Things to do

20 Epic Things To Do In Montreal, Canada

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Montreal is Canada's historic place as well as one of the most exciting cities to travel. This city is a great destination for families with several popular attractions.

From historical landmarks, and shopping districts to trendy nightclubs you will be entertained here throughout your stay. So, read on to find out more about the things to do in Montreal Canada during your visit:

1. Visit Notre-Dame Basilica

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Notre Dame Basilica is accredited as one of the oldest Catholic Basilicas in Canada. It was built in the form of a church located in Paris. It is the place that attracts some of the largest tourist flows in the country, both local and foreign.

You will be amazed not only by the outer appearance of the basilica, it’s interior is detailed, painted, striking, and stunning.

2. Stroll Through Old Montreal

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This place is known for its historic architecture and cobblestone streets leading to small cafes and restaurants where visitors can enjoy a few local snacks.

You can also indulge in a guided tour of the area and soak in even more history as they walk. Additionally, the region also features the Bonsecours Market, where visitors can find all sorts of things that they can buy to remember their time in the city.

3. Hike Mount Royal

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While in the city, you should hike up to Mount Royal to experience a beautiful view. This mountain holds a park with services like park tours, snowshoeing, ice-skating, winter sliding, water activities, picnic areas, etc.

The park is one of the largest greenspaces in the city, and it also has a snack bar, shops and bike rent, Beaver Lake is a big lake. And if you are not so keen on trekking then you can take a bus to the top of the mountain head.

4. See The Sights At Jardin Botanique de Montréal

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This is a living garden with different plants and shrubs that are imported from all corners of the world for your viewing! There is also a restaurant which means while you are walking you will be able to sit down and have a meal.

Moreover, the botanical garden also has a Japanese Garden, Chinese Garden, Shrub Garden, First Nations Garden, and many more.

5. Take Some Time at Biodome De Montreal

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This wonder of human ability currently shelters many animals and provides an almost real-life condition for these animals. They have four separate areas to depict rainforest, marine life, desert, and Laurentian maple forest biomes.

Some animals include penguins, puffins, capybaras, monkeys, frogs, turtles, crocodiles, sloths, and birds, among others, are plants that grow in the natural habitats of these animals.

6. Watch A Hockey Game At Centre Bell

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In Canada, you can’t go wrong by watching hockey. One of the many places to indulge in a bit of hockey watching is Centre Bell, which hosts hockey matches almost daily for visitor’s pleasure. 

The food that is served here is also a staple in Canadian hockey games, like poutine, BBQ steak with beer sauce, and teriyaki turkey burgers, just to name a few. The atmosphere is also one of the best sports-viewing experiences one can imagine.

7. Tour The Biosphere

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This is one of the sites that you cannot miss, as the dome itself can be seen from miles away. The dome features an interactive environmental museum inside, which has permanent and temporary exhibitions created to raise awareness about environmental issues and the relationship between society and the environment

Here, you are sure to learn a lot of things about the environment while touring this museum.

8. Visit The Montreal Museum Of Fine Arts

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To visit this art museum in Montreal you need to buy a ticket worth $30. Here you will see a lot of amazing things, including sculptures, and some well-known pieces from Renaissance to modern art.

You will also find the museum attendants friendly and the best thing is they can communicate in English. There is also a section that features Japanese and Chinese art. A must-see if you are visiting Montreal anytime soon.

9. Shop At The Underground City

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The underground city includes shopping plazas, restaurants, and offices extended for more than twenty kilometers. This place is popular for everyone to visit whenever it is snowing outside or when the sun is too hot for people to stay outside for long.

The underworld city also contains art galleries, cinema theaters, gaming centers, museums, universities, and literally hundreds of other things.

10. Check Out The Olympic Park

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The Olympic Park is a vast expanse of public park housing the Olympic Stadium, Olympic Towers, and Aquatic Complex, right next to the Biodome.

You can go up the Olympic Towers to see panoramic views of the city and nearby neighborhoods or hang out in the park itself for a concert or a festival.

There are walking and cycling trails all over the park that people can pander to or use one of the many sports facilities to play soccer, tennis, or swim in the indoor swimming pool.

11. Buy Stuff At Jean-Talon Market

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Visit the Jean-Talon Market where you can find locally produced fresh meat, cheese, fish, vegetables, and fruits. The market features a very local ambiance along with music, long aisles, and an amazing smell of food and ingredients in the air.

In addition to that, you can also find locally produced jams, ciders, maple products, and much more in the market, which can be bought as souvenirs.

12. Party At The Best Clubs

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If you are still wondering what to do in Montreal then you should really experience the clubs in the city. This amazing city offers some of the best clubs anyone can step foot in and one of the best nightlife experiences.

Some of the more prominent clubs in the city include Francesco’s Discoteca, Circus Afternoon, Stereo Nightclub, New City Gas, Club Unity, and Club 249.

They house some of the best artists and musicians to satisfy visitors’ ears and make them dance and party like there is no tomorrow.

13. Go To The St.Joseph's Oratory

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St. Joseph's Oratory is a mecca for pilgrims, with its huge Renaissance-style domed basilica. This beautiful site is worth adding to your Montreal itinerary for its timeless beauty and incredible view.

Its dome is the highest point in Montreal and is the third largest in the world. Here you can explore various other areas that include a museum of religious art and artifacts.

14. Learn New Things At The Insectarium

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Another fascinating and unique activity for visitors around the city is exploring the Insectarium. This place is amazing for learning about insects and also for viewing live insects up close.

Additionally, there is a butterfly house at the top of the insectarium that houses hundreds of butterflies that fly freely around visitors. This place is best for children to visit.

15. Watch Fireworks At Old Port

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The old port is a hub for entertainment and shopping and sees thousands of visitors each day.

This site is brimming with unique activities for visitors as it features a multitude of different shops, restaurants, theatres, bike rentals, and events where they often use fireworks to awe visitors.

Moreover, visitors are also offered guided tours of the port, where the guides provide historical and contemporary knowledge about the place.

16. Walk Around Sainte-Catherine Street

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This is known as the heart of downtown as it accommodates a lot of restaurants, shopping malls, boutiques, theatres, office complexes, etc.

This could be considered the street that has everything for visitors to enjoy as it goes on for 7 miles. This city hosts festivals and celebrations for everyone to enjoy.

17. Chill At La Fontaine Park

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If you ever just want to chill and have a relaxing and peaceful time alone or with family and friends, La Fontaine Park is what you are seeking.

They offer space for picnics, slides during the winter, and a very open and airy area for you to enjoy lazy afternoons here. The park also has the starling which is a brown feathered bird that has the ability to mimic bird songs.

18. Have Aerial Views Of The City

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Another perfect opportunity to enjoy the overall atmosphere of this Canadian city is by using one of the landmarks; the La Grande Roue Ferris Wheel which is 197 feet tall.

This has 42 tiny glass-enclosed cabins where individuals sit down and can get a complete view of the city and the waters around it.

The gondolas are climate-controlled, air-conditioned, and temperated so that the outside harshest elements of the weather cannot interfere with the view from above a visitor.

19. Race At The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

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If you are a motor racing enthusiast especially endorsing the Formula One Grand Prix or any other racing competitions, then the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will prove to be one of the more exciting attractions in Montreal.

This motor racing circuit is placed in Jean-Drapeau Park and the FIA Formula One Canadian Grand Prix is only one of the races in the world championship.

The circuit is open to visitors while not in use for the Grand Prix, it is used by visitors for biking, walking, running, driving, and in-line skating almost every day.

20. Explore Barbie Expo

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Saving the most absurd one for last, the city houses a Barbie expo, which is an annual event that features more than 1,000 Barbie dolls for Barbie enthusiasts to watch and celebrate.

Additionally, this event also allows visitors to talk face-to-face with Barbie designers, watch Barbie fashion shows, join the Barbie exhibit, where they get to witness unique and rare dolls, and even create their own Barbie dolls.