Things to do in Montreal
Mount Royal Park offers views over the skyscrapers and art museums of downtown Montreal. Down by the Old Port, Old Montreal steps back in time at Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History. Across the river, the latticework Biosphère dominates Parc Jean-Drapeau's green islands. Head east for flora and fauna at Montreal Biodôme and Montreal Botanical Garden. Three-day passes are available at most museums, which generally open 10am-5pm/6pm. Many close Monday, especially in winter.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History - Delving into Montreal's history
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Built on the site where the original colony was established in 1642 (Pointe-à-Callière), the modern Museum of Archaeology and History engages visitors to Old Montreal with a multimedia show and artefacts displayed among the ancient building foundations.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$14; concessions C$6-C$10; under 6s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sat & Sun 11am-5pm (summer Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun 11am-6pm)
Address
350, place Royale, Montreal H2Y 3Y5
Telephone
+1 514 872 9150
2. Château Ramezay Museum - Three centuries of history
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In 1705 Claude de Ramezay, the 11th governor of the colony, built himself a residence in Old Montreal. After having hosted Benjamin Franklin's American revolutionaries, it became the Château Ramezay Museum, filled with portraits, furniture, Amerindian artefacts and more.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$9; concessions C$6-C$7; under 4s go free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-4.30pm (daily 10am-6pm Jun-early Oct)
Address
280, rue Notre-Dame est, Montreal H2Y 1C5
Telephone
+1 514 861 3708
3. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts - Montreal's foremost gallery
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Downtown Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosts excellent temporary exhibitions in two pavilions facing each other. The permanent collection ranges from medieval European painting to Inuit sculpture. Highlights include Canadian landscapes by the Group of Seven and Québécois abstract expressionists.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free, Special exhibitions C$15; concessions C$7.50; under-12s free; Wed 5pm-9pm half price
Opening Hours
Tue 11am-5pm; Wed-Fri 11am-5pm (until 9pm for temporary exhibitions); Sat & Sun 10am-5pm
Address
1379, rue Sherbrooke ouest, Montreal H3G 2T9
Telephone
+1 514 285 2000
4. McCord Museum - Exhibiting Canadian life
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The downtown McCord Museum of Canadian History showcases the eclectic collections of 19th- and 20th-century benefactors. The thousands of costumes, domestic artefacts and historical photographs reveal rural and urban life as it was lived by Canadians of all origins.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$13; concessions C$7-C$10; children free-C$5
Opening Hours
Tue-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun 10am-5pm (summer also Mon 10am-5pm)
Address
690, rue Sherbrooke ouest, Montreal H3A 1E9
Telephone
+1 514 398 7100
5. Canadian Centre for Architecture - Grand designs
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The understated but handsome Canadian Centre for Architecture lies west of downtown. It hosts changing exhibitions on the art of architecture and its history, displaying architects' sketchbooks, elevation drawings and photography. The CCA bookstore will delight design aficionados.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$10; concessions C$7; children and students free; Thu 5.30pm-9pm free
Opening Hours
Wed-Sun 10am-6pm (until 9pm Thu)
Address
1920, rue Baile, Montreal H3H 2S6
Telephone
+1 514 939 7026
6. Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art - Québécois and international artists
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Part of downtown's Place des Arts complex, the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art shows highlights from its collection of post-1939 works and temporary exhibitions of international artists. Look for paintings by Québécois artists such as Jean-Paul Riopelle and Paul-Émile Borduas.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$8; concessions C$4-C$6; under 12s free; Wed 6pm-9pm free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 11am-6pm (until 9pm Wed)
Address
185, rue Sainte-Catherine ouest, Montreal H2X 3X5
Telephone
+1 514 847 6226
Attractions
Expand all7. Biosphère - Hands-on environmental museum
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Built as the US pavilion for Expo '67, the massive geodesic dome on Saint Helen's Island houses the Biosphère. Environmental issues, including global warming, are explored through multimedia shows and hands-on displays. The museum boasts terrific city skyline views.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$12; concessions C$8; under 17s free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm (closed Mon Nov-May)
Address
160, Chemin Tour-de-l'Isle, Jean Drapeau, Montreal H3C 4G8
Telephone
+1 514 283 5000
8. Saint Joseph's Oratory - Renaissance basilica
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Saint Joseph's Oratory boasts a giant copper dome and towers over the northwest slope of Mount Royal. Largely Italian Renaissance in style, it was the vision of Brother André, a lay brother who enjoyed a reputation as a healer.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free (museum $4; concessions $3; children $2; guided tours $5)
Opening Hours
Daily 6am-9.30pm; museum daily 10am-5pm
Address
3800, chemin Queen Mary, Montreal H3V 1H6
Telephone
+1 514 733 8211
9. Montreal Botanical Garden - Oasis in the east
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Montreal Botanical Garden's 22,000 plant varieties spread across 748,668m² of diverse land in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. Relax at the Chinese Garden (the largest outside Asia) or the serene Japanese Garden with tearoom. The Insectarium displays insects ranging from beauties to monsters.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Mid May-Oct C$16; concessions C$12; children C$2.50-C$8, Oct-mid May C$14; concessions C$12; children C$2.50-C$8
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (until 6pm in summer; until 9pm Sep-Oct; closed Mon Nov-mid May)
Address
4101, rue Sherbrooke est, Montreal H1X 2B2
Telephone
+1 514 872 1400
10. Montreal Biodôme - One roof, four ecosystems
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An oasis in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the Montreal Biodôme recreates four varied ecosystems of the Americas. Look for monkeys in the tropical forest and penguins in the polar worlds. In between are the seasonal Laurentian forest and the Saint Lawrence shoreline.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$16; concessions C$12; children C$2.50-C$8 (packages available)
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-5pm (summer until 6pm; closed Mon Sep-Feb)
Address
4777, avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montreal H1V 1B3
Telephone
+1 514 868 3000
11. Notre Dame Basilica - Striking Gothic Revival cathedral
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Notre Dame Basilica is a striking early-19th-century Catholic cathedral built in a Gothic Revival style in what is now Old Montreal. The interior is a delightful mix of bold colours and gilding. Time a visit to see the light show.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$5; children free-C$4 (light show C$10; concessions C$9; children C$5)
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 8am-4.30pm; Sat 8am-4pm; Sun 12.30pm-4pm (also open for religious services, times vary; light show Tue-Sat evenings, times vary)
Address
110, rue Notre-Dame ouest, Montreal H2Y 1T1
Telephone
+1 514 842 2925
Special things to do
Expand all12. Lachine Canal - Canalside cycleway
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Stretching from the Old Port to Lachine, the 14km Lachine Canal was built in the heyday of the industrial revolution. Now it's a linear park ideal for cycling or rollerblading. Delve into its history on a guided walk or cruise.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free (guided tours extra)
Opening Hours
Daily sunrise-11pm (Lachine Visitor Services Centre mid May-Aug daily 10am-4pm)
Address
Visitor Services Centre, 500 chemin des Iroquois, Lachine, Montreal H8S 4J5
Telephone
+1 514 283 6054
Transport
Métro Charlevoix, Lionel-Groulx or Square Victoria; bus 195 for Visitors Services Centre
Website
13. Maison Saint-Gabriel - Old school manor
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Although now surrounded by the neighbourhood of Pointe Saint-Charles, the fieldstone Maison Saint-Gabriel was a rustic setting for nuns to raise and educate marriageable orphans. Re-enactments and tours of the furnished manor and gardens evoke its late 17th-century origins.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
C$8; concessions C$4-C$6; children free-C$2
Opening Hours
Guided tours Sep-Jun Tue-Sun 1pm-5pm (different times in summer)
Address
2146, place Dublin, Montreal H3K 2A2
Telephone
+1 514 935 8136
14. Ça Roule - Montreal On Wheels - Rollerblading the Old Port
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The 2.5km Old Port promenade is best explored on two wheels. Ça Roule - Montreal On Wheels rents out bikes and rollerblades to take visitors past boats, bookstalls and parkland. Take a tour to the islands or along Lachine Canal.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Bike rentals C$8-C$9/hr, C$25-C$35/day; rollerblade rentals C$9/hr (1st hr) then C$4.50/hr, C$20-C$25/day; tour prices vary
Opening Hours
Mar-Apr daily 10am-6pm; May-Aug daily 9am-8pm; Sep daily 9am-7pm; Oct daily 9am-6pm; Nov Tues-Sun 9am-5pm (May-Sep closes at 6pm on rainy days)
Address
27, rue de la Commune est, Montreal H2Y 1H9
Telephone
+1 514 866 0633
15. Mount Royal Park - Montreal's central park
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Mount Royal Park is downtown's largest green space with great views of the cityscape from the chalet lookout. It attracts joggers, cyclists and skiers. Skaters head to Beaver Lake. Dance to tam-tam drums at the monument to Sir George-Étienne Cartier.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free (charge for guided tours, rentals and activities)
Opening Hours
Park daily 6am-midnight, Smith House Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat & Sun 10am-6pm, Chalet daily 8am-8pm
Address
1260, chemin Remembrance, Montreal H3H 1A2
Telephone
+1 514 843 8240
