Montreal: Top 13 Things to Do in this Beautiful City

Montreal’s location is unique. It is on an island within the Saint Laurent River and rivals Toronto as the largest city in Canada. Montreal was built on Mont-Royal, the only Canadian city built on a mountain about 233 meters high.

The city is covered with trees and covers a fifth of the island’s area, specifically at the confluence of the Saint Laurent River with the Ottawa River. Montreal is Canada’s second-largest metropolitan area after Toronto and one of the world’s largest inland ports. It is the main centre for transportation, industry, culture, and education in Canada.

The city centre is west of Old Montreal and has some of Canada’s tallest buildings and beautiful hotels. One of Montreal’s busiest sections is located under the main streets, called the Underground City, and is adjacent to more than 200 restaurants, several movie theatres, and a network of roads and squares.

Weather

The weather in summer is hot, and the average temperature is 26 degrees, while the temperature in winter is 10 below zero. But the city’s infrastructure is equipped to withstand the harshest conditions, making winter easy to live in.

History

Montreal was discovered by the French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1535 AD when he sailed to the Saint Laurent River and found the island. 

The French settlers built a fortress in Old Montreal in 1642 and established the settlement of Ville-Marie, which was called Montreal in the 18th century. 1763, Canada became a British colony, and Montreal developed into a British commercial centre.

Things to do in Montreal

Montreal is one of the most beautiful and famous cities in North America. Here, you will find many things to do and places to visit. In the coming article, we will learn more about the city and its important places to visit, so let us start this fascinating journey.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous Montreal landmarks you should visit when travelling to Canada; its distinctive Gothic style characterizes it. One of its most essential features is the stained glass, with drawings that tell history.

This church, founded in 1656, is Montreal’s oldest church and cathedral. A sound and light show tells the story of the city’s founding.

Mont-Royal

Mount Royal isn’t just a park; it symbolises Montreal and a green oasis in the city’s heart. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect behind New York’s Central Park, Mount Royal offers various activities throughout the year. Kondiaronk Belvedere is the park’s highlight, offering stunning views of the city skyline. This spot is trendy during sunrise and sunset, providing a picturesque photo backdrop.

The park is a hub of activity if you’re in Montreal during the warmer months. You can join locals for a Sunday Tam-Tam Jam, where drummers, dancers, and picnickers gather near the George-Étienne Cartier Monument. In the winter, Mount Royal is a snowy playground with activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating on Beaver Lake.

Hidden Gem: Take the Camilien-Houde Belvedere path for a less crowded city view. The trail is slightly off the beaten path, offering a more tranquil experience.

 Old Port of Montreal

The Old Port of Montreal is a historic area revitalised into one of the city’s premier recreational spaces. Stretching over two kilometres along the St. Lawrence River, the Old Port is a great place for a leisurely stroll or bike ride. The area is also packed with attractions that cater to all interests.

For thrill-seekers, La Grande Roue de Montréal, a 60-metre-high observation wheel, offers panoramic city views. The Montreal Science Centre provides interactive exhibits on science and technology for those interested in history, making it a fun stop for families. And if you’re visiting during the summer, don’t miss the Bonsecours Market, where you can browse local crafts, art, and gourmet food.

In winter, the Old Port transforms into a snowy wonderland. The outdoor skating rink, Natrel Skating Rink, offers a picturesque setting for ice skating, complete with music and twinkling lights. The Old Port is also home to Igloofest, a unique winter music festival outdoors that combines electronic music with the city’s frosty temperatures.

Practical Tip: Consider taking a boat tour along the St. Lawrence River to see Montreal from a different perspective. Several options, from quick sightseeing cruises to dinner cruises, offer a unique way to experience the city’s skyline.

Fine Arts Museum

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape. The museum’s collection is vast and diverse, spanning five pavilions and encompassing everything from classical art to contemporary installations. The museum is mainly known for its Canadian art collection, which includes works by the Group of Seven and Tom Thomson, which are celebrated for their landscapes that capture the essence of the Canadian wilderness.

One of the museum’s most exciting exhibits is the Napoleon Collection, which features artefacts from the Napoleonic era, including personal items and paintings. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that attract art enthusiasts worldwide. Recent exhibitions have showcased works by famous artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yoko Ono, and Chihuly.

Hidden Gem: The museum’s Sculpture Garden is a peaceful outdoor space where you can admire contemporary sculptures by both Canadian and international artists. It’s a great relaxing spot after exploring the museum’s extensive galleries.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal is one of the famous tourist attractions in the city, it contains some lovely buildings from the 17th till the 19th centuries and a lot of these buildings you will find that it is now either are hotels, restaurants or even shops.

You can explore the old part of the city while walking. You will find the beautiful Notre Dame Basilica, Saint Paul Street, and Bonsecours Market there. At night, you can have a wonderful dinner at one of the restaurants lined in the streets of the old part. 

Joseph Oratory

St. Joseph Oratory is located near Mount Royal Park and was dedicated to Canada’s patron saint. It is a beautiful structure with a vast dome built in a Renaissance style in 1924. Brother Andre built a small chapel in 1904; his tomb is in one part of the sanctuary in the original chapel.

You will find a cloister behind the church that leads you to Mont-Royal, and from the top, there is an observatory that gives you a beautiful view of Montreal.

La Grande Rou de Montreal

One of the attractions you would love to visit is the Old Port. It is 60 meters high, and from the top, you can see a fascinating view of Old Montreal, including the Jacque Cartier Bridge, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the old Expo site, and more large spaces.

Montreal Botanical Garden

The Montreal Botanical Garden is a haven of tranquillity located just a short metro ride from downtown. Opened in 1931, it has become one of the most important botanical gardens in the world, renowned for its collection of over 22,000 plant species. The garden is divided into several thematic sections, each showcasing a different type of flora.

The Japanese Garden is a particular favourite. It is designed to evoke the natural landscapes of Japan with its koi ponds, stone lanterns, and meticulously pruned trees. With its ornate pavilions and peaceful lotus ponds, the Chinese Garden is excellent during the Magic of Lanterns event, when hundreds of lanterns illuminate the garden at night.

Another highlight is the First Nations Garden, which offers insight into Indigenous peoples’ traditional plant knowledge. The garden features medicinal plants, wildflowers, and native trees alongside interpretive panels that explain their significance.

Hidden Gem: Visit the Tree House exhibition to learn about Quebec’s forest ecosystems. The exhibition is informative and interactive, making it a hit with visitors of all ages.

Go underground

It is located in Downtown Montreal. It is like a network of underground food courts, shops, and malls. It is the perfect place to escape from crowded neighbourhoods and rainy days.

The place is linked to significant buildings, like Montreal Exchange, McGill University, Central Station, and Windsor Station. Also, some hotels are connected to the Underground, and if you are not staying in any of these hotels, you will find the passageways are a great way to get around.

Mary Queen of the World Cathedral

The St. Mary Cathedral was built in 1894, and if you have been to Rome before, you will find out that it is a smaller version of St. Peter’s in Rome. When you are there, you will see beautiful statues of the patron saints of the 13 parishes of Montreal in the 19th century, and Olindo Gratton made it. One of the lovely artworks inside the cathedral is Philippe Hébert’s crucifix, at the top of the marble baptismal font.

Jean Drapeau Park

Jean Drapeau Park is one of the most famous family attractions in Montreal. Before that, it was where the Expo 1967 was held, and it was called the artificial island of Notre Dame. 

Now, it is a museum dedicated to ecological issues. The building there is designed in the shape of a sphere and is the largest such structure in the world. The island contains other attractions, such as the race course Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, La Ronde Amusement Park, and Stewart Museum.

Sherbrooke Street 

Sherbrooke Street was named after Sir John Sherbrooke, Governor-General of Canada from 1816 to 1818, it is one of the top streets in Montreal that is visited and it is probably the most fashionable street in the city.

There are many attractions at Sherbrooke Street, like the McCord Museum of Canadian History, which contains a distinguished collection of exhibits on the stages of social history in Canada. The Museum of Fine Arts is the oldest in Canada.

Saint Louis Square

Saint Louis Square is one of the most beautiful old squares in Montreal, it is located in a French-Canadian residential quarter and the streets around it are full of trees and some lovely Victorian houses, and some of these houses are restaurants and shops. 

Conclusion

Montreal never ceases to amaze. Its rich history, vibrant culture, and welcoming people offer something for everyone. Whether you’re drawn to the historic charm of Old Montreal, the culinary delights of its diverse food scene, or the outdoor adventures in and around the city, Montreal promises an unforgettable experience.

By exploring these top 13 things to do in Montreal, you’ll better appreciate what makes this city unique. From its historic landmarks to its modern attractions, Montreal invites you to explore, savour, and return again and again.