Things to Do in Montreal
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Montreal Canada is a city that revels in its four seasons. The city’s sturdy brick buildings, cobblestone squares, and underground malls provide places for people to gather in all kinds of weather. Our article on Things To Do in Montreal will familiarize you with all the best nightlife, shopping, eating, and sightseeing opportunities the city has to offer.
Montreal’s calendar of festivals is legendary. Annual gatherings celebrate jazz, film, fireworks, winter sports, and more. Between large scale events, Montreal’s vibrant nightlife, excellent shopping, high quality museums, and innovative food scene take center stage. And, when solitude is required, people can retreat to the city’s beautiful parklands.
Our list of things to do in Montreal includes many of the attractions and activities for which this stylish and playful North American city is known. For information on Montreal restaurants, hotels, weather, best time to go, and getting around read our Montreal Travel Guide.
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THINGS TO DO IN MONTREAL
DISCOVER OLD MONTREAL (VIEUX-MONTREAL)
Settled in the 1600s, the cobblestone streets of Montreal’s original neighborhood are full of sidewalk cafes, art galleries, gastropubs, and souvenir shops. Charming Old Montreal is home to the Bonsecours Market, Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal, and the Hotel de Ville (CityHall). The best way to see this neighborhood is to walk it. This area will enchant you with its horse drawn carriages, street performers, and sketch artists.
IMMERSE IN THE MONTREAL SHOPPING SCENE
Montreal is a shopper’s paradise with exciting retail options in every neighborhood. The city’s main shopping artery, Rue St. Catherine, is located in Downtown Montreal. Here you will find many large department stores and entrances to the Montreal Underground City. If you are interested in crafts and souvenirs check out Bonsecours Market. Rue St. Paul is well-known for its art galleries.
DRINK IN THE MONTREAL NIGHTLIFE
Montreal’s pace seems to speed up after dark. After 9pm, the lively streets of Rue St. Catherine, Rue St. Dennis, and Mont-Royal Avenue come alive with a cornucopia of burlesque shows, whiskey bars, microbreweries, jazz clubs, dance clubs, strip clubs, and sports bars. For dinner and a cabaret show, try Club Balattou in Downtown Montreal. For drag competitions try Bar La Cocktail in The Village. Whether its January or July, there is always something to do after midnight in Montreal.
SEE THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF NOTRE DAME
In Old Montreal, the Gothic Revival style Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal has stood for 200 years. The immense structure can hold up to 3,200 churchgoers. There is a lot to see inside the basilica including a series of chapels, stained-glass windows, statues, and elaborate murals. After paying the admission fee, visitors can tour the church on their own or join in a free guided tour. Many travelers enjoy visiting during the evening when the “Aura” sound and light show is offered.
WALK MONT ROYAL PARK OR BOTANICAL GARDENS
Leave the concrete behind with a visit to Mont Royal Park or the Montreal Botanical Gardens. Mont Royal, a hill after which the city was named, is the city’s largest park. Locals enjoy jogging, hiking trails, and winter sports on the property. At the Chalet du Mont Royal there are excellent city views.
The Montreal Botanical Garden has 190 acres of grounds and 22,000 species of plants. There is a rainforest biodome with tropical vegetation and birds. There are Japanese, Alpine, and rose gardens to stroll. Kids of all ages enjoy the toxic plant garden, insects exhibit, and butterfly habitat.
EXPLORE OLD PORT MONTREAL
Old Port of Montreal (Vieux-Port) is the area between the St Lawrence River and Old Montreal. This flat, tree-lined area is fun to explore by foot or Bixi bike share. In Old Port you can take a river cruise or rent a pedal boat. Enjoy a walk by the river, lawn games in the park, or grab a meal by the water. If you are a thrill seeker, try the Tyrolienne Zipline or the Labyrinthe thrill park. Others will enjoy views from the La Grande Roue Ferris Wheel (the largest in Canada).
LIGHT A CANDLE AT ST JOHEPH’S ORATORY
Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph) is a shrine dedicated to the earthly father of Jesus. Each year, some 2 million people visit the basilica. Shrine highlights include an immense copper dome soaring 318’ into the air, a votive candle chapel, sculptures, relics, murals, and outstanding city views. A highlight for many visitors is the outside stations of the cross display. The oratory is open 7 days a week; admission is free.
EAT WELL AT THE JEAN TALON MARKET
Walk the stalls of Jean Talon Market to rub elbows with local chefs. At the open-air market sample authentic Quebecois staples like cheese curds, smoked meats, sweet sesame bagels, crepes, flowers, fresh produce, and homemade chocolate. Located a short distance off Boulevard St. Laurent, this public market is free to enter. The Jean Talon runs year-round, 7 days a week.
ATTEND A MONTREAL FESTIVAL
Nearly every weekend in Montreal there is a festival to enjoy. There are street fairs, parades, galas, concerts, sporting events, and street performances to celebrate Canadian culture. Most festival events are free. Here are some of the larger city-wide events:
Montreal in Summer – Festivals: Canada Day (fireworks and parade); International Fireworks Competition, Carifiesta (Carribean culture); Montreal Jazz Festival; Fantasia Film Festival; Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, Montreal Completent Cirque (Circus).
Montreal in Winter – Festivals: The Great Christmas Market; Festival: Montreal en Lumiere (city-wide light and video displays); Igloofest (Outdoor music festival); Wildside Theatre Festival; Poutine Week; Festival de Casteliers (Puppetry); Lumberjack Village; Happening Gourmond (Food Festival).
WANDER A MONTREAL MUSEUM
If the weather is stormy, check out a Montreal museum. At the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, view artworks by Rembrandt, Renoir, Cezanne, and Picasso. At the Montreal Science Centre see exhibits on nature, technology, and transportation. Or, at the Museum of Archeology and History see the foundations of the original city, the remains of old forts, and enjoy period recreations and enactments.
EMBARK UPON A FOOD TOUR
Join a commercial food tour, or simply strike out on your own. For traditional French-Canadian fare (poutine, smoked meat sandwiches, and bagels) head to Old Montreal. For Portuguese food wander the neighborhood of Mile End. If your craving Asian food try Chinatown. Enjoy a variety of international foods on St. Laurent St. (north of Rue Sherbrooke) including Jewish, Greek, Peruvian, and Hungarian eateries.
TRY YOUR HAND AT THE MONTREAL CASINO
For an exciting night out, try your hand at the Montreal Casino. The entertainment complex offers slots, table games, restaurants, bars, dancing, and more. At the Cabaret du Casino you can see comedy, musical, and burlesque shows. The casino is located on a small island that is a short distance from Old Port. It is accessible by public transport. A strict dress code is enforced.
GET LOST IN THE MONTREAL UNDERGROUND CITY
The Montreal Underground City is more than just a shopping mecca. The subterranean network in made up of 20 miles of tunnels underneath Downtown Montreal. Throughout the mall’s five floors, patrons will find many eateries, free wifi; cinemas, galleries, nightclubs, hair and nail salons, spas, massage clinics, and more. Escape the rain, snow, and wind in this temperature-controlled setting.
STROLL A MONTREAL NEIGHBORHOOD
It is always fun to immerse in the local culture. To see how residents live, stroll a Montreal neighborhood. In the Golden Square Mile, you can see Victorian mansions built by wealthy English sea captains and merchants. On Rue Denis browse the shops and bars frequented by the students from local universities. Finally, in the Village, you can stroll the coffee houses and antique shops supported by the city’s LGBT + community.
Bonne exploration (Enjoy your exploration), Laura and Randy
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