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Top 10 Things to Do in Montreal
- Visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica
- Stroll through historic Old Montreal
- Explore the popular Mount Royal Park
- Check out different ecosystems at the Biodome
- Shop at the vibrant Bonsecours Market
- Try interactive exhibits at the Montreal Science Centre
- Take in the view from the Montreal Clock Tower
- Attend a circus show at TOHU
- Take a food truck tour in Les Premiers Vendredis
- Splash around at Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex
Montreal is a city that wears many hats—it’s historic yet modern, tranquil yet buzzing, and cultured yet nature-loving. This city is the perfect blend of the old and the new, offering a multitude of options for things to see and do.
We know it can be overwhelming with so many options at your fingertips, so to save you time, we’ve curated our top things to do in Montreal. So, read on and start planning your epic Montreal itinerary!
Visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica
Website: https://www.basiliquenotredame.ca/en
Address: 110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1T1, Canada
Contact details: +1 514-842-2925
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 12:15 PM
- Saturday – 5PM
- Sunday – 9AM to 5 PM
Nestled in Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica is a jaw-dropping attraction and a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture—definitely a sight to behold! The kaleidoscope of blues, reds, purples, and gold on the ceiling is truly intoxicating.
The Basilica is home to the magnificent Casavant Frères pipe organ. It’s colossal—we’re talking about four keyboards, 7000 individual pipes, and a pedal board.
If you’re lucky, you might just catch a recital and experience the hauntingly beautiful music reverberating across the grand vaults. Goosebumps guaranteed!
Local tip: The Basilica gets pretty busy during the day. So, if you’d like to experience it in a more serene setting, try to get there early in the morning.
Stroll through historic Old Montreal
Going to Old Montreal is like stepping back in time, with all the beautiful European-style architecture and historic buildings. Art galleries, boutiques, and delightful bistros are scattered all around the area.
The place also has you covered with culinary delights. Whether it’s noshing on delish French fusion dishes or sipping craft cocktails, there’s a place for every taste bud.
Local tip: Duck into the narrow Rue Saint-Paul for some of the coolest little shops and art galleries that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s like a secret treasure trove of awesomeness.
Explore the popular Mount Royal Park
Website: https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/activities/mount-royal-park
Address: Mount Royal Chalet, 1196 Voie Camillien-Houde, Montreal, Quebec
Contact details: +1 514-843-8240
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – Open 24 hours
Mount Royal Park has trails, picnic spots, and beautiful chalets. During the summer, prepare to be splashed with sun because those beautiful tree canopies make the place a good spot to relax and have a picnic.
In winter, the park transforms into a winter wonderland. You can go skating, skiing, or even take a joyous ride on a toboggan. Oh, and don’t forget the overlook on top of the mountain.
It’s the mother of all viewpoints; it gives you an epic sight of Montreal’s skyline.
Local tip: Check out the Tam-Tams every Sunday during the summer. You’ll see a free festival of drummers, dancers, and vendors that give Mount Royal Park a true, unique Montreal vibe.
Check out different ecosystems at the Biodome
Website: https://espacepourlavie.ca/biodome
Address: 4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, Quebec H1V 1B3, Canada
Contact details:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Espacepourlavie
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 6 PM
In Biodome, you’ll wander through a tropical rainforest, a Laurentian maple forest, a Gulf of St. Lawrence marine ecosystem, and even an Antarctic subpolar region (penguins included!).
The diversity is mind-blowing, and it’s all housed in a cool building that used to be, wait for it, a velodrome for the 1976 Olympics.
What’s awesome about the Biodome is that it’s perfect for pretty much everyone. Kiddos will be wide-eyed in wonder at all the different animals, and even adults can’t help but enjoy stumbling upon something exciting around every bend.
Local tip: Plan your visit to coincide with feeding times for the animals; it’s an extra-awesome experience, and the staff is always ready to drop some fun facts!
Shop at the vibrant Bonsecours Market
Website: https://www.marchebonsecours.qc.ca/fr/index.html
Address: 350 Rue Saint-Paul E, Montréal, QC
Contact details: +1 514-872-5547
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 8 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Bonsecours Market is a domed building that’s been the social and cultural heart of the city for over 150 years. It’s more than just a shopping district; it’s a slice of Montreal history.
Inside, you’ll find a beautiful array of unique Canadian-made products. You know, the sort of souvenirs and gifts that will blow boring old postcards and keychains out of the water.
The Bonsecours Market also hosts numerous special events, exhibitions, and shows throughout the year. A visit could also mean stumbling upon a local art show or a swanky fashion exhibition.
Local tip: The market houses a great little café where you can grab a delicious pick-me-up.
Try interactive exhibits at the Montreal Science Centre
Website: https://www.centredessciencesdemontreal.com/
Address: 2 De la Commune St W, Montreal, Quebec
Contact details: +1 514-496-4724
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Montreal Science Center is way more than a museum; the place is juiced up with hands-on exhibits that tickle your curiosity. Different exhibit halls tackle everything from tech innovations to environmental science and even human anatomy.
It also has an IMAX TELUS Cinema inside. Sci-fi, nature, history, adventure—they’ve got movies that will transport you into another universe.
And we’re not talking small-screen TV here; we’re talking huge, wraparound IMAX screens where you feel like you’re diving into the scenes.
Local tip: Check out their schedule before you visit for special workshops and demonstrations. You might catch a neat scientific demo that makes the visit even more memorable.
Take in the view from the Montreal Clock Tower
Website: https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=11098
Address: 1 Clock Tower Quay St, Montreal, Quebec
Contact details: +1 514-496-7678
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 10 PM
The Montreal Clock Tower is a 45-metre-high, castle-like tower built way back in the day to honour Canadian sailors lost at sea, which just adds another layer of intrigue to the whole experience.
It’s time to flex those leg muscles because you’re going to conquer the 192 steps up to the top. The sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River and the city itself will make you feel on top of the world (or at least Montreal).
The best part? It’s absolutely free!
Local tip: To make the most of your time in the Old Port, visit the Clock Tower at sunset. The sky puts on a show of dazzling colours while the city lights gradually come to life—pure magic.
Attend a circus show at TOHU
Website: http://tohu.ca/
Address: 2345 Rue Jarry E, Montréal, QC
Contact details: +1 514-374-3522
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
TOHU is a massive, circular venue designed specifically for circus arts. Its groundbreaking design features a 360-degree stage, providing an immersive experience that brings you right into the heart of the gravity-defying action.
Every show is a high-energy fusion of acrobatics, dance, music, and theatre that celebrates the creativity and skills of the performers.
No two visits are the same; there’s always a different show with a world-class line-up of international performers from all corners of the globe.
Local tip: Be sure to check out the free exhibitions in the foyer that revolve around circus history and culture. It’s a neat little bonus that adds extra layers to your TOHU experience.
Take a food truck tour in Les Premiers Vendredis
Website: https://www.lespremiersvendredis.ca/
Address: 4545 Pierre-de Coubertin, Montreal, QC
Contact details: [email protected]
Les Premiers Vendredis is Montreal’s legendary food truck festival, held on the first Friday of every month during the summer season. Bonus points if you’ve got a love for authentic street food from all around the globe.
It has lines of vibrant food trucks, each loaded with unique, tantalising dishes, stretching out as far as your eye can see. There’s a buzzing atmosphere with live music, pop-up bars, and pop-up shops that amp up the festive vibes.
Local tip: If you’re visiting with a group of friends, have each person pick a different dish from different trucks, then share amongst yourselves. That way, you get to taste a larger variety of flavours!
Splash around at Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex
Website: http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/fr/complexe-aquatique-piscines-baignade-competitions-montreal/
Address: 130 Chem. du Tour de l’isle, Montréal, QC
Contact details: +1 514-872-7368
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Parc Jean-Drapeau Aquatic Complex is the city’s ultimate water playground. It has three massive pools to conquer.
There’s a diving pool for those who dare to take the plunge. There’s a pool for serious swimmers who crave some laps, and then there’s everybody’s favourite, the gigantic recreational pool.
The shores of the recreational pool are lined with sun loungers, and believe me, they’re just begging for you to kick back, relax, and catch some rays. You can also snag some much-needed shade under the many umbrellas if you need a break from the sun.
Local tip: If you can, visit on weekdays for a more relaxed experience. The weekends tend to get pretty packed with locals and tourists alike.
