23 Best Things to Do in Montreal
Montreal is one of Canada's most vibrant cities, and 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 Montreal continues to wear its history proudly, with a plethora of museums, tours, and architecture celebrating its complex and fascinating past. But Montreal is unapologetically modern, too, with music and nightlife, a world-class design and technology community, and some of the best food in the world. From the Plateau to Verdun, our picks for the best things to do in Montreal will have you leaving the city with a beautiful snapshot of this singular city.
Read our full Montreal travel guide here, which includes:
Every review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that activity. When choosing things to do, our editors consider landmarks and experiences that offer an insider’s view of a destination, keeping authenticity, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
GettyactivityMount Royal
Mount Royal Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of Central Park fame) and inaugurated in 1876. Since then, the 692 acres north of downtown, has been Montreal's unofficial playground. There are stunning views of the city from the various lookouts atop Mount Royal. Attractions include the Mount Royal Cross (first erected in 1643), Mount Royal Chalet, and Beaver Lake. On Sunday afternoons in summer, the Sir George Etienne Cartier Monument is surrounded by drum circles featuring hundreds of drummers. Montrealers make use of the space year-round, from jogging and enjoying family picnics in summertime, to skiing and tobogganing in winter.
Courtesy La Grande Roue de MontréalactivityLa Grande Roue de Montréal
Aside from those with a fear of heights, who doesn’t love a ferris wheel? 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.
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Michel Dubreuil/Courtesy Montreal Museum of Fine ArtsactivityMontreal Museum of Fine Arts
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. The museum's layout is easily accessible. The complex may feel sprawling at first, but it's pretty intuitive to get around, and there are benches and sofas positioned throughout. There are all kinds of visitors, including tourists and more than 120,000 members.
GettyactivityMcGill University
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.
AlamyshopMarché Jean-Talon
Inaugurated in May 1933, Jean Talon Market, in the heart of Little Italy, is one of the oldest public markets in Montreal, and one of the largest open-air markets in North America. This 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. If you're looking for old-world charm, there's nothing better.
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Christian Pomerleau/GridspaceactivityOASIS Immersion
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. Tech nerds will be totally in awe of the production quality, and the substance of the show itself appeals to adults and children alike. Expect to hear lots of "oohs" and "ahs."
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Courtesy Space for LifeactivitySpace for Life
Montréal Space for Life, located in and around the Olympic Park, is the largest natural sciences museum complex in Canada. It's home to the Biodome, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. Each museum offers something different. You can view "EXO, Our Search for Life in the Universe," the permanent exhibition at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium; see 4,800 animals from 230 different species, 750 plant species, and some 250,000 specimens of living and naturalized insects at the Insectarium, one of the largest insect museums in North America; wander among themed gardens and 10 greenhouses at the 185-acre Botanical Garden; and walk through replicas of four ecosystems found in the Americas in the Biodome. All four Montréal Space for Life museums have permanent and temporary exhibitions, events, and activities.
Courtesy Café OlimpicobarCafe Olimpico
$This cash-only destination in Mile End has been an icon on Montreal’s coffee scene since 1970. Today it's a popular meetup for locals looking to catch a soccer game while enjoying a cappuccino. Don’t request milk alternatives here: the baristas at Café Olimpico are espresso purists in every sense. With a minimalist menu that’s a far cry from popular coffee chains, you’ll find the staples here in hot and cold variations. Founder Rocco Furfaro’s determination to maintain his Italian traditions means that Olimpico has stuck to the same espresso recipe since the coffee shop opened. During warmer months, don't miss the smooth and flavorful caffe latte freddo (iced latte). And for a sweet accompaniment, you can't go wrong with Italian treats such as Sicilian cannoli, bomboloni (Italian-filled doughnuts), and tiramisu.
Richard Wolowicz/GettyactivityBell Centre
Zealots come far and wide from across Canada and the world to pay their respects at the Bell Centre, one of the largest and most-visited ice hockey arenas in the world. It's one of the sport's and Montreal's most iconic venues. First and foremost, it's the home of the Montreal Canadiens (call them the Habs if you want to sound like a local). But the Bell Centre is also known in Canada as one of the country's most popular ice hockey arenas also used for non-sporting events, too. This writer saw Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet Tour" there in 2008, and has never been the same since. The arena fits around twenty-one thousand spectators for hockey games, but still feels surprisingly intimate. During a game, you can hear players grunting and see the sweat on their brows.
Courtesy Bota Bota, spa-sur-l’eauactivityBota Bota, spa-sur-l’eau
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. Come on weekday before 11 a.m., and a three-hour pass costs $35; however, many visitors end up extending that time, choosing to spend the better part of a day luxuriating and recharging here. It's impossible to leave feeling anything less than relaxed.
GettyactivityMURAL Festival
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.
Courtesy Upstairs Jazz Bar & GrillbarUpstairs Jazz Bar & Grill
$$Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill is hailed as one of the finest live-music jazz venues in Montreal—you'll find pros dropping in to listen as well as perform. The space is a small and intimate club downtown, so there really isn't a bad seat in the house. But the seats at the bar are the most comfortable. You'll see a lot of local legends, such as renowned drummer Jim Doxas, blues queen Dawn Tyler Watson, and singer Ranee Lee. But international musicians often headline at Upstairs too, which was also the first off-site jazz club to be a part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Upstairs, which has been selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the world’s 150 most important jazz clubs, is a great place to bring a date, hang out with friends, or simply enjoy an evening of live music. Also worth noting: the pretty dinner menu includes a good steak.
Courtesy Pointe-à-CallièreactivityPointe-à-Callière - Museum of Archaeology and History
Pointe-à-Callière, in Old Montreal, is the largest and most frequently visited history museum in Montreal, and the largest archaeology museum in Canada. Even its location is significant: It's built on the site where Montreal was founded in 1642. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, Pointe-à-Callière also presents three to four temporary exhibitions a year, including on topics far from Montreal, like Easter Island and the Royal Queens of Ancient Egypt. You'll need a good 90 minutes to explore Pointe-à-Callière's permanent "Where Montréal Was Born" exhibition. Up on the roof, the glass-walled L’Arrivage Bistro has a lunch menu and spectacular views of the Old Port.
Avalon/GettyactivityQuartier des Spectacles
This neighborhood adjacent to downtown's Golden Square Mile has been home to cafés and cabarets and artists for over a century, but in recent years has truly become Montreal's beating heart of arts and culture. It's where you'll find a number of galleries, museums, and other arts institutions like the National Film Board of Canada, but it's also the epicenter of major annual events and festivals. It's easily accessed from the Place des Arts, Saint Laurent and Berri-UQAM Metro stops, and several of the city's main thoroughfares run through it, like Boulevard René-Lévesque, rue Saint-Catherine, and Boulevard Saint-Laurent. You won't get lost here, and a taxi is never too far off.
GettyactivitySaint Joseph's Oratory
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. Saint Joseph's Oratory inspires somber reflection and spirit-lifting awe, so much so that it is popular with pilgrims and non-religious visitors alike.
Caitlin McGinnactivityBeyond the Bagel Tour – Museum of Jewish Montreal
Jewish food historian Kat Romanow knows her bagels, bialys, and rugelachs. She holds a Masters in food studies from Concordia University. She knows the history of every nook, cranny, and back alley in these neighborhoods, and is completely integrated into the community. 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.
GettyactivityLachine Canal
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. If you have time, try Adventures H2O's water activities: kayaks, paddle boats, electric boats, or canoes. You'll find them right behind the Atwater Market, where you can stop for a snack before or after your adventure. Book ahead online.
Courtesy GuidatouractivityGuidatour's Old Montréal Walking Tour
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.
AlamyactivityLes Tam-Tams du Mont Royal
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. The beauty of Tam Tams is that it's free. Even if you simply pair it with a quick walk through the park on your way from brunch in Outremont to some other activity Downtown, it's fun to take in the sights, even if it's just an hour or so.
Jean François GrattonactivityCité Mémoire
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).
Courtesy La BanquiserestaurantLa Banquise
$No trip to Montreal is complete without at least one meal of poutine, and that's what La Banquise does best. The classic diner in the Plateau has been slinging it since 1968 and today the menu has 30 different varieties, including meat gravy and vegan sauce. There are burgers and breakfast options, but the real draw here is the poutine. The menu has something for everybody, from meat gravy to vegan sauce—in all, 30 different varieties. All kinds of diners frequent La Banquise—the crowd really depends on the time. During the day, you'll see plenty of families (there's a kid's menu) and tourists; at night, young revelers line up for late-night eats after the clubs close. First-timers can't go wrong with a regular portion of "La Classique." The staff is fast and friendly—you won't have to wait long for your order.
Courtesy Cabaret MadobarCabaret Mado
$$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). Mado has performed for more than 30 years in Montreal. Most nights, she'll just do an opening number and the relegate herself to the DJ booth, but even getting to see her perform for a few minutes is a thrilling experience.
activityl'Affichiste
This is one of those independent boutiques that represents Montreal flawlessly: it's historic yet modern, specialized yet welcoming, and filled with personality. It's located in a historic 1830's building around the corner from the Notre-Dame Basilica, in a gorgeous, light-drenched space that feels more like a proper gallery than a dusty old shop. Posters are beautifully displayed on the walls, or lovingly stored in drawers. Ask the knowledgeable owner Karen to match you with one of her most obscure favorites. You can't miss the posters. We're talking everything from obscure 19th century engravings, to original Art Nouveau artworks, to midcentury advertisements. What makes l'Affichiste so cool is that everyone from casual window shoppers to serious collectors are welcome here. The shop is a destination for both ambling tourists and highly specific collectors.
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