The Top Things to Do in Montreal

There’s so much to love about Montreal. There are always plenty of fun things to do in Quebec’s largest city, which offers unique charms around every corner. Montreal has a rich history spanning centuries. The Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabeg peoples long inhabited what is now the Island of Montreal prior to first contact with Europeans. A 17th-century French settlement, Old Montreal is filled with historic architecture and cobbled streets that blend with vibrant, hip neighborhoods filled with trendy boutiques and eateries and an amazing arts and culture scene. Here are a range of activities to ensure your Montreal break is amazing. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Immerse Yourself in Arts and Culture

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a huge museum filled with classic and contemporary works, plus a fabulous collection of Quebecois, Canadian, First Nations and Inuit art. All throughout Old Montreal you’ll find smaller, private galleries perfect for browsing an afternoon away. Wandering the Old City taking in the art and architecture is one of the best free things to do in Montreal, and with a stay at Le Westin Montreal, you’re perfectly placed to do this. One of the most immersive things to do in Montreal is the Aura Experience, a light and sound show projected inside Notre-Dame Basilica. The cathedral is stunning in its own right, and the way every inch of the Gothic revival interior is aminated creates a truly magical experience. The epicenter of the city’s arts and culture scene is the Quartier des Spectacles, where festivals happen year-round and there’s tons of exciting public art on view. Delta Hotels by Marriott Montreal is right in the heart of the Quartier and is within walking distance of many of the city’s museums and galleries.

Seek Out the Very Best in Casual Dining

To understand modern Quebecois cuisine and explore the bounty of foods produced in Quebec — including a huge array of delicious cheeses — you should head to one of the city’s markets. Jean-Talon Market has been operating since 1933 and is one of North America’s largest public markets. Atwater Market is filled with gourmet producers and street-food stalls and is prettily located just by the Lachine Canal. For a more active exploration, you can rent a bike to cycle the scenic path that leads you all along the canal to reach the market, or join an organized bike and grazing tour as offered by many companies in the city.

There are several historic Montreal foodie experiences that everyone needs to try at least once, including eating poutine (fries topped with cheese curds and covered in gravy), bagels just pulled from the oven (heavenly) at the iconic St. Viateur, and the towering Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and more at world-famous Schwartz’s Deli.

Treat Yourself to a Spa Experience

Embrace some serious pampering at Spa St. James located in The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal. Signature treatments use products made with botanicals sourced in the nearby Laurentian Mountains and clay from the Canadian Prairies. You can even make it a family affair — the spa has a “Les Petites” menu of treatments for children ages 4 to 14.

For a unique Montreal experience visit, Bota Bota, a floating spa housed a converted ferry in the Old Port of Montreal that offers stunning views out over the city. Sitting in a hot tub on the top deck is bliss, especially on a crisp winter day.

See the City’s Sporty Side

While NHL team the Montreal Canadiens, known locally as the Habs, is a huge draw, there city also has a much-loved football team, the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, and a soccer team, CF Montréal. The city is also home to several high-profile auto-racing events, including the F1 Canadian Grand Prix.

Find Nature in the City

The Montréal Insectarium, Biodome and Botanical Garden are three fun attractions all located in the former (1976) Olympic Park. Visiting here is one of the best things to do in Montreal with kids, but these attractions offer plenty for adults, too. For the prettiest views of downtown and the St. Lawrence River, visiting Mount Royal Park is a must. The almost 700-acre park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, is much-loved by locals and home to a famed cross that looks out over the city. Spawl on the grass during the warmer months or snowshoe along paths and skate on Beaver Lake in the winter.

Fun After Dark

Montreal is famously chic, and there are many upscale bars where you can enjoy showstopping mixology. The art-filled H3 Lounge in the Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Autograph Collection is one of the city’s hottest spots to enjoy sublime cocktails and fun bar food. In Chinatown, Fleurs et Cadeaux is a supercool cocktail bar and restaurant “hidden” in what used to be a flower and gift shop that has a fun, underground and artsy vibe.

At LIVE HOUSE Speakeasy Karaoke at W Montreal, you can belt out your favorite tunes in a space that’s styled after the iconic Japanese Shinkansen train and be served delectable sake-based cocktails and mocktails, as well as delicious food. If you’re looking for laughs, the city has a thriving comedy scene (it’s home to the world’s biggest comedy festival, Just for Laughs), with several clubs offering shows in both French and English