Top 10: Things to Do in Montreal, Canada

From historic landmarks to vibrant neighborhoods, Montreal is a city full of charm and excitement, with something new seemingly at every turn. Whether you’re a foodie eager to indulge in world-class cuisine, a history enthusiast fascinated by centuries-old architecture, or an outdoor adventurer ready to explore scenic parks, Montreal has something for you. Read on to find out the top 10 things to do in Montreal! On y va!

1. Explore the Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal)

Old Montreal is where you’ll find the city’s gorgeous cobblestone streets and some of its most beautiful 18th and 19th-century architecture. This part of the city has a truly European vibe, with historic buildings, narrow alleys, and charming squares that speak to the city’s founding in 1642. In this district, you’ll find some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Notre Dame Basilica and the Bonsecours Market, along with trendy boutiques and cafés.

On this Montreal walking tour, you’ll explore the old town accompanied by an expert guide, who will give you the inside scoop on the city, as you visit the main landmarks of the Notre-Dame Basilica, Cours Le Royer, Place Jacques-Cartier, the City Hall, and the famous Champ de Mars park.

2. Check Out the Notre-Dame Basilica

Located in the Old Port neighborhood of Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica is a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture and is perhaps the city’s most treasured landmark. As beautiful as it is on the outside, it’s the interior that will blow you away. Marvel at the basilica’s gorgeous stained-glass windows and deep blue high ceilings!

For a slightly different experience, check out the Aura show at the Basilica, which features a light show, orchestral music, and a background to the various paintings, sculptures, and architectural features within the Notre-Dame Basilica.

3. Enjoy a Cruise along the Saint Lawrence River

Due to the extreme temperature during the winter, this activity can only be enjoyed during the warmer months. If weather permits, cruising through the city along the Saint Lawrence River is one of our top things to do in Montreal. Check out this Montreal boat tour, which brings you from Montreal Bay to the Boucherville Islands, passing by the Montreal Olympic Stadiums, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, and La Ground Roue—more on that one in the next entry.

Even better, go on this Montreal evening cruise, and you might even catch the sunset from the water!

4. See the City from La Grande Roue Ferris Wheel

La Grande Roue is one of the city’s most famous landmarks, and for us, it’s a must! This Ferris wheel rises around 200 feet (61 meters) into the air and provides an exceptional view of Montreal, the river, and Mount Royal. While it’s a standard activity for most tourists visiting the city, even hardened travelers are impressed by the views enjoyed from La Grande Roue. From ground level, it’s easy to forget that Montreal is in fact an island and that there’s a mountain in the middle of it!

Located around the Old Montreal area, the wheel provides unmatched views from the harbor and only takes around 20 minutes, so it’s easy to add to your itinerary. Grab a ticket to La Grande Roue de Montreal and enjoy it yourself!

5. Meet Canada’s Incredible Wildlife

When visiting Canada, you have to check out some of its incredible natural beauty. Near Montreal, the stunning Laurentian Mountains offer breathtaking hikes which will bring you around stunning vistas of the area’s expansive landscapes featuring dense forests. You can also get in touch with wildlife by embarking on this safari experience at Omega Park, where you can see majestic elk, deer, bears, and wolves in their natural habitats. If you’re a bird enthusiast, you might be lucky enough to see bluebirds, woodpeckers, and finches—all of which call this park home!

6. Try a Traditional Poutine (and Other Canadian Delicacies)

If you enjoy eating, you’re definitely going to enjoy Montreal! The city is consistently ranked as one of the best cities for food, thanks to its highly diverse selection of restaurants, featuring cuisines from all around the world, and everything from simple food stands to haute cuisine. The most famous dish is of course poutine, which consists of french fries sprinkled with a generous helping of cheese curds and gravy, creating a gooey mess that will leave you wanting more! 

Another must is the Tourtière, a wholesome, delicious French Canadian meat pie, usually made with pork, beef, or a mixture of meats. Seasoned with warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, it’s a comforting dish often enjoyed during the holidays, but beloved year-round.

Check out some of the city’s top spots on this Montreal food tour!

7. Catch an Ice Hockey Game at the Bell Centre

Canada’s national pastime, the sport of ice hockey, developed as an offshoot of field hockey, with the first indoor game being played in Canada in 1875. The city is home to one of the best-known teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), the Montreal Canadiens. If your visit to the city coincides with a game, going to see Montreal play in the Bell Centre is a fantastic experience. The fans, known as the Habs, are among the most passionate and tense in the sport. Grab a ticket a NHL Montreal Canadiens game and experience the energy for yourself! 

8. Visit the RÉSO: the Largest Underground Complex in the World

In Montreal and other cities in Canada, underground networks are hugely popular, seen as a way to avoid the harsh northern winters, and hot summers. Montreal, however, is home to RÉSO (also known as the Underground City or Ville Souterraine), the largest underground network on the planet. RÉSO covers an astonishing 41 city blocks over 5 square miles (12 square kilometers). A fascinating piece of urban planning, the RÉSO connects metro stations, shopping plazas, universities, museums, and more! Interested in seeing it for yourself? Check out this Underground City of Montreal tour!

9. Discover the City’s Finest Museums on Rue Sherbrook

Rue Sherbrook (Sherbrook Street), is home to two of the city’s best museums and is well worth checking out. First, head to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which features a brilliant collection of paintings, sculptures, and modern art. Next, make your way to the brilliant McCord Museum, a history museum with lots of interesting artifacts, that provides a fascinating history of the First Nations Indigenous people.

10. Rent a Rowboat at Mount Royal Park

Mount Royal Park, designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, is a lush urban oasis in the heart of Montreal. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities year-round, from hiking and biking to picnicking and winter sports.

One of its most popular features is Beaver Lake, a place where you can simply enjoy the tranquil vibes, or even better, rent rowboats during the warmer months. Gliding across the peaceful lake provides a unique perspective of the park’s natural beauty and a lovely view of the Montreal skyline.

Top Tips for Visiting Montreal

Before your visit to the city of Montreal, be sure to check out our top tips, so you know what you’re getting yourself into:

What Language is Spoken in Montreal?

French is the official language of Montreal: Being in Quebec, French is the official language of Montreal, and is more commonly used than English. However, you won’t have any trouble if you don’t speak the language of love, as most ‘Montrealers’ speak English as well.

Avoid Travelling between November and March

Okay, you won’t have an awful time. In fact, some might enjoy the cold winter vibes during these months. However, with temperatures as low as -22°F (-30°C), and widespread snow, you’ll be severely limited when it comes to tourist activities! For us, the best time to visit is between May and September.

How to Get Around Montreal

Montreal has a fantastic public transportation system. The metro (subway) and bus networks are extensive and well-maintained. Montreal is also known for being one of the top cycling cities in North America, and the world! For us, one of the best ways to check out the city is on this Montreal Bike Tour.

There you have it! Those are our top 10 things to do in Montreal and a couple of top tips. If you’re visiting for yourself, be sure to check out more tours & experiences in Montreal with Civitatis. If you’ve been before or you’re a local yourself, leave more suggestions in the comments below!