Things To Do In Downtown Montreal Canada

Around every corner in Downtown Montreal is a new experience. There are open-air festivals, cutting-edge bars, sizzling street eats and photo-worthy landmarks all year round. Since there’s a lot of ground to cover, Culture Trip asks their local insiders to round up their top picks so that you don’t have to.

1. Place des Festivals

Music Venue, Art Gallery, Theatre

Rue Saint-Catherine has more than just a romantic name. It lies at the heart of the entertainment district and is where Place des Festivals hosts various performances, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, winter art installations (think pretty lights with a snowy backdrop), classic film screenings and music concerts. The outdoor plaza features the largest interactive fountain in Canada, a synchronized dance of water, light and music. Head here for a night-time stroll, and chances are your evening plans can be made on the go. Recommended by local insider Caitlin Stall-Paquet

2. Le Cathcart

Market, Canadian

Having gone through a facelift in 2019, this sprawling food hall in Place Ville Marie incorporates some of the best flavors from all over the world. Sushi rolls, Lebanese moussaka, Korean fried chicken and citrusy oysters are churned out in classy restaurants by five-star chefs. Once you’ve had your fill, and head upstairs to the beer garden where you can enjoy a drink (or two) under an impressive expanse of a glass ceiling. Recommended by local insider Caitlin Stall-Paquet

3. McCord Museum

Museum

The McCord Museum, located a few blocks from Mount Royal Park, covers Canadian history through photograph displays, archaeology and art exhibitions. Visitors are taken through the history of Polaroid cameras and introduced to Cree artist Kent Monkman’s provocative and vivid take on history through paintings. There’s a lot more on display, providing visitors with a keen – if at times unsettling – view into the country’s past. Recommended by local insider Caitlin Stall-Paquet

5. Observatoire Place Ville Marie

Architectural Landmark

The Observatoire Place Ville Marie provides visitors with the chance to see Montreal from more than 600ft (185m) above, offering panoramic views of the city’s famous landmarks, including the Saint Lawrence River, the Mount Royal, the Olympic Stadium and, if it’s a clear day, the mountains of the Eastern Townships. Foodies, fear not, as Les Enfants Terribles restaurant serves specialties such as seared scallops, Quebec pork ribs and the classic poutine. For the uninitiated, that’s fries soaked in gravy and covered in cheese curds. Recommended by local insider Tess Boissonneault

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.