TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS TO VISIT IN MONTREAL

Montreal is considered to be the cultural capital of Canada; this French-speaking city is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style. A stroll around the cobblestone streets and grand buildings of Vieux-Montréal will give you a taste of European flavor. The Basilique Notre-Dame is a confection of stained glass, and the Plateau Mont-Royal district will delight with its quaint boutiques and cafés. Dig into a massive plate of poutine to fuel up for a tour of the epic Olympic Park. Here are the Top 10 Attractions to Visit in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

1. Notre-Dame Basilica

Growing from a humble stone church in the 17th century to a minor basilica erected to welcome some 8,000 parishioners, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal stands as a majestic testament to the importance of religion and art throughout the city’s history. A jewel of Québec’s religious heritage, it is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. Built between 1824 and 1829, this site of national historic significance features dual towers reminiscent of Notre-Dame-de-Paris. The West Tower houses the famous 10,900-kg Jean-Baptiste bell, while the East Tower rings with a carillon of ten bells. Three large statues – Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary, and Saint-Jean-Baptiste – keep vigil over the entrance to this religious sanctuary that welcomes millions of visitors each year. The basilica’s interior is a sight to behold, with its blue colors, shimmering gold-leaf ornamentation, intricate woodwork, religious paintings, and colorful stained-glass windows depicting over 350 years of parish history designed by Québec artist, Jean-Baptiste Lagacé. Under the direction of Montréal architect Victor Bourgeau, the interior decoration was completed in 1880. Featuring a 7,000-pipe Casavant organ, its remarkable acoustics are only matched by the beauty of the surroundings. Adult admission to the museum is $15 per person and is worth every penny.

2. Old Montreal

For almost 400 years, travelers have oohed and aahed at the architectural beauties of Old Montréal and the Old Port. And while the turn of every corner reveals another timeless surprise, these are some definite top-of-the-list musts to experience before heading back into the modern world. Marvel at the Notre Dame Basilica, Take a walk back in time down Saint Paul Street, Reach new heights, and experience new vistas on the Grande Roue de Montréal. Share the view of St. Lawrence with the angels of Ville-Marie atop the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. Old Montreal is a historic neighborhood in Canada with a charming Parisian flair. Be transported back in time as you wander down the cobblestone streets and admire the stunning architecture. Check out the Bonsecours Market for some unique shopping, stroll along St. Paul Street, and visit the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal to admire the incredible stained glass windows. You can also head to the old port for a Ferris wheel ride, zipline, or cruise. Here, you'll mingle with Montrealers at sidewalk cafes while overlooking the river, or enjoy the summertime street performers at Place Jacques-Cartier. This is also a popular shopping area (despite the kitschy souvenir shops), and numerous bars and clubs bring Vieux-Montréal to life come sundown. Recent visitors said this area is a must for strolling, eating, and experiencing the history of Montreal and feels very European thanks to its beautiful architecture. For more in-depth knowledge of Old Montreal, consider joining a Walking tour like the one below. 

Walking Tour of Old Montreal

3. Mount Royal Park

This park is one of Montreal's largest greenspaces and is a great place for admiring a wide variety of flora and fauna. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same person behind New York's Central Park, Mount Royal Park boasts miles of trails and superb views of the city. Here, you can stroll down the tree-lined paths and recharge with a picnic on the grass by Beaver Lake. You can also enjoy outdoor activities year-round, such as canoeing in the summer and skiing in the wintertime. Majestically rising up in the middle of the city, Mount Royal (“the mountain” to locals) is a symbol of the city’s heritage, history, geography, and inspiration, hosting founding institutions, beautiful hillside cemeteries, and Mount Royal Park, a 4-season playground. Inaugurated in 1876, Mount Royal Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park fame. It is a magnificent urban green space featuring 200 hectares of astonishing biodiversity and natural beauty. The Kondiaronk Belvedere at the summit has witnessed more than one eager suitor down on one knee to pop “the” question with a breathtaking vista of the city as a romantic backdrop. A stop at Smith House is a must, as Les Amis de la Montagne offers an array of visitor services and activities, including trail maps and a permanent exhibition that highlights the history of this unique natural landmark declared a heritage site in 2012. With three locations in the heart of the park (Smith House, the Chalet, and the Beaver Lake Pavilion), the Café des Amis offers a wonderful place to enjoy a bite while taking in the scenery. 

4. Montreal Botanical Garden

The Montreal Botanical Garden is a large garden in the city that is part of Montreal Space for Life—Canada’s largest natural sciences museum complex—with over 22,000 species of plants from all over the world, exhibition greenhouses, and thematic gardens. You can learn about Chinese, Japanese, and First Nations cultures through their flora, and discover seasonal varieties and events at the main exhibition greenhouse. Plan your visit during the Gardens of Light festival which usually takes place in the fall, where you'll see the cultural gardens illuminated with lights, installations, and lanterns. Thanks to 10 large greenhouses – each tailored to a specific theme – the 190-acre botanical gardens are home to more than 22,000 species of flora and offer scenic year-round respite from the metropolis' downtown core.  Recent visitors called the garden a must-visit with lots to see. If you're visiting with kids, don't miss the ever-popular toxic plant garden. What's more, the Insectarium is one of the largest insect museums in North America, with more than 250,000 specimens of living and naturalized insects. Permanent exhibits include We Are the Insects, Atta Ants, Butterflies Go Free (a favorite among the garden's youngest visitors), and The BuzzGround, a fun discovery zone, especially for kids. Reviewers say the variety is amazing and that kids love visiting. Admission to the Museum is $22.75, which doesn't include admission to the Insectarium, also located in the same location as the Botanical Garden.

5. Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal, founded by Saint Brother André in 1904, is a catholic sanctuary and the largest shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph in the world. It receives over 2 million visitors yearly. We welcome everyone to partake in panoramic views, music concerts, and special religious celebrations; come discover natural, cultural, and spiritual treasures in the heart of the city. You will marvel at the votive chapel containing 10,000 candles, the Oratory Museum featuring nativity scenes from around the world, the Original Chapel, the spectacular Garden of the Way of Cross, the Crypt Church, and the largest domed Basilica in North America. Rising majestically above the cityscape is Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. It is the largest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Joseph and one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites with over 2 million visitors per year. In 1904, Brother André, a simple porter renowned for his miracle cures (which he attributed to God through Saint Joseph), set out to construct a small wooden chapel, which would ultimately become one of the city’s most impressive religious buildings. It wasn’t until 1967, thirty years after his death, that the immense sanctuary was completed. The shrine includes a majestic basilica for close to 2,000 worshippers, with a dome that reaches a soaring 97 meters, the original chapel, a votive chapel, and a crypt. Here lies Brother André, canonized in 2010 as Saint André of Montréal by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. Located in the heart of the Basilica, the Museum of Saint Joseph’s Oratory is dedicated to sacred art from Québec and abroad. One of Saint Joseph’s Oratory’s best-kept secrets, the outdoor Garden of the Way of the Cross with 17 splendid sculptures offers a peaceful oasis from the hubbub of city life below. Check out this fantastic Tiqets tour, which includes a stop a Saint Joseph's Oratory.

6. Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal

The MMFA is one of Canada’s most visited museums and the eighth-most visited museum in North America, boasting more than 1.3 million visitors. The MMFA's original temporary exhibitions combine various artistic disciplines – fine arts, music, film, fashion, and design – and are exported around the world. Its rich encyclopedic collection, distributed among five pavilions, includes international art, world cultures, decorative arts and design, and Quebec and Canadian art. The Museum has seen exceptional growth in recent years with the addition of two new pavilions: the Claire and Marc Bourgie Pavilion, in 2011, and the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace, in 2016. The MMFA complex includes Bourgie Hall, a 460-seat concert hall. The Museum also houses the Michel de la Chenelière International Atelier for Education and Art Therapy, the largest educational complex in a North American art museum, enabling the MMFA to offer innovative educational, wellness, and art therapy programs. Montreal's most prestigious museum has been building its collection of fine arts for more than 150 years. Feast your eyes on an impressive assortment of Canadian and international works, including pieces by such renowned artists as Rembrandt, El Greco, Renoir, Cézanne, and Picasso. Other interesting members of the museum's collection include 18th-century English porcelain, artifacts from World War I, and several beautiful pieces of furniture designed by Frank Gehry. Recent visitors described the exhibits as outstanding and worth the admission price, and highly recommend spending a few hours here if you have the time. Admission to the Museum costs $24 for people 31 and over, $16 for people Aged 21 to 30, and is free for guests 20 and under. The Museum is closed Mondays, open Tuesdays, Thursdays through Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm; on Wednesday the Museum is open from 10 am to 9 pm. 

7. Jean-Talon Market

Bustling with activity all year round since 1933, this charming market in Montreal is a favorite for both locals and travelers. Expect an overflowing selection of local specialties and a cornucopia of fresh produce ranging from exquisite cheeses, sausages, and smoked meats to fresh fruits and vegetables. Don’t leave without purchasing some local jam, cider, and maple products as souvenirs. Beyond just a grocery pit stop, Jean-Talon Market is also renowned for its gourmet workshops and culinary demonstrations. The markets are open daily and get busier on the weekend. Jean-Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in Montréal. Inaugurated in May 1933, it was first called the Marché du Nord, but in 1983, its name was changed in honor of Jean Talon, the first intendant of New France. Jean Talon market is open year-round and its enthusiastic and experienced producers and merchants offer fresh and locally grown or processed foods, and discoveries from other places. Jean-Talon Market, one of the largest open-air markets in North America, bustles with activity year-round.  True to its culture and spirit, the Jean-Talon Market showcases local and ethnic eats and a diverse array of merchants. Fruit, vegetable, and flower stalls line the walkways alongside a tasty array of specialty shops that feature spices, oils, cheeses, meats, pastries, and other exquisite Québec products. Butchers and fishmongers enthusiastically hawk their wares, always ready to share a recipe or recommend something new. More than just a place to pick up groceries, the Jean-Talon Market also offers culinary demonstrations, gourmet discovery circuits, workshops, and more. Jean-Talon Market is open Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as Sun, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

8. Old Port of Montreal

A stone's throw from downtown, the Old Port offers something for everyone at any time of year. Come for the history and admire Old Montréal's unique architecture by foot, bicycle, and even Segway.

Come for the culture and delight in the many restaurants, bistros, bars, cafés, and food trucks that cater to all tastes day and night. Shop and unearth exclusive items in the many artisan boutiques and galleries tucked away along the cobblestone streets. Cruise along the St. Lawrence, jetboat through the rapids, or pedal boat the day away. Partake in the many festivals, outdoor events, shows, and more that light up the Old Port throughout the year. Cycle on one, two, or even four wheels!, squeeze sand between your toes at the Clock Tower Beach, test your courage on the zip lines high above the quays, or ice skate in winter. Discover and learn at the Montréal Science Centre and IMAX® TELUS theatre. No matter the reason or the season, the Old Port of Montréal is a must to visit! this major tourist attraction and event site draws more than 6 million visitors each year. The Old Port site is home to a vast historical wealth deriving from the technological, industrial, port, and maritime spheres. The history of the Old Port of Montréal, an important Canadian heritage site, is of interest to all Canadians, as well as to the many tourists who visit. The Old Port is an integral part of the historic district of Old Montréal. Whether it's in the daytime or nighttime, the Old Port is worthy of visiting, but it is especially pretty at nighttime. Check out this interesting Sightseeing tour in Montreal City, which includes a stop at Old Port.

Sightseeing Tour in Montreal City

9. Bell Centre

Since its inauguration in 1996 under the name Molson Centre, the Centre Bell has been Montréal’s prime venue for entertainment and sports events. Home of the NHL Montréal Canadiens Hockey Club, the Bell Centre has been designed to seat more than 21,000 sports enthusiasts. It is also a venue for rock concerts, classical music performances, and family entertainment. The complex is located in the downtown core on the street befittingly named, Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.  This square is a terrific meeting place and has a ton of history to it. The bronze statues of Guy Lafleur, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, and Howie Morenz represent distinctly different eras for the Habs. On the wall behind the Richard statue are 24 marble plaques, each for a Stanley Cup victory. On the opposite side of the statues are permanent displays for each of the retired numbers in Canadiens history including Jacques Plante, Dickie Moore, Doug Harvey, Maurice Richard, Emile Bouchard, Elmer Lach, Howie Morenz, Bernie Geoffrion, Jean Béliveau, Henri Richard, Yvan Cournoyer, Ken Dryden Serge Savard, Patrick Roy, Bob Gainey, Larry Robinson, Guy Lafleur and Guy Lapointe. The logo commemorating the history of the team and a GoHabsGo sign are also great photo opportunities. There are also a number of large bricks on the ground commemorating important moments in Canadiens history, like when Jacques Plante became the first goaltender to wear a mask. Without a doubt, a trip to Centre Bell to see the Montréal Canadiens needs to be near the top of any hockey bucket list.  Although the arena itself is not earth-shattering, the Canadiens put on a terrific product, even when the team is down. 

10. Underground City (RESO)

Montreal's Underground City, or RÉSO, is an impressive subterranean pedestrian network that spans 20 miles of tunnels. The network is largely climate-controlled, making it a perfect escape from Montreal's harsh weather conditions, especially during winter. You can find over 1,600 shops and facilities within the city and it connects three major shopping malls, hotels, offices, and more. It's also a great way to get to the metro or spots like Place des Arts and Chinatown. It's easy to get lost, so join a walking tour to help you navigate the city and discover all the cool art and architecture. In total, it covers 12 square kilometers (4.6 sq mi) of space, with more than 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) of tunnels to explore. It can be accessed throughout downtown Montreal via seven metro stations, and there are also approximately 120 entrances at street level. To help you find your way around the underground city, Montreal’s tourism board, and public transportation authority have various maps of Montreal’s Underground City. The map below is the most comprehensive map of the Underground City. It covers all Metro stations that connect to the Underground City along with their Metro line and schedule. Additionally, it highlights all sections of the Underground City in Blue. Major attractions and important landmarks such as the Quartier des Spectacles and Bell Centre are also highlighted on the map. To download the Underground Map, click here. 

If you visit these 10 attractions during your visit to Montreal, I would consider it a success.