The city of Montreal is one of the most uniquely Canadian cities in the entire country. This bilingual city may lean more towards the French side of things, it’s easy to get by with a bastardized “Bonjour” and “Merci”. There are so many incredible things to do in Montreal, Quebec, from outdoor events, historical neighbourhoods, food, drink, and experiencing the culture of Quebec. Montreal should be added to everyone must-visit list.
Check out my post on French Phrases for English Speakers if you want to practice.
Try Montreal Smoked Meat
Montreal is known world wide for their famous Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwiches. Smoked meat sandwiches are a staple of Montreal cuisine. What is a Montreal Smoked Meat sandwich? It’s a kosher style deli sandwich with cured brisket served over fresh bread and a helping spread of mustard.
Visit Schwartz’s for the original, but note it’s a bit busy and can be touristy at times. Also find them at Dunn’s Famous, Lester’s Deli, Reuben’s, and The Main. It’s a superb lunch and you may find you go back more than once.
Walk up Mount Royal
Make the hike up Mount Royal for some superb views of the city. This large hill is located to the west of downtown. It provides superb views of the city, and is a great option for a morning or sunset hike. During the winter months you’ll often find kids and adults young at heart tobogganing on the hill. During the summer months make sure you check out Tam Tams. See more below.
Check out the Botanical Gardens
Featuring over 190 acres of gardens and greenhouses. It was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada back in 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the most important botanical gardens in the world due to it’s immense collection. If you’re a fan of nature, or have a green thumb of your own, you’re going to love these gardens.
Tour the Neighbourhoods
Montreal is a city of Neighbourhoods. What I love most about this city is that it’s clear to see the differences in neighbourhoods based on the street lights. You can tell where one neighbourhood ends and another starts.
Check out Old Montreal, with its old cobble stone roads and shops. It can be a bit touristy but it’s worth checking out. Head to the hip neighbourhood of Le Plateau. A gritty and chill neighbourhood with colourful old Victorian townhouses. Or bike to Mile End for more unique Montreal galleries, bookstores, cafes, and more.
Visit Little Italy and the farmer markets, or head to the Historic Jewish Quarter where you’ll find the good stuff, Bagels and Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwiches.
Dine out in Montreal
Montreal has a ton of restaurants. It’s a foodie’s paradise and can easily fill your soul and stomach with some of the best eating you may have in Canada. Visit Au pied Du Cochon for fois gras and porky goodness. Visit Joe Beef for a meaty experience, but book your reservation months in advance. The waiting list is insane. Check out Hot Dog Decarie for a burgers, fries, poutine, or anything greasy. Pop into Cuisine Bangkok for some delicious thai. If you’re hankering for good sushi check out Furusato. If you’re thirsty for good Pho check out Pho 21 in the Gay Village.
Try Montreal Bagels
I’ve never been to New York so I can’t compare, but everyone in Montreal swears Montreal Bagels are better. Crisper, sweeter, their traditional half century old recipes have been the same for ages. Fresh and locally made, waiting for you to schmeer with cream cheese or to create the ultimate bagel-wich. Find them fresh in the morning at Fairmount, R.E.A.L Bagel, or St-Viateur Bagel, all in Montreal.
Breakfast at Beauty’s
Home of Breakfast in Montreal, Beauty’s is a staple to local Montreal breakfasts. A cute diner that hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1942. Make sure you order their Smoked Salmon Breakfast Bagel or the Mish Mash Omolette. It’s a time capsule but a great place to grab a cup and start your day in Montreal.
Notre Dame Basilica
One of my favourite places to explore after a bite is old montreal. Head to Notre Dame Basilica for a beautiful sunset photo session, or come back during the day to tour the interior. It’s a beautiful walk through, and whether you’re a religious person or not, I can promise you’ll be moved.
Place Jacques Cartier / Old Port
A short walk from the Notre Dame Basilica. Check out Clock Tower Beach during the summer. Don’t forget to walk through Port D’escale Marina and check out some very expensive looking boats. Walk towards the clock tower and grab some photos. If you’re traveling with kids make sure you check out the Montreal Science Centre.
Surfing in Montreal
Yes, that’s a real thing. Many surfers flock to the Saint Lawrence River, near Habitat 67, which is this funky building located along the the river. You won’t be able to miss it, look for the building that looks like giant blocks stacked on top of each other. There’s a standing wave that allows for year round surfing in Montreal.
It’s encouraged that you be a strong swimmer to even consider surfing the river. It’s not exactly noobie friendly. You’ll need a board and likely a wet suit as the water is pretty cold year round, with the exception of a month or two in the summer.
Rent a Bixi Bike
With over 400 docking stations around Montreal, you can simply pick up and drop off a bike at any station. Head to a bike path and get your cruise on. It costs only about a $1.50 for the first hour, or grab a 24 hour pass for $5. It’s the best way to explore the different neighbourhoods. Consider checking out Little Italy, or bike down to Mile End.
Visit the Market – Marche Jean-Talon
One of two main farmers markets in Montreal. Located in the cute neighbourhood of ___. With over 300 seasonal vendors during the summer you’ll find a huge variety of the freshest ingredients. Cured meat, high end cheese, including unpasteurized raw milk cheese, which is actually illegal in the US. Make sure you sample some, it’s pretty unreal. Cheese snobs will rejoice at the choices in Marche Jean-Talon.
Sample Montreal Microbrews
Sample some local craft beer at the famous Dieu du Ciel Brewpub. A super chill atmosphere with a rotating list of 20+ beers, invented on the premises and brewed in St-Jerome. They had some delicious Coffee Stout while I was there. I ended up ordering a bunch of their small sample beers and got a little boozed up on my trip there.
If you’re looking for other Microbreweries check out L’amere a boire, Brutopia, Microbrassereie Helm, and Vices et Versa. Finish off the night with the next best thing to do in Montreal.
Try Montreal Poutine
Crispy fries with squeeky cheese curds, covered in a delicious gravy sauce. People travel from all over the world to try poutine in Quebec. While it changes from year to year and from person to person, but the best poutine to try in Montreal according to most is La Banquise, Frites Alors, Boustan, La Belle Province, Patiti Patata, and Chez Claudette. I haven’t tried them all yet, but I can vouche for La Banquise. Really enjoyed it, though I was a bit buzzed. Though they say that’s when poutine is best enjoyed.
Browse The Underground City
While it’s interesting (I suppose), many describe it as an underground mall. It’s a great place to check out during a rainy day or a particularly cold day. You can actually navigate through Montreal by the Underground which makes it handy in the icy cold Montreal winters. If you’ve visited a mall before it’s not exactly a must-see, but sure throw it in if you’ve got nothing better to do.
Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a superb choice for anyone interested in the arts. If you’ve studied it, you were probably already planning on going. But even for Joe Shmoe’s like me you’ll get a kick out of their exhibits. Consider taking a tour if you want to learn a bit more than just nodding at what you think looks nice.
Get Geeky at Foonzo
A retro style bar serving beer, and throwback fun. Get serious and play some old school board games, or take their pinball machines for a go. It’s a nice mix of geek and hipster chique. Great place to take some friends. Besides beer they also serve tea, bubble tea, and all sorts of funky drinks.
Tam-Tams
If you’re around on Sunday, make sure to check out Tam-Tams. During the summer months Tam-Tam’s is the place to be for a little Sunday fun. It’s a weekly gathering of superb vibes in Parc du Mont Royal, complete with loud drum circles, a little market place, pot-smoking hippies, LARPers, and people just enjoying the people watching. If you can hold a beat get in on it! Cool fact, Mount Royal Park was designed by the same guy that did Central Park in Montreal.
Montreal Festivals
Montreal has festivals going on nearly year round. From Pop Montreal, to Nuit Blanche, or any of the countless music, art, or food festivals going on from week to week. Hope onto the Tourism Montreal website and check out the calendar. Try to plan your trip to Montreal around a festival. It’s a great way to rub shoulders with locals.
Live Music in Montreal
If you’re visiting and can’t find a single music festival to wander through, head to L’escalier for a free show. Or catch a show over a craft beer at Brutopia. Full bands typically play on the weekend. Or check out Le P’tit Bar for chill vibe live music. Great for date night. If you’re wanting something more loud head to Hurley’s Irish Pub or Cock n’ Bull.