Welcome to the Best Places to Visit in Montreal.
Montreal is a city with something for everyone, and one of the best ways to explore Montreal is by foot. There are countless walking trails that wind their way through the city, each offering a unique view. The Mont Royal hike is a must-do for those looking for a challenge.
The trail takes you to the top of the city’s namesake mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the cityscape. So let’s get started and enjoy the top 10 best places you should visit in Montreal!
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, head to Parc Jean-Drapeau. This sprawling park is home to two man-made islands, both of which are worth exploring. The first, Île Notre-Dame, is home to the iconic Biosphere. The second, Île Sainte-Hélène, is home to the Montreal Casino and the Montreal Botanical Garden.
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Travel time
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -13.6 | -4.2 | -9 | 8 | 24 | 16 |
| Feb | -12.3 | -2.5 | -7.4 | 10 | 28 | 18.7 |
| Mar | -6.7 | 3.2 | -1.8 | 20 | 38 | 28.8 |
| Apr | 0.8 | 12 | 6.4 | 33 | 53 | 43.4 |
| May | 7.8 | 20 | 14 | 46 | 68 | 57 |
| Jun | 13.5 | 25 | 19.2 | 56 | 77 | 66.6 |
| Jul | 16.4 | 27.2 | 21.8 | 62 | 81 | 71.2 |
| Aug | 15.4 | 26.3 | 20.8 | 60 | 79 | 69.5 |
| Sep | 11 | 22 | 16.4 | 52 | 72 | 61.6 |
| Oct | 4.6 | 14.2 | 9.4 | 40 | 58 | 49 |
| Nov | -1.8 | 6.7 | 2.4 | 29 | 44 | 36.4 |
| Dec | -8.5 | -0.3 | -4.4 | 17 | 31 | 24 |
| Yr | 2.3 | 12.5 | 7.4 | 36 | 54.6 | 45.5 |
There is no definitive answer as to when the best time to travel to Montreal is, as the city has different charms in different seasons.
That said, many people believe that the best time to visit Montreal is in the fall, when the leaves are changing color and the weather is still pleasant. The climate in Montreal is continental, with cold winters and warm summers.
Montreal has four distinct seasons, so visitors can experience a wide range of activities and attractions depending on when they travel.
Geographical Position
Montreal is located in the province of Quebec in southeastern Canada. It is situated on the Island of Montreal at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. The city has a population of 1,704,694 (2016 census), making it the second-largest city in Canada and the ninth-largest in North America.
Montreal is divided into 19 boroughs, each with its own unique character and attractions.
The downtown core is home to the city’s financial and commercial districts and many of its historical landmarks. The Plateau is a vibrant neighborhood known for its artists and hipsters, while Griffintown is an up-and-coming area with new restaurants and bars.
Other popular boroughs include Mile End, Little Italy, Chinatown, and the Latin Quarter.
10 Best Places to Visit in Montreal
1. Old Montreal
Old Montreal is a historic neighborhood in the city of Montreal, Canada. It is the oldest part of the city, and features a mix of cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and cultural attractions that attract visitors from around the world.
One of the most famous attractions in Old Montreal is the Notre-Dame Basilica, a stunning Gothic Revival church that dates back to the mid-19th century. The church is known for its intricate interior decorations, including a vibrant blue ceiling with gold stars, and is a popular spot for tourists and locals.
Another popular attraction in the area is the Old Port of Montreal, which has been a hub of activity since the 17th century. Today, the port is home to a variety of restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities, including boat tours, zip-lining, and an observation wheel that provides stunning views of the city skyline.
2. Notre Dame Basilica
Notre-Dame Basilica is a stunning Gothic Revival church located in Old Montreal, Canada. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and is known for its intricate interior decorations and impressive architecture.
The church was constructed between 1824 and 1829, with additional expansions and renovations taking place over the following years. Its ornate interior features a blue ceiling with gold stars, intricate wood carvings, and numerous statues and paintings.
One of the church’s most striking features is its grand Casavant Frères pipe organ, one of the largest in North America. The organ has four keyboards, 92 stops, and over 7000 pipes, and is used during special occasions and events.
The church is also home to several significant religious artifacts, including the Saint Joseph statue and the Sacred Heart’s altar. Visitors can take a guided tour of the church to learn more about its history and architecture, or attend one of the daily masses held in the church.
3. The Montreal Botanical Garden
The Montreal Botanical Garden is a large botanical garden located in the city of Montreal, Canada. The garden spans over 190 acres and is home to a diverse collection of plants, flowers, and trees from around the world.
The garden was founded in 1931, and has since grown to become one of the largest botanical gardens in the world. It is divided into several themed areas, including a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and a First Nations garden.
One of the most popular features of the Montreal Botanical Garden is its collection of bonsai trees, which includes over 500 specimens from around the world. Visitors can also explore the extensive greenhouse complex, which includes several climate-controlled environments that allow for year-round plant growth.
In addition to its impressive collection of plants and flowers, the Montreal Botanical Garden is also home to several walking paths and outdoor art installations. The garden hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including seasonal flower shows and cultural festivals.
Overall, the Montreal Botanical Garden is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in botany, horticulture, or simply looking for a peaceful outdoor retreat in the heart of the city. Its vast collection of plants and flowers, stunning gardens, and educational exhibits make it a popular attraction for visitors of all ages.
4. The Montreal Biodome
The Montreal Biodome is a unique museum located in the city of Montreal, Canada. Housed in a former Olympic stadium, the Biodome features a collection of over 4,800 animals and 750 plant species from four different ecosystems found in the Americas.
Visitors to the Biodome can explore four distinct ecosystems: the Tropical Rainforest, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Each ecosystem is recreated using live plants and animals, along with sound, lighting, and temperature controls to simulate the natural environment.
One of the highlights of the Biodome is the Tropical Rainforest exhibit, which features a 2,500-square-meter replica of a rainforest ecosystem. Visitors can walk through the exhibit on a series of elevated walkways, and observe a variety of tropical plants, birds, monkeys, and other animals.
Other popular exhibits at the Biodome include the penguin exhibit, which features four different species of penguins, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence exhibit, which recreates the underwater environment of the Gulf and features a variety of fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.
The Biodome is also home to a variety of educational programs and events, including guided tours, workshops, and interactive exhibits designed to teach visitors about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.
Overall, the Montreal Biodome is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in nature, wildlife, or the environment. Its unique and immersive exhibits provide an opportunity to experience some of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems up close, and to learn more about the complex relationships between animals and their habitats.
5. The Montreal Insectarium
The Montreal Insectarium is a museum and research center dedicated to insects located in Montreal, Canada. It is considered one of the largest insect museums in North America and is home to a vast collection of over 250,000 preserved insect specimens from around the world.
The Insectarium was founded in 1990 and is located in a modern facility in the heart of the city’s Botanical Garden. The museum features various exhibits showcasing insects’ diversity and importance, including their role in pollination, decomposition, and food chains.
One of the highlights of the Insectarium is its live insect collection, which includes over 100,000 live specimens from around the world. Visitors can see live ants, beetles, butterflies, and other insects up close, and even touch some of them in the “Butterflies Go Free” exhibit.
6. The Montreal Planetarium
The Montreal Planetarium is a great place to learn about the night sky. It’s also home to the largest domed cinema screen in the world.
7. The Montreal Science Centre
The Montreal Planetarium, also known as the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, is a museum and planetarium located in Montreal, Canada. The facility was established in 2013 and is home to two domed theaters that offer immersive shows and presentations about astronomy and space exploration.
The planetarium’s main attraction is the immersive multimedia show “Continuum,” which takes visitors on a journey through space and time using state-of-the-art projection technology. The show features stunning visuals and sound effects, and is narrated in both English and French.
In addition to “Continuum,” the planetarium offers a variety of other shows and presentations, including live demonstrations of the night sky and interactive exhibits about astronomy and space science. The planetarium also hosts special events and workshops throughout the year, including stargazing parties and educational programs for children and adults.
Outside the planetarium, visitors can explore the Space for Life complex, which includes the Montreal Biodome, the Montreal Insectarium, and the Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden). The Space for Life complex is designed to showcase the interconnections between life on Earth and the wider universe.
Overall, the Montreal Planetarium is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in space and astronomy. Its stunning visual displays, educational exhibits, and immersive shows make it a fascinating and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
8. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a major art museum located in Montreal, Canada. It was founded in 1860 and has since grown to become one of the largest museums in North America, with a collection of over 43,000 works of art from around the world.
The museum’s collection includes a wide range of art forms, from paintings, sculptures, and drawings, to decorative arts, furniture, and textiles. Its permanent collection features works by many of the world’s most famous artists, including Rembrandt, Picasso, and Monet, as well as many Canadian and Quebecois artists.
The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, featuring works by contemporary and historical artists from around the world. Recent exhibitions have included shows on the art of the Renaissance, the work of famous fashion designers, and the contemporary art scene in Quebec.
In addition to its extensive collection and exhibitions, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts offers a variety of educational programs, including guided tours, workshops, and lectures. Its Art Hive program provides a free and welcoming space for community members to explore their creativity and connect with others.
The museum is also home to a concert hall,
9. The Montreal Olympic Park
The Montreal Olympic Park is a multi-purpose sports and recreation complex located in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood of Montreal, Canada. The park was built for the 1976 Summer Olympics and is now a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
The centerpiece of the Olympic Park is the Olympic Stadium, which features a distinctive tower that has become an iconic symbol of Montreal. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 66,000 and is used for a variety of sporting and entertainment events throughout the year.
Visitors to the Olympic Park can also explore a variety of other attractions, including the Montreal Biodome, the Montreal Botanical Garden, and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. The park is also home to a variety of outdoor recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, a skating rink, and a soccer field.
10. The Montreal Biosphere
The Montreal Biosphere is a unique museum and educational center located on Île Sainte-Hélène in the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, Canada. The museum is housed in a striking geodesic dome designed by renowned architect Buckminster Fuller, which was originally constructed as the United States Pavilion for Expo 67, the World’s Fair held in Montreal in 1967.
Today, the Biosphere is dedicated to promoting public awareness and education about environmental issues, including climate change, air and water pollution, and sustainable development. The museum features a variety of interactive exhibits and multimedia displays that explore the science and impacts of environmental challenges, as well as the actions that individuals and communities can take to address them.
Visitors to the Biosphere can also explore the surrounding park and natural environment, which includes walking trails, observation decks, and other outdoor exhibits. The museum offers a variety of educational programs and workshops for children and adults, including guided tours, hands-on activities, and special events.
Summary of Best Places to Visit in Montreal
Montreal is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, with a rich history and culture. The people of Montreal are warm and welcoming, and there is a great sense of community. There are plenty of things to do in Montreal, from exploring the city’s many museums and art galleries to enjoying the lively nightlife.
Montreal is also a great place to shop, with a wide variety of shops and boutiques to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a unique souvenir or just want to browse the latest fashion trends, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for in Montreal.
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