Best things to do in Montreal (2024 activities guide)
As Canada’s second-largest city, Montreal is a vibrant destination with plenty of attractions and activities. With its European charm, bilingual culture, and rich history, Montreal has something for everyone. Growing up, I’ve been to Montreal so often that it feels like home. It’s a great place for adventure and a perfect city break.
Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, an art enthusiast, or simply looking for fun adventures, Montreal will surely captivate your heart. This guide will help you discover the best things to do in Montreal, from historic sites and museums to culinary delights and vibrant nightlife. Let’s explore this fascinating city together.
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Montreal’s beginnings
Montreal is one of those places where you can pinpoint the exact spot of its origins. In 1642, a handful of French settlers arrived at modern-day Place d’Youville. What makes this spot even more significant is that this area has been a gathering place for native peoples for 2,500 years.
The French missionaries initially intended to evangelize the natives by setting up a settlement called Ville-Marie. Despite their best intentions, this venture didn’t work out that well, so the settlers turned to fur trading, which was much more profitable. In 1760, the British took over, introducing a blend of English and French influences that continue to shape the city today.
Must-visit historic sites
When it comes to things to do in Montreal, you have to start with historic sites. They are some of the city’s best attractions for discovering the past and learning about Montreal.
Visit the Pointe-à-Callière Museum
As the official spot marking Montreal’s birthplace, the Pointe-à-Callière Museum is a treasure trove for history buffs. This national historic site offers a journey through Montreal’s past, with remnants of the original settlement visible under a glass floor. You can walk on the glass floor above it to get a firsthand look into the past.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can also stroll through the city’s first collector sewer, an engineering marvel from 1838. Upon its completion, the cut stone tunnel was quite the achievement of the day in the New World. Today, it’s quite a spectacular experience.
Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)
Old Montréal is a must-see historic site that will transport you back in time with its narrow, cobblestone streets and stunning architecture. While not as old as Quebec City, this place is still a great throwback to its European founders. I always gravitate to this place when I visit.
This area is perfect for a leisurely walk, where you can visit numerous restaurants, bars and shops. Day or night, there is always something to discover. Key attractions include the Montreal Science Centre, the Clock Tower and the illuminated Ferris wheel along the Saint Lawrence River.
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Notre-Dame Basilica
Situated in Place d’Armes, the Notre-Dame Basilica is one of Montreal’s most iconic landmarks. This church, modelled after its Parisian namesake, features stunning stained-glass windows and is a testament to Montreal’s rich religious heritage. Adjacent to the basilica is the Saint-Sulpice Seminary, the oldest building in Montreal.
Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, offers a perfect spot for outdoor activities. You can hike, bike, or take a leisurely walk to the summit, which provides panoramic views of the city skyline. The park includes Beaver Lake, a strategic viewpoint, and several historic cemeteries.
The slopes of Mount Royal are also home to the picturesque campus of McGill University, its teaching hospitals, and many other educational institutions. On the foothills, you’ll also find Saint Joseph’s Oratory, which is modelled after the Sacre-Coeur church in Paris.
Stop By The City Hall (Ville de Montreal)
At the top of Place Jacques-Cartier, you can feast your eyes on Montreal’s City Hall. Completed in 1878, it was destroyed by fire in 1922. Reconstructed in subsequent years, the building is as pretty as they come. You can admire its Second Empire architecture inside and out. Admission is free and is worth the stop.
Shop At Marche Bonsecours
Before the current City Hall opened, this was the home of Montreal’s lawmakers. It is a beautiful homage to the Classical Revival style of those days. Today, it is a lovely market filled with designer boutiques, quirky shops and full-on charm.
Engage with Montreal’s culture and arts
Like any large city with a long and fascinating past, Montreal celebrates the arts and culture. There is something to do for everyone, from museums to galleries to permanent and temporary exhibitions to events, concerts, and celebrations. From the old to the contemporary, the choices here are as eclectic as the city itself. Finding something to do here is easy. Finding time to do it all is a bit more challenging. It simply means you have to visit more often.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of Canada’s most prominent museums. It showcases a vast collection of art, from classical to contemporary pieces. It’s a perfect place for art lovers to spend an afternoon exploring permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Place des Arts and Quartier des Spectacles
For those interested in performing arts, Place des Arts is a central cultural hub in the heart of the city. It hosts a variety of performances, including shows by the Montréal Symphony Orchestra and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Nearby, Quartier des Spectacles is a lively district known for its festivals, including the world-famous Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Jean-Talon Market
For a taste of local culture, visit the Jean-Talon Market. This bustling open-air market is one of the largest in North America. It offers a wide range of fresh produce, local delicacies, and artisanal products. It’s an ideal place to experience Montreal’s vibrant food scene.
World Trade Centre Montreal (WTC)
If you think this does not seem like an exciting spot to explore, you’re wrong. Today, it’s part shopping centre, part hotel and part office. The complex takes up the whole city block and seems even bigger on the inside. A glass canopy connects the 11 historical buildings and creates a beautiful atrium.
There are shops, restaurants and cafes, as well as an Instagram-worthy fountain by the French architect and sculptor Dieudonné-Barthélemy Guibal. The WTC, inaugurated in 1992, is a fantastic model for integrating old architecture with new purposes and historic preservation.
Explore Montreal’s Olympic Past
Canada hosted its first Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976. Although it has hosted two other Winter Olympic Games since then, it has only hosted the Summer Olympics. Today, you can visit some of the venues used for the events, including the Olympic Stadium, the Olympic Village, the Velodrome and the Botanical Gardens.
Experience Montreal’s culinary delights
Food is a great reason to fall in love with Montreal. The city offers many options, from fine dining to international cuisine and local specialties. We have always enjoyed the culinary scene here and haven’t been disappointed. If you’re not sure where to start, you have to add a food tour to your things to do in Montreal list. I don’t think you’ll find a shortage of food options here. However, when in Montreal, this is what you need to try.
Poutine
A trip to Montreal wouldn’t be complete without trying poutine, a delicious dish of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. Although it might sound weird, this combination is like a party in your mouth. It is as Canadian as can be, and Montreal makes an art out of it. The squeaky cheese curds make this dish so good.
You can add many toppings to modify the dish, but I like my poutine simple and with vegetarian gravy. You can get poutine anywhere in Canada, but the best cheese curds come from Quebec. No matter where you taste poutine, you must have it in Montreal. Thank me later.
Smoked meat
If you’re a meat-eater, you can’t come here without sampling the smoked meat. Also, a legacy from those Jewish immigrants, it’s a cross between corned beef and pastrami. Piled high on rye bread with a smear of mustard, this sandwich is a culinary institution.
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There are two must-go places for the smoked meat sandwich. Schwartz’s Deli is renowned for serving some of the best smoked meat in the city, but Alex swears by Reuben’s Deli and Steakhouse, another long-standing institution in Montreal. You can have one or both—your choice.
Montreal-style bagels
Montreal is also famous for its Montreal-style bagels, which are smaller, denser, and sweeter than their New York counterparts. These bagels are boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in wood-fired ovens, giving them a distinctive flavour.
Bagels came to Montreal with an influx of Jewish immigrants and took the city by storm. There are plenty of bagel shops in the Jewish neighbourhood and throughout the city. St-Viateur and Fairmount are two of the city’s most famous bagel shops. Want a more hands-on experience? Take a bagle making class and learn all the secrets to Montreal bagles.
Explore outdoor and fun adventures
Montreal hosts many special events all year round. From concerts and markets to historical reenactments, there is plenty to explore. Many of these events are not just limited to the downtown core, and you can find something going on all over the city.
Montreal Botanical Garden
The Montreal Botanical Garden is a serene escape featuring a variety of themed gardens and greenhouses with different plant species. Highlights include the Chinese Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the First Nations Garden. It’s a great way to enjoy nature within the city. The place is huge, so leave enough time to explore.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Located on Île Sainte-Hélène, Parc Jean-Drapeau has several attractions, including La Ronde amusement park and the Biosphere Environment Museum. This park is a fantastic destination for both relaxation and adventure.
Old Port Of Montreal (Vieux-Port De Montréal)
Along the shores of the St Lawrence River lies the Old Port of Montreal. It is a popular destination for cycling, roller-blading, strolling, and numerous water activities like paddle boarding. Try your hand at zip-lining or simply enjoy the great vibe this place offers.
There is over 2 km of river access and attractions like the Montréal Science Centre, the Montreal Clock Tower and an illuminated Ferris wheel. It hosts numerous events and festivals during the summer, making it a lively spot for locals and tourists.
People-watch at Place Jacques-Cartier
Reminiscent of the European town squares, Place Jacques-Cartier is a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. Lined with restaurants, patios and shops, you can easily people-watch or catch a performance by the many performing street artists and entertainers.
Place D’Armes
Once the training grounds for the military, this square dates back to the 17th century. Here you can see history come alive all around you. Here, you’ll find the headquarters of Canada’s first bank (Bank of Montreal). The building dates back to 1847 and is still in operation today.
On the other side of the square is the nation’s first skyscraper built by the New York Life company. It created quite a stir after its inauguration in 1888, as it sported an elevator that went up to the eighth floor—quite the feat at the time.
Discover Montreal’s nightlife
Growing up, Montreal was always about the nightlife. As much as I like this city during the day, it transforms into an even more spectacular place after dark. Montrealers party like it’s their job. There are nightclubs, bars, patios, breweries, live music and everything in between. During the summer, the streets are lit with lights and full of life. It’s no wonder we used to come here so often. I definitely think experiencing the nightlife is a must on the list of things to do in Montreal.
Rue Saint-Denis
This trendy street is lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a popular destination for day and night outings. Rue Saint-Denis is known for its vibrant energy and is a great place to experience Montreal’s nightlife. Walk the streets or sit on one of the patios and enjoy Montreal’s vibrant energy.
Saint Catherine Street (Rue Ste. Catherine)
Saint Catherine Street is one of Montreal’s main arteries, and it changes like a chameleon as you go through it. With every visit, I discover a different side of this street. Rue Saint Catherine is ever-changing, from large shopping complexes flanking in on both sides to smaller shops, restaurants, and commercial buildings.
If you have time, go on a discovery walk. It might surprise you. Split into east and west by St-Laurent Boulevard, the street takes on different elements of the neighbourhood it passes. The street is constantly evolving, making each visit a new experience.
Crescent Street
Famous for its nightlife, Crescent Street is packed with bars, nightclubs, and pubs. This is your party destination. You can dance your night away at one of the clubs, mingle on the many patios along the streets, or people-watch to your heart’s content. I must say, I’ve spent a lot of time here and loved every moment.
Looking for more things to do in Montreal? Try one of these tours:
Final thoughts on things to do in Montreal
Montreal will always hold a special place in my heart. The more I come here, the more I discover, and the more I want to return. From its rich history and vibrant culture to its culinary delights and exciting nightlife, there’s always something new to discover. Whether visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, Montreal’s charm and diversity ensure an unforgettable experience. So pack your bags and get ready to fall in love with this incredible city.
