Montreal, Canada's second-largest city, is a perfect getaway destination and has something for everyone. People have come up with different comments after visiting this North American city. Some say the gorgeous city reminds them of Europe, while others see it as a picturesque mixture of the new and old world. From Old Montreal's beautiful streets to its magnificent parks like the Olympics, Montreal is a city to behold. There are ways to get around this city, and a car doesn't need to be an option. The good news? Montreal is a very walkable city, and its public transportation system is efficient and easy to navigate. There are numerous destinations travelers can visit in Montreal without a car. Here are the ten places.
10 Old Montreal
Known for its gorgeous cobblestone streets, Old Mutual is a historic neighborhood with so much to offer visitors. From incredible architecture to amazing culture to colorful buildings, including beautiful shops, galleries, and museums, this neighborhood is worth the hype. When walking around its cobblestone streets, travelers will encounter a lot of fascinating history to appreciate. The neighborhood features some of the oldest churches and chapels, some dating back to the 15th century. Its crown jewel is the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, one of the country's most famous, receiving over 11 million tourists in a year. One can get there and around by bus, metro, and train. The closest stations are Station Mcgill, Robert-Bourassa, Place du Frere-Andre, and De Bleury.
9 Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal Park is a top tourist destination in Montreal and is filled with breathtaking landscapes and outdoor opportunities for adventurers. There is something for everyone at this park. Several activities are always scheduled at the park, like the Art and Nature Family Walk, designed to bring families together to tour the park. Visitors don't need a car to get to this beautiful park. A bus or metro is convenient and will get one there safely. One can also metro and hike by taking Metro Line 1 to Peel Station, then head northwest, walking up Peel Street up to Mount Royal's base.
8 Îles De Boucherville National Park
Comprising five islands just of Montreal’s east end, Îles de Boucherville national park is brimming with outdoor opportunities, including canoeing trails, fishing, and biking paths. There are canoes available for renting if one is having trouble bringing their own to the park. The park is also home to different wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, numerous bird species, and endangered reptiles. It is advisable to plan a weekend trip to have the best experience of this park. A metro and boat are the only ways to get to the park. Those taking the metro will go to Honoré-Beaugrand station then connect with a ferry to get to the island.
7 Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Mont-Saint-Hilaire is a big national park with numerous outdoor activities to keep travelers engaged. There are many beautiful hiking trails offering breathtaking views of Lake Hertel and the bordering plains. Visitors will also encounter a small beautiful museum with a history dating back to the 20th century. There is also an incredibly great spa, guaranteeing spectacular views and hot baths to their guests. Getting there is straightforward; on board an AMT train and off-board at the end of the line.
6 Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is definitely worth a visit and can be explored on a long day trip or an overnight stay. Situated right on Lake Champlain, vacationers can tour this city without having to use a car. It is easily walkable, and one won't face trouble finding where to eat and drink. There are plenty of drinks and food tours offered at budget-friendly prices during the high season. There are many buses offering services between Montreal and Burlington. A trip to either of the towns can take about two and a half hours. One can also hop on a train from Montreal to Burlington.
5 Quartier Des Spectacles
Visitors can explore most of Quartier Des Spectacles, including attending some of the iconic events that have kept the district alive. There are incredible cultural venues to explore, colorful buildings, and the magnificent Luminous Pathway. The district offers a two-hour guided walking tour, an engaging trip that will make every traveler appreciate Montreal. Travelers will encounter sculpture galleries, theaters, a library, and film conservatories. Don’t miss the Place des Arts, a spectacular performing arts spot.
4 Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park
Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park is the largest park in Montreal and is mounted on the island’s western side. Lac des Deux Montagnes and the Rivière des Prairies surround the park, and there are numerous walkways offering breathtaking water views. Covering 330 hectares, this park features an organic farm, two heated chalets, and a sugar shack. Some of the outdoor opportunities it offers vacationers are camping, swimming, cycling, reading, hiking, snowshoeing, and hiking. The beach is its major draw and is arguably the largest in the city. Taking a train to Pierrefonds-Roxboro station and then hopping into the 68 bus directly to the park is the most convenient option for getting there.
3 Montreal Science Center
Montreal Science Center is a museum solely designed for science and technology. It is a popular attraction that aims to help visitors and the locals understand and appreciate the contribution of science and technology in shaping their future. The museum offers very interactive exhibitions and includes general topics that would definitely be interesting to any type of traveler. The museum houses an IMAX theatre, mostly playing documentaries related to natural sciences, wildlife, arts, and history. Located about three kilometers from Montreal, visitors don’t need to drive to get here. A bus or metro will be perfect.
2 Gault Nature Reserve
Located a few miles from downtown Montreal, Gault Nature Reserve is reachable via bus or train. It is one of Canada’s well-preserved natural reserves. Housing more than 185 bird species, the Gault Nature Reserve is the very first world biosphere reserve in the country. Other than incredible species of birds, numerous mammals, and amphibians. One of the best ways of experiencing the best of this park is hiking along the beautiful mountain trails covering 24 km.
1 Montreal’s Underground City
Situated under the city’s streets, the Underground City is a network of tunnels and stairways connecting numerous metro stations, hotels, restaurants, schools, libraries, and shopping malls. It is believed that more than half a million people use the network every day. The underground city is easily accessible, and travelers might not know they are already there. Visitors can use over 190 exterior access points to access the Underground City. The access points include malls, museums, and metro stations.