Best Things to Do and See in Montreal

The main city in the province of Quebec, Montreal, is a well-liked travel destination for people from all over the world. Along with its stunning architecture, exciting nightlife, and varied food scene, the city is well known for its distinctive fusion of European and North American cultures.

Old Montreal, a gorgeous historic quarter with cobblestone lanes, old buildings, and attractive cafes and boutiques, is one of the most well-liked attractions in Montreal. The renowned Notre-Dame Basilica, with its breath-taking Gothic Revival architecture and exquisite stained-glass windows, is another attraction open to visitors.

Mount Royal, a stunning park situated in the middle of the city, is another well-liked vacation spot. Along with hiking trails, picnic areas, and a lake, the park provides breathtaking views of the city skyline.

Additionally well-known for its thriving arts and culture scene, Montreal is home to a large number of theatres, galleries, and museums. A collection of approximately 41,000 pieces of art from all around the world may be found in the Museum of Fine Arts, a well-liked tourist attraction.

The food scene in Montreal is a must-try for everyone looking for a distinctive gastronomic experience. Poutine, a dish consisting with French fries, gravy, and cheese curds, is another delicacy popular in the city.

Overall, Montreal has a variety of sights and activities for tourists, making it a must-visit location for In this article, we will take a closer look at what you should do and see in Montreal when you visit.

  1. Visit Old Montreal

The heart of Montreal, Canada’s picturesque historic neighborhood known as Old Montreal. The neighborhood is home to a lovely collection of historic structures, cobblestone streets, and quaint cafes and stores. Visitors can explore the neighborhood’s winding streets and alleyways and take in the distinctive fusion of French and British architecture that defines the area.

The Notre-Dame Basilica, a majestic Gothic Revival church built in 1829, is one of Old Montreal’s most well-known sights. The church has stunning altar, gorgeous stained glass windows, and detailed sculptures.

The Bonsecours Market, a stunning structure that dates back to 1847 and is home to several boutiques and artisan businesses, is another well-liked location in Old Montreal.

The area’s numerous museums, art galleries, and cultural attractions, including the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, which highlights the rich legacy and history of Montreal, are also open to visitors.

In general, anyone visiting Montreal should make sure to see Old Montreal. It is a singular and remarkable experience because to its lovely architecture, quaint streets, and variety of cultural attractions.

  1. Professional Sports Teams in Montreal

Several professional sports teams from different sports and leagues call Montreal home. The Montreal Canadiens, a professional ice hockey club that has won 24 Stanley Cup victories, the most of any NHL team, are one of the most well-known groups. The Bell Centre, where the Canadiens play, also regularly hosts other sporting events and musical performances.

The Montreal Alouettes are a professional Canadian football team that competes in the Canadian Football League, in addition to the ice hockey team that calls Montreal home. Percival Molson Memorial Stadium is home to the Alouettes, who have won seven Grey Cup titles.

The CF Montreal is a professional soccer team that competes in the Major League Soccer league and is based in Montreal. The team’s stadium is Saputo Stadium, and it was created in 2010.

The Montreal Expos, a Major League Baseball franchise, historically called Montreal home for baseball fans. Despite the fact that the team is no longer in existence, the city has held a number of exhibition games, and there have been discussions about relocating the team in the future.

For sports lovers visiting the city, Montreal’s professional sports clubs provide a variety of thrilling events and activities. There is something in Montreal for every sports lover, whether they are into baseball, ice hockey, football or soccer.

If you would like to buy a ticket to watch the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Alouettes or CF Montreal play, click here or on the Ticketmaster image below to select from one of our preferred suppliers. 

  1. Visit Mount Royal

A stunning park called Mount Royal may be found right in the middle of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The park is a well-liked tourist attraction since it has a lake, hiking trails, picnic spaces, and breath-taking views of the city skyline.

The ascent of Mount Royal’s summit, which offers a 360-degree panorama of the city, is one of the park’s most well-liked activities. Several trails, including the well-liked Olmsted Trail and the Kondiaronk Belvedere Trail, lead to the summit.

Families with kids will love Mount Royal since it offers hiking as well as a lot of picnic spots, playgrounds, and a lake. The park also holds a number of events all year long, including outdoor concerts, festivals, and activities related to winter sports.

In general, Mount Royal is a must-see location for visitors to Montreal. It is a one-of-a-kind and amazing experience because to its natural beauty, breath-taking vistas, and variety of activities.

  1. Hop on Hop Off Bus Tours in Montreal

Popular ways to see Montreal include hop-on, hop-off bus excursions, which let tourists explore the city’s greatest sights at their own pace. These excursions usually have a predetermined route and allow you to get on and off the bus whenever you like, stopping at various locations across the city.

The Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, the Olympic Stadium, Mount Royal, and the Montreal Botanical Garden are just a few of the major sights that can be visited on a hop-on hop-off bus trip in Montreal.

These excursions give visitors from other countries access to the city’s history and culture while also offering audio commentary in several different languages.

In general, Montreal’s hop-on hop-off bus tours are an easy and economical way to see the city and its key sights. These tours are a terrific choice for those visiting Montreal, whether they have limited time or are just looking for a more leisurely way to explore the highlights.

If you would like to book a ticket on a hop on hop off bus tour in Montreal, click here or on either the Big Bus Tours or CitySightseeing banners below to select from one of our preferred suppliers.

  1. Notre-Dame Basilica

In the center of Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada’s Notre-Dame Basilica is a magnificent church. The basilica was constructed in the Gothic Revival style in the middle of the 19th century and has exquisite stained glass windows, complex wood carvings, and a pipe organ.

One of the basilica’s most striking interior elements is the blue ceiling covered in golden stars, the elaborate wood carvings, and the vibrant stained glass windows. A stunning pipe organ, one of the biggest and most spectacular in North America, is also housed in the basilica.

The Notre-Dame Basilica has a stunning architectural design, a long history, and has been a significant part of Montreal’s religious and cultural life. The church provides guided tours and organizes a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, organ recitals, and Christmas and Easter services.

Overall, the Notre-Dame Basilica is a must-see location for anybody visiting Montreal since it provides a distinctive and remarkable experience of the city’s history and culture.

  1. Nightlife in Montreal

There is something for everyone in Montreal’s thriving and diversified nightlife scene. There is always something to do in Montreal after dark, from hip pubs and clubs to live music venues and theatres.

The stylish Mile End neighborhood in Montreal, which is well-known for its cool pubs, live music venues, and art galleries, is among the most well-liked spots for nightlife. Another well-liked location is the Latin Quarter, which features a variety of bars, clubs, and eateries that create a bustling ambiance.

One of Montreal’s nightlife scene’s distinguishing qualities is the city’s profusion of outdoor terraces and rooftop clubs, which provide breath-taking views of the city skyline and the possibility to take advantage of the pleasant summer evenings.

Montreal boasts a robust arts and cultural scene in addition to its bars and clubs, with a number of performance venues and theatres offering live music events, comedy shows, and theatrical productions all year long.

Overall, Montreal’s nightlife scene is a vibrant and exciting aspect of the city’s culture, providing both visitors and residents with a wide range of entertainment options.

  1. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

In the center of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, you will find the famed Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA). The museum, which was founded in 1860, includes a collection of about 43,000 works of art, ranging from ancient to modern.

Five pavilions make up the MMFA, each of which is devoted to a particular aspect of the museum’s collection. Various types of artwork, such as paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and photography, are displayed in the pavilions. Throughout the year, the museum also holds transient exhibitions that feature pieces from all over the world.

The MMFA’s dedication to education and community outreach is one of its standout characteristics. It provides a variety of programmes and events for visitors of all ages. These include talks on various facets of art and culture as well as escorted tours, art workshops, and lectures.

Overall, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a must-visit location for everyone interested in art and culture, presenting a top-notch collection of artwork along with a variety of educational programmes and events.

  1. Visit the Botanical Gardens in Montreal

In the center of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, there is a breath-taking refuge of natural beauty called the Montreal Botanical Garden. The 75 hectare-sized garden has a number of themed gardens, greenhouses, and outdoor exhibitions.

The garden is one of the biggest botanical gardens in the world, with over 22,000 plant species calling it home. The Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, First Nations Garden, and Alpine Garden are just a few of the garden’s noteworthy features.

The Montreal Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational programmes and events all year long in addition to its amazing collection of plants and gardens. These consist of lectures, workshops, and guided tours on subjects like conservation, sustainability, and gardening.

Overall, the Montreal Botanical Garden is a must-visit location for anybody interested in gardening and the natural world. It provides a breath-taking variety of plant life as well as a variety of educational programmes and events for visitors of all ages.

  1. Saint Joseph’s Oratory

A large Catholic church known as Saint Joseph’s Oratory can be found in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on the northern slope of Mount Royal. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the world and the biggest church in Canada.

Brother André, a devout lay brother with a reputation for curing the ill and the suffering, established the oratory in 1904. Brother André, who had a strong devotion to Saint Joseph, had the cathedral constructed in his honor.

The oratory is a well-liked tourist destination because of its magnificent architecture and amazing views over Montreal. Visitors can learn more about Brother André’s life and the oratory’s history by visiting the museum and archives, touring the church’s numerous chapels, or participating in devotional services.

Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal is a must-see location for anybody interested in architecture and history, regardless of whether they are devout Catholics or just interested in building in general.

  1. Festivals in Montreal

Quebec’s cultural capital, Montreal, known for its thriving, year-round festival scene, which is vibrant and diversified. These events reflect the city’s rich past and creative energy while adding to its lively vibe.

One of the biggest jazz events in the world, the Montreal International Jazz Festival attracts music lovers from all over the world. Jazz luminaries and contemporary performers represented in its wide line-up, and performances hosted in locations all across the city.

The largest comedy festival in the world, Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, features both well-known and up-and-coming comics. As comedy events, improv performances, and amusing street acts take over the city, laughter reverberates throughout the streets.

International cinema highlighted during the Montreal World Film Festival, which also provides a venue for filmmakers to exhibit their work. It’s a refuge for movie fans and a significant occasion on the calendar of world film festivals.

Additionally, spectators are mesmerized by stunning pyrotechnic displays over the famous St. Lawrence River during the Montreal International Fireworks Competition. Every year during the summer, it is a beautiful spectacle.

The festivals in Montreal cover a wide range of artistic and cultural disciplines, from fashion and food to electronic music and visual arts. Together, they transform the city into a hub for festival fans, drawing tourists from near and far with their enthusiasm and sense of celebration.

  1. Visit the Place des Arts

A cultural hub called Place des Arts is situated in the center of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. With six music halls and theatres, including the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Canada’s largest concert hall, it is one of the country’s largest performing arts centers.

The center is the home of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and presents a variety of plays, dance performances, concerts, and other cultural events all year long. The Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Montreal Chamber Music Festival, and the Montreal World Film Festival are just a few of the important occasions that take place in Place des Arts.

The Place des Arts is home to a wide variety of art galleries and exhibition spaces where local and foreign artists’ creations are displayed in addition to its amazing selection of performances.

Overall, Place des Arts is a must-visit location for anybody interested in culture and the arts, offering a broad selection of performances and exhibitions that are guaranteed to motivate and enthrall visitors of all ages.

In conclusion, Montreal is a city with a rich history, a vibrant culture, and many tourist attractions. From its gorgeous parks to its old-fashioned neighborhoods