Choose from 44 Fun Things to Do in Montreal
Montreal Biosphere
- The Montreal Biosphere is a must for architecture enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in environmental sustainability.
- Drinking fountains and picnic areas can be found in the surrounding Jean-Drapeau Park.
- The biosphere is wheelchair accessible.
Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
- Exploring the Plateau is a must for anyone who wants to get a feel for life in Montreal.
- The Plateau is littered with small cafés and bakeries, meaning you’re never far from your next caffeine or sugar hit.
- Most parts of the Plateau have curb cuts for wheelchair users, though the quality of streets and sidewalks is variable. Some have large potholes and uneven surfaces.
Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (Musee d'Art Contemporain)
- The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art is a must-visit for modern art fans and anyone with an interest in Quebec and Canadian art.
- A restaurant is located on the museum's first floor, while a museum shop can be found near the main entrance.
- MAC is wheelchair accessible through the entrance at 185 Saint-Catherine, situated next to the main door.
Latin Quarter (Quartier Latin)
- The Latin Quarter is a must for first-time visitors to Montreal.
- In warm weather, many restaurants, bars, and cafes set up open-air terraces overlooking the street.
- The Latin Quarter is mostly wheelchair accessible with lots of curb cuts. Access can be challenging in winter, when snow and ice may obstruct sidewalks.
St Paul Street (Rue St-Paul)
- Saint Paul Street is a must for boutique shoppers and history buffs.
- Don’t forget comfortable, flat walking shoes, as the best way to explore the neighborhood—which is partially paved with cobblestones—is on foot.
- Street signs, including parking and traffic signs, are written in French.
- Visit popular restaurants after the lunch rush to avoid notoriously long lines.
Ville-Marie
Ville-Marie is the core of Montreal, encompassing most of the downtown area, including Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal), the Quartier des Spectacles cultural quarter, the Gay Village, two islands on the St. Lawrence River, and most of Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal). It’s jam-packed with museums, churches, shops, restaurants, and other top attractions.
The Basics
Most visitors to Montreal spend time in Ville-Marie, as it’s home to many of the city’s biggest attractions, including the Old Port, Notre-Dame Basilica, the Underground City, and Place des Arts.
Sightseeing tours by coach often follow routes leading through Ville-Marie, past neighborhoods including Chinatown and the Latin Quarter and sights such as Habitat 67, the Moshe Safdie–designed housing complex built for Expo 67. Walking tours in Ville-Marie typically center on Old Montreal, a picturesque district with historical squares and Old World architecture.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Bring a camera as Ville-Marie is home to many of Montreal’s photo-worthy sights.
- Wear appropriate shoes for cobblestone streets.
- Much of Ville-Marie is wheelchair accessible with curb cuts on the sidewalks. Note that Old Montreal does have some cobblestone streets and that some of the sidewalks can be difficult to navigate after snowfall, which is common during Montreal’s winters.
How to Get There
Ville-Marie is well connected by public transport. Numerous metro stations are situated within the boundaries of Ville-Marie, including Berri-UQAM, where the Green, Orange, and Yellow metro lines all intersect.
When to Get There
Ville-Marie is arguably at its best during summer. In the warmer months, lots of festivals center on the borough, including the Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, which highlights music and other acts from the Francophone world; the Montreal International Jazz Festival; and the comedy-focused Just For Laughs festival.
Exploring Old Montreal
Old Montreal is the oldest part of the city, and its age shows with grand 18th-century buildings and historical sights at every turn. Wander here and you’ll find monument-studded public squares, such as Place d’Armes, Place Royale, and Place Jacques-Cartier, abuzz with people and photogenic streets such as Rue Saint-Paul, which is ideal for dining and shopping. Other highlights include the 18th-century Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, one of the city’s oldest churches, and Bonsecours Market, which dates all the way back to 1847.
Jacques Cartier Place
- Place Jacques-Cartier is a good spot for a coffee, glass of wine, or lunch, with several open-air cafes and restaurants situated around its perimeter.
- The square is pedestrianized, meaning you can wander without worrying about traffic.
- Place Jacques-Cartier is mostly wheelchair accessible, although the inclined surface may pose problems to manual wheelchair users.
Mile End
- Mile End is a must-do for foodies, thrifters, and history buffs.
- Don’t forget comfortable shoes, as the best way to explore the neighborhood is on foot.
- Visit popular restaurants after the lunch rush to avoid notoriously long lines.
- Street signs, including parking and traffic signs, are written in French.
Jean-Talon Market
- Jean-Talon Market is a must for foodies and photographers thanks to its colorful produce displays.
- The market has bathrooms, water fountains, and seating.
- Bring cash as many vendors don’t accept cards. While there is an ATM, lines form during busy periods.
Notre-Dame Street (Rue Notre-Dame)
- Notre-Dame Street is a must for first-time visitors, foodies, and antique hunters.
- Wear comfortable shoes as Notre-Dame Street is best explored on foot.
- Tours of Old Montreal often pass along Notre-Dame Street.
Biodome de Montreal
Practical Info
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts)
- The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a must for art lovers and history buffs.
- All of the museum's pavilions are wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs are available at coat check, free of charge.
- Download the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts mobile app for a map, free audio guides, and information about tours and activities. The museum offers free Wi-Fi.
- Purchase tickets in advance online to avoid long lines.
- Street signs, including parking and traffic signs, are written in French. Metered street parking is available, but it's often limited.
Champ-de-Mars
- Champ-de-Mars is an ideal place to take a break from sightseeing, with benches allowing visitors to rest their legs.
- Bring along a picnic to enjoy on the grass.
- The Champ-de-Mars metro station is wheelchair accessible, as is the park itself, though snow and slush can hamper access in winter.
Mount Royal
- Wear sturdy walking shoes, as some of the paths in the park are narrow and uneven.
- Montreal can be extremely cold during winter; a hat, gloves, scarf, winter boots and an appropriate winter coat are a must if you visit during this period.
- Bring a refillable water bottle and make use of the fountains dotted around the park.
Montreal Insectarium
- Montreal Insectarium is a must for children and anyone with an interest in entomology.
- The Insectarium is part of the Space for Life, a natural science museum complex that includes the Biodome, the Botanical Gardens, and the Planetarium Rio Tinto Alcan.
- Space for Life offers amenities including dining areas, cloakrooms, and water fountains.
- The Insectarium is wheelchair accessible.
Laurentian Mountains (Les Laurentides)
- The Laurentian Mountains are a must for scenery seekers and active travelers.
- Bring sunscreen and a sun hat in summer. In winter, the Laurentians are cold and snowy, so wrap up warm.
- Many shops, hotels, and restaurants in the Mont-Tremblant area of the Laurentians are wheelchair accessible. Most hiking trails, however, are not.
Les Cours Mont-Royal
- Les Cours Montreal is a must for shopaholics and architecture enthusiasts alike.
- Facilities include parking, bathrooms, and a food court.
- Free Wi-Fi is available on the third level of the mall.
- The mall is wheelchair accessible.
Underground City
- The Underground City is a must for visitors who want to shop, eat, or simply escape the frigid winter temperatures.
- Find Underground City maps at Montreal metro stations.
- Many of the major complexes, malls, and attractions in the Underground City are wheelchair-accessible with street-level access and elevators, though some of the tunnels and metro stations are not.
St Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
- Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a must for planners and history buffs.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and prepare to climb 280 steps to reach the main basilica.
- The oratory is wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs are available for free at the votive chapel.
- Guided tours are available for $5 from June through September.
- Mass is typically held in French, though there’s also the occasional mass held in English.
St Lawrence River
- Wear warm layers. It gets very cold here during winter and parts of the river regularly freeze. Even in summer, it can be cold out on the water.
- The Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park is among the best whale-watching spots in Canada.