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- The Hunt For Things To Do In Montreal Continues!
Montreal is created by combining the open, welcoming bustle of a North American metropolis with the old-world elegance of Europe. The city's latest ranking as one of the top cities in the world comes as no surprise. The mix of Montreal's history, landscape, and architectural marvels from the 20th century creates an endless list of sites to see.
This magnificent metropolis is Canada's second-largest and fourth-oldest city, and it's a convenient destination that shares many borders with New York.
UPDATE: 2023/04/19 11:31 EST BY NOAH STAATS
The Hunt For Things To Do In Montreal Continues!
This article has been updated with new locations to see in Montreal, tips and tricks for a successful Canadian vacation, and fresh photos. Whether someone wants to spend the day at the Montreal Botanical Garden or even at a medieval basilica, there's plenty to experience!
Things To Do
An unforgettable sightseeing trip will reveal some fantastic things to see, taste, and experience, including night markets in Chinatown, fascinating museums, hidden bars, and speakeasies, as well as excellent food in amazing eateries.
Ville-Marie astounds visitors, and natives keep falling in love with the city. Here is the ultimate travel guide to the splendid Montreal.
1 Visit Montreal’s Centre-Village District
Montreal, the fourth-largest city in the world that speaks French, is a remnant of this early community. Despite the city's vastness, the tourist-friendly areas of Montreal are located in relatively small districts.
The Centre-Ville (downtown) district is home to the city's most opulent street, Rue Sherbrooke, as well as several important museums and art galleries. It serves as the backbone of the city and is home to several organizations. If someone wants to walk somewhere for a few hours, this could be the perfect location to go.
2 Have A Shopping Spree At Rue Sainte Cathérine
The major avenue for shopping in Montreal is Rue Sainte Cathérine, a bustling boulevard dotted with department stores, boutiques, and eateries. Another bonus to the area is that the Rue Sainte Cathérine features locally-owned shops and even those with international clothing, art, and jewelry.
Many Montreal visitors spend between two and three hours here, but depending on the shopping spree: there could be more time required. Regardless, it's certainly fun to check out the local shopping scene while traveling to a new city.
3 Step Back In Time At The Pointe-à-Callière Museum
The Pointe-à-Callière museum has the ancient foundations and streets of the city's original site, Vieux-Montreal. Some backstory for this museum includes that it was founded in 1992 as part of celebrations to mark Montreal's 350th birthday.
Furthermore, the museum covers archaeology and history in Old Montreal, Quebec, allowing tourists to understand how far the area has come.
This is certainly a nice way to spend the afternoon, especially on a warmer day when air conditioning is a lifeline for those walking around the nearby area.
4 Check Out The Scenery At The Vieux-Port (Old Port)
Due to its historic structures, this area of the city is the most gorgeous. It served as the center of the colonial town. The majority of the historic sites are located here, along with the Vieux-Port (Old Port), where tourists can enjoy a spectacular waterfront promenade.
Although The Plateau is the center of Montreal's French-speaking community, fewer tourists visit there, so it is a perfect spot if tourists want to escape the crowded attractions. The dazzling upscale stores, eateries, and sidewalk cafés frequently give the impression to transport tourists walking down Rue St. Denis to Paris.
5 See A Global Collection Of Atmosphere In Montreal's Mile End
For an additional quick trip to Portugal, Italy, or Greece, Montreal visitors can stroll in Mile End, a small cluster of streets with particularly European atmospheres. This may be a perfect spot to check out if someone is from these destinations or if the group wants to experience a taste of them for the first time.
Like many attractions throughout Montreal, Mile End is perfect for walking, shopping, eating, and experiencing a melting pot of unique cultures from across the globe.
6 Explore Stunning Flora At The Montreal Botanical Garden
Another must-see attraction while in Montreal is the Botanical Garden. Notably, this stunning garden features more than 22000 species of plants, along with 20 themed gardens to see. For tourists who love botany and want to take plenty of photos to bring home, this is the place for them.
Many describe this as an oasis inside the city of Montreal, giving guests and locals a breath of fresh air between shopping, dining, and exploring the various entertainment districts.
It's also worth noting that this botanical garden is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world: so people will want to go see it if they can.
7 Go Back In Time At The Notre-Dame Basilica
One of the most visited spots in Montreal is the Notre Dame Basilica. This church sees over one million guests annually, making it a top attraction in the area. For people who love medieval architecture, this basilica features an active place of worship and an iconic heritage building that the city of Montreal holds dear to its heart.
Something to note, however, is that this is still a church, so guests want to be as respectful as possible while inside and around the building. Most people spend between 30 and 90 minutes here, even attending a mass if time permits.
8 Spend The Day Underground At Montreal's Underground City (RESO)
One of the more unique things about Montreal is that the city doesn't stop above ground. The 'Underground City' features malls, business suites, hotels, convention halls, and plenty of stops for food, drinks, and entertainment. Think of this mall as one above-ground but with a fun twist.
9 Spend An Afternoon At The Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts
For anyone wanting to learn while on vacation, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is the perfect option. This museum features visual arts, history, and science and can easily keep the group entertained for a few hours.
Ticket prices are as follows:
- Ages 31 and over - $24
- Ages 21 to 30 - $16
- Ages 20 and under - Free
- Members - Free
- Wednesday nights, 21 years and older - $12
- Wednesday nights, 20 and under - Free
10 Take Plenty Of Photos At Saint Joseph's Oratory Of Mount Royal
Something else people may want to do in Montreal is visiting Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal. This location was founded by Saint Brother André and a Catholic shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph.
For those wanting to come here, the oratory is open daily, although on certain religious holidays: it may be closed or have modified hours.
11 Best Time To See Montreal
Montreal is at its most pleasant between March and May, also September and November when hotel vacancies are at an all-time high.
Although it is still a little chilly in spring, strolling about should not be too difficult due to normal high temperatures that range from the upper 30s degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 4 °C) to the mid-60s degrees Fahrenheit (18.5 °C).
For the remaining snow, tourists may want to pack a pair of warm boots.
As for fall, it is another great time to visit Montreal. As summer vacations come to an end in September, the city is liberated from the hordes of warm-weather visitors.
Tourists will want to pack a few extra layers because they can anticipate a steady decline in temperature, from the upper 40s to high 60s degrees Fahrenheit (7.5 to 20.5 °C) in September to the upper 20s and lower 40s degrees Fahrenheit (-3 to 6.5 °C) in November.
Additionally, there are more hotels available in the fall, so tourists can get some excellent offers.
There is not really a poor time to travel to Montreal, but there are some price fluctuations. Walking about in the warm summer months is considerably more pleasant, while in the winter, the heated Underground City corridors offer a haven.
If the mild summer weather appeals to travelers, they shall make reservations in advance because Montreal stages several well-known events at this time.
- Winter: December
- Spring: March through May
- Summer: June and July
- Fall: September through November
12 Best Ways To Get Around Montreal
Both walking and taking public transit are the best methods to travel around Montreal. Although it is a relatively walkable city, if tourists’ feet start to hurt, the bus and Montreal Metro are both affordable and simple to use.
Walk Around The Beautiful Montreal
Despite being a large city, Montreal's distinct neighborhoods are simple to get around on foot. Tourists should not dismiss walking even if they are there in the winter; the Underground City makes traveling about the city center quick and cozy.
Move About Montreal By Bus And Metro
The public shuttle bus (number 747) operates continuously between the city's center and Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
There are two routes; one makes 11 stops along the way and drops off guests at the city center.
The alternative is a direct route to the Lionel-Groulx station, where travelers may board a metro train to get where they are going. The majority of the central business district and nearby suburbs are served by the metro's four lines, which converge at Jean-Talon, Snowdon, Berri-UQAM, or Lionel-Groulx.
- Trains typically operate from 5:30 AM to midnight, Sunday through Friday, and a little later on Saturday nights, though schedules vary according to the line.
Enjoy Touring Montreal By Bicycle
Tourists can also opt for renting a bicycle. More than 310 miles (500 km) of bicycle lanes circle the whole city of Montréal, and many of these paths are shielded from traffic. Roule Montréal is one popular rental choice close to the Old Port.
- Cost: Each train ride costs around $7.50. The cost of a cab to get from the airport to the city center is about $31.
13 Where To Eat In Montreal
If tourists want a wide selection of restaurants to choose from, this is the city to go to. One of North America's most diverse culinary offerings may be found in Montreal. Additionally, the city also has several culinary events, such as Mtl a Table.
- Date: November 3 to 13, 2022.
- Price: Starting at $25 per meal.
Every first Friday from May to October, Montreal's Olympic Stadium hosts the largest food truck event in Canada.
- Time: From 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Entrance fee: Free of charge
Tourists can join locals while exploring the area. All foodies are invited to tuck in and try something new since Montreal restaurants will tempt them with every imaginable ethnicity and theme.
If tourists would like to party they can pass by Le Balcon, a fusion of a New York and a Parisian cabaret and theme restaurant. They may also consider spending the evening belly dancing at La Couscoussière Ali Baba on St. Denis Street.
Moreover, Montreal is also known for its delicious smoked meat sandwiches. The city's Deli section has a complete listing. Eaters can treat themselves to a cooked-to-perfection Montreal steak if they want to make it a memorable evening.
In this great metropolis of amazing restaurants, it is very difficult not to discover culinary excellence!
- Best restaurants for breakfast: Le Vieux Velo, Duc de Lorraine, Restaurant L’Avenue, Regine Café, etc.
- Top eateries for lunch and dinner: Ile Flottante, Bouillon Bilk, Le Cartet Resto Boutique, Chez Ma Tante, Snowdon Deli, etc.
- Greatest bars: Club Pelicano, Bar Datcha, La Distillerie No.1, Bar Bootlegger, etc.
14 Where To Stay In Montreal
It is well deserved that Montreal is known for having some of the best hotels. In order to help travelers find a hotel that best fits their requirements, spending limit, and style, they have to check their star ratings, locations, and types.
It would be a good idea to look at Old Montreal hotels if tourists are seeking a little romance. Most are located in the incredibly popular Place Jacques Cartier Square in the heart of Old Montreal and are tucked away in magnificent old historical buildings.
If staying within a budget is tourists’ priority, 2 and 3-star hotels will satisfy their requirements without sacrificing amenities like continental breakfasts and Wi-Fi that have become standards.
If they are looking for a luxury and fantasy trip to the metropolis, where everything they want is at their fingertips and being pampered is the standard, they should book hotels with four or five stars.
One cannot deny the sensation of that upscale hotel savoir-faire, whether traveling for work or pleasure.
Nothing is better than being served breakfast in bed and robes, then a spa day of relaxation.
These magnificent hotels are no longer the city's best-kept secrets; they also provide promotions and discounts.
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Luxury hotels:
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Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
- Cost: $578 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 1440 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, QC H3G 1Z5
- Amenities: Indoor Pool, Restaurant, Fitness Center
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The Ritz-Carlton Montreal
- Cost: $568 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 1228 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3G 1H6
- Amenities: Indoor Pool, Spa and Wellness Center, Fitness Center
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Hotel Birks Montreal
- Cost: $333 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 1240 Rue Du Square Phillips, Montreal, QC H3B 3H4
- Amenities: Spa and Wellness Center, Fitness Center, Restaurant
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Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
- Cost: $263 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 1155 Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, QC H3A 2N3
- Amenities: Fitness Center, Free WiFi, Restaurant
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Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
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Budget hotels:
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LHotel
- Cost: $138 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 262 Rue Saint-Jacques West, Montreal, QC H2Y 1N1
- Amenities: Fitness Center, Free WiFi, Restaurant
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Hotel Les Suites Labelle
- Cost: $116 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 1205 Labelle, Montreal, QC H2L 4C1
- Amenities: Fitness Center, Restaurant, Free WiFi
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Samesun Montreal Central
- Cost: $102 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 1586 Saint-Hubert, Montreal, QC
- Amenities: Free WiFi, Bar/Lounge, Free Toiletries
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Auberge Alternative
- Cost: $72 per night for 2 adults
- Address: 358 Rue Saint-Pierre, Montreal, QC H2Y 2M1
- Amenities: Free WiFi, Free Toiletries, Internet
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LHotel
15 Tips For Staying In Montreal
For those planning their trip to Montreal, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, this city is incredibly pedestrian-friendly. Therefore, if someone wishes to do most of their commuting on foot, they will want to familiarize themselves with the street names and areas within the city.
Furthermore, tipping in Montreal is much like the United States, with most locals giving waitstaff between 15 and 20 percent. Think of this as tipping throughout the USA, whether it's valet, a server, a barista, etc.
From there, tourists to Montreal want to be safe around nightclubs in the later evening, as these can bring rowdier crowds. Montreal is a bustling city, which can also come with noise, partying, and irrational people. The best advice to follow is to stay with someone at night, hide any valuables, and look alert. If a person looks like they know what they're doing: they are less of a target.
Setting A Budget For A Trip To Montreal
A 7-day vacation to Montreal costs, on average, $1,263 for a solo traveler, $2,268 for a couple, and $4,253 for a family of four. While the majority of vacation rentals cost between $150 and $400 per night for the full property, rates for hotels in Montreal can start at $40 per night with an average of $107.
It is advised to set aside about $41 to $92 per person each day, depending on the activities, for transportation and dining at nearby restaurants.
16 How To Spend A Perfect Day In Montreal
Tourists can start their tour west of the city's center, where they will become familiar with a typical neighborhood in the heart of Montreal. After that, they can proceed through the downtown region close to the St. Lawrence River. A large portion of the magic is located here.
Tourists may go to historical landmarks, botanical gardens, and museums. Additionally, they may sample Montreal's regional cuisine and shop in bustling public markets. Then, it is great to see Montreal's center after spending the morning in the downtown outskirts.
Travelers can visit Montreal's Old Port, where they can shop and have meals in several little stores and eateries while enjoying the scenery. Later, they can pass by the astonishing Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal and The Underground City, one of the most interesting places in Montreal.
Finally, they may end their day by going to Place Ville-Marie, where they can see the entire glam of the city from the observation deck in one of the tallest buildings in Canada.
FAQ
Q: When is the best time to visit Montreal?
Montreal is at its most pleasant between March and May also September and November when hotel vacancies are at an all-time high. Although it is still a little chilly in Spring, temperatures range from 2 to 18.5 °C. As for Fall, it is another great time to visit Montreal. The city is less crowded than in summer. There is not really a poor time to travel to Montreal.
Q: What are the best attractions in Montreal?
Tourist-friendly areas in Montreal are located in relatively small districts. The Centre-Ville district is home to the most opulent street, Rue Sherbrooke, several important museums, and art galleries. The major avenue for shopping in Montreal is Rue Sainte Cathérine. Rue St. Denis and Vieux-Montreal are also must-visit destinations. Furthermore, Montreal visitors can stroll in Mile End, a small cluster of streets with particularly European atmospheres.
- Top attractions: Mount Royal, Montreal Botanical Garden, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Port Montreal, Olympic Stadium, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Underground City (RESO), and many others.
Q: Where to eat in Montreal?
Montreal is the city to go to for foodies. The city is known for its delicious smoked meat sandwiches. It has several culinary events such as Mtl a Table. Additionally, every first Friday from May to October, Montreal's Olympic Stadium hosts the largest food truck event in Canada.
- Best restaurants for breakfast: Le Vieux Velo, Duc de Lorraine, Restaurant L’Avenue, Regine Café, etc.
- Top eateries for lunch and dinner: Ile Flottante, Bouillon Bilk, Le Cartet Resto Boutique, Chez Ma Tante, Snowdon Deli, etc.
- Greatest bars: Club Pelicano, Bar Datcha, La Distillerie No.1, Bar Bootlegger, etc.
Q: Where to stay in Montreal?
Montreal is known for having some of the best hotels. Most of them are located in the incredibly popular Place Jacques Cartier Square in the heart of Old Montreal. If staying within a budget is tourists’ priority, 2 and 3-star hotels will satisfy their requirements. If they are seeking luxury, they should book 4 or 5-star hotels.
- Luxury hotels: Hotel Birks Montreal, Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, Four Seasons Hotel Montreal
- Budget hotels: LHotel, Auberge Alternative, Hotel Les Suites Labelle, Samesun Montreal Central
Q: How to get around Montreal?
Both walking and taking public transit are the best methods to travel around Montreal. Although it is a relatively walkable city, the bus and Montreal Metro are both affordable and simple to use.
Additionally, a public shuttle bus (number 747) operates continuously between the city's center and Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Each ride costs around $7.50. The cost of a cab to get from the airport to the city center is about $31. Tourists can also opt for renting a bicycle.
Q: How much do you need for 1 week in Montreal?
A 7-day vacation to Montreal costs, on average, $1,263 for a solo traveler, $2,268 for a couple, and $4,253 for a family of four. While the majority of vacation rentals cost between $150 and $400 per night for the full property, rates for hotels in Montreal can start at $40 per night with an average of $107.
It is advised to set about $41 to $92 per person each day, depending on the activities, for transportation and dining at nearby restaurants.
Q: Is Montreal safe?
Visiting Ville-Marie, Plateau Mont-Royal, and Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is generally understood to be safe at all hours.
However, it is better to avoid or take precautions when touring Notre Dame Quest, Montreal Nord, The Red-Light District, and Wellington-St at night.
Q: Is Montreal worth visiting?
Montreal is undoubtedly a worth visiting destination. Regardless of the season and age, every tourist will find something they like. Both the people and the cuisine are delightful.
Q: Which is better, Montreal or Quebec City?
Both Montreal and Quebec City have much to offer visitors, so deciding between the two comes down to personal preference.