Montréal, Québec Hotels and City Guide

Montréal - Attractions

Time Out

What do you want to get out of your Montréal vacation? Do you want peaceful walks through the incredible Parc Mont-Royal or to take in a show at the outdoor theater of Parc LaFontaine? Do you want to let loose and dance your cares away at Montréal’s chic clubs? Do you want to explore the history of the Québécois people and the heritage of this great city? Do you want to eat some of the best food in the world, sip a glass of wine from a premier winery, and gaze at the beautiful architecture? From snowy mountaintops to haute couture, from exquisite cuisine to one-of-a-kind shops, there is truly something for everyone in Montréal. The only problem is fitting it all into one vacation. You’ll have to come back again and again!

We've selected the top must-see attractions in Montreal below, but you can read a more detailed guide on what to do and see in Montreal here.

Montréal's Main Attractions

Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal (Our Lady of Montréal Basilica)
111 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Vieux-Montréal, Tel.: 514.842.2925 or toll free 866.842.2925

When we think of grand Cathedrals, we think of the Renaissance masterpieces in Europe, but Montréal’s Notre-Dame is a thrilling and dramatic basilica that features soaring towers, a 12 ton brass bell, a 7000 pipe Casavant organ, a beautifully carved pulpit, stained glass windows, and a blue sky ceiling with 24 karat gold stars. It’s stunning and full of Montréal’s history and culture.

Maison Sainte-Gabriel (Saint Gabriel’s House)
2146 Pl. Dublin, Pointe-Sainte-Charles, Tel.: 514.935.8136

Step into New France at the Maison Sainte-Gabriel. This was a home for some intrepid young ladies of the 18th Century. Braving the new world, they came to Sainte-Gabriel to work, learn domestic chores, and marry into good families. A bit archaic to our ears, but Sainte-Gabriel was a cutting-edge institute in its day, and visiting gives us great insight into the centuries-old history of Montréal.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal (Montréal Museum of Fine Arts)
1380 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Square Mile, Tel.: 514.285.2000

A world class city needs a world class museum, and Montréal has it in the Musée des Beaux-Arts. It is Canada’s oldest museum and features an impressive collection of art from throughout the world. From Renaissance and Oriental masters to Canadian artists and contemporary collections, this is a must during your visit to Montréal.

Jardin Botanique (Botanic Garden)
4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est. Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Tel.: 514.872.1400

The Botanic Gardens are wonderful no matter what time of year you visit Montréal, but imagine stepping in from a cold, snowy winter afternoon. You are met by a world bursting with color and scent. There are ten greenhouses open all year, and 181 acres of warm-weather plantings. Wander through as many of the 30 thematic gardens as you want as you marvel at the color, the lush greenery, and the peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy the Rose Garden, the Chinese Garden with pagoda and soothing waterfall, the Japanese Garden, where you can enjoy ceremonial tea services, all with native plants. The Poison Plant Garden is always a hit with kids, as is the Insectarium. Montréal boasts the second largest botanic gardens of its kind – take a day, take two.

Musée d’Archéologie et d’Histoire Pointe-á-Calliére (Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and History Museum)
350 Pl. Royale, Vieux-Montréal, Tel.: 514.872.9150

Enjoy some of Montréal’s fabulous architecture at the Pointe-à-Callière Archaeology and History Museum, housed in a contemporary glass building. Travel from the Ice Age to Today, and make sure to stop at the 17th Century. Step into the present with the exhibit on life and love in Montréal’s diverse environs, and you must take in the view Vieux-Montréal from the tower. If you are visiting in the summer, attend a period fair or festival. It’s always a great time.

Parc Jean-Drapeau
Île Ste-Hélène, Tel.: 514.872.6120

Fun for the whole family, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers a large amusement park, a refreshing beach with clean, filtered water, beautiful flower gardens, the Old Fort, where costumed soldiers demonstrate military methods of ancient wars, and even the Casino de Montréal. It’s a great place to picnic, walk, and enjoy the ambience.

Biodôme de Montréal
4777 Avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Tel.: 514.868.3000 

This is a favorite with guests of all ages: at the Biodome, you will find four carefully planned and replicated ecosystems. You’ll be able to feel this as well as see it as you step from the mild Laurentian Forest or Saint Lawrence Marine systems to the balmy Tropical Forest or the chilly Polar systems. The Biodome is a great learning experience and a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Rue Crescent
Off of Rue Sherbrooke, Tel.: 514.873.2015

Leave the kids at home and come to Crescent Street for Montréal’s famous night life. After visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, stop by for a fabulous dinner at one of the area’s best restaurants, Les Halles. The fun continues at one of Crescent Street’s many bars or clubs.

Montréal Entertainment

As the cultural center of Canada, Montréal offers an extensive array of events, festivals, attractions, and opportunities for visitors and residents. There is something in each and every corner of the city that will excite interest or inspire awe. This is a very walkable city, and one of the greatest pleasures you will get from your vacation is roaming through the lovely neighborhoods and discovering your Montréal.

The ideal way to see Montréal for the first time would be to reach the summit of Mont-Royal, which is more of a grand hill than mountain. The vistas from Chalet du Mont-Royal are gorgeous, and there is something about seeing the city from above that increases one’s eagerness to explore and gives the eclectic districts a sense of unity for which Montréal is so well known. Sophisticated modernity complements old world charm as you stroll from exciting Downtown and trendy Rue Prince-Arthur to Old Montréal’s cobblestones or Rue Sainte-Catherine’s many shopping centers.

Outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of natural beauty will be thrilled with the many offerings: in the spring and summer months, enjoy concerts at the outdoor theater in Parc Jean-Drapeau or bike the lovely paths of Parc René-Lévesque. When snow falls, the fun doesn’t stop. Put on your skis and enjoy cross-country trails at Parc du Mont-Royal or lace up your skates for free skating in Vieux-Port. Step inside the balmy Botanic Gardens, or Jardin Botanique, anytime for lush plants and exotic flowers, or the Biodome, which allows visitors to experience four different ecosystems.

Montréal is ideal for shoppers, epicureans, and art and history buffs. Many of Montréal’s neighborhoods feature unique opportunities for visitors to experience the diversity of the city through food, wine, museums, galleries, monuments, and much more. From the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal to the Village’s Divers/Cité gay pride festivals, you will find it all in the city.

Hotels in Montréal, Québec