Things to Do in Montreal

Built in the 1870s and rebuilt after a 1922 fire, Montreal City Hall has long found itself at the center of Quebec history. In 1967, the building hosted one of the most significant political moments in the province’s recent past, when then–French President Charles de Gaulle gave a rousing speech from the balcony—one that spurred Quebec’s separatist movement.

Montreal City Hall is one of many landmark historic buildings in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). Walking tours of this part of the city often take participants to Montreal City Hall, as well as to Notre-Dame Basilica, Bonsecours Market, Place d’Armes, and Place Jacques-Cartier. Guided tours of Montreal City Hall are available on a walk-in basis at select times throughout the year, and include access to the council chamber, the terrace, and the mayor’s gallery. Visitors can also explore parts of the building, including the Hall of Honor, independently.

Montreal City Hall is in Old Montreal, near the north end of Place Jacques-Cartier. The closest Metro station is Champ-de-Mars, which is served by the Orange Line.

If you want to do a tour, come on a weekday in summer, when tours run most frequently. In winter, tours take place only once a week. If you’re in the area at night, consider passing by the building just to see it from the outside—it’s beautifully illuminated after dark.

Built in French Second Empire style, Montreal City Hall is rich with ornate architectural and decorative details, from turrets and mansard roofs to chandeliers and stained-glass windows. City Hall also holds a collection of about 150 artworks, including portraits of former Montreal mayors, paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and photographs by contemporary Quebec artists.

Montreal has one of the largest Italian communities in Canada, and nowhere is the community’s huge influence on the city more obvious than in leafy, park-filled Little Italy. As in Italy itself, food is an integral part of Little Italy’s appeal, and foodies flock to crowded pizzerias, old-school delis, and the vast Jean-Talon Market.

Little Italy, one of the city’s hottest neighborhoods, is heaven for anyone with a soft spot for Italian food, or just good food in general. Montreal’s biggest and best food market, Jean-Talon Market, is a common stop on Montreal food tours, which often include interactions with market vendors and tastings of farm-fresh produce, as well as visits to nearby brewpubs and independent coffee shops. During summer and fall, bike tours are a great way to explore Little Italy as well as surrounding neighborhoods such as the Plateau, Mile-Ex, and Mile End. 

Little Italy is delineated by Rue Jean-Talon, Rue St-Denis, Rue de Bellechasse, and Boulevard St-Laurent. To get there, take the metro (orange line) to Jean-Talon, Rosemont, or Beaubien. The 55 bus, which travels north up Boulevard St-Laurent from downtown Montreal, also passes through Little Italy. 

Little Italy shines during summer, when cafés and restaurants set up temporary outdoor terraces, neighborhood parks are packed with picnickers, and the streets around Jean Talon Market fill with stalls and buskers. Come during the week or early on weekend mornings and listen for locals chatting in Italian over their morning espresso.

Though Italians have been in Quebec since as far back as the 17th century, Montreal’s Little Italy really came into its own with two later waves of Italian migrants: the first at the turn of the 20th century, and the second during the aftermath of World War II. Though many people of Italian descent have since moved to the suburbs, Little Italy remains at the center of Italian life in the city. The district is home to the most important Italian Catholic church in the city, the Church of the Madonna della Difesa, and hosts the annual Italian Week festival in August.

Named after a 16th-century French explorer, Place Jacques-Cartier is one of the main squares in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal). It was laid out in the early 19th century, and is lined with cafe terraces where visitors can watch as street performers and caricature artists vie for the attentions of passing tourists.

Few places evoke the historic, European-influenced flavor of Old Montreal quite like Place Jacques-Cartier. Myriad walking tours of Old Montreal, both private and group tours, stop at the square, as well as other nearby attractions including Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Paul Street (Rue Saint-Paul), and the waterfront Old Port (Vieux-Port). Tours by coach introduce visitors to the square, as well as highlighting other Montreal sights, such as Montreal Chinatown, Mount Royal (Mont-Royal), and the Olympic Stadium. 

Place Jacques-Cartier is situated in Old Montreal, stretching for two blocks from Montreal City Hall down to the waterfront. The nearest metro station is Champ-de-Mars (Orange Line), which is about five minutes away on foot. 

Place Jacques-Cartier is at its best in summer when restaurants and cafes around the square open up their outdoor terraces, and musicians and street performers come hoping to earn their keep. The square is also atmospheric during the Christmas season, with festive lights strung on the surrounding trees and snow often on the ground.

Towering over the top of Place Jacques-Cartier is Nelson’s Column monument, which was erected in 1809. Unusual for this Francophone city, the monument pays homage to a British rather than a French hero: Admiral Horatio Nelson. Admiral Nelson was killed during the Battle of Trafalgar, in which the English were victorious over French and Spanish forces.

Among Canada’s largest inland ports, Montreal cruise port sits on the St. Lawrence River, which flows between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. It’s the gateway to Montreal, the country’s second largest city, located in the francophone Quebec province, offering easy access to Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) and wider downtown area.

 

Known as the Iberville Cruise Terminal, the Montreal cruise port sits on the edge of Old Montreal, the historic core of the city that is known for its European-style architecture, cobblestone streets, and sidewalk cafés. Passengers disembarking here can join guided walking tours of the historic old town, which cover top sights such as Place d’Armes, Notre-Dame Basilica, Place Jacques-Cartier, and Rue Saint-Paul.

 

Sightseeing tours by hop-on hop-off bus or car allow visitors to explore beyond the old town area, stopping at destinations including Chinatown, Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal), and St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal.

 

The Iberville Cruise Terminal is situated on Alexandra Quay in the Old Port (Vieux-Port) area of the city. The port is centrally situated, leaving passengers within easy strolling distance of Old Montreal and all its historical attractions. Taxis are also available for those traveling farther afield.

 

The cruise port is well-equipped with visitor-friendly facilities, including public restrooms, left luggage, and tourist information desks. Wi-Fi is also available at the cruise terminal. Though French is the official language of Montreal and the province of Quebec, English is widely spoken.

The Lachine Canal, which runs 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) from Montreal’s Old Port to Lake St. Louis, was built in 1824 to allow ships to bypass the dangerous Lachine Rapids. Today, the canal is lined with parks, bike paths, public art, and bustling residential neighborhoods, as well as the Fur Trade National Historic Site.

Old Montreal walking tours often include views of the Lachine Canal and adjacent St. Lawrence River. Guided boat tours provide guests with background on the canal’s little-known history, while paddleboat, kayak, and canoe rentals are a popular choice for those who want a closer look at its natural landscape. 

The Lachine Canal bike path runs the entire length of the waterway and is one of its most popular features. Bicycle tours that highlight Old Montreal often include the path, as well as Atwater Market and the Old Port. Visitors and locals can also explore the bike path using Montreal’s BIXI bike-share program.

Since Lachine Canal runs 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) along Montreal’s shoreline, there are a number of landmarks that provide easy access points, including Montreal’s Old Port and Atwater Market. If traveling to the Fur Trade National Historic Site by car, take Route 720 to Route 20 and exit towards Rue Richmond. Buses 191, 195, and 496 from downtown Montreal stop in Lachine, a 10-minute walk from the National Historic Site.

Lachine Canal is busiest during the warm-weather months, from May to September. Go in the early morning for a quiet ride or walk along the bike path. Boating, canoeing, and other water activities are off-limits during winter when the water is frozen over. Lachine Canal hosts a range of events throughout the spring and summer, including the Montreal Folk Fest and Lachine Half Marathon. A full calendar is available on the Parcs Canada website.

The Fur Trade National Historic Site, one of Montreal’s hidden gems, is located at the westernmost point of Lachine Canal. While the historic stone warehouse was built in 1803, fur traders first began launching their boats and canoes from this site in the 17th century. Now a museum, the stone warehouse is located in a tranquil park on the banks of the Lachine Canal and is open daily.

Crescent Street, situated in the heart of Montreal’s bustling downtown, is the epicenter of the city's nightlife and home of the Grand Prix Festival, a celebration of the annual Formula One race. Lined with row houses, galleries, restaurants, and highly rated nightclubs, the street is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

Located just steps from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Crescent Street is a stop on most hop-on hop-off bus tours, a convenient way to explore without the hassle of navigating. Independent bike rentals offer a more active way to sightsee, while private tours offer the flexibility for visitors to tack a Crescent Street stroll or pub crawl onto a customized itinerary.

Crescent Street is easily accessible using Montreal’s comprehensive public transit system. The nearest stops are Sherbrooke and Rue de la Montagne on bus 24, René-Lévesque and de la Montagne on bus 150, and Lucien-L’Allier metro station on the orange 2 line. Alternatively, a BIXI bike share docks is conveniently located on the south end of Crescent Street.

As a hub for Montreal nightlife, Crescent Street is busiest during the evenings and on weekends. Go during the day for a quieter stroll. The street is best known for its annual Grand Prix Festival in June, a Formula One championship celebration known for its race car displays, autograph sessions, and live entertainment.

While Crescent Street was established in the 1860s, its reputation for nightlife only began in 1967 when the Sir Winston Churchill Pub Complex opened. Today, the Winston Churchill boasts three levels, each with a distinct atmosphere—from a candlelight club lounge to an airy outdoor terrace. With plenty of food and drink options, the pub is often filled with visitors and locals from across the city.

La Fontaine Park, located just north of Montreal’s Gay Village, is an 84-acre green space where locals come to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Built in 1845 on what was once farmland, the park now boasts walking and bike paths, picnic areas, ponds, a dog park, tennis and pétanque courts, and outdoor swimming pools.

A short 15-minute ride from Downtown Montreal, La Fontaine Park is often a feature on summer bike tours, which typically also include a stop or two for a bite to eat. Alternatively, a private tour offers the flexibility to tack La Fontaine Park onto a customized itinerary. As an ideal spot to relax, picnic, or play sports, exploring the park at a leisurely pace will really let you get to know its ambience. 

La Fontaine Park is easily accessible using Montreal’s comprehensive public transit system. Bus routes 24, 29, and 45 have stops in front of the park. In addition to bicycle racks within the park, a BIXI bike share dock is located two blocks west on the corner of St André and Duluth.

La Fontaine Park is at its busiest in spring and summer, but at 84 acres, it rarely feels overly crowded. Visit during the warm-weather months for activities such as picnics, outdoor theater, swimming, and tennis. In winter, the ponds are transformed into ice rinks with an adjacent skate-rental pavilion.

Every winter from December to March, the ponds in La Fontaine Park are transformed into a natural ice skating space, free of charge to the public. Unlike the crowded ice rinks in Downtown or the Old Port, La Fontaine is tucked away from tourist hubs and rarely feels overly crowded. Skates are available to rent for $10.45 at the pavilion, and you can take skating lessons, too. 

Les Cours Montreal is an elegant shopping mall that occupies the premises of a swanky old hotel and contains upscale boutiques, a day spa, and a permanent exhibition devoted to Barbie dolls. Many original architectural and design features from the 1920s structure, including a grand curving marble staircase and a huge ceiling chandelier, remain in place.

Entrance to Les Cours Montreal is free, and even if you don’t plan on shopping, it’s well worth taking a peek inside if only to admire the grand features and fixtures, most notably that dazzling chandelier. In addition to fashion, accessories, and beauty boutiques, the mall also has restaurants, a salon, day spa, and the Barbie Expo, a museum fully devoted to the well-known doll. 

Les Cours Montreal connects to Montreal’s Underground City—a sheltered system of interconnected malls, metro stations, theaters, museums, and other venues—and is often on included on guided tours of the labyrinthine network.  

Les Cours Montreal is situated on Peel Street in Downtown Montreal; on the Metro, take the Green Line to the Peel station. Montreal’s central train station is about a 10-minute walk from the mall. 

The shopping mall is busiest on weekends, with most shoppers arriving between 12pm and 5pm. Come before noon to experience it at its quietest. 

The second level of the mall houses a museum dedicated to one of the world’s best-known dolls: Barbie. Displays include one-of-a-kind Barbies wearing creations designed by fashion-world VIPs such as Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, and Vera Wang. The collections also include Barbies modeled after famous figures, such as Beyonce and Marilyn Monroe, as well as Barbies fashioned to resemble characters from films such as Greece, Gone With the Wind, and The Hunger Games. 

Situated at the northernmost point of Montreal’s Plateau, Mile End is known for its array of independent shops, cafés, and underground music venues. The vibrant neighborhood, a cultural hub since the 1980s, is teeming with highly-rated restaurants and historical landmarks, from classic bagelries to scenes from the novels of Mordecai Richler.

Mile End walking tours are often centered around food, as the neighborhood boasts a diverse range of cuisines and specialties. As a longtime hub for Montreal’s Jewish population, walking tours that highlight Jewish history, culture, and heritage are also popular, and often include stops at decades-old restaurants and Mordecai Richler’s old haunts. Bike tours offer a more active experience and enable you to see more than might be possible on foot.

Mile End is situated northeast of Mont Royal Park and is easily accessible via Montreal’s comprehensive public transit system. The nearest stops are Saint Laurent and Saint Viateur on bus 55, Avenue du Parc and Fairmount on bus 80, and Laurier metro station on the orange 2 line. Alternatively, a BIXI bike-share dock is located on the southeast corner of Avenue du Parc and Avenue du Mont-Royal Ouest. Metered street parking is available, but often limited.

Mile End is busiest on weekends—especially during brunch. Beat the crowds by heading to restaurants and cafés before 11am. For a quieter experience, stroll through the neighborhood on a weekday morning. In addition to POP Montreal’s International Film Festival each September, Mile End also hosts the annual summer Marché des Possibles, a public market that features live music, art, films, and pop-up restaurants.

Mile End is home to Montreal’s two legendary bagel shops: St. Viateur and Fairmount, located only a few blocks apart. Montrealers are born and bred to have an unwavering loyalty to one or the other, creating a city-wide bagel debate that has been written about and reported on for decades. Try a fresh bagel at each shop and decide for yourself—both are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Built in the 1840s, this neoclassical silver-domed building has served as a farmers market, theater, and for a brief stint as Montreal's city hall. It was threatened with demolition before being converted into the current market complex, which contains cafes, restaurants, galleries, and shops selling Quebec-made crafts and design items.

A National Historic Site in the heart of Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal), Bonsecours Market is commonly visited by travelers exploring on foot. Wander around the shops at your leisure, admiring high-quality products ranging from kitchenware to handmade jewelry. Galleries inside the market display works from First Nations and Quebec artists.

Many walking tours of Old Montreal include time at the market. Guides can provide additional information on the history of the market, which has witnessed many periods of political turbulence. 

Bonsecours Market is in Old Montreal next to the Old Port (Vieux-Port). The nearest metro station is Champ-de-Mars (Orange Line), which is less than 10 minutes away on foot. 

The indoor Bonsecours Market is open year-round. In winter, it provides a warm shelter from the freezing city streets, while in the hot summer, it serves as a cooling refuge. The market is typically busier during summer, when more tourists are in town. 

Bonsecours Market is in Old Montreal, a district known for its atmospheric cobbled streets and historic architecture, some of which date back to the early days of New France. While you're in the area, be sure to take a stroll down Rue Saint-Paul, on which the market is located. This cobbled stretch is one of the city's prettiest thoroughfares. Other worthwhile attractions within easy walking distance of the market include the 18th-century Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel and Ramezay Castle (Chateau Ramezay), the 18th-century residence of French governors, which now serves as a history museum displaying historic art, furniture, and other items. 

With more than 20,000 species growing across 185 acres (75 hectares), Montreal’s expansive botanical gardens are often ranked among the world’s finest. Explore themed gardens—among them, Japanese, Chinese, First Nations, alpine, and medicinal—as well as hot and humid greenhouses dotted with orchids and tropical flowers. 

The Montreal Botanical Gardens are situated on the same site as the Montreal Insectarium, a family-friendly bug-themed attraction. A single ticket provides access to both. Visitors can also book package tickets, which grant entry to the botanical gardens and the Space for Life museum (either the Biodome or the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium). Alternatively, choose a combined ticket to the gardens and the Montreal Tower Observatory, which offers spectacular views over the city and the St. Lawrence River. Select sightseeing passes also include access to the gardens. 

The Montreal Botanical Gardens are situated in the Olympic Park, right next to the Biodome, Insectarium, and Montreal Tower. The nearest metro stop is Pie-IX (Green Line), about 10 or 15 minutes away on foot.  

One of the best times of the year to visit the gardens is during the annual Gardens of Light event, which takes place in fall and sees the grounds lit up spectacularly. In winter, many of the outdoor gardens are covered by snow, though plants grow in the greenhouses year-round.   

The Montreal Botanical Gardens is one of several attractions within Montreal’s Space for Life museum district, and you can combine a visit with a trip to one of the other nearby attractions. Find out more about the wonders of the universe at the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, watch an ant colony at work at the Montreal Insectarium, and wander through different ecosystems at the Biodome. Though not officially part of the Space for Life site, the Olympic Stadium complex, which contains the Montreal Tower, is also right beside the gardens. Ride the funicular up to the observation deck of the 541-foot (165-meter) tower for bird’s-eye views of Montreal.

The forested peaks, serene lakes, and quaint villages of the Laurentian Mountains are where Montrealers go to escape the city. In winter, resorts such as Mont-Tremblant and Mont-Sainte-Anne (Beaupré) cater to snow sports enthusiasts, while in summer, the region is a playground for hikers, climbers, paddlers, and white-water rafters. 

The Laurentian Mountains are the setting for a wide range of seasonal outdoor activities. In winter, spend the day skiing the slopes of Mont-Tremblant or soaking in a hot tub at a relaxing spa. In summer, try high-thrill activities, such as ziplining, rock climbing, cliff rappelling, and white-water rafting. Tours from Montreal offer the chance to swap the city for the countryside for the day, stopping at rural towns and villages in the region. Some day tours also incorporate lake cruises. 

The Laurentian Mountains are about a 90-minute drive north of Montreal and are accessible via Autoroute 1. Skyport shuttle buses run between Montreal Airport and Mont-Tremblant throughout the winter season, while Galland buses run from Montreal’s bus terminal to Mont-Tremblant year-round.

December through March is the best time for skiing and snowboarding. June through August is best for hiking. In late September and early October, the mountains are popular among leaf peepers. March is typically the best time to visit the Laurentians’ sugar shacks, which serve up maple-soaked feasts during the annual syrup harvest. 

Running for 125 miles (200 kilometers) along a disused railway track, this bike path cuts through some of the Laurentians’ most scenic landscapes. Despite the mountainous terrain, the path itself is relatively flat, making it accessible to cyclists of all fitness levels. The trail begins in Saint-Jérôme, just north of Montreal. It can be completed in one day, but for most cyclists, it’s more enjoyable to break up the journey with stops and do the full route over two or even three days. 

Housed inside a 1930s building topped with an art deco clock tower, Atwater Market (Marché Atwater) is one of the city’s top foodie hot spots. Food sellers hawk local artisanal produce including Canadian ice wine, maple syrup, Quebec cheeses, charcuterie, fresh-from-the-oven pastries, and all kinds of farm-grown fruit and vegetables.

Together with Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy, Atwater Market is among Montreal’s most popular markets. Visitors can explore the site independently, enjoying samples of the various gourmet goodies for sale then sitting down for some people-watching. Organized bike tours of Montreal often make stops at Atwater Market, as well as riding by other waterfront sites such as the Old Port and the Lachine Canal. 

Atwater Market is located in Little Burgundy (Petite Bourgogne), near the Lachine Canal. Ride the green or orange metro line to Lionel-Groulx; the market is just a 5-minute walk from there. Alternatively, grab a bicycle from Montreal’s BIXI bike-share system and follow the canalside cycle path to the market.

Open daily, Atwater Market is at its biggest and best in summer, when additional vendors set up shop in the exterior sections of the market. During the warmer months, buskers often perform in the surrounding streets. Arrive early and enjoy breakfast courtesy of a local bakery, and watch as the crowds begin to stream in. 

No matter what time of the year you visit, you’ll find tasty treats on offer at Atwater. The Poissonnerie du Marché Atwater is the place to go for fish fresh from the waters off Canada’s east coast. Boucherie de Tours sells pork, poultry, beef, and game, and Fromagerie Hamel serves up cheeses from throughout Quebec. Maple products are also commonly sold at the market, with everything from maple taffy and maple butter to the classic syrup on offer, while Première Moisson promises bread, cakes, and pastries. 

The action in the Latin Quarter centers on Saint-Denis, a street lined with funky shops and bistros. The area really comes into its own in summer when it hosts festivals. Locals, tourists, and French-speaking students from University of Quebec at Montreal pack the neighborhood’s many cafes, bars, theaters, and live music venues. 

The Latin Quarter is one of Montreal’s most vibrant and buzzy neighborhoods, with locals and tourists drawn to its eclectic mix of independent boutiques, microbreweries, coffee shops, and in-demand restaurants. Explore the Latin Quarter by day as part of bike, scooter, or food and drink tour of the city, or come after dark to experience the energetic nightlife. 

To get to the Latin Quarter by public transportation, take the metro to Berri-UQAM (Green, Orange, and Yellow lines). The no. 30 bus, which travels down Saint-Hubert and Saint-Denis, also stops in the neighborhood. There are parking garages if you plan to drive; note that street parking can be tight.

The best time to visit is on summer weekends, when several festivals take place, and the streets are animated with people. One of the more popular is the Just for Laughs Festival in July, which sees live comedy performances hosted in venues across the Latin Quarter. If you can, stick around until nightfall to soak up the infectious energy. 

Opened in 2005, this 355,209-square-foot (33,000-square-meter) library building is one of the architectural highlights of the Latin Quarter. It’s home to millions of books (including a copy of every book published in the province of Quebec since 1968), magazines, and other multimedia, including films. The library also features exhibition spaces and an auditorium where talks and performances are staged.

Montreal Chinatown was established in the late 19th century with the arrival of Chinese immigrants from western Canada who came to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Though just a couple of blocks long, the district offers a wide selection of Asian eateries and shops selling traditional handicrafts and souvenirs. 

Chinatown is situated in downtown Montreal, its boundaries marked by four traditional Chinese gateways. Explore the neighborhood on foot, either independently or as part of a guided walking tour of Ville-Marie (the wider downtown area). Chinatown is also seen on some bike tours of Montreal and on food tours of the city. Hop-on hop-off bus tours stop at the neighborhood as part of their city route. 

Situated in downtown Montreal, Chinatown is located on and around Rue De La Gauchetière, Rue Saint-Urbain, and Saint-Laurent Boulevard, between René Lévesque Boulevard and Viger Avenue. The nearest metro stations are Place-d’Armes (Orange Line) and Saint-Laurent (Green Line). 

Montreal Chinatown buzzes with people year-round. It’s best explored during summer, when the streets are warm enough for wandering, vendors set up on the sidewalks, and Place Falun Gong members demonstrate at Sun-Yat-Sen. 

Despite the movement of many Chinese residents to suburbs such as Brossard, Chinatown remains a hub for Chinese celebrations. The biggest celebration staged here is Chinese New Year, held in January or February. During the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinatown bakeries sell traditional mooncakes, while in summer, Montreal’s Chinatown hosts a series of sidewalk sales.

Artsy and laid-back, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, aka the Plateau, captures the spirit of Montreal perhaps more than any other neighborhood. Spiraling iron staircases crawl up Victorian-era residences on tree-lined streets, while magnificent street murals add color to commercial thoroughfares. Restaurants, cafés, bars, and boutiques abound.

 

To understand Montreal, a visit to Plateau-Mont-Royal is a must. Many visitors explore the Plateau’s main thoroughfares—Saint-Laurent Boulevard and St. Denis Street (between Sherbrooke and Van Horne) and Mont Royal Avenue—as part of guided walking tours and bike tours.

 

Food tours of Montreal, including niche tea and chocolate-themed tours, also tend to center on the Plateau because of its high concentration of restaurants and coffee shops. Mile End, home to the city’s legendary bagel producers, St-Viateur and Fairmont, proves especially popular on food tours.

 

 

Take the metro (orange line) to Mont Royal or Laurier stations. Bixi bike-sharing stations can be found throughout the Plateau during the summer months, while the 55 bus runs north up Saint-Laurent, also known as the Main—the buzzing shop-lined heart of the neighborhood.

 

The Plateau is at its best in summer, when Montrealers take to the streets to soak up the sunshine. Bars and restaurants set up temporary pavement terraces. Sections of major streets are often closed to traffic during special summer events, including the Mural Festival, which takes place in June on Saint-Laurent. Later in the summer, a four-day street festival takes place on Mont Royal Avenue.

 

The Plateau’s biggest green space, Parc LaFontaine is the third-largest in the city, with only Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) and Maisonneuve Park (Parc Maisonneuve) taking up more space. In winter, its lake serves as an ice-skating rink and local families go tubing down its slopes, while in summer, it’s the domain of picnickers, with open-air plays at the Théatre de Verdure and cinema screenings attracting evening crowds.

Since its completion in 1892, Dorchester Square has been a cultural and political focal point for protests, social gatherings, and pedestrian traffic in Downtown Montreal. Adjacent to the Dominion Square Building and Place du Canada, the public park is home to four historic monuments, including a Robert Burns statue and the Boer War memorial.

The centrally located Dorchester Square is a stop on most hop-on hop-off bus tours, a convenient way for visitors to sightsee without the hassle of navigating. Downtown walking tours often include Dorchester Square in conjunction with other nearby landmarks, such as Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, St. Catherine Street, and parts of Montreal’s Underground City. Opt for a private tour and you can tack on a stroll through Dorchester Square to any customized itinerary. 

Dorchester Square’s central downtown location makes it easily accessible using Montreal’s comprehensive public transit system. Buses 107, 150, 430, and 747 all stop directly in front of the square, and the nearest metro stations are Bonaventure on the red 2 line and Peel on the green 2 line. Alternatively, a BIXI bike share dock is located on the square’s northeast corner.

Dorchester Square is open to the public 24 hours a day. Like most outdoor spaces in Montreal, the square is busiest from May to September; seating areas, shady trees, and wide walkways make it an easy place to spend an afternoon. 

Before 1854, Dorchester Square was the burial site of victims of a 1851 cholera epidemic that caused more deaths worldwide than any other 19th-century pandemic. Because the cemetery was built quickly and without much foresight, the government exhumed the bodies later that year and moved them to Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery atop Mount Royal. As you walk through Dorchester Square, you’ll spot the crosses engraved in the pathways—a small reminder of this land’s solemn beginnings.

Located in Montreal’s Eaton Centre, the Grévin Wax Museum (Musée Grévin) features 120 lifelike figures with a focus on Hollywood stars, Canadian celebrities, and world icons, from Tom Hanks to Celine Dion. With eight themed rooms, plenty of photo opportunities, and an on-site café, the museum is a popular choice for families.

Visits to the Grévin Wax Museum Montreal are self-guided, which allows visitors to explore and take photos at their own pace. The museum has eight themed rooms, including Belmont Park, a 1920s-inspired room; The Ballroom, packed with former and current A-list celebrities; Sports Temple, a showcase of Canada’s most iconic hockey players; and Behind the Scenes, which offers an inside look at wax-figure construction. Audio tours are available for a small fee.

If you plan on sightseeing in Montreal, you can save money with Tourisme Montréal’s attractions pass, which grants access to the wax museum in addition to a range of city highlights, including the Montreal Biodome and Saint Joseph’s Oratory.

Located in Downtown Montreal on the fifth floor of the Eaton Centre, the Grévin Wax Museum is easily accessible via public transit. The nearest stops are McGill station on bus 125, bus 15, and the metro’s green line 1, or Robert-Bourassa and Saint Catherine on buses 61, 168, and 35. Metered street parking is available, but often limited. The Eaton Centre is accessible from McGill metro station through Montreal’s Underground City, a series of interconnected tunnels.

While the Grévin Wax Museum is busiest on weekends, its spacious exhibits don’t often feel overly crowded. Go on a weekday for a quieter experience; the museum is open daily. The museum often hosts events during Montreal’s annual Nuit Blanche, a city-wide celebration of winter that features performances, food, art, and workshops. 

While figures in the Grévin Wax Museum are unique to Montreal, the museum has a predecessor situated in the heart of Paris’ second arrondissement. The idea for Grévin Paris was born in the late 1800s when newspaper owner Arthur Meyer asked Alfred Grévin, a caricaturist and costume designer, to create life-size figures of people featured in his newspaper. It was an instant hit. Over a hundred years later, the museum's first outpost opened in Montreal.

Black bears, arctic foxes, and lynx are just some of the species you’ll find at the Ecomuseum Zoo Montreal, an open-air wildlife park that houses rescued, orphaned, injured, and captive-born animals native to Quebec’s St. Lawrence Valley. In addition to outdoor enclosures, the zoo has an indoor space housing reptiles, amphibians, and nocturnal creatures.

Visitors can pre-purchase a zoo entrance ticket to gain speedy, skip-the-line access. Inside, you can explore independently; wander around the outdoor area, read informational panels, and see which animals you can spot. 

Visitors can also sign up for guided experiences. Join a docent-led tour focusing on the zoo’s larger mammals, learn about raptors during a birds-of-prey guided tour, or try your hand at being a zookeeper for a day by helping staff feed and care for the animals. Night tours and breakfast tours are also available; additionally, some Montreal sightseeing passes include free access to the zoo. 

The Ecomuseum Zoo is situated in Sainte-Anne-De-Bellevue on the western edge of the island of Montreal, about a 25-minute drive from downtown Montreal. The best way to get there is by car, as there is no direct bus link between downtown Montreal and the zoo. Free parking is available. 

Most of the zoo is outdoors, so the best time to visit is summer. The zoo does remain open in winter, and although some creatures go into hibernation, others, such as the arctic fox, thrive in colder temperatures.

Wildlife lovers may want to visit some of Montreal’s other animal-themed attractions. Stop by the Biodome in the Olympic Park, where a series of recreated North American ecosystems play host to a range of birds and animals, from penguins to capybara. Nearby is the Montreal Insectarium, which contains many different species of creepy crawlies, including living specimens—it’s a big hit with children.