Located in the province of Quebec, Montreal is one of Canada’s oldest cities. It was established long before its home country was given a name. This city is vibrant, trendy, and full of culture, like a slice of Europe but in south-eastern Canada. From its historic buildings to its modern sites, Montreal has something to suit all travelers. For that reason, we have put together a list of the top 10 things to see and do.
Stroll through Old Montreal
Old Montreal is a district of downtown Montreal with many historic buildings still standing, some of which date back to the 1600s. Experiencing it feels like being transported to the center of Paris, with its winding cobblestone streets and flowery storefronts.
A great way to explore and learn more about the history of this part of Montreal is to go on a walking tour. The Old Montreal Free Walking Tour takes visitors all around the old city and provides them with the opportunity to pay their tour guide what they think the tour was worth.
Explore Mont-Royal
The best place to see the fiery oranges and yellows of the sunrise reflecting off the downtown skyscrapers is from the top of Mont-Royal.
Located in the Parc du Mont-Royal, it is about a 30-minute uphill walk to get to the highest point in Montreal, only a 755-foot incline from the city core. This lookout has a sweeping view and is a great spot to take some selfies.
There is a skating rink in the winter and bike and hiking trails in the summer.
Stop by the Basilica
The Notre Dame Basilica is considered a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. This castle-like building is located in the heart of old Montreal. The interior is every bit as spectacular as the exterior. It has colorful stained-glass windows which depict the city’s rich religious history and traditional faith-based paintings that decorate its walls. The basilica holds a daily mass and allows visitors to enter with a ticket.
There are self-guided tours that invite visitors to learn about Montreal’s religious history as well as the antiquity of the building. There is also a brilliant light show called AURA.
Visit the Museum
Whether you are interested in fine arts, music, film, fashion, or design, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has an option for everyone. Canada’s oldest art museum, founded in 1860, welcomes over 1 million visitors per year.
With over 45,000 pieces of art on display, set aside at least three hours to view the collections, which include: ancient and modern international art, world arts, international contemporary art, a sculpture garden, and Québec and Canadian art.
Ride the Wheel
Montreal’s Grande Roue – or big wheel – gets its name from being the tallest Ferris wheel in Canada. Open to locals and visitors since 2017, it was erected to celebrate the city’s 375th anniversary. At the top of the Ferris wheel, at 197-feet high, you can see a spectacular 360-degree panoramic view of Montreal, with the St. Lawrence River running to the south.
This 20-minute ride is open to visitors 365-days a year regardless of weather conditions. Each individual gondola has air conditioning in the summer and is heated in the winter.
Go to a Habs Game
Hockey is a big deal in Canada, so a fun way to feel like a local is by going to a Montreal Canadiens game. There is a lot of lore behind why this Canadian team is nicknamed the Habs, but the most common answer is because it is a shortened version of the word ‘les habitants’ which means the habitants in French.
As the city where the first organized hockey game was played in 1875, Montreal is a hub for loyal hockey fans. Compared to other major hockey cities in Canada, like Toronto, the ticket prices are relatively low. Games take place at the Centre Bell Arena, but if a game isn’t playing, visitors will likely find a concert or other big event happening at the venue.
Enjoy Olympic Park
The Montreal Olympic Stadium – or ‘The Big O’ as locals call it due to its circular shape – was famously incomplete during the 1976 Summer Olympics. Construction began in 1972, but the mast and roof were not completed because of harsh Canadian winters and labor strikes.
Take the elevator to the top of the 574-foot high inclined tower for spectacular views of the city. Take a guided tour of the stadium, or visit for events such as baseball and soccer games. However, before you plan on visiting, be sure to explore the Olympic website HERE first for hours, ticket prices, and possible closures due to Covid and construction.
Also on the premises is the Biodome. The name means ‘House of Life’ and that’s exactly what Montreal’s Biodome is, with 200 different species and 500 different plant species to explore. Be sure to visit the website HERE for hours, ticket prices, etc.
Cruise the St. Lawrence
Boat tours along the St. Lawrence River are always a popular option for tourists to view Montreal from a different perspective. Several tour companies operate in the area and provide various cruise options including sightseeing and dinner cruises.
Families love the versatility of the Amphi-Bus tour, which operates as a sightseeing vehicle on land and quickly transforms into a boat that easily plunges into the river and continues with the tour.
Or there is the ever-popular Le Bateau-Mouche with a flat bottom for smooth cruising and panoramic windows for unencumbered viewing and the feeling of sitting on a terrace. This company offers daily, dinner, and sunset cruises. Our GlobeHoppers adored the 90-minute day excursion cruise that allowed for spectacular views of the city, landmarks, and surrounding islands.
Croisières AML offers a variety of cruise options as well, including whale watching.
Buy Local at a Market
Montreal is known for its fresh food markets, and visiting is a great way to practice some French with the locals. There are two main markets. Marché (Market) Jean-Talon and Marché (Market) Atwater. Both open all year round.
Marché Jean-Talon is one of the largest markets in North America. It offers fresh and local produce and has butchers, bakers, grocers, and restauranteurs. Marché Atwater’s art-deco-style building is ranked as one of the most beautiful buildings in Montreal. At Marché Atwater, customers can buy fruits, produce, meats, cheeses, and fresh flowers in the springtime.
Indulge in Local Fare
Montreal has many delicious treats, so trying as many as possible is not just fun, it’s necessary!
When you think of food in Montreal, what are the first things that come to mind? Poutine, Montreal smoked meat, Montreal-style bagels? Certainly, all of these are available and delicious.
Be sure to try the best of the best.
For poutine:
– Poutineville has multiple locations across Montreal.
– Poutine La Banquise, an all-nighter diner.
– Gibeau Orange Julep (), an iconic Montreal spot.
For Montreal smoked meat:
– Schwartz’s Deli, serving Montreal for over 90 years.
–Lester’s Deli, a family-run business.
– Reuben’s Deli & Steakhouse, a place where the locals go.
For Montreal bagels:
– St-Viateur Bagel, the number one bagel joint in Montreal.
– Fairmount Bagel, the original bagel makers.
– Ville-Émard Bagels, a local legend.
Mont-Royal View – Wallpaper Flare
La Grande Roue – Pascal Bernardon on Unsplash
