Things to do in Montreal
Despite its harsh winters, Montreal is in fact a year-round destination and travellers will be able to enjoy the bustling city's attractions and festivities no matter the season. Whether visitors enjoy outdoor sports or a trip to the opera, there are plenty of things to see and do in Montreal.
Check out Olympic Park, which hosts baseball games and concerts, or visit Old Montreal which contains beautiful historical buildings dating from the 17th to 19th centuries, as well as a few museums. The nearby old port (Vieux Port de Montréal) is a popular place for tourists as it features a huge open-air skating rink, IMAX cinema, plenty of restaurants and cafes, and a Science and Technology Center. Many tourists also take boat tours from here and a good option is to take a ferry ride across to the Parc des Iles, where the 1967 World's Fair site offers facilities for picnicking, swimming, skating or skiing in winter.
The dome of St Joseph's Oratory, visible on the flank of Mont Royal from miles away, is a famous pilgrimage site attracting more than two million visitors each year. In downtown Montreal, several blocks are connected by 18 miles (30km) of underground arcades and malls, where shoppers will be able to enjoy enclosed walking areas and great shopping opportunities, even during inclement weather. Visitors should purchase the STM Tourist Card which allows unlimited access to the bus and metro service for either one or three consecutive days.
Olympic Park
Built for the 1976 Olympics, the futuristic Olympic Park is now a district in Montreal. It was designed by French architect Roger Tallibert, and is impressive in both size and shap…
Olympic Park
Built for the 1976 Olympics, the futuristic Olympic Park is now a district in Montreal. It was designed by French architect Roger Tallibert, and is impressive in both size and shape, able to accommodate up to 80,000 spectators for concerts and baseball games. Standing at 575 feet (175m), its landmark tower is the world's tallest inclined tower, providing spectacular views over Montreal from its observation floors. Visitors may even be tempted to visit the lush Botanical Gardens across the street, one of the largest of its kind in the world and boasting a wide, celebrated collection.
Address 4141 Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue
Website www.rio.gouv.qc.ca
St Joseph’s Oratory
St Joseph's Oratory is a regal Montreal landmark, its imposing dome on the flank of Mount Royal visible for miles. Attracting over two million visitors each year, the chapel is a f…
St Joseph’s Oratory
St Joseph's Oratory is a regal Montreal landmark, its imposing dome on the flank of Mount Royal visible for miles. Attracting over two million visitors each year, the chapel is a famous pilgrimage site, despite only being built in 1967. Work began on the basilica in 1937 after the death of a beloved monk renowned for his miraculous healing abilities, with the dome eventually reaching an impressive 318 feet (97m) high. Its carillon is made up of 46 bells that were originally cast for the Eiffel Tower, but were acquired by the Oratory in 1956. Visitors can climb the 283 steps from street level to the basilica's portico for beautiful vistas of Montreal.
Address 3800 Queen Mary Road
Website www.saint-joseph.org
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
During the past 140 years, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has assembled one of North America's finest encyclopaedic collections, totalling more than 30,000 objects. The collectio…
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
During the past 140 years, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has assembled one of North America's finest encyclopaedic collections, totalling more than 30,000 objects. The collections include Canadian art, contemporary art, Inuit and Amerindian Art, European Masters, prints, drawings and decorative arts. The museum also regularly features special exhibitions and activity programmes for adults, students and children. Indeed, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best of its kind in Canada and a treat for lovers of arts and culture.
Address 1379-1380 Sherbrooke Street West
Website www.mmfa.qc.ca
Montreal Botanical Garden
In close proximity to the Olympic Park, the Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the largest of its kind. Home to more than 22,000 plant species and roughly 30 exquisitely mapped ou…
Montreal Botanical Garden
In close proximity to the Olympic Park, the Montreal Botanical Garden is one of the largest of its kind. Home to more than 22,000 plant species and roughly 30 exquisitely mapped out gardens, it's well worth a visit at any time of year. Begun in 1931 during a financial crisis, it provided jobs for thousands of unemployed workers and has since developed into a popular Montreal tourist attraction, with an astounding array of plants and trees. A slew of interesting sights and sounds await visitors, such as the Tree House, a Chinese Garden, the Quebec Butterfly House, a Medicinal Plant Garden, Planetarium and a First Nations Garden illustrating the interaction of Inuits and Amerindians with nature.
Address 4101 Sherbrooke East Street
Website www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin