Things to do in Montreal
Whether it’s your first visit or not, there’s plenty to discover during your stay!
MONTRÉAL AT A GLANCE
Multiculturalism and Bilingualism: Montréal is a bilingual city, where French and English coexist (mostly) harmoniously. You’ll hear both languages in the streets, restaurants, and academic institutions.
Explore a World of Flavors in Montreal: Dive into classic poutine, savor iconic bagels and smoked meat, and discover hidden gems in each neighborhood.
Green Spaces: Walk up a tree-covered mountain in the middle of the city, picnic with locals by a fountain, read a book in a city square.
Culture and Arts: Explore museums, art galleries, and theaters. The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Quartier des Spectacles are wonderful places to visit.
EXPERIENCING MONTRÉAL
Old Montréal: Old Montréal is an historic neighbourhood with a charming European vibe. Be transported back in time as you wander down the cobblestone streets and admire the stunning architecture.
Quartier des Spectacles: Montréal's cultural hub for more than a century, the Quartier des Spectacles boasts North America's most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues, confirming Montréal’s place as one of the world's great cultural metropolises.
Chinatown: Montréal’s Chinatown, situated in the Ville-Marie borough, occupies roughly one square block, the four corners of which are marked by large ornate Paifang Gates. Established in the early 1890s, it has survived expropriation and redevelopment and features many great places to eat and shop.
The Village: The Village brings out the very best of Montréal: diversity, openness, creativity and joie de vivre. It is one of the most important LGBTQ+ disctricts in North America, with bustling nightlife, great dining options, and friendly locals.
PLACES TO VISIT
Mount Royal Park: This park is Montréal's largest green space and a great place for admiring a wide variety of flora and fauna. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same person behind New York's Central Park, Mount Royal Park boasts miles of trails and superb views of the city. Great for a picnic!
Montréal Biodome: Embark on an immersive, multi-sensory journey through the varied ecosystems of the Americas at the Montréal Biodome. Here, you can see tropical creatures in a rainforest, underwater creatures and marine life, lynx and beavers in a Laurentian maple forest, and penguins in the cool Arctic.
Montréal Botanical Garden: This large garden in the city is part of Montréal Space for Life—Canada’s largest natural sciences museum complex—with over 22,000 species of plants, exhibition greenhouses, and wonderful thematic gardens.
Montréal Museum of fine Arts: The MMFA is one of Canada’s most visited museums and the eighth most-visited museum in North America, boasting more than 1.3 million visitors. The MMFA's original temporary exhibitions combine various artistic disciplines – fine arts, music, film, fashion and design – and are exported around the world.
Montréal Ferris Wheel: Enjoy an amazing panorama 60 meters high on the largest observation wheel in Canada. La Grande Roue de Montréal brings you an unforgettable experience in a comfy gondola. A unique activity in the picturesque setting of Old Montréal, on the shore of the mighty Saint Lawrence River.
Parc Jean-Drapeau: A jewel nestled in the St. Lawrence River, Parc Jean-Drapeau is without doubt one of Montréal most precious assets for a multitude of outdoor activities.
Oasis Immersion: Located on the ground floor of the Palais des congrès de Montréal in a 2,000 m2 space, OASIS immersion is a walkable, contactless experience featuring three immersive galleries. Breathtaking.
McGill University: Canada's oldest university, home to nearly 30,000 students, is filled with a variety of interesting architectural styles and has two magnificent campuses: downtown and Macdonald, to the west of the city center.
IMMERSION IN MONTRÉAL'S ENVIRONMENT
Sport: Visit a community gym or yoga studio to get some exercise and meet the locals. There are many climbing and bouldering gyms. You can even surf in Montreal on the standing waves in Lachine and elsewhere.
Nature: Go birdwatching or jogging on Mount Royal or at the Montreal Botanical Gardens early in the morning.
Food: Visit Mile End at any time of day to get 24h fresh bagels, or drop by the famed Italian Social Club or Olimpico for a coffee in a glass. You can also bring a picnic and a bottle of wine to Parc Lafontaine or Parc Laurier (it’s legal!)
Market: Visit the Jean-Talon market for fresh produce, foraged mushrooms, fish and Quebec cheeses. You can pass through Little Italy on the way for a coffee and pastries.
Walk: Wander down pedestrian streets where cars are banished for the summer. Mt. Royal Ave is full of restaurants, coffee shops and thrift stores, Duluth street is a charming bricked street full of bring-your-own-wine restaurants, Wellington and Ontario pedestrian blocks are the ‘new’ hot streets to visit, and the Gay Village has been pedestrianized with over 50 outdoor seating areas.
Bike ride: Hop on a Bixi and pedal through Montreal's history! Explore the Lachine Canal, a Parks Canada gem, on a 14.5 km route. This scenic path winds from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis, weaving through remnants of Montreal's industrial past and a vibrant neighborhood buzzing with art galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops. Don't miss a stop at the Atwater Market, where you can stock up on gourmet goodies, fresh flowers, or a pick-me-up coffee.
Other: Spend some time at Tam-Tams on Sunday afternoons (11ish onward), where hundreds of drummers, dancers, and vendors congregate around the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument in Parc Mount Royal.
Montréal awaits you with bustling streets, green spaces, and a dynamic scientific community. Make the most of every moment and let this city inspire you—it’s a place of endless possibilities.