clear day.

Bota Bota Spa

When you feel like treating yourself while visiting Montreal, I highly recommend a unique pampering session at Bota Bota Spa. The spa is located on a historic river ferry docked in Montreal’s Old Port. So you can relax in one of the heated pools and enjoy sweeping city views. For a reinvigorating experience, take part in their 3-Step Water Circuit: hot, cold and relaxing. Booking a massage is optional – many people go there simply to enjoy the spas themselves.

Related: Check out more of my favourite Montreal spas .

Ziplining in the Old Port

For an exciting adventure, consider visiting the Old Port and trying out ziplining at Tyrolienne Mtl Zipline. It’s Canada’s biggest urban zipline after all and has experiences for both adults and kids. If you’re brave enough to climb to the top and hold on tight, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking ride down.

Ice Skating

Experience the magic of winter at Quartier des Spectacles and Old Port's ice skating rinks. Skate to lively music, sip hot drinks and enjoy the twinkling lights. It's the perfect way to lift your spirits during the winter season.

Notre-Dame Basilica

If you're in Old Montreal, be sure to check out the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. This stunning church boasts impressive architecture and a captivating aura that will leave you in awe. Canada’s first Gothic Revival-style church and Montreal’s mother church, it's no surprise that the church attracts approximately one million visitors each year. Fun fact: Celine Dion, Montreal's beloved songstress, married her partner here in 1994 in front of 500 guests. Unfortunately, my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.

Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mont Royal

If you're in the area, a must-see destination is Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mont Royal. The tallest church in Canada, it’s also one of the world’s largest domed structures. The basilica is a nationally recognized Catholic shrine that honours Saint Joseph and pilgrims come to visit from around the world. You can light a candle in memory of loved ones you have lost or say a prayer for those who are still with you.

Botanical Garden and Planetarium

If you’re visiting Montreal with kids, one of my favourite family-friendly activities is the Montreal Botanical Garden. It’s the definition of an urban oasis, as it’s home to over 22,000 plant species, 10 exhibition greenhouses and 20 thematic gardens. There's truly something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, the Planetarium offers an immersive dome experience that teaches kids about the universe in a unique and exciting way. It's out of this world (pun intended).

Hop-On-and-Off Bus Tours

Firstly, the easiest way to experience the best Montreal attractions (especially if you’re short on time) is through hop-on-and-off bus tours . The bright red double-decker buses allow you to explore the city at your own pace, giving you the flexibility to hop on and off at any time. As a Montreal native, I can attest to the tour's informative history and picturesque opportunities. Don't miss out on the chance to snap some photos, grab a drink and immerse yourself in Montreal's vibrant culture.

Related: if you only have a limited amount of time in Montreal, I highly recommend checking out my Montreal one day itinerary and my Montreal 2 days itinerary . They highlight the must-visit Montreal attractions so you don’t miss out.

Best Indoor Activities in Montreal

Science centre.

If you're interested in learning about how things work, consider visiting Montreal's Science Centre in the Old Port. Another one of the best places to visit in Montreal with kids, it offers a variety of fascinating science exhibitions and fun activities that children of all ages will enjoy.

Insectarium

The Montreal Insec t arium is an amazing destination for families who want to get up close to nature's little creatures. It is the largest insect museum in North America, showcasing a wide variety of insects from all over the world. The museum regularly features exciting new exhibitions and is conveniently located next to the Pie XI Metro Station.

Montreal Symphony Orchestra

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is based at Montreal Symphony House at Place Des Arts in the heart of Montreal’s vibrant downtown district. Led by Venezuelan conductor, Rafael Payare, it’s the world’s only orchestra to include an octobass. Enjoy listening to stimulating and varied concerts played by world-class musicians in a beautiful architecturally and acoustically-designed building. Come and give your eyes and ears a treat they won’t soon forget in a magical setting of musical excellence.

Art Galleries

Take a walk on the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal and check out just some of the city’s amazing art galleries. They feature some of French Canada’s most renowned painters and sculptors as well as a thriving Indigenous art movement. 

Axe Throwing

Looking for a thrilling activity? Consider axe throwing at either TNT Axe Throwing or Rage. It's an enjoyable and stress-relieving experience that you won't want to miss out on. Give it a try and see for yourself!

Museum of Illusions

Another one of the best family-friendly things to do in Montreal is to visit the Museum of Illusions . The museum features over 70 exhibits, including educational shows, fully immersive rooms designed to trick your mind, stereograms, optical illusions and trippy holograms. Adults and kids alike will love the Museum of Illusions.

Centaur Theatre

Centaur Theatre is Montreal’s biggest English theatre. After undergoing major renovations this past year, the Centaur is ready to host its guests in an architectural masterpiece – the original Montreal Stock Exchange located in the heart of Old Montreal. I recommend seeing if there’s a play or show happening when you visit Montreal.

Skating at the Atrium

If you want to go skating in the summer, try The Atrium ice rink. Located in downtown Montreal, The Atrium Le 1000 is a great place for the whole family to go skating. Skates are available to rent and food is offered at many concession stands surrounding the ice rink. It’s the perfect place to enjoy this winter activity in the middle of the summer.

Sports Events to See in Montreal

Soccer game at saputo stadium.

If you're a soccer fan, catching a game at the Saputo Stadium is a must-do when visiting Montreal. Home to our beloved MLS team, CF Montreal (formerly known as the Montreal Impact), the complex offers a thrilling atmosphere as fans pack the stands and cheer on their team. 

American Football at Molson Stadium

Alternatively, see Montreal's top American football team, the Alouettes, play at Molson Stadium. If you're a football fan, you won't want to miss out on the exciting atmosphere and passionate fans. Some games even take place during the day, adding to the lively energy. Plus, there's no need to stress about parking, as free shuttles are available to pick you up from Place Des Arts Metro. Don't miss your chance to catch the Alouettes in action.

Montreal Canadiens Hockey Game

If you're new to Montreal, you must understand the unofficial religion of hockey and, more importantly, the Montreal Canadiens (also known as the Habs). Montreal lives and breathes the Habs, so watching a game at the Bell Centre is a must-do. Once you've experienced it, you can proudly say you've been blessed by the hockey gods.

Best Outdoor Activities in Montreal

If you like outdoor adventures, you’re going to have so much fun in Montreal!

Summer on Mont-Royal Street

During the summer, take a stroll along Mont-Royal Street as it transforms into a vibrant street market. Indulge in incredible bargains and watch fun street performances. Alternatively, enjoy the day by sitting on a terrace and watching people pass by while sipping on a refreshing drink.

Jet Ski on St Lawrence River

Experience the thrill of riding waves on a jet ski while exploring the St Lawrence River at the Old Port with Aventures Wet Set MTL. Whether you're seeking a solo adventure or a day of fun with friends, they offer both jet skiing and relaxing boat tours. Make unforgettable memories while experiencing the St Lawrence River in a whole new way.

Beaver Lake

If you feel like taking a walk, Beaver Lake is one of the best places to visit in Montreal to soak up the city’s beautiful scenery. What could be more relaxing than a leisurely stroll around a picturesque lake surrounded by lush greenery? Luckily, Montreal offers this experience at Beaver Lake, which is located on Mont-Royal.

4. La Ronde Amusement Park

Come with your family and have a fantastic day riding roller coasters at La Ronde Amusement Park. If you're a fan of amusement rides like me, you'll love visiting Quebec’s largest and most exciting theme park. La Ronde offers over 40 thrilling rides, attractions and games, so there’s something for every family member. On Saturday nights, you can also watch spectacular fireworks displays (summer only).

Rent a Scooter

Renting a scooter is a unique and exciting way to explore Montreal. This fairly priced guided e-scooter tour will bring you to popular and unique Montreal neighborhoods and to the top of Mont-Royal.

Top Dopico’s BBQ Donut Boat

Why not gather your loved ones for a summertime barbecue on Top Dopico's BBQ Donut Boat ? There's nothing quite like soaking up the sun on the water with great food and great company. Rent this unique, floating donut-shaped boat, complete with a barbecue, and enjoy a fun-filled day. Spice up your plans and invite your friends along for a barbecue on the water!

Gather the family and head to Jarry Park for a day of fun and a side of delicious barbecue. There's something for everyone at this park. You can play hockey, basketball and tennis or take a refreshing swim. You might even get lucky and visit when there’s a live performance happening. So if you happen to visit Montreal on a good weather day, I recommend making the most of it and heading to Jarry Park.

Grand Staircase to Mont Royal

If you're looking for some outdoor exercise in the heart of the city, take a stroll up Mount Royal and tackle the famous Grand Staircase. The 400 wide and well-maintained steps take you from the Montreal streets to the top of Mount Royal through the forest. The breathtaking city views from the peak make it worth the effort. 

Crescent Street

If you're new to Montreal and are looking for a fun night out, make sure to visit Crescent Street. This lively street is the ultimate party destination, with a variety of bars and restaurants to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for a drink or want to dance the night away, Crescent Street is the perfect spot to have a good time.

The Village

Explore Montreal's vibrant gay scene by heading to the Village for a cabaret show or to admire the impressive street art. St Catherine Street leading into the Village is closed to cars between May and October, so you can leisurely stroll and stop at one of the 50 businesses along the way for a snack or drink. Additionally, in August, you can celebrate Pride with Montreal's gay community for 10 days straight, including an unforgettable parade through Montreal Downtown and the Village.

Jardin Gamelin

Located near Berri Station, enjoy a refreshing beer at Jardin Gamelin while being entertained by live music shows. Jardin Gamelin offers a variety of activities suitable for everyone. You can admire the stunning artwork by talented artists, listen to local performers, satisfy your taste buds with gourmet treats or dance the night away during the summer season. There is always something exciting happening at Jardin Gamelin.

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Another of my favourite things to do in Montreal in summer is visit Parc Jean-Drapeau. This is Montreal’s third largest park and it’s comprised of two islands: St Helen’s Island and Notre Dame Island. Yes, this floating park is located off Old Montreal’s shoreline in the middle of the St Lawrence River. 

Fortunately, it’s easily accessible by metro and car no matter where you’re staying. Some of my favourite things to do in Parc Jean Drapeau include visiting Jean-Dore Beach, biking and hiking, and spending the day at Aquazilla. This is a floating water park the kids will make you come back to time and time again, it’s that good!

Salsa Dancing

Discover the joy of salsa dancing in the scenic outdoors at Parc de l'Honorable-George-O'Reilly along the St Lawrence River. From May to August, there’s a varied program to enjoy on the open-air dance floor. Choose from salsa, social dancing, tango, Zumba and more.

Beach Volleyball 

If you're a fan of outdoor beach volleyball, Mount Royal is the place to be. While I may not be the best player myself, the beach volleyball court at Parc Jeanne-Mance always has exciting games to participate in or watch. So, if you're up for a fun game of volleyball, head on over to the court and spike that ball!

Departing from the historic Old Port of Montreal, you can hop on a scenic boat ride that takes you on an exploration of the city’s famous landmarks from a fresh perspective – gorgeous waterfront vistas included. There are several companies offering this service, including Le Bateau-Mouche and Le Petit Navire.

Rafting on St Lawrence River

If you are feeling more adventurous, well why not try rafting on St Lawrence River? Located in Lasalle on the south side of Montreal, head here to experience the famous Lachine Rapids. You can either take it slow on a gentle family ride or opt for a high-octane adrenaline adventure. Open only during the summer months rain or shine, everyone is guaranteed to have a blast.

Lachine Canal

Whether you bring your own bike or rent one, I recommend taking the time in summer to enjoy the scenic bike path along the Lachine Canal. Spanning 14.5 kilometres from Montreal’s Old Port to Lac Saint-Louis, there are plenty of activities to explore and things to see along the way. 

If biking isn’t your thing, opt for a leisurely stroll or go kayaking (my personal favourite). Adventures H2O offers rentals for kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, SUPs and small electric boats from mid-May to mid-October. Pick your poison and enjoy seeing a different side of Montreal.

Parc La Fontaine

Located in the heart of Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood, Parc La Fontaine is the perfect spot for a summer picnic. So grab a picnic basket, call up some friends and get ready for a great time in one of the city’s trendiest areas.

Markets in Montreal and Food to Try

All of these outdoor adventures will have you working up an appetite, I’m sure. So here are the best places to visit in Montreal for traditional food that will blow your mind!

Yummy Poutine

You can’t visit Montreal (and Canada) without trying poutine, Canada’s national dish. So when you’re in the mood, I recommend visiting La Banquise, Montreal’s premier spot for poutine. La Banquise has over 28 different types of poutine for you to enjoy. The best part is, it’s open 24 hours in Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood. Because there’s no late-night dish better than a big serving of comforting poutine.

Cabane a Sucre (Sugar Shack)

Experience a beloved spring tradition in Montreal by visiting a Cabane a Sucre (a.k.a a Sugar Shack). Montreal locals are enthusiastic about this tradition, which has been around since the 1800s. The process of collecting sap from maple trees and turning it into maple syrup is celebrated by families and friends at these Sugar Shacks. 

Everyone sits at long communal tables and enjoys a big feast. A typical menu includes breakfast favourites (obviously smothered in maple syrup), such as bacon, sausages, eggs and pancakes. The piece de resistance is tire d’érable (maple taffy on snow). You might have seen this, where they pour boiled maple sap onto the snow and then lift this onto a stick to make an extremely sweet lollipop. It’s an experience not to be missed in Montreal!

Montreal’s Smoked Meat

If you've always been curious to try Montreal smoked meat, then you absolutely have to visit Schwartz's Deli. In my opinion, you haven't truly experienced Montreal cuisine until you've bitten into one of their mouthwatering smoked meat sandwiches. This restaurant is a true treasure. However, be aware that it's so beloved that part of the experience involves waiting in line.  

Time Out Market

After a long day of shopping or adventuring outdoors in Montreal, make a beeline for the Time Out Market at Eaton Centre. There are 16 unique and hand-picked foodie establishments across its spacious 40,000-square-foot setting. Grab a drink and then travel the world, as you can try cuisines stretching from Portugal to the Caribbean and Italy, prepared by only the best local chefs. With live DJs and a fantastic atmosphere, it's the perfect place to spend the evening.

jean-Talon Market

If you're in search of fresh locally grown produce, the Jean-Talon Market is a must-visit destination. Personally, I'm a big fan of supporting local markets and the Jean-Talon Market is an excellent spot to sample Montreal's homegrown offerings and delicious treats from local bakers. Food, atmosphere and diverse cultures all converge in this one location, making the Jean-Talon Market a wonderful experience for everyone.

Best Events in Montreal

No matter what time of year you visit Montreal, there’s guaranteed to be an exciting festival happening in the city. 

Cirque du Soleil

Montreal takes great pride in being the founding location of Cirque du Soleil. The internationally acclaimed circus promises to deliver an unforgettable experience to all guests. You can typically catch their touring shows in Montreal in the early summer. Unlike traditional circuses, Cirque du Soleil offers theatrical performances, captivating light shows and daring stunts, making it an extraordinary and unique spectacle.

Just for Laughs

Just For Laughs is a renowned festival that takes place in Montreal every July. It brings together the world’s most sought-after comedians, including A-list comics from Hollywood and beyond. Quartier Des Spectacles is the place to be during the festival, as it transforms into a vibrant laughing village with plenty of shows featuring your favourite comedians. Spectators from all over come to enjoy this one-of-a-kind event.

Montreal Beer Festival

If you're a fan of micro-brewed beer, you don't want to miss the Beer Festival. The M ondial de la Bière is a four-day event at the end of May with over 400 unique craft beers to try. You'll have the chance to sample amazing beers from 98 breweries from around the globe. Conveniently located at the Windsor train station in the heart of the city, the festival has a great atmosphere, with both indoor and outdoor areas to explore.

Strangers in the Night

I highly recommend attending Montreal's biggest annual gourmet charity gala called Strangers in the Night. I’ve only heard good things about this event that brings together gourmet treats from all over. If you partied in the 90s, you’re going to love their performers who are always big pop stars from that era.

L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec

Nearly 180,000 spectators attend L’International des Feux Loto-Quebec on Jacques Cartier Bridge every year. There's nothing quite like standing on this bridge in Montreal and watching the spectacular fireworks display. However, it's important to arrive early. Spectators often bring their own chairs, drinks and snacks, so finding a good spot can be a challenge.

Taste of the Caribbean

If you love Caribbean cuisine, you should visit the Old Port and try the Taste of the Caribbean event in July. Even if you can't travel to the Caribbean, you can still experience its flavours and atmosphere in Montreal. 

Tour de l'Île de Montréal 

Are you a biking enthusiast? Join the Tour de l'Île de Montréal and experience a breathtaking tour of Montreal on your bike. This annual event is the largest biking event in Montreal, attracting thousands of participants every year. You'll get a chance to explore the city's various neighbourhoods while following the designated routes reserved for the Tour de l'Île. This all-night event is a must-do for anyone who loves biking and wants to explore Montreal in a unique way.

Street Food Fest (July)

Looking for delicious street food? Check out the Montreal Street Food Festival in July. You can't go wrong with Asian, South American, European and Quebecois cuisine all in one place. 20 top local restaurants and chefs team up to provide a foodie experience like no other.

Montreal Grand Prix (June)

Montreal Grand Prix is an event that brings the city to life. It marks the start of summer festivities and is the most prominent event Montreal hosts every year. The event attracts famous personalities and the bars are always bustling with activity. Certain popular streets downtown are closed to car traffic during this time, creating a vibrant atmosphere for spectators to enjoy. It's an occasion for people to join in the celebration and feel the excitement.

RibFest (August)

If you have a fondness for succulent BBQ ribs, you simply can't miss out on the Rib Fest in August. Personally, I wish this festival was a year-round occurrence. At this event, you'll find mouth-watering ribs crafted by various restaurants that have all earned awards for their exceptional ribs or BBQ sauce. If you're a meat-eater, the Rib Fest is a must-visit destination.

Saint-Jean-Baptist Day (June)

Saint-Jean-Baptist Day takes place on 24 June and it's a time for Quebec to honour its French heritage. France introduced this celebration to commemorate the birth of John The Baptist. As it’s an official holiday in Montreal, the city celebrates with the Fête Nationale du Québec, which includes neighbourhood parties, a nighttime parade and free musical performances.

Montreal Jazz Festival (June/July)

The Montreal Jazz Festival is one of North America's largest jazz festivals, featuring musicians from around the world. Throughout the month of July, the city is filled with the sounds of jazz and otherworldly music. It's a must-experience event, as the city comes alive and the energy is incredible. If you're fortunate, you may even find a spot in the massive crowd of music lovers listening to outdoor performances. Attending the Montreal Jazz Festival is the highlight of the summer in Montreal.

Montreal Comiccon (July)

Are you a true Trekkie? If so, make sure to check out Montreal Comiccon . It's worth noting that the event takes place in most major cities. When Comiccon comes to town, comic book enthusiasts come alive. Though I haven't been to the event myself, I admire the dedication to costumes and the electric energy of the fan base.

Nuit Blanche (March)

Every year at the end of February or start of March, Montreal puts on the best all-night event called Nuit Blanche . In 2024, Nuit Blanche will be held on March 2. It includes free entry to museums, activities for the kids and tasty treats for everyone to enjoy. The city transforms its Quartier des Spectacles into a winter wonderland where audiences can enjoy live music, eat toffee and sip on hot chocolate too. Don’t let winter get you down! Come to Nuit Blanche and it’ll take the blues right out of winter.

St Patty's Day (March)

Experience the Irish spirit at Montreal's St Patrick's Day Parade. Grab a pint and enjoy the lively atmosphere and delightful leprechaun floats. The parade has been a tradition for decades and this year marked its 198th occurrence in the city. 

Piknic Electronik (May to October)

If you're a fan of electronic music and love to dance, you won't want to miss the outdoor party at Piknic Electronik . Held every Sunday afternoon from May 1st to October 1st at Parc Jean-Drapeau, this event offers the perfect setting to let loose and dance to the grooves of electronic music under the sun.

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique (July)

Nuits d’Afrique is another popular summer festival in Montreal, featuring international artists and stars. Outdoor shows are free during this 13-day festival, whilst you will need to purchase individual tickets for indoor shows.

St Laurent Street Fair

Experience the best of Saint Laurent Boulevard by attending the St Laurent Street Fair. This event showcases the vibrant culture of The Main, where you can find trendy clothing stores, exceptional restaurants and exciting festivals like the Mural Festival. Local artists go all out to create eye-catching wall art on buildings along the boulevard. 

During the street fair, vendors set up shop and offer amazing discounts on various items, while also serving up delicious food. The atmosphere is fantastic, with music playing and bars and terraces bustling with activity. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the unique charm of this bustling street.

As you can see, there are so many fun things to do in Montreal that you could spend a week there and only scratch the surface. But the best part is, Montreal is a beautiful city year-round and there’s always something happening, whether it’s sunny or snowy.

Related: Here are our recommendations of the best cities to visit in Quebec (don't worry, Montreal is included).

About the Author

Anne was born and raised in Quebec City. She is our resident expert for the city of Quebec and other popular regional destinations such as Charlevoix and Gaspésie. Having travelled to every corner of the province with her children, she is also our expert for family related topics on Quebec Wonders.

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By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: June 6, 2019  - Last updated: October 17, 2023

There are lots of things to do in Montreal.

Some of them are obvious; there’s swimming in the summer and skiing in the winter, and you can always find resorts, restaurants and shopping malls that are ready to serve tourists.

But what if you’re looking for a higher caliber of entertainment?

What if you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Montreal, and you want to make sure that you’re only spending time in the coolest and most memorable places?

If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to the nicest city in Quebec, here are just a few suggestions for the best Montreal attractions.

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Table of Contents

1. Schwartz’s Deli

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Schwartz’s Deli is more than just a restaurant.

It’s one of the oldest, most renowned restaurants in Montreal, and it has the kind of zealous following that gives it weight as a genuine cultural icon for the city.

The most famous things on the menu are the sandwiches.

Schwartz’s Deli specializes in Montreal-style smoked meat that’s cured for 10 days before being cooked in a brick smokehouse and seasoned with secret spices.

People travel for miles to get a taste of the fatty, meat-loaded sandwiches, especially when they’re paired with fries, coleslaw or sour pickles.

Schwartz’s Deli is also considered something of a meat lover’s mecca. In addition to the smoked brisket, you can order ribs, steaks, chicken and even salami.

Everything comes with customized side dishes to ensure a perfect balance of tastes.

Another fun fact about Schwartz’s Deli is that it’s located right across the street from its longtime rival Main Deli Steak House.

The two restaurants are in a constant battle over who makes the best meat and who can attract the most famous clientele.

Previous customers of both establishments have included Stanley Lewis, Leonard Cohen and Celine Dion, but Celine Dion officially declared her loyalty to Schwartz’s Deli when she bought into it.

Schwartz’s Deli is one of those Montreal attractions that you have to visit at least once.

You haven’t really experienced the city until you’ve bitten into one of their thick, dripping sandwiches.

Getting the sauce on your shirt because of Schwartz’s Deli is practically a rite of passage in Montreal.

Address:  3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9, Canada

2. Old Montreal

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There’s a distinctive sound in Old Montreal that you can’t hear anywhere else in the city: the clatter of horseshoes on cobblestone streets.

This historic neighborhood is filled with the commerce, culture and architecture of generations past, and it aims for authenticity right down to the horse-drawn carriages that slowly ramble down the street.

A different kind of atmosphere runs through Old Montreal. Unlike the gleaming skyscrapers of the business district, it favors a quaint, cheerfully-crowded kind of look.

Its streets are crammed with shops, bistros, museums, galleries and sidewalk vendors, and you might expect a baker to pop his head out of a window at any moment and announce the day’s fresh bread.

There’s also a lot of history to be appreciated in Old Montreal.

It boasts churches and chapels that date back to the 15th century, and its stunning centerpiece is the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

This particular landmark is one of the most famous in Canada: It receives more than 11 million visitors per year, only slightly less than the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.

Do you want to experience history firsthand?

Check out the Chateau Ramezay, a museum where all of the staffers dress up in period-appropriate clothing, or stop by the Old Port where you can listen to the boats blow the same horns that were heard hundreds of years ago.

All in all, Old Montreal is a place where you can rewind time.

You won’t find anywhere else like it in the city, and it’s the sort of tourist attraction that you’ll fondly remember as a vacation highlight for years to come.

You should definitely hop on a carriage and take a ride!

Check details, prices and reviews here.

3. Quartier Des Spectacles

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The Quartier des Spectacles is the arts and entertainment district of downtown Montreal.

Home to everything from sculpture galleries to film conservatories, it’s the beating heart of Montreal’s art scene.

Its centerpiece is the Place des Arts , a performing arts center that hosts an orchestra, opera house and world-famous ballet troupe.

It’s also home to Salles du Gesu, the oldest theater in Montreal, and Grande Bibliotheque, the most-visited library in Canada.

Hundreds of festivals take place in Quartier des Spectacles.

You’ve probably heard of the Montreal International Jazz Festival, but you might be surprised to learn about the existence of the Montreal Circus Festival or the Nuits d’Afrique Festival.

These are only the headliners, too; there’s an endless number of small, independent festivals run throughout the year.

While any time is a good time to visit Quartier des Spectacles, it’s absolutely amazing at night.

Colorful lights will beckon you from every building, and illuminated fountains will mesmerize you with water jets and laser shows.

Clear windows will let you see into all of the shops, restaurants, museums and theaters that line the streets.

If you’re a fan of the arts, you won’t want to miss Quartier des Spectacles.

It might not have official borders, but that could be considered part of its charm: It’s a free and open space where all forms of self-expression are allowed to mingle and bring people together.

If you don’t make three new friends by the time that you’ve walked from one end of the neighborhood to the other, you aren’t doing it right.

Address:  175 Saint-Catherine St, Montreal, QC H2X 1Y9, Canada

4. Montreal Science Center

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The Montreal Science Center will stun you both inside and out.

Its gleaming glass architecture is fitted with staircases that look like chromosomes, and its sprawling complex includes a museum, childcare center and IMAX theater.

There’s even more to admire when you step inside.

The Montreal Science Center doesn’t just print things on little placards; it transforms entire rooms and wings into interactive activity stations.

Kids can stack blocks, use tools, connect wires, play with magnets or join a real assembly line.

They can measure themselves against life-sized animal statues and take a walk through underwater domes.

If they’re tech-minded, they can use touchscreen computers for virtual lessons and games.

The IMAX theater is one of the more recent additions to the museum, but it’s already proving to be quite popular.

Titles include things like “Volcanoes 3D” and “Superpower Dogs.”

There’s nothing quite like seeing the whiskers of a panda twitch on a screen that’s taller than some buildings!

There are also a number of special events organized or supported by the museum.

In July, for example, you can experience the Eureka Festival, a three-day celebration of science, invention and technology.

It offers more than 100 free activities for visitors of all ages, so if you like demonstrations and workshops that won’t cost you a dime, it’s a great place to be thrifty.

The Montreal Science Center has something to offer the entire family.

Both kids and adults can enjoy its hands-on displays, and mom and dad will especially like that it educates while it entertains.

It’s the kind of tourist attraction that you can feel good about visiting, so it deserves a spot at the top of your list.

Address:  2 de la Commune St W, Montreal, QC H2Y 4B2, Canada

5. Underground City

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How do you escape the brutal winters of Canada? You go underground.

Located right under the streets of Montreal, the Underground City is a gigantic network of corridors that links together shops, offices, banks, restaurants, bus terminals and metro stations.

It stretches for 20 miles and contains literally thousands of businesses. It’s the single biggest pedestrian complex in the world.

The name is a bit of hyperbole; large swathes of the Underground City are actually just covered, climate-controlled spaces that link together the buildings of downtown Montreal.

However, you’ll still enjoy the underground vibe thanks to its unique layout, and you’ll still have access to everything from hotels to hosiery shops as you wander its halls.

You’ll appreciate the Underground City extra hard if you’re traveling to Montreal in the winter months.

Temperatures can dip quite low, so being able to escape the chilly winds and slippery sidewalks is a blessing.

Looking at photos of the Underground City, you might be tempted to call it a labyrinth. You’d be right.

While everything is marked with directions to keep people from getting lost, that doesn’t change the fact that it’s a crazy urban jungle where the scenery is constantly changing.

One section might look like a modern shopping mall with gleaming lights and multi-layer staircases; another section might be a creepy corridor full of doors that you don’t really want to open.

If you’re looking for points of interest in Montreal, it doesn’t get more interesting than the Underground City.

Your head will be on a constant swivel as you move through the maze. There are just so many things to see and do that you won’t know where to look!

Address:  747 Rue du Square-Victoria #247, Montréal, QC H2Y 3Y9, Canada

6. Mount Royal Park

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With lush, colorful landscapes and activity rosters for every season of the year, Mount Royal Park is one of the best places to visit in Montreal.

The first thing to know about the park is that it’s gigantic.

It’s perched atop the volcanic rock cluster that is Mount Royal, and it unfolds across all kinds of playgrounds, picnic sites, skating rinks, ski slopes, tennis courts, hiking trails, tobogganing hills and rowboating lakes.

You won’t lack for things to do or the space to do them.

Another great thing about Mount Royal Park is that it has a constant schedule of activities.

Some of them are formally planned by the city of Montreal, like the “Art and Nature Family Walk” that brings families together for an exploration of the park.

Other events are fun, free and informal, like the weekly drum circles that come together in one of the park’s most famous fields. They call their music “Tam-Tam Jams” after the sound of drums.

Last but not least, Mount Royal Park is a beautiful place to be.

It’s considered a top sightseeing destination because of its aerial views of the city, and the trails are filled with decks, gazebos and wooden belvederes to act as observation points.

In the summertime, blue skies stretch over grass; in the wintertime, the grounds are covered in crisp white snow. In the fall, leaves of every color drift and scatter around the meadows.

Mount Royal Park is easily one of the best destinations in Montreal. Not only does it offer breathtaking views, but it also provides outdoor excursions for everyone.

Whether you like running, swimming, hiking, sledding, ice skating or just sightseeing, Mount Royal Park can deliver.

Address:  1260 Remembrance Rd, Montreal, QC H3H 1A2, Canada

7. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

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Get your motor running with a trip to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve .

This racing strip has played host to everything from the NASCAR Xfinity Series to the FIA World Sportscar Championship, and its sharp curves and hairpin turns have given it a well-deserved reputation as one of the wildest in the world.

Its most famous feature is “The Wall,” a tricky chicane located right before the finish line.

So many drivers have crashed on it that track officials cheekily painted it with the words Bienvenue au Quebec (“Welcome to Quebec”).

It was also nicknamed “the Wall of Champions” after it caused four separate championship racers to crash. No one escapes the Wall.

When not in use for racing, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is open to joggers, cyclists, skaters and dog walkers.

It’s actually quite peaceful without the screeching of cars and the roaring of a thousand fans.

It’s located next to a river, so there are always scenic views and the smell of the sea in the air, and the lawns are kept nice and green.

But most people don’t go to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to walk their poodle.

Most of them know that it’s one of the top Montreal attractions for high-speed action, and they want to see the Wall claim its next victim.

If you consider yourself a thrill seeker, it doesn’t get much better than waiting with bated breath to see if a driver can make it past a hairpin turn at superhuman speeds.

Buy a ticket for the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve if you like excitement, adventure and just a little bit of danger.

It’s currently home to the Canadian Grand Prix, so you’ll have the chance to see some Dominic Toretto stunts up close when you attend the next race!

Address:  Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montréal, QC H3C 6A1, Canada

8. Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts

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The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most prominent museums in all of Canada.

It probably has something to do with the sheer size of the place; it boasts five multi-story pavilions, and each of them is stuffed with galleries, painting halls and showcase rooms.

You can have a lot of fun when you get lost in the museum, however.

It’s home to everything from colorful oil portraits to ancient, rusted pottery, and these collections fill every inch of the space.

Whenever you turn a corner, there’s another exhibit to see. Whenever you wander up a staircase, you’ll find another level of art.

The museum has 40,000 pieces as permanent fixtures, and there are thousands more in temporary exhibitions that come and go.

They’re usually organized by theme, so you’ll see collections with titles like “Warhol Mania” or “Bon Appetit! Contemporary Foodware Designs in Quebec.”

When your legs start to hurt from all of your walking, take a break with the museum’s on-site restaurant or gift shop.

The designers fully expected people to lose hours among the art, so they made sure to offer refreshments to keep everyone going.

You can relax and recharge at a charming little cafe table before taking a deep breath and plunging back into the museum.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a budding sculptor or a layman who just loves beautiful things.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best cultural centers in the country, and it’ll serve you well on your journey of artistic discovery.

Address:  1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H3G 1J5, Canada

9. Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park

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There’s something magical about the Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park .

Surrounded by water on three sides, it has a kind of wild, rugged beauty that manifests as sandy beaches and gnarled trees leading into hushed forests.

It’s the largest park in Montreal, and that probably plays a role in its otherworldly atmosphere.

It’s easy to get lost among miles and miles of pinewoods. It’s easy to dive down into the lake and wonder just how deep the water goes.

For all of its mystery, however, the Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park is a happy place for visitors.

Its hiking trails are kept clean and orderly; its lake is used for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, kite surfing and paddleboarding.

It has a “sugar shack” where you can watch maple syrup being made.

It even boasts a farm that raises livestock and grows fresh produce, and there’s an adjacent shop where you can buy milk, eggs and veggies that were harvested right next door.

To put it another way, you won’t lack for things to do at the park.

Whether you want to set up a telescope or take an art class on the grass, you’ll have lots of options for outdoor activities.

Just remember that the Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park is even bigger and grander than you can imagine.

Its true nature is eternally wild. People have been exploring it since the 1700s, but there are still parts that are untraveled and unmarked on maps.

You’ll want to clear your schedule for the Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park.

It isn’t always picture-perfect, but it’s real, and it’s definitely something to consider on a long list of Montreal attractions.

Address:  20099 Boul Gouin O, Pierrefonds, QC H9K 1C6, Canada

10. Olympic Stadium

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Originally built for the 1976 Olympics, the Olympic Stadium has become the best place for big events in Montreal.

Its most common purpose, of course, is for sports.

The Olympic Stadium has seen everything from soccer matches to football championships, and it’s even hosted lesser-known athletic events for wrestling, gymnastics and speed skating.

Tickets are always on sale for something new and exciting.

The Olympic Stadium is also used for other recreational events such as concerts, rallies, religious gatherings and music competitions.

If it will attract a crowd of thousands, it’s held at the stadium. You can usually buy tickets for these things as well.

Last but certainly not least, the Olympic Stadium is where you’ll find Montreal Tower.

It’s a 540-foot “inclined” tower that leans over the sky at a 45° angle, and it offers an incredibly unique look over the treetops of Montreal.

It isn’t a regular height; it’s a tilted height. Millions of visitors flock to the Montreal Tower every year just to hold their breath as they lean over the cityscape.

You’d expect a stadium built for the Olympics to be grand and impressive, and fortunately, Olympic Stadium lives up to the hype.

Check out its online calendar to see if there’s anything cool happening on the field during your vacation.

Address:  4141 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 3N7, Canada

Planning a visit to Toronto soon? You’ll love our list detailing the best things to do in Toronto !

11. Ecomuseum Zoo

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Would you like to know a surprising fact about Montreal?

It doesn’t have many zoos. In fact, if you’ve put “feed the bears” on your list of what to do in Montreal, you only have one real option: the Ecomuseum Zoo.

The Ecomuseum Zoo is a small zoo located on the very tip of the Island of Montreal.

It isn’t fancy, and it doesn’t have state-of-the-art facilities like some of the bigger wildlife facilities in Canada.

What it lacks in size, however, the Ecomuseum Zoo has in heart.

Its artic fox is named Gandalf; its twin black bears are called Juno and Genie.

The other enclosures hold wolves, lynxes, eels, toads, turtles, porcupines and one very cranky vulture.

Because of its modest needs, the Ecomuseum Zoo can devote a lot of attention to individual animal care.

It can also host grassroots activity programs like summer camps for kids and “adopt an animal” campaigns to support the zoo.

The staff is known for its friendliness, and they frequently walk the grounds just to say hi to guests.

Simply put, the Ecomuseum Zoo is one that you can feel good about visiting. You won’t have to worry about animal exploitation or money mismanagement.

It’s a decent, clean-natured facility where you can see some cool creatures and teach your kids about the circle of life. What’s not to love?

Address:  21125 Sainte Marie Rd, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3Y7, Canada

12. Jean-Talon Market

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The sounds and smells of Jean-Talon Market will reach you long before you see it.

It’s the single biggest outdoor market in Montreal, and it bustles with the activity of hundreds of visitors and vendors.

Fresh produce is the main draw of the market. Piled high on every table, you’ll have your fill of locally-grown fruits and vegetables that are arranged in colorful tableaus to appeal to shoppers.

These crisp crops will look just as good on your plate as your Instagram feed.

If you’re craving something other than produce, there are plenty of vendors with other foods.

You can find fresh seafood and meats of every variety; butchers and fishermen will often pack it up for you right then and there.

There are eggs, cheeses, spices, syrups and snacks. Hot bread will make your mouth water. Cold parfaits will give you goosebumps on your arms.

There’s even a collection of consumer goods at the Jean-Talon Market. It’s dwarfed by the sheer volume of food, but it exists.

If you’re looking for souvenirs, the market has bags, crafts, paintings, jewelry and potted plants.

Another nice thing about the market is that it’s located in the middle of a bigger business district, so if you can’t find what you need at Jean-Talon, you can take a few steps sideways and try a more traditional retail outlet.

The single greatest thing about the Jean-Talon market, however, is that it gives you the resources to prepare your own meals.

You don’t have to live on takeout during your trip to Montreal.

In fact, one of our recommended travel hacks is to cook your own food as much as possible; it’ll save you a ton of money in overall vacation expenses.

Use the Jean-Talon Market as a grocery store and stock up!

Check out this awesome bike tour which explores Jean-Talon Market.

Address:  7070 Henri Julien Ave, Montreal, QC H2S 3S3, Canada

13. La Ronde Amusement Park

If you’re wondering what to do in Montreal with kids, you might like La Ronde .

It’s an amusement park that mixes old-fashioned rides with fresh new carnival games, so it’s an intriguing blend of pursuits that parents and kids will both enjoy.

Originally built for a world fair in 1967, La Ronde had a classic, storybook kind of charm that saw it featured in many different films and TV shows.

You might recognize it from franchises like “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” where its haunted house was used as a vintage set piece.

The park was purchased by Six Flags a few years ago, and the new bosses modernized a lot of systems and safety features, but they decided to keep La Ronde’s old-fashioned aesthetic.

You can still find things like wooden roller coasters and hand-painted carousels in between its newer constructions.

More modern rides include frisbees, fireballs, kamikazes, slingshots, star flyers and tilt-a-whirls.

You can shoot water at clown noses and win teddy bears; you can stuff your face with hot dogs, nachos and cotton candy.

A monorail will take you on a ride through the park when you get tired of lugging your stuffed prizes everywhere.

If you time your visit right, you can also catch one of La Ronda’s special events.

On Halloween, for example, they host a Fright Fest where costumed employees roam the park to give people a scare. It’ll be an extra cherry on top of your amusement park sundae.

All things considered, La Ronda is a great way to spend an afternoon with your family.

It might not be one of the highbrow tourist attractions of Montreal, but sometimes, you don’t need highbrow. Sometimes, you just need a fried candy bar on a stick.

Address: 22 Chemin Macdonald  |  St. Helene Island ,  Montreal, Quebec H3C 6A3,  Canada

14. Montreal Botanical Garden

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The Montreal Botanical Garden is actually a collection of gardens and greenhouses.

It sweeps across 190 acres of land, so it’s one of the largest sightseeing locations in the city, and it contains such amazing biodiversity that it’s been recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada.

Notably, each garden of the Montreal Botanical Garden has a theme. Here are just a few of the best:

• The Japanese garden is filled with bonsai and bamboo, and it has a gentle, tranquil atmosphere with clean-cut lines that are inspired by eastern zen. It frequently hosts tea ceremonies, kendo demonstrations and memorial bell-ringing in honor of the atomic bomb victims.
• The First Nations Garden showcases the beautiful and medicinal plants favored by the indigenous people of Canada. It also boasts a culturally authentic totem pole and a small gallery of artwork and artifacts.
• The Chinese garden is designed to look like a royal garden from the Ming Dynasty, so it has a curved temple covered in lights and lanterns and a surrounding field of flowers, stones and penjing plants.

The Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the biggest points of interest for nature lovers visiting Montreal.

If you’re looking to expand your herbology scrapbook, you’ll definitely want to stroll among the greenhouses and arbortoriums.

Address:  4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, QC H1X 2B2, Canada

15. Saint Laurent Boulevard

Called la main (“main street”) by the locals, Saint Laurent Boulevard runs through the exact center of Montreal.

Its location has made it a central hub for the city as far back as the 1600s, and it’s often used as a geographical touchstone for everything surrounding it.

Historically, Saint Laurent Boulevard was something of a dividing line between different classes and ethnic groups.

The English speakers were on the west; the French speakers were on the east. The immigrant communities straddled the line.

Today, Saint Laurent Boulevard is more of a melting pot than a segregated line.

You can reach Chinatown, Little Italy and Little Portugal from different points of the road, and there’s a vibrant collection of cultures and languages that includes one of the largest Yiddish-speaking populations in North America.

As for the sights, many Montreal attractions can be found along the border of Saint Laurent Boulevard. These range from bars and bistros to movie theaters and art galleries.

You can also use the boulevard as a starting point for further travel in every direction, so if you’re planning a trip that encompasses a lot of Montreal’s greatest hits, the boulevard can be your ground zero.

It’s on every map, and everyone will know where it is if you have to ask for directions.

It’s possible to walk the boulevard in a day, but you probably won’t want to rush it. There’s simply so much to experience along the line that it’s best to take your time.

Saint Laurent Boulevard has a rich history that’s completely, utterly unique to Montreal, so it’s a one-of-a-kind landmark in a one-of-a-kind city. Let yourself enjoy it.

16. Redpath Museum

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The Redpath Museum offers a collection of things that you’d never want to see in real life.

Its milder exhibits include taxidermy birds and the skeletons of lizards and anacondas; the most extreme displays are real-life Egyptian mummies surrounded by their earthly possessions.

Despite its grotesque gallery, the Redpath Museum isn’t meant to be a horror show.

It’s just a natural history museum that covers a broad range of subjects, including biology, geology, mineralogy and paleontology.

There are plenty of cool things that won’t creep you out, including paw print fossils and special shells that shine like diamonds.

If you like the bizarre, however, there’s no denying that the Redpath Museum offers quite a bit of it.

As soon as you walk through the front door and see the gigantic dinosaur model with its open jaws and gaping eye holes, you’ll realize that you’re in for a wild ride.

You’ll also learn a lot.

The museum doesn’t just throw animal skulls at you; it walks you through a recreation of the animal’s habitat and displays facts about the species on scrolling digital screens.

It doesn’t just use its mummies as a razzle-dazzle display; it takes the time to educate you on their culture, religion and birthplace as they rest in their tombs.

There are two ways to explore the Redpath Museum if you decide that you want to go.

The first is a self-guided tour, which is what most tourists do, and the second is an actual tour provided by one of the museum staff.

If you decide on the second option, it’ll cost you, and you’ll need to book it in advance.

However, the Redpath Museum is such a fantastic place to explore that the extra effort is worth it.

There’s a reason why we’re recommending it as one of the top destinations in Montreal, so spare no expense when it comes to enjoying it!

Address:  859 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H3A 0C4, Canada

17. Saint Helen’s Island

It’s not within the city limits, but if you’re looking for the best things to do in Montreal, Saint Helen’s Island is just a quick trip to the south. You don’t even need to get on a boat.

Several bridges connect the greater Montreal area to the island, so you can walk, drive, bike or bus there without any problem.

Once you arrive, it’s just a question of what to see.

The Biosphere Environment Museum is covered with a gigantic, transparent dome; the Stewart Museum is tucked inside a heavily-equipped fortress that now functions as a historical site.

The Aquatic Complex is great for working up a sweat and diving into a pool to wash it off. If you want to visit the La Ronda amusement park, that’s on the island as well.

Do you like to party?

Saint Helen’s Island is the designated location for several well-known festivals, including the Osheaga Festival for indie music and the Montreal Fireworks Festival for pyrotechnical displays.

The latter is the largest fireworks festival in the world; three million people attend every year, and dozens of countries send representations to duke it out in elaborate fireworks competitions.

Not everything on Saint Helen’s Island is loud and flashy, however.

There are plenty of parks where you can grab a bottle of water and relax on a bench for a while, and the neat, clean sidewalks will lead you to all sorts of shopfronts.

It’s a very picturesque island. Many Montrealers use it to escape the everyday grind of the city.

Consider a trip to Saint Helen’s Island if you want a vacation destination that has a little bit of everything.

For the adrenaline junkies, there are fireworks and roller coasters; for the nature lovers and history buffs, there are museums and biodomes.

The best places don’t make you choose between activities. They let you have it all.

18. Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium

Taking the place of the former Montreal Planetarium, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium will help you travel to the furthest reaches of the galaxy from the comfort of a bean bag chair.

Do you like movies? Lie back in the darkness and immerse yourself in one of the planetarium’s space shows.

They take up the entire domed ceiling, and each star will look as big as a galaxy as they rush past you in a spectacular showcase of light, sound and motion.

Do you prefer something a little more hands-on? Visit the planetarium’s special astronomy exhibit.

You’ll be able to see, read and touch things up close instead of viewing them in a larger-than-life theater.

There are two main films offered by the planetarium, so you can choose which one is best for your particular field trip.

One film is factual and educational, and the other is a crazy explosion of special effects and cool space facts.

As you can imagine, the latter is more popular with children, but the former is a better complement for the astronomy exhibit.

Oh, and if you like travel tips , here’s a good one for you: The Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium is one of four facilities in something called “Space for Life.”

They’re a series of natural science buildings located within a few blocks of each other.

The other three facilities are comprised of the Biodome, Botanical Garden and Insectarium, so if you want to have an educational weekend trip, hit up all four facilities in a self-tour!

Address:  4801 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, QC H1V 3N4, Canada

19. Mary, Queen Of The World Cathedral

It’s hard to live up to a name like “Queen of the World,” but even setting aside the religious implications, this cathedral manages to be larger than life.

For starters, it’s one of the biggest cathedrals in Canada.

It measures 333 feet long, 252 feet high and 150 feet wide, and its architecture includes everything from a domed ceiling to a series of saintly statues towering over the main building.

Inside, you’ll find chapels, altars, prayer rooms, burial vaults and a dedicated baptistery.

The cathedral itself is beautiful enough to make your jaw drop.

Twisting columns come together over raised, wood-carved altars, and angels are painted over every wall, window and pew.

An old-fashioned organ is perfectly preserved in the main chapel.

When the sunlight hits the building, everything is infused with a warm bronze light that feels like it comes straight from heaven.

Additionally, the cathedral is home to a series of paintings and religious texts that hold great meaning in Catholic history.

The paintings depict the martyrdom of missionaries and the charity work of nuns; the texts are gold-lettered documents dedicated to saints.

You don’t have to be religious to appreciate Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral .

As long as you have an eye for beauty and awe for history, your heart will be moved at the sight of such an impressive cathedral.

Address:  1085 Rue de la Cathédrale, Montréal, QC H3B 2V3, Canada

20. Mile End

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Mile End is a hip, trendy neighborhood that takes up several blocks in Montreal. It’s the go-to destination for things like wine bars, organic coffee shops and quirky fashion boutiques.

The best way to see Mile End is with a tour.

Cycling tours are popular; they’ll take you past parks and plazas where you can relax with your shopping bags under the sun.

Food tours are another way to get around; they’ll treat your taste buds to all kinds of pizza, sushi, gyros, bagels and scones.

Make sure to try some poutine, the most famous concoction to ever come out of Quebec!

If you have money to burn, Mile End is a great place to spend it. You’ll enjoy a wide range of everything from brand-name clothing outlets to independently-run stationary shops.

You can also support local artists by scooping up paintings and crafts that they hawk along the sidewalk.

Another benefit of Mile End is that it’s located on Saint Laurent Boulevard.

If you’re using the boulevard as your north star, you can walk travel to and from Mile End without losing your way.

It isn’t the biggest or busiest neighborhood in Montreal, but Mile End is a nice little gem with lots of things to see and do.

You can eat good food, talk with friendly people and buy some unique souvenirs that aren’t made and sold anywhere else.

Consider a stroll through Mile End if you want to live like a hipster for the weekend.

Check out this awesome tour by a local.

21. Montreal Casino

Jane Rix / Shutterstock

Travel guides don’t always mention the Montreal Casino since it isn’t exactly a family-friendly establishment.

If you’re traveling solo, however, or if you’re willing to leave the little ones with a babysitter, the Montreal Casino will let you indulge in some grown-up playtime.

Thousands of slot machines line the walls. Gaming tables offer everything from blackjack to baccarat.

Keno can be found on multiple floors, and there are special, dedicated areas for speed lotteries and virtual games.

When you want to take a break from gambling, other entertainment options are waiting for you.

A cabaret puts on shows every night. Three bars and four restaurants are available for wining, dining and dating.

There are even banquet facilities for locals who want to host luxury events at the casino.

You might be wondering about the size of the place. With such larger-than-life facilities, how big can the building possibly be?

The answer is that the Montreal Casino is actually three different buildings.

There are two main structures with multiple stories, and a third annex rests behind them. The main gaming floor is 525,00 square feet all by itself.

If you’re looking to have a grand experience in Canada, visit the Montreal Casino.

Its flashing lights and chiming music will welcome you as soon as you walk through the door, and its plush carpets, deep seats and cold beer will keep you happy as you try to hit the jackpot.

Address:  1 Avenue du Casino, Montréal, QC H3C 4W7, Canada

22. Montreal Clock Tower

chrisukphoto / Shutterstock

Say goodbye to the city with a stop by the Montreal Clock Tower .

It’s one of the simpler things to do in Montreal, but it’s a nice way to round off your trip, and you can snap your last few pictures from 150 feet high.

The tower was originally built as a monument to fallen sailors. It’s sometimes referred to as “The Sailors’ Memorial Clock” for this reason.

The first stones were laid by King Edward VIII in 1919, and his original plans included a series of bells connected to the tower that would ring in commemoration for the soldiers every hour.

Things got in the way, however, and the bells were never built, and the tower morphed into more of a tourist attraction than a somber memorial.

Today, it’s just a fun thing for visitors to climb in order to see the city from a bird’s eye view.

There are exactly 192 steps to the top of the Montreal Clock Tower. If you’re willing to make the summit, you’ll enjoy bright, vivid views of the entire river and port.

You won’t even have to pay for the privilege; everything is free and open to the public.

No one wants to say goodbye to Montreal, but when you can’t put off the end any longer, bid au revoir from the top of the Montreal Clock Tower.

Address:  1 Clock Tower Quay St, Montreal, QC H2L 5C1, Canada

Start Planning Your Trip To Montreal

These are just a few places to visit in Montreal.

There are many more, of course; this list barely scratches the surface of a big, bustling city filled with events and activities as far as the eye can see.

You need to start somewhere, however, and these suggestions will take you to Montreal attractions that are truly worth visiting.

Some of them are popular, well-known places; others will send you off the beaten path or down an underground tunnel.

All of them will give you a great experience in Montreal. Happy travels!

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Old Montreal stands as a testament to the city’s rich past. Walking through its cobblestone streets is akin to taking a step back in time. At the heart of this historic district is the Notre-Dame Basilica . A marvel of Gothic Revival architecture, this basilica is renowned for its intricate stained glass panels that narrate Montreal’s history. Nearby, Place Jacques-Cartier is a bustling square where artists showcase their talents and vendors sell unique trinkets. As one of the premier attractions in Montreal , Old Montreal offers numerous art galleries, boutique shops, and gastronomic delights that capture the city’s essence.

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2. Mont Royal

Mont Royal , the mountain after which Montreal is named, offers panoramic views of the city skyline. This verdant oasis in the heart of the city is perfect for those looking to escape the urban hustle. Visitors can meander along its many walking trails, each unveiling a unique perspective of the city. The Chalet du Mont Royal , a spacious lookout point, promises unforgettable sunset views. On Sundays, the park’s atmosphere is electrified by the Tam-Tams , a weekly gathering of drummers, dancers, and spectators. Among the attractions in Montreal , Mont Royal remains a favorite for both relaxation and recreation.

3. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)

Art enthusiasts will be enchanted by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts . Home to an impressive collection spanning centuries, this museum houses masterpieces from renowned artists worldwide. Regular exhibitions shed light on diverse artistic movements, ensuring that there’s always something new to discover. Whether you’re drawn to classical sculptures or contemporary paintings, this museum, a key attraction in Montreal , celebrates art in all its forms. Special events and workshops also offer hands-on experiences for those looking to unleash their creativity.

4. Olympic Stadium (Stade Olympique)

A symbol of the 1976 Olympics, the Olympic Stadium stands as a reminder of Montreal’s sporting legacy. Its unique architecture, reminiscent of a gigantic spaceship, captures imaginations instantly. The Montreal Tower adjacent to the stadium, is the world’s tallest inclined tower, offering an unparalleled view of the city. The Biodome, located within the stadium complex, is one of the most engaging attractions in Montreal , simulating four distinct ecosystems of the Americas. From the tropical rainforest to the North Pole, visitors embark on an ecological adventure.

5. Saint Joseph’s Oratory (Oratoire Saint-Joseph)

Saint Joseph’s Oratory , perched on Mount Royal’s westward slope, is Canada’s largest church. With its majestic dome, it dominates Montreal’s skyline. Pilgrims and tourists alike are drawn to its serene ambiance. The basilica’s interior, adorned with stunning artwork, offers moments of introspection. Its gardens, with intricately designed landscapes, are a haven of tranquility. Often regarded as one of the most spiritual attractions in Montreal , the oratory promises peace and renewal to all its visitors.

6. Botanical Garden (Jardin botanique)

Among the vast array of attractions in Montreal , the Botanical Garden stands out as a living testament to the world of flora. Spread across a sprawling 75 hectares, the garden offers a unique journey through diverse ecosystems. From the lush Chinese Garden with its intricate design and serene ponds to the vibrancy of the First Nations Garden, each section tells its own botanical story. Seasonal events, like the captivating lantern festival, add an extra layer of charm. For those keen on understanding the green wonders of our planet, the Botanical Garden is an essential attraction in Montreal , promising a meditative communion with nature.

7. Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon)

Nestled in Montreal’s Little Italy , the Jean-Talon Market is a feast for the senses. Established in 1933, it remains one of North America’s largest public markets. Stall after stall, vendors display a vivid array of fresh produce, from aromatic herbs to luscious fruits. Gourmets will appreciate the assortment of cheeses, spices, and baked goods available. Local farmers proudly present their organic produce, ensuring visitors get a true taste of Montreal. A visit here is not just about shopping; it’s about experiencing the very soul of the city. As one of the most gastronomic attractions in Montreal , this market encapsulates the city’s culinary heartbeat.

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8. La Ronde Amusement Park

For those seeking thrill and excitement, La Ronde Amusement Park beckons. Spanning 146 acres, it’s the largest amusement park in Quebec. With roller coasters that defy gravity to gentler rides for younger visitors, La Ronde promises adrenaline-pumping moments. Special events, like the International Fireworks Festival, light up the Montreal sky, making it a visual spectacle. This park, managed by Six Flags, ensures safety while delivering fun, making it a favorite among attractions in Montreal for families .

9. Museum of Archaeology and History (Pointe-à-Callière)

Dive deep into Montreal’s storied past at the Museum of Archaeology and History . Located on the very birthplace of Montreal, Pointe-à-Callière, it offers a journey through time. The museum unveils archaeological digs, showcasing artifacts from different eras. Interactive exhibitions bring history to life, allowing visitors to walk through ancient streets and witness the evolution of this metropolis. For history buffs and curious minds alike, this museum is an unmissable attraction in Montreal , bridging the past with the present.

10. Place des Arts

Celebrating the performing arts, Place des Arts is Montreal’s cultural heartbeat. With multiple venues within its precincts, it hosts over a thousand performances annually, ranging from ballet to orchestras. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra, theatrical performances, and international festivals find their home here. Beyond scheduled events, the public spaces around Place des Arts often see impromptu performances, making every visit unique. As a cornerstone among the attractions in Montreal , it encapsulates the city’s artistic spirit, ensuring that the melody of Montreal resonates with every visitor.

11. Biodôme de Montréal

Formerly the velodrome for the 1976 Olympics, the Biodôme de Montréal has transformed into a nexus of nature, recreating some of the most diverse ecosystems in the Americas. Wander through the tropical rainforest, feel the chill of the polar worlds, or explore the Laurentian maple forest – all under one roof. As a testament to the wonders of our planet, the Biodôme remains one of the most visited attractions in Montreal , allowing guests to marvel at nature’s diversity without leaving the city.

12. Château Ramezay Museum

With a history spanning over three centuries, Château Ramezay is a journey through time. Declared a historic site, it was once the residence of Claude de Ramezay, Montreal’s governor. Today, it serves as a museum showcasing over 30,000 historical artifacts. Period rooms and gardens transport visitors to bygone eras, helping them reimagine life in earlier centuries. For those with a penchant for history, this museum stands out among attractions in Montreal as a bridge between yesteryears and today.

13. Lachine Canal National Historic Site

A testament to Montreal’s industrial past, the Lachine Canal is a 14.5 km stretch linking the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis. Once a significant trade route, it now serves as a recreational spot. Visitors can stroll, cycle, or paddle while enjoying the juxtaposition of historic buildings and modern architecture. Summertime sees numerous picnics and casual gatherings along its banks. An urban oasis and a reminder of Montreal’s maritime heritage, the canal stands proudly among attractions in Montreal .

14. Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

Often referred to as the “Sailor’s Church”, the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel is one of Montreal’s oldest chapels. Its history is intricately woven with the city’s foundation and growth. Visitors are often taken by its exquisite architecture and the statue of the Virgin Mary on the tower, overlooking the Old Port. Inside, the wooden carvings, the altar, and the artwork narrate tales of devotion and faith. More than just a religious site, it stands among attractions in Montreal as a beacon of the city’s spiritual journey.

15. Montreal Science Centre (Centre des sciences de Montréal)

Igniting curiosity and fostering learning, the Montreal Science Centre is a hub of knowledge. With interactive exhibits on technology, biology, and physics, it caters to all age groups. Regular screenings in its IMAX theatre showcase the wonders of our planet and beyond. Workshops and hands-on experiments ensure that learning is not just passive but an engaging experience. For those eager to unravel the mysteries of the universe, this center is a top-tier attraction in Montreal , making science both fun and fascinating.

16. Quartier des Spectacles

Downtown Montreal comes alive at the Quartier des Spectacles , a vibrant hub for cultural events and festivals. Spanning over a square kilometer, this district is home to over 30 performance halls, including the renowned Place des Arts. Throughout the year, it becomes the epicenter for Montreal’s most significant cultural events, from the Jazz Festival to Just for Laughs. The luminous pathway, a series of red dots, guides visitors through this district, ensuring they don’t miss out on any of its wonders. As an emblem of Montreal’s arts scene, it is undeniably one of the prime attractions in Montreal for culture enthusiasts.

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17. McCord Museum (Musée McCord)

Preserving the past and showcasing the dynamism of present-day Montreal, the McCord Museum holds a special place in the city’s heart. It’s a repository of over 1.5 million artifacts, delving into the history of Canada and its diverse populace. Whether you’re exploring the Toy Exhibition, which kindles childhood nostalgia, or the Dress and Textile collection showcasing fashion evolution, there’s a story for everyone. This museum is more than a mere collection; it’s a dialogue between the past and present, making it one of the must-visit attractions in Montreal .

18. Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral (Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde)

A marvel of Neo-Gothic architecture, the Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral stands as an ode to Montreal’s rich religious heritage. Modeled after Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome but scaled down, its interior is adorned with intricate art, including the 13 paintings illustrating the historic events of Montreal’s diocese. The baldachin, standing majestically over the altar, is a visual spectacle. For those seeking solace or simply admiring architectural beauty, this cathedral is among the revered attractions in Montreal .

19. Atwater Market

Cherishing the flavors and aromas of Montreal, the Atwater Market is a gastronomic paradise. Established in 1933 along the Lachine Canal, its art-deco style architecture is a visual delight. Inside, a cornucopia of fresh produce awaits — from locally-produced cheeses to artisanal bread. The market also boasts butchers and fishmongers, ensuring visitors get the finest produce. A summertime visit is incomplete without indulging in the fresh berries on offer. As a sensory experience and a gourmet’s delight, the Atwater Market remains one of the standout attractions in Montreal .

20. Montreal Insectarium (Insectarium de Montréal)

For those intrigued by the microcosms of nature, the Montreal Insectarium offers a deep dive into the world of insects. A part of the city’s Space for Life (Espace pour la Vie) alongside the Botanical Gardens and Biodôme, this museum boasts one of North America’s most extensive insect collections. Vivid displays, interactive exhibitions, and hands-on experiences ensure that visitors, especially younger ones, understand the vital role these creatures play in our ecosystems. Among the myriad attractions in Montreal , the Insectarium remains unique, reminding us of the smaller wonders of our world.

In conclusion, Montreal, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and nature, offers a treasure trove of experiences. Each of these attractions in Montreal paints a unique facet of the city, ensuring that every visitor leaves with cherished memories and a longing to return. Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a cultural enthusiast, Montreal promises an adventure at every corner.

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When you come for a visit, you’ll find friendly agents at easily accessible points in central Montréal, all ready to assist you in making your visit the greatest and most memorable trip ever.

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Tourism information about Montréal and other Québec regions.

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Montréal Tourist Information Office

Tourism information about Montréal. Tourist bus and transit fares and Passeport MTL.

174 Notre-Dame Street East

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May 1 to June 15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; June 16 to August 31, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; September 1 to October 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; November 1 to April 30, Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ( closed from December 24 to January 3 ).

Mobile Tourist Welcome Office

The Mobile Tourism Services Team scours the central districts on foot or on an electric scooter. May 1 to September 30: Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Its main mission is to represent its members with the various stakeholders in the Montréal, Québec and international tourism community. The APGT also offers professional development and networking activities to its members in addition to supervising them using a code of ethics and liability insurance coverage. www.apgt.ca

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30 Ultimate Things to Do in Montreal

From sugar shacks to poutine, from hockey games to burlesque shows and world-class museums, ride a bike or climb Mont-Royal in the incredible city of Montreal.

Montreal is famous for its mix of European and North American culture, the food scene, embracement of winter, and of course hockey. And while you may mainly think of the city as a cold-weather destination, summer is also delightful (for both weather and activities), not to mention it’s one of the best places on the continent for leaf-peeping in the fall. There’s plenty in the city for all types of travelers, here are the best things to do in Montreal.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT MONTREAL? Famously cold, winters are predictably chilly. But spring (March, April, and May) and fall (September and October) are extremely pleasant and aren’t too crowded. July and August are typically top months for tourists–so expect higher prices and bigger crowds.  

Before you visit Montreal, check the latest information about COVID-19 requirements, guidelines, and restrictions.

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Climb Mont-Royal

The city’s 764-ft high namesake (in French “Mont-Royal” and “Montréal” have a near-identical pronunciation to Anglophone ears) contains numerous paths, a chalet, a lake, and a large wooded forest that give a larger than life allure to the hill. Frederick Olmstead, of Manhattan’s Central Park, designed Parc du Mont-Royal in the 1870s intending to provide a natural respite from city life. Much of the park is kept intentionally overgrown and wild, with a network of trails leading through densely wooded areas. An observatory at the hill’s peak gives way to panoramic views of the city and the forested mountain down below. Winter activities options include a series of snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, a toboggan run, a snow tubing course, and a skating rink complete with rental options.

Have a Picnic in Parc La Fontaine

An 84-acre sprawl in the middle of the Plateau neighborhood, Parc La Fontaine is especially gorgeous in late summer and early fall when the leaves start to turn. Green lawns full of picnickers slope around two large ponds and a fountain, where you can paddle boat in warmer months and ice skate in winter. For provisions, stop at Ma Poule Mouillée for Portuguese rotisserie chicken, or Boulangerie Mr Pichot for pastries. Then head to the Depanneur (convenience store) across the street to purchase beverages. One of the many great reasons to picnic in Montreal is that you are legally allowed to drink alcohol in public parks as long as you are also consuming food.

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Eat portuguese chicken.

The Montreal food scene is influenced by the mix of cultural influences present, beyond the anglophone/francophone binary typically attributed to the city. A casual food favorite and must-try for any visitor is Portuguese chicken. The rotisserie bird is the perfect mélange of grease, s pice, and perfectly cooked meat. For a few dollars, enjoy a sliced, roasted chicken in a fresh bun with mayonnaise, tomatoes, and lettuce, or purchase a whole or half chicken with salad and French fries for a group picnic. Campo , Jano or Barroso are all solid outposts for this local favorite.

Visit St. Viateur Bagels

Sure, you’ll hear differing opinions on whether these sweeter, denser bagels stand up to their New York distant cousin (they do), but it’s worthwhile either way to walk through the steam-filled windows of this small shop in the Mile End and stand in line while watching the many steps of production for these fresh delicacies. Montreal bagels are always made in a wood-fired oven, and, to the delight of patrons, still shaped by hand in an open-air shop in this establishment ( Fairmount Bagel a few blocks over is a fine choice, too). Grab a dozen hot to go, and don’t forget the cream cheese: Montreal spread more resembles creme fraiche and puts the processed American version to shame.

Shop the Boutiques of Le Plateau

The casual chicness of this city is displayed nowhere better than the Plateau , where little shops, pubs, and restaurants showcase quintessential French-Canadian style on tree-lined streets and in gorgeous old buildings. From downtown, you can walk up St. Laurent Boulevard, poking your head in and out of the hippest small boutiques and furniture stores along the way. Stroll over to St. Denis and Lorimier streets for second-hand stores, vintage goods, record shops, and small pubs and cafes.

Window Shop on St. Hubert

While you may not actually be in the market for dollar-store kitchen items and over-the-top gowns and quinceanera dresses, taking a stroll through the shops on Ste. Hubert is entertainment enough for an afternoon. This pedestrian mall, a few minutes’ walk from Jean-Talon Market , lends a different shopping experience than chain stores or high-end boutiques elsewhere in town. You’ll find yourself drawn to the colors of busy storefronts selling everything from children’s toys to bedazzled wedding dresses.

Visit the Foodstuffs Stores of Little Italy

Home to an Italian immigrant population (the second largest in Canada) dating back to the 19th century, the shops and cafes of La Petite Italie can be found along St. Laurent Boulevard in the Rosemont neighborhood (mostly between St. Zotique and Jean-Talon Streets). Here you’ll find incredible kitchen supplies, rare pasta, espresso, cheeses, and canned foods. Don’t miss Anatol Spices , a tiny, family-owned shop with a dazzling array of seasonings, including house-made mixes for grilling or poultry, at prices way below your local supermarket. Hungry after a day of shopping? Crowd into a table at Pizzeria Napoletana for BYOB and deliciously authentic pies.

Spend a Morning at Jean-Talon Market

For the foodie, this European-style open market is like a trip to the finest art museum. Working your way into the market , you’ll find flowers and plants, a vast array of fruits and vegetables (sample from the fresh plates of produce offered by the merchants), an oyster bar, live lobsters for the choosing, fresh sausage, tea, and more specialty goods. The market’s center is home to ready-made food stands, crepes, samosas, Turkish pastries, and more, and picnic tables for lunching. Don’t miss out on the small brick-and-mortar stores that flank the market’s exterior: among them possibly the best Poissonnerie (seafood store) in town, a dry goods shop , a kitchen supply store, and a Halal butcher .

Explore the Gay Village

Founded in 1869, Montreal boasts the first openly gay business in North America, Moise Tellier’s apple and cake shop. These days, the city’s tourism board largely markets Montreal and Le Village Gai as tourist attractions for LGBTQ+ communities everywhere. Once a tiny nook carved out of downtown, The Village now includes several metro stops and is great for strolls, shopping, people-watching at an outdoor cafe during the day, and partying at night. In warmer months, a gorgeous section of Rue St. Catherine becomes a pedestrian walkway with sidewalk sales and various fairs. At night, mingle with drag queens at Cabaret Mado , or dance until the late morning at one of the numerous clubs.

Shout Along at a Hockey Game

Montreal is the perfect city to witness this very important part of Canadian life. The Canadiens (or   “Habs” for “Les habitants” in French) recently made it to the finals for the first time in years and reinvigorated the city’s passion for the team. Catch a game at the Bell Centre , where the fighting, shouting, and general enthusiasm provide entertainment for even the most reluctant sports fan (though the beer is pricey). If you’re a hockey historian who can’t make it to a game, you can catch a show at the Cineplex Odeon Forum on Rue Ste. Catherine in Ville-Marie, a former Habs stadium-turned-movie theater, while reveling in hockey spirit and nostalgia in the stadium-style seats and Habs memorabilia. Alternatively, head over to the Arena St-Louis , a popular local hang for hockey games and open skating during the winter. Equally entertaining are the roller derby games during summer where the PBR is cheap year-round. And here’s where to stay if you’re in town to watch .

Wander Through Old Montreal

A small, cobblestoned corner of the city by the St. Lawrence River where French settlers first arrived, Old Montreal is a romantic mix of early European and North American history and architecture. Shops and restaurants are touristy in this part of town, so your time is best spent winding through the old lamp-lit streets, either on foot or bike, and marvel at the architecture. Must-stops along the way include the Basilica and a walk through Bonsecours Market , once Montreal’s central market, and now the home of gourmet food, exhibits, and boutiques. Make your way down to the Old Port for a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River where you can enjoy the Clock Tower beach in the summer.

Explore the Underground

During the long winter, many Montrealians take refuge from the wind, snow, and sub-zero temperatures in a series of walkways, subway tunnels, and underground shopping centers (all easily accessible by the metro) known as Montreal’s Underground City, or RESO . Over 30-km (20 mi) of tunnels include 9 hotels and 2,000 shops and connect you to some of Montreal’s best sights and neighborhoods without ever having to step above ground and out into the cold. While much of the Underground City goes unappreciated by bundled-up commuters and students, tourists experience a fun, new way to travel to their favorite destinations and a true marvel of urban planning.

Rent a Bike

Montreal is an amazing city for bikers, even in the colder months (you’d be surprised at how many riders barely blink at a snowstorm), with eclectic bike shops and plenty of accessible well-maintained routes . It’s also home to some of the first city-wide rental bikes, with over 500 BIXI stations now throughout the city. Prices begin at $1 CAD (about $0.78 USD) for a one-way trip depending on the duration and it’s a “pay as you go”/per minute system. You can swipe your card at one BIXI station and return it to any other station around town. Alternatively, the BIXI app allows for convenient renting. There’s also discounted membership packages if you plan on riding frequently.

INSIDER TIP For a scenic 15-km cross-city trip, bike along the Lachine Canal all the way to Rene Levesque Park on the river.

Indulge in late-night poutine.

Many a late night in Montreal ends with a greasy plate of poutine (fries drenched in gravy and cheese curds) but you don’t actually have to wait until the wee hours of the morning to enjoy this decadent Canadian rite of passage. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a neighborhood or busy street corner without its own poutine counter. Among the best are La Banquise in the Plateau, for the classic dish at any hour, or one of the Poutineville locations, for inventive combinations with extra ingredients like bacon, hot dogs, and feta cheese.

Spend Sunday Morning with the Tam Tam Drummers

On Sundays during the warmer months, hoards of locals and tourists gather around the George-Etienne Cartier statue at the base of Mont-Royal for a giant drum circle including drummers, DJs, and other performers—an all-around entertaining morning activity. It’s unclear when drumming became a staple of this Sunday hangout spot, popular for sunbathers, musicians, and friends since the 1860s, but the festivities now begin in the late morning and continue until sunset. On Sunday nights, the revelry continues at Parc Jean-Drapeau for Piknic Electronik , a weekly outdoor music festival.

Eat a Smoked Meat Sandwich

The famous Montreal smoked meat sandwich involves the perfect balance of overstuffed, thick slabs of cured brisket, rye bread, and yellow mustard. Some say that the long line at Schwartz’s Deli is overrated, and head out instead to the equally classic, but off-the-beaten-path Snowdon Deli , Jarry Smoked Meat , or Le Roi Du Smoked Meat (open late night). Whichever you choose, you can argue that packing into the crowded shop and taking in the smells, sights, and shouts while waiting your turn in line is an essential part of the experience.

Attend a Burlesque Show

In a city of nightlife lovers, you don’t want to pass up on the chance to see the raunchy, comedic talent and flurry of glitter, feathers, and fishnets that is a burlesque show in Montreal. Showcases at The Wiggle Room range from traditional burlesque to wildly entertaining and comedic themes like Led Zeppelin and Fresh Prince -themed shows. At Arabesque Burlesque , drop in on a beginner dance class or sign up for a whole workshop. Culminate your experience by attending the 3-night Montreal Burlesque Festival in October.

Visit a Sugar Shack

These charming cabins are the traditional homes of maple syrup, AKA where the Canadian staple is produced. Typically found in the woods outside of Montreal, cabanes à sucre offer much more than just sweet treats for sale. Plan a visit during “sugar time” (February through April) and many offer tours, carriage rides, demonstrations, and multi-course feasts inside their charming digs. At Sucrerie de la Montagne , ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or wagon before an all-you-can-eat rustic Quebecois meal complete with live music entertainment. Popular Montreal restaurant Au Pied du Cochon has its own sugar shack , slightly more chic and commercial (and quick to fill up) than the family-owned ones. About an hour from Montreal, L’Hermine is one of the only shacks you can visit year-round (feasts only take place in winter and spring). If you can’t make it out of the city, the neighborhood of Verdun holds an annual sugaring festival every March.

Marvel at Habitat 67

Originally the project of a McGill architecture student, this rambling, neo-futuristic structure along the St. Lawrence River was completed in 1967, when it became a pavilion for the World’s Fair Expo taking place in Montreal that year.   The massive concrete apartment structure—with its panoramic series of interlocking block buildings, bridges, and walkways—has become an architectural icon, but you don’t need to be a design buff to enjoy the structure: it’s just really fun to look at. You can view Habitat 67 from the Old Port in Montreal. For a more in-depth experience, cross the river and take a 90-minute guided tour .

Take the Metro to Verdun

First founded as an independent city in 1671, Verdun is one of Canada’s oldest settlement cities. The quaint riverside destination is now technically a borough of Montreal and is about a 25-minute metro ride from downtown. You’ll find cute shops, bars, and restaurants in Verdun’s downtown, mostly along Wellington Street. Local favorites include Les Street Monkeys for Cambodian food and for amazing ice cream and pastries, Alice&Theo . The entire riverfront is dedicated to green space, where locals bike, stroll, play games, and swim in the river (or at the large city pool) during the warmer months. The Nivard-De Saint-Dizier House , built upon an almost 6,000 years old prehistoric archaeological site, is a preserved 1700s French-style rustic house and museum. Admission is free.

Walk the Art Galleries of Rue Sherbrooke

Along busy Rue Sherbrooke and its surrounding side streets, between the Peel and Guy-Concordia Metro stations, you’ll find over a dozen of the city’s finest art galleries. Take La Guilde , for example, with arts and crafts by Canada’s Inuit and First Nations artists. End with a tour at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and a stroll through its sculpture garden . Keep in mind that the majority of galleries are closed on Mondays.

Take in the Architecture of McGill University

Often dubbed the “Harvard of Canada,” the main campus of McGill , Montreal’s oldest and most renowned university, has held its’ idyllic location at the base of Mont-Royal in downtown Montreal since the mid-1800s. At the founding of the university, the campus consisted of not much more than a single building, James McGill’s country home, and a few acres of cow pasture. Today, the campus buildings are the oldest collection of preserved buildings outside of Old Montreal. Made of gray limestone and surrounded by a sprawling green space that will make you forget you’re in the middle of one of Canada’s largest cities. Don’t miss the gorgeous stained glass windows—in Memorial Hall and at the entrance of the Arts and Architecture Library—honoring students who fought and died in WWI.

Attend a Festival

Montreal International Jazz Festival continues to be one of the city’s most popular events, and with good reason: it’s the largest jazz fest in the world, most events are free, and it takes place in late June and July, a beautiful time of the year to visit Montreal. Then there’s Osheaga , Montreal’s giant lollapalooza-like event, held each summer in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène and featuring indie and popular contemporary music acts. Others head to Montreal during Canada’s Grand Prix weekend to see the Formula One racers, or to the Black Film Festival , the Folk Festival , or a festival dedicated to circus arts (complimenting the city’s popular Cirque du Soleil ). Things inevitably die down (or freeze over) during the winter months, but the city has designed a few winter-themed fests to keep things lively: Montreal en Lumière lights up downtown with art, music, and culinary events; and Fête des neiges , a family-friendly outdoor event, makes the most of popular winter sports and activities.

Celebrate Canada at the McCord Museum of Social History

Conveniently located across from McGill’s main campus on Rue Sherbrooke, McCord is a multi-media exploration of the peoples and histories that have created Montreal, Quebec, and greater Canada. Permanent exhibitions feature Montreal fashions and textiles, an array of textual archives from city plans to family diaries, and a collection of over 16,000 indigenous artifacts, honoring and telling the history of Canada’s First Nations peoples. Rotating collections feature Canadian artists, cultures, and histories. Upcoming 2022 programming (celebrating the museum’s 100th birthday) includes temporary exhibits by artist Niap, a collection that pays homage to traditional tools and objects created by indigenous women in the Far North, and photographer JJ Levine, which challenges gender binaries. Free entrance on Wednesdays after 5 p.m.

Anchor Up at the Old Port

Located a short 20-minute walk from Downtown , along the St. Lawrence River in Old Montreal , the Old Port is a great place to burn off any energy (or all the poutine you’ve been consuming) with numerous activities on offer. Not to mention plenty for kids. For a good time, you can simply walk the pier, watch street entertainers from a cafe terrace, or take in the views from atop the ferris wheel . Depending on your budget and who you’re traveling with, there’s something for everyone; both the Montreal Science Center and the Montreal Archeology and History Complex are located nearby as well as an Imax theater, an aerial obstacle courses, and interactive pirate exhibit , and boat rentals.

Jardin Botanique

Located in the quiet and leafy Rosemont-La-Petite-Patrie near Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, the city’s Jardin Botanique (Botanical Gardens) sprawls over 185 acres. Wander the 10 exhibition greenhouses or one of the Cultural Gardens; Chinese, First Nations, and Japanese for a bit of travel without going far! If you’re feeling energetic, the famous Montreal Biodome is nearby, where you can explore five different ecosystems under one roof! Adult tickets cost $22 CAD (~$17 USD) and children $11 CAD (~$8.50). If you’re an avid gardener or plant enthusiast, don’t miss The Great Gardening Weekend held in late May.

Spend a Day at the Spa

Montreal may be known for winter activities, good food, and endless festivals. However, it’s also a great place to just relax and there’s no lack of choice! Scandinave Les Bains Vieux-Montreal of course, Old Montreal is perfect for those that want a Nordic-inspired experience, complete with water circuits and saunas. Make it an indulgent treat and combine a spa and hotel stay at Le Spa de l’Hotel Le St-James . You can pair steam baths, massages, and facials with a meal at one of the best restaurants in the city and an overnight stay inside a lovely historic building. And of course, Bota Bota , a renovated ferry boat on St Lawrence and an institution in the city since its opening can’t be missed! Enjoy views on one of five decks while you relax in hammocks, on a massage table, or in a spa.

Peruse Atwater Market

This daily marché public is located near the Lachine Canal and is the perfect place to pick up some goodies for a picnic! In addition to the numerous stands selling everything from cheese to organic produce to fresh herbs, the Art-Deco building is considered one of the most beautiful in the city. In the warmer months, gardeners and florists set up colorful stalls with amazing floral creations for sale. Also in the summer season (typically beginning in April), the walls are removed for a more open floor plan. Once you’ve purchased your tasty snacks, enjoy them along the Canal, at one of the market picnic tables, or on the large patio with a view.

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Explore Vegan Restaurants

Montreal is easily known as a foodie city, but in recent years it’s also become a haven for those with a vegan diet. Even if you’re not opposed to consuming animal products, this is the perfect city to try out a few plant-based meals, who knows you may return from your visit with a whole new view of where your food comes from! Local favorite Oplante in the Village serves up Asian-inspired favorites such as sushi and General Tao chicken with a vegan twist of course. Resto Végo located Downtown is a mainstay of the city, having served up veggie meals for over 40 years and thus should not be missed! If you’re in the mood for comfort food, Bowhead Pub in le Plateau offers yummy favorites like burgers, tacos, and more with a robust wine, beer, and cocktail menu.

Take a Day Trip to Charron Island

Just a quick 15-minute river shuttle ride away (also accessible by autoroute if you prefer to drive) from Montreal Mercier Downtown, is the westernmost island in the Les Îles-de-Boucherville archipelago. Roundtrip tickets cost $10 CAD (just under $8 USD) and departures are at least once every hour but can be more frequent during busy periods. Note that since Charron Island and Les Îles-de-Boucherville are Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ) parks, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee in addition to the cost of the ferry. Purchase online here . Hike, bike, or simply sunbathe during the summer months and when the snow begins to fall, enjoy miles of trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. This is still a relatively hidden gem in the city, so you’ll be free of major crowds and mostly hanging with locals.

15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Old Montréal

Written by Michael Law and Lana Law Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Authors Michael and Lana Law love Old Montréal and visit annually.

One of North America's most remarkable concentrations of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century buildings, Old Montréal is the delightful Parisian-style quarter between the harbor and the banking district.

Lovingly restored in recent decades, the area is very popular with tourists and locals alike. Simply wandering the curving cobblestone streets, with 19th-century buildings as your historical backdrop, is the most popular thing to do here. The whole area is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, with interesting shops and restaurants tucked in hidden areas.

Old Montréal is best explored on foot, starting from the Champ de Mars Metro Station. City Hall and Place Jacques-Cartier are just south of the station, with Rue St. Paul and Rue Notre-Dame leading to more historic sites, high-end restaurants, and luxury shops.

Montreal is an easy weekend getaway from Toronto . Flights leave every hour for the short one-hour hop.

Plan to spend at least a day in this area, and discover the best places to visit with our list of the top attractions in Old Montréal.

See also: Where to Stay in Old Montréal

1. Explore the Old Port of Montreal (Vieux-Port de Montréal)

2. notre-dame basilica, 3. stroll along rue saint-paul, 4. take a break in place jacques-cartier, 5. rue bonsecours and bonsecours market (marché bonsecours), 6. pointe-à-callière, musée d'archéologie et d'histoire, 7. place d'armes, 8. dining in old montréal, 9. la grande roue de montreal, 10. montreal science centre, 11. clock tower, 12. mtl zipline, 13. city hall, 14. go shopping, 15. place d'youville, where to stay in old montréal for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in old montréal.

Extending along the river, close to Marché Bonsecours, is the site of the old port (vieux-port). It was restored at great cost and now enjoys a role as an entertainment and leisure center. Special attractions include an IMAX cinema, a Clock Tower reminiscent of Big Ben, a giant Ferris wheel, and the Montréal Science Centre .

This area is a pleasant place to wander about and as you stroll, be sure to check out the 10 different works of public art. If you've packed lunch or want to grab a bite to go at the local cafes, picnic tables are available.

If you are traveling with small children, an excellent playground is located on Clock Tower Quay near Hanger 16.

In winter, skaters take to an open-air rink. From the old port, a magnificent view is obtained of the impressive Montréal skyline. Boat tours, including the short but fun 1.5-hour Montreal Historic Discoverers Cruise run from the quays.

One of the most impressive sights in Old Montréal is the spectacular interior of the Notre-Dame Basilica . Located on Place d'Armes, this is Montréal's oldest Catholic parish church, founded in 1656. Its twin towers (69 meters) are impressive, but the amazing interior of the 1829 building is the true highlight. Resplendent woodcarving is the work of Victor Bourgeau, and stained glass illustrates the history of Montréal.

The Sacré Coeur altar (1982), in the chapel of the same name, consists of 32 bronze panels by Charles Daudelin. The great organ is a Casavant, and recitals held in the church throughout the year are very popular.

A Walking Tour of Old Montreal , which covers all of the major highlights in the area, includes free admission to the basilica. These tours, offered from spring until fall, are a great way to see the sights and learn the history. Options include 1.5 or three-hour tours.

Address: 110 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montréal, Quebec

Rue Saint-Paul is Montréal's oldest street, originally completed in March 1672 as the road between the fort and the Hôtel Dieu, the old hospital. Nowadays it is lined with all kinds of shops and restaurants.

In recent years, the city has made substantial improvements to this street and several others. Sections of Rue Saint-Paul are pedestrian-only areas and during the day, this area is packed with tourists.

If you want to stay in Old Montreal, this is the best place to find a hotel. Set in a historic building, the Hotel Nelligan , with one of the most popular rooftop terraces for dining in summer, is a great option along this street. Excellent dining options can also be found all along this street.

Rue Saint-Paul gets its name as much from Paul de Chomedey, the city's devout founder, as from St. Paul the Apostle.

In the heart of Old Montreal, running from the Old Port to Rue Notre-Dame , Place Jacques-Cartier is a welcoming, open space with benches for resting and leafy trees for a bit of shade in the summer. Restaurants and retail outlets in 19th-century townhouses and mansions line both sides of the square, and at the top is Nelson's Column.

This is a pleasant place to take a break from sightseeing and soak up the atmosphere. The square is busy during the day and into the evening.

Many of Montréal's historic tourist attractions and things to do are nearby, including City Hall , the Old Palace of Justice , and the elegant 1705 mansion Chateau Ramezay Museum . Bonsecours Market is just beyond here, along Rue Saint-Paul.

The delightful Rue Bonsecours, off Rue Notre-Dame, is one of Vieux-Montréal's oldest streets. It exhibits a whole range of the French architectural styles featured in the 17th- to the 19th-century townscape of New France.

Bonsecours Market ( Marché Bonsecours) served as the town hall before becoming Montréal's vegetable market from 1878 to 1963. It's an important heritage building and one of the most eye-catching structures in Montreal.

Today, the building houses a number of interesting shops and boutiques and is a popular spot with tourists. Montréal's oldest church, the Chapel of Our Lady de Bonsecours , is at the end of the street.

Nearby, Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site was the home of the first Canadian Prime Minister from 1841 to 1871.

At the southeast corner of Place Royale in Montréal lies the Pointe-à-Callière , the "cradle of Montréal city." Place Royale was the heart of French colonial life, its market, and its parade ground until transformed in the 19th century with various government buildings.

The Musée d'archéologie et d'histoire documents the city's beginnings by taking visitors underground to the see remains of the first foundations. Two plaques and an obelisk, the work of Québécois artists, unveiled in 1894, commemorate the 1642 founding of the French settlement.

Address: 350 Place Royale, Montréal, Quebec

The busy square of Place d'Armes is very much in the city center. The twin towers of Notre-Dame Basilica front the public space, as does the historic Bank of Montreal and its small museum. The Old Seminary of Saint Sulpice, adjoining the Basilica, dates from 1685.

It is the oldest stone dwelling in a city where originally most buildings were constructed more cheaply and simply in timber. Just west of Place d'Armes, the Palais des Congrès is Montréal's futuristic conference center. It was built in 1983 over the Ville-Marie expressway and is best known for its colorful glass walls.

One of the great pleasures of a trip to Montreal is dining. In fact, many people plan their entire trips around where they are going to eat. The city has some of Canada's best restaurants, and new ones are popping up on a regular basis. You'll find a restaurant to suit every taste and occasion.

Is it a warm summer night? In this case, make a reservation on a patio in the Old City, ideally on Rue Saint-Paul . Settle in for a lovely dinner underneath the floodlit lights of 200-year-old buildings. If you find yourself here in the winter, scoot up the stairs into a warm and cozy restaurant and relax over comfort food as the snow falls softly outside the windows.

Lunch can be a quick baguette and a coffee at a small café or a multi-hour affair on a rooftop patio — the choice is yours.

Some say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in Montreal, you'll be spoiled for choice, from café au lait and a flaky croissant to fresh-baked bagels and cream cheese or custom-made omelets and crepes.

Rivaling Ferris wheels in other world-class cities, La Grande Roue de Montreal (Montreal Observation Wheel) towers over the old city. From a climate-controlled gondola, you and seven of your friends will be able to see the St. Lawrence River, Mount Royal Park, and the Olympic Stadium. Be sure to look towards Old Montreal, and the warren of streets you've been wandering in Old Montreal will suddenly make sense.

La Grande Roue de Montreal is located in the Old Port area, just down the hill from Old Montreal.

Located right on the waterfront, Montreal's Science Centre is a perfect family destination. Inside, you'll find seven permanent exhibitions covering topics ranging from organic waste right through to windmills.

One of the most interactive exhibitions is called Fabrik. Here, children eight years and older can use various implements to create innovative items. For those seven years and under, the Clic! exhibition allows children to build things using all kinds of odd-shaped items that snap together.

Address: 2 rue de la Commune Ouest, Montréal, Quebec

Those looking for views should visit the historic Clock Tower. Dating from 1919, this iconic structure is 45 meters high and performs double duty as a lighthouse.

Step inside and climb the 192 steps to the top, and you'll be rewarded with great views of the St. Lawrence River, Old Montreal, and the Jacques Cartier Bridge off in the distance. Admission is free.

At the base of the Clock Tower is a park and a man-made beach. In summer, umbrellas and chairs provide a comfortable place to enjoy the waterfront.

At night, the tower is illuminated.

If strolling the old streets and lingering by the river are too sedate for you, and you need an adrenaline hit, riding a zipline might be just the thing to do. Two ziplines are strung out over the Old Port area, and riders can literally fly from a giant tower to the landing place near the river.

MTL Zipline is open to all ages; the only limit is weight. You must be between 22 to 113 kilograms (50 to 250 pounds).

If you would rather simply observe this activity, or have a look before you try it yourself, you can catch good views of it from the Clock Tower quay, or from Rue Bonsecours beside Bonsecour Market.

Montréal's City Hall was designed by Perrault with an eye to the French Empire style of Napoleon III. Built between 1872 and 1878, it had to be restored following a fire in 1922.

Its hall of honor is resplendent with marble and bronze, and has a bust of Jacques Viger, Montréal's first mayor in 1833. It was from the balcony of City Hall that, during his visit to Canada in the summer of 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle uttered his clarion call "vive le Québec libre!" — long live free Québec. The statement drew an enthusiastic response from the crowds on Place Cartier below, but upset Canada's Federal Government.

Address: 275 Rue Notre-Dame Est, Montréal, Quebec

Old Montréal is one of the best places to visit for shopping, particularly if you're looking for unique items. This area offers a full range of shopping possibilities, with everything from souvenirs to art and designer clothes. Montréal has long been one of Canada's most important cities when it comes to the fashion industry, with many top designers calling the city home.

And while high-end boutiques can be found throughout the city, in Old Montréal, small boutiques are tucked away in beautiful historic buildings, making the shopping experience seem that much more glamorous. Art galleries, many of which feature the works of Canadian artists, are one of the highlights of this district.

Souvenir and one-of-a-kind shops are also scattered throughout the area, and artists and street vendors line narrow pedestrian alleys and squares.

Place d'Youville is another popular public space in Montréal and a departure point for exploring historical sites. In summer, large leafy trees provide shade for park benches.

On the park, the Centre d'Histoire de Montréal is housed in the old red brick fire station (1903), and recounts Montréal's four centuries of history.

The Maison de Mere d'Youville (Hopital général de Montréal ) is a short distance from Place d'Youville, down Rue Saint-Pierre. Montréal's second hospital dating from 1694, it is where Marguerite d'Youville founded the Congrégation des Soeurs Grises in 1753, the charitable order of the Grey Sisters.

We recommend these wonderful hotels close to the top sites in Old Montréal:

• Hotel William Gray : For sophisticated luxury, historic architecture, and contemporary rooms, this is the place. The hotel also features a rooftop terrace, a concierge, and a library.
• Hotel Bonaparte : For mid-range pricing, stylish décor, helpful staff, and delicious free breakfast, head to Hotel Bonaparte.
• Hotel Nelligan : This hotel offers affordable rates, and is conveniently located near the Basilique Notre-Dame. The building shows exposed brick and stone walls. Your stay comes with free breakfast and parking.
• Hotel Y Montreal : This budget hotel is 1.3 miles from Old Montréal, but offers good value, with shared and private rooms, a communal kitchen, and laundry.

More on Canada

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It’s official: these are the world’s most underrated tourist attractions

A travel booking company has assessed which tourist attractions are most positively described in online reviews

It can be really disappointing when that bucket-list activity doesn’t live up to your expectations – but on the other hand, sometimes something you weren’t expecting to wow you can be the most memorable part of your trip. 

Which of the world’s popular tourist attractions are considered most underrated? Travel booking site Wingie has trawled through Tripadvisor to find out. They looked for the top 50 attractions in each country to assess which have caused the most disappointment or pleasant surprise, recording  the frequency of 40 positive keywords used – think ‘impressive’, ‘memorable’ and ‘eye-opening’. Each landmark or attraction was then given an overall score. 

Ranking as the most underrated destination on the list, tucked away in northwestern Jamaica , is Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden. This hillside landmark, which is a display space for locally-made artwork, doesn’t just boast gorgeous views of the island’s greenery but is surrounded by rich tropical birdlife. 

Second on the list is the  Irish National Stud and Gardens in  Ireland ’s County Kildare, a horsebreeding facility home to an Irish racecourse experience and stunning Japanese gardens. And third is Al Noor Island in the Emirati city of Sharjah, where the long list of attractions includes art installations and a butterfly dome.

These are the ten most underrated tourist attractions in the world

• Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden, Jamaica
• Irish National Stud and Gardens, Ireland
• Al Noor Island, UAE
• Cabot Trail, Canada
• Stone Hall Castle, Canada
• Stetson Mansion, USA
• Kiambethu Farm, Kenya
• Newcastle Memorial Walk, Australia
• SkyPoint Climb, Australia
• The Rooms, Canada

Check out our lists of the best things to do in the world in 2024 , and this year’s  most exciting new museums and reopenings , for some super-reliable travel inspo. 

Did you see that a brand-new sleeper train is launching in Türkiye this month ?

Plus: Italy has finally launched a digital nomad visa – here’s how to apply . 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for the latest travel news.

• Liv Kelly Contributing Writer

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