Finding something to do in Montreal has never been easier. Here is our list of the must-sees that every Montrealer or visitor should know, including the most beautiful monuments, iconic attractions, our famous culture of bon vivant, restaurants, bars and the unmistakable character that makes it one of the most incredible cities in the world. It is a top destination for tourists and a daily celebration for locals through many lively neighborhoods that you will discover with our careful suggestions.
Welcome to the best things to do this weekend in Montreal, a weekly roundup of the attractions, pop-ups, events and sights that take you out of your home to discover the (hidden) gems of the city. Now that fall in Montreal is almost over and preparations for the holidays have started with the Christmas markets opening everywhere you look, it’s time to change gears a bit.
We are also interested in stylish cocktail bars and snacks with the best new restaurants in Montreal, while rediscovering all the things that made this city a great place that we couldn’t enjoy before, like stand-up comedies and live music.
Time out market Montreal
Located in Montreal’s Eaton Center shopping mall, the 40,000 square foot Time Out Market Montreal features food offerings from some of the city’s best chefs and restaurants, alongside three bars, a cooking school, a retail store and performance areas for local talent. The favorites from our first opening in 2019 are here, but we’ve refreshed our lineup with new restaurants and chefs that take things up a notch downtown.
Explore the summit of Mount Royal and its surroundings
The centerpiece of Montreal and its namesake, this tiny mountain offers stunning views in every direction as you explore all of its walls. Stretching over 692 acres, Mount Royal is a large municipal park that offers a taste of the outdoors without leaving the city limits. Whether by exploring its wooded trails, picnicking in the shade or cross-country skiing on its kilometers of trails, every minute spent on the mountain offers either a refuge away from the city, or a panoramic view of it.
Eat authentic on the Plateau-Mont-Royal
The essential addresses to treat yourself to Quebec and Montreal classics like bagels, poutine and smoked meat are all well established in this dynamic district. This blend of three distinctive neighborhoods – the Mile End, the Plateau and the McGill Ghetto – is recognized for having the best of the best side of renowned dishes; Fairmount and Saint-Viateur for their freshly baked bagels, Schwartz’s for a Montreal smoked meat accompanied by a cherry cola, and La Banquise for a poutine at any time of the day or night.
Have fun until you’re thirsty at Cabaret Mado
The drag cabaret destination of Mado Lamotte, her majesty diva of the Gay Village. This cabaret, in operation for more than three decades, is open seven days a week. This is where we find the most wanton drag performances for parties like nowhere else. Every night there is a festive parade of costume, music, comedy and dance featuring new queens, including stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The shows are generally in French with Madame Mado being translated for English speakers, if they ask nicely. Friend’s tip: The closer you sit to the stage, the more likely you are to be made laugh at by the hostess.
Dive head first into trade shows
A ton of street fairs, spread throughout the year, on Main Street in a variety of neighborhoods. Touring any of the Montreal fairs throughout the year reveals all kinds of activities, merchant offers, musical performances, foods to taste and beverages to savor. They mostly take place in May, June and July, such as when the Latin Quarter is closed to cars for the grand launch of the terrace season at the end of May, during the Grand-Prix on the weekend of June 7, or when the Plateau transforms a large section of boulevard Saint-Laurent as a pedestrian street.
Get the essential sugar shack experience
Sometimes rustic, sometimes luxurious, these rural treats are the best source of maple syrup around Montreal. Tap into local traditions. Every year, from February to the end of April, the sugar shacks in the Montreal region collect the sap from the maple trees and boil it to produce a rich and sweet maple syrup. We are not kidding about it – Quebec is the largest producer of maple syrup in the world. In a typical cabin you will find a generous lunch, traditional live music, entertainment for children, sleigh rides and more.
Run the stores of underground Montreal
A veritable anthill, this is a huge deployment of interconnected underground tunnels in the heart of the city center. Direct access to metro stations, air-conditioned in summer, heated in winter. Taking the entire circuit is the equivalent of a 30-kilometer walk, paying just one visit to this multi-level labyrinth is never enough. It is a network of functional passages that allows you to go from restaurants, to shopping centers, to tourist attractions in the city center. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world, with half a million daily users.
Stroll through the streets of Old Montreal
First established in the 17 th century by the first settlers of New France, the narrow cobbled streets and foundations therein anchor Old Montreal firmly to his European history. This neighborhood overlooking the St. Lawrence River is at the height of the city’s opulence. Bringing together some of Montreal’s most upscale restaurants, the opportunity for long window shopping, a few museums, historic monuments and a host of cultural attractions, there is plenty to keep you entertained at any time of the day in this hotel part of town.
Taste Quebec’s terroir at the Jean-Talon market
Dating back to 1933, the Jean-Talon Public Market is home to a variety of local producers, fishmongers, butchers, bakers, restaurateurs and grocers. The products found at the Jean-Talon market and other markets, such as the Atwater market, make them the real hubs of Montreal gastronomy. During the summer, they become open spaces where one can explore and enjoy at the seasonal pop-up restaurants, while the winter sees regular merchants make their way inside.
Find your animal side at the Biodôme
An indoor zoo and aquarium that houses reconstructions of four ecosystems from North America and the sub-Antarctic islands. Originally built for the judo and bike events of the 1976 Summer Olympics, the Montreal Biodome showcases thousands of animals from over 200 different species, and 500 varieties of plants. The Biodôme is being renovated until the end of summer 2019, but a visit to its immediate neighbor, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, promises an equally fascinating visit.
Go cheer for the Habs at the Bell Center
Live the experience of Montreal hockey by cheering on the local team – the Montreal Canadiens, or Inhabitants, from which “Habs” is derived – in a blue-white-red hubbub of action on the ice. A visit to Montreal is incomplete without joining the thousands of fans chanting “Go Habs Go!” Especially when rival Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are in town. If you didn’t get to the ticket office on time, don’t worry: there’s always a dealer nearby chanting the slightly inflated prices of their tickets.
Take a walk in the Botanical Garden
A gargantuan collection of plant life spread over more than 190 acres of themed gardens, greenhouses, and Art Deco pavilions. The Botanical Garden, with its tens of thousands of varieties of plants, is considered to be one of the most prestigious plant collections in the world. It is one of the city’s most beloved attractions, welcoming both leisurely walks and educational tours. Its space also houses the Insectarium, a natural history museum with 95 different insect species.
Party in downtown clubs
If there’s one thing Montreal is known for, it’s its nightlife, with DJ nights and frenzied dance floors on either side of this central neighborhood. The legal drinking age of 18, the prominent presence of university campuses within the city walls and bars that close at 3 a.m., make Montreal a historic reputation for being a place to go. partying most days of the week. Clubs that beat to the beat of the bass, like the forest restaurant and underground club Soubois, are popular places to spend the evening, followed by a visit to the Stereo afterhours club to dance until the wee hours, literally.
Admire the view at the Olympic Stadium
A multipurpose stadium built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, it is now a popular destination for its panoramic views of the city and for attending sporting events. There’s no bad time to get a new perspective of the city by climbing aboard the elevator that climbs the 574-foot tilted tower. The stadium also plays host to a host of events throughout the year, from the diesel rallying monster trucks to the lush green lawn of soccer and baseball games.
Show off with Cirque du Soleil
The internationally renowned Montreal circus company that brings together a multitude of circus traditions. The small troupe of street artists began in the late 1970s, and exploded into an imposing traveling circus. With its impressive costumes and its harmonious passages from comedy, acrobatics, storytelling, the Circus amazes every turn. His aptitudes for design and performance led the Cirque to take up residence in Las Vegas, but he also tours internationally from late summer to the winter months of Montreal.
Discover art in all its forms at the Phi Center
See the works of local and international artists at this multidisciplinary arts center. There is a range of works that are appreciated for their accomplished technique and post-modernist provocations. Established in Montreal by the same team as the DHC / ART foundation, the Phi Center offers a program that includes all possible forms of art, analogous and technological. Whether it appeals to your auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory or taste senses, there is always something to amaze you. The space, designed with sustainability in mind, also features a green roof, an urban garden and urban beehives.
Getting lost for a day at Parc Jean-Drapeau
662 Acres of huge green spaces, attractions, the site of a major festival, a Formula 1 race track and an amusement park, all spread over two islands. Often considered to be the launching pad for some of Montreal’s most imposing festivals – we think of Osheaga, Heavy MTL and ’77 Montreal – this park annually hosts the Canadian Grand Prix on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit. There are also relics from Expo 67, such as the Biosphere Environmental Museum and the La Ronde amusement park. Stretch your legs and see where a day of exploring can take you.
Lighting at the Jacques-Cartier Bridge
The bridge that connects the island of Montreal to the city of Longueuil is lit by a chromatic calendar of 365 colors. Better a close approximation when admires the decorative lighting of the bridge, which is attached to it at 150 th anniversary of Confederation and the 375 th anniversary of Montreal. It is also one of the best places, whether you are on or near the bridge, to watch the International des Feux de Loto-Québec, which originated in 1985 and is one of the most important of his type to the world.
Dinner and film at the Modern Cinema
An independent cinema in the Mile End with a cafe and bar serving snacks and beverages to enjoy while watching a movie. Thanks to a supergroup of veterans of the world of cinema, Montreal has joined the cinematographic revolution with this cinema equipped with a projector and a sound system among the best and where you can dine, drink and watch. Enjoy a daytime coffee and pastry or evening alcoholic beverages before settling in to one of the property’s carefully chosen films. The weekdays, the lineup keeps its freshness by changing every day, and so are the weekends for kids’ movies, making it one of the best things in town to do with the family.
Take a street art trip on Saint-Laurent
A walk along the Main or its alleys to admire the graffiti of recognized and little-known artists. From the start of summer, the heart of boulevard Saint-Laurent, between boulevard de Maisonneuve, to the south, and rue Saint-Viateur, to the north, sees a multitude of artists let loose with fresh paint. Their spectators, for their part, fill up on street festivals with their food kiosks and their terraces enlarged for the occasion. The whole produces great artistic pieces that remain for the rest of the year.
Fan the eccentricities at Tam-Tams
A local tradition, this outdoor festival takes place every Sunday in summer around the Georges-Étienne Cartier monument, which stretches out at the base of Mount Royal. From May to September, the area surrounding the Winged Fame Statue transforms into a huge circle of drums sifted through pot smoke. The surrounding lawn is invaded by slackliners, role-playing battles, eclectic individuals and all kinds of good vibes. Everyone is invited to join.
Take a ride aboard La Grande Roue de Montréal
An observation wheel reaching 60 meters in height with kaleidoscopic lighting. It is equipped with air-conditioned pods that welcome visitors year-round, offering an overview of Old Montreal and downtown. Also called the Montreal observation wheel, the Ferris Wheel was erected in Old Montreal to commemorate the 375 th anniversary of the city. Designed to mirror similar structures in Chicago and Hong Kong, the panoramic view from this illuminated wheel makes it a scenic attraction for tourists and a romantic outing for Montrealers.
Admire the cutting edge of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Montreal’s premier destination for contemporary art collections spanning over 7,000 works by over 1,500 national and international artists. Founded in 1964, the MAC was the first museum of contemporary art to be established in Canada. There are regular temporary exhibitions focused on the visual arts and the performing arts. Since its creation, the museum has become a space where Montrealers and tourists alike come together to admire provocative and contemplative works. It also offers conferences, workshops and brand new exhibitions each year.
Marvel at the iconic architecture of Habitat 67
A housing complex designed by architect Moshe Safdie that looks like stacked cubes. It is one of Montreal’s most famous attractions. Whether you are an architecture lover or simply curious to see the city’s iconic buildings, Habitat 67 is a brutalist landmark in the Montreal landscape. What was Moshe Safdie’s master’s thesis at first turned into reality at the 1967 World’s Fair. Comprising 354 12-storey-high concrete forms and around 100 dwellings, this structure has Redefined Urban Residential Life still offers 90-minute guided tours.
Drift aboard Bota Bota
A ferry that has been converted into one of the city’s most popular spas, offering a sublime view of the Old Port and Habitat 67 from its relaxing neighborhoods. Advertised as a “spa on the water,” this floating multi-story edifice might not cast off to drift along the river, but a day on board is just like it. It offers a Nordic water circuit open all year round with its baths and saunas, as well as gardens for lounging in the summer.
Paddle or pedal along the Lachine Canal
A national historic site, this canal stretches for 14.5 kilometers and crosses the southwest of the island of Montreal, passing from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis. Each section of the canal generates different things to see, both on land and on the water. The canal is bordered by one of the most panoptic cycle paths in the city, which stretches from the Visitor Service Center in the Lachine borough for a soak in history, passing through the Saint-Henri district for lunch, to end with a picturesque evening in Old Montreal.
See who’s showing at M Telus
Montreal is one of the best places to explore the local music scene as well as to see international extravaganzas on tour, and M Telus is the best place to catch them. First ice rink in 19th century, then a cinema and a theater, the building that houses M Telus made in entertainment for over a century. Known locally as Metropolis, this is the place to see the big names (we also think of the Corona Theater) but in more privacy than in a stadium.
Visit the sacred land of Saint Joseph’s Oratory
Topped by the most imposing church in Canada, crowned with one of the largest domes of its kind in the world, Saint Joseph’s Oratory is for those in search of nature, culture and spirituality. First a small chapel erected in 1904, today’s Oratory Basilica was completed in 1967, its reconstruction having been done in response to growing congregations. The basilica houses on the one hand a reliquary which contains the heart of Saint Andrew of Montreal, a Montrealer whose faith would have had the capacity to miraculously cure physical handicaps, and on the other hand, a large Beckerath organ whose pipes reach up to ‘at 32 feet.
To have eyes bigger than the paunch in Chinatown
The original district and cultural center crossed by the brief pedestrian segment of De la Gauchetière. Chock full of restaurants, shops and bars. The 1877 laundry collection developed into an area whose distinctiveness is hard to find elsewhere in town. There are shopping carts overflowing with Sunday Dim Sum brunches at Ruby Rouge, filamentous treats at Dragon’s Beard Candy, culinary feats at Nouilles de Lan Zhou and bamboo cookers exploding with dumplings at Qing Hua.
Full applause at the Quartier des spectacles
The obvious place to go for entertainment, cultural events spread across eight zones, and the main site for some of Montreal’s most renowned festivals. With its summer lineup that includes the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, the International Jazz Festival (the world’s largest), and public art installations, this neighborhood can boast of being the center of attention for most of the week. It is also the place where one can attend the elegant performances of the Orchester symphonique de Montréal and the Opéra de Montréal.
Let yourself be touched by Café Cléopâtre
A perfect example of neon-drenched Montreal history, there are exotic dancers on the ground floor with a cabaret upstairs offering burlesque, vaudeville and drag performances. Café Cléopâtre is one of the rare companies to remain intact after the transformations undergone by the Red Light; it is part of the reason why Montreal was known as the Paris of North America. Its clientele tends to be more local, except when the Café hosts shows as part of Just for Laughs or during the Montreal Fetish Weekend.
Maintain your love of reading at the Drawn & Quarterly bookstore
A Mile End bookstore, owned by a Canadian publishing house, specializing in comics, must read books of all time, and graphic novels by national and international authors. Drawn and Quarterly has been publishing comics since 1990 and opened its bookstore in 2007, which has greatly contributed to its popularity. The bookstore has since become the place where the local literary gratin meets and it also hosts launches by renowned authors. It doesn’t just revolve around comics either, and there is also a selection of novels and non-fiction works there.
Taste craft beers at Dieu du Ciel!
A local microbrewery that specializes in the production of tasty, traditional and experimental beers. Popular with Montrealers and tourists alike. There’s no shortage of places in Montreal to drink a good craft beer these days, but Dieu du Ciel! is usually the first to come out on top for its ability to produce a whole range of sparkling pints. With his slate of constantly evolving concoctions, Dieu du Ciel! draws long lines and offers tables to crowd into regardless of the season, but the wait is worth the wait.
Losing your sanity in the Satosphere projection room
A 360-degree spherical projection screen featuring extraordinary audio-visual presentations, films, dance parties and games, all offered in a fascinating conceptual room. Integrated into the complex of the Society for Arts and Technology, an artist and research center focused on immersive technologies, the Satosphere is the first place of its kind in Montreal and its surroundings. With its 157 speakers and regular programming that incorporates virtual reality, VJs and DJs, it’s a more unique experience.
Orange Julep Snack
A popular attraction and snack in Côte-de-Neiges shaped like a giant orange, which serves an orange juice beverage with a distinctive creamy taste. An early 1930s snack bar, the Orange Julep is a popular stop for drivers who yearn for its beverage and a bite of its hot dogs and poutines. Once part of a popular chain in Montreal, this branch is now the only one remaining and stays open late in the warmer months.
Dancing in the sand at Village au Pied-du-Courant
A public space reinvented as a laboratory of urban life where bars, chefs, musicians and the public dip their toes in the sand and bask in hammocks. Located on the shore of the St. Lawrence in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district, we can count on this space to offer events for the whole family and parties every weekend. A series of bar and canteen kiosks, green spaces and beach parties assembled from shipping containers, string lights and recycled materials gives the impression of a trip to the southern beaches without leaving the city.