29 Must-See Attractions in Montreal

Pointe-à-Callière Museum was established in 1992, in celebration of Montreal’s 350th anniversary, on the very site where the city was founded. Showcasing centuries of history from the settlements of the region’s indigenous people to the present day, this is the most-visited museum in the city. In addition to permanent exhibitions that include Where Montréal was Born, Archaeo-Adventure and Pirates or Privateers?, the museum holds a multimedia show and three national and international temporary exhibitions annually.

Built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, this multi-purpose stadium is one of the most identifiable structures in the city. It was the home of Montreal’s former baseball team, the Expos, until they relocated to the United States to become the Washington Nationals. Nowadays, it serves as a facility for hosting special events like concerts, trade shows and conventions. The stadium is part of the Olympic Park complex, which is a larger recreational destination that includes other popular sites such as the Biodome, Botanical Garden and the Insectarium.

Encompassing 190 acres (0.8 square kilometers) of gardens and greenhouses, Montreal’s Botanical Garden was founded in 1931 and offers a variety of themed green spaces, including the First Nations Garden, the Alpine Garden, and the Japanese Garden. There are 10 greenhouses in total, and more than 22,000 species of flora can be discovered around the peaceful grounds.

Originally the site of cycling and judo events during the 1976 Summer Olympics, Montreal’s Biodome houses four distinct ecosystems: a polar environment, a tropical rainforest, a Laurentian forest, and the St. Lawrence marine system. Here you can see 2,500 animals representing 200 different species and some 800 plant species, all under one roof. Along with the Botanical Garden, the Montreal Insectarium and the Planetarium, the Biodome is part of the biggest natural science museum complex in Canada, under the umbrella of Space for Life.

Perhaps Montreal’s most prestigious museum, the Musée des Beaux-Arts was initially founded in 1860 by a group of local art collectors and patrons. Today, the museum holds over 41,000 works dating from antiquity to today, including paintings, sculptures, graphic art, photographs and decorative art objects that are showcased across five pavilions: international art, world cultures, decorative arts and design, Quebec and Canadian art and international art and education.

Since 1964, the Musée d’art contemporain (MAC) has been showcasing some of the best contemporary art from around the globe. Here, you’ll find a range of digital and sound works, paintings, installations, ephemeral pieces and sculptures. MAC also organises artistic performances and festivals. Located in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the Musée is a cultural hub that strives to make art an integral part of daily life in Montreal.

La Ronde is an amusement park on Île Sainte-Hélène, and it holds the status of being the largest in eastern Canada as well as the second-largest in the country. It was originally constructed for the 1967 International and Universal Exposition (Expo 67) and is now operated by Six Flags. The park is open from mid-May until late October, and it’s a great way to spend a day if you are travelling in Montreal as a family.

Surrounding La Ronde, you’ll find the expansive Parc Jean-Drapeau, which comprises two islands: Île Sainte-Hélène and the artificial Île Notre-Dame. In addition to hiking and skiing trails, green space, bike paths and gardens, the park also boasts the city’s largest outdoor concert venue, a Formula 1 race track (which hosts the Canadian Grand Prix), the Montreal Casino and a beach, among plenty of other paid and free activities.

It’s no stretch to say that few cities do festivals as well as Montreal. Especially during the summer months, there’s usually a major festival of some sort happening around the city. Among the most popular is the lively Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest jazz festival in the world, which takes place in late June and early July. The festival closes a major part of the downtown area in order to accommodate up to 2.5 million visitors who attend more than 650 concerts (over 400 of which are free) at both indoor and outdoor venues.

At the top of Place Ville Marie, an office and shopping complex, Les Enfants Terribles is a great place to head to for drinks or dinner. Plan your visit around sunset, as you’re practically guaranteed an unobstructed view of the sun sinking down under the horizon. The dining room has wrap-around windows, offering a view from every angle, while the outdoor observatory is an equally excellent place to enjoy a sundowner. Recommended by Hannah Selinger.

It’s no real secret that Montreal takes spas and relaxation very seriously. The city has a reputation for some of the finest, most relaxing spas in the world. If you’re planning to visit only one, though, make it Bota Bota, a year-round spa located on a boat anchored in the St. Lawrence. Once inside, you will forget everything about city life, apart from the perfect blue vista afforded from the boat’s many windows. Recommended by Hannah Selinger.

At the Cathedrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde, a small basilica in the heart of the city that was completed in the late 1800s, visitors can view the architecturally inspiring ciborium, an altar fashioned of ornate, twisting columns. The cathedral’s domed ceiling is also a true thing of beauty. This is a small and manageable cathedral, perfect for those who want a quick look without delving too far into the depths of church history. Recommended by Hannah Selinger.

Montreal has a strong Jewish community, with many Jewish people having fled to Canada and America from Europe during the early 20th century. This beautiful and moving museum was founded by Holocaust survivors as well as by committed members of the Jewish community in Montreal in 1979. Through respectful and informative exhibitions and numerous real-life testimonies, visitors learn in detail how the lives of Jewish people and their place in society changed over time in Canada. The staff are kind and very willing to share their own stories and personal connections to the museum. Recommended by Hannah Selinger.

Don’t miss out on the chance to listen to beautiful and seamless music played by one of Canada’s favorite ensembles in a stunning music hall, built especially for the orchestra. The acoustics in the new building make this a magical experience, especially when the orchestra plays to more unusual themes, such as the music from Star Wars. The passion within these walls makes classical music accessible to all. Recommended by Hannah Selinger.