Things to do in Montreal
Montreal is a city that rewards curiosity. Here is how to spend your time beyond the table.
Start with the mountain
Mount Royal is the centre of the city in every sense. The walk up takes about thirty minutes and the view from the Kondiaronk Belvedere is the best panorama in Montreal. In summer, the tam-tams drum circle at the base of the mountain draws hundreds every Sunday. In winter, the trails are quiet and the snow-covered city below looks like a different place entirely. Start here on your first day.
The cultural layer
Montreal has more museums per capita than most cities in North America. The MBAM is free on Wednesday evenings. Pointe-à-Callière takes you underground through archaeological ruins. The MAC shows the kind of contemporary art that justifies the city's creative reputation. Beyond museums, repertory cinemas run arthouse and classic films in beautiful old rooms, and bookstores in both languages line the main boulevards.
Music and nightlife
Live music runs every night of the week across jazz clubs, indie venues, and concert halls. Montreal audiences are famously attentive, which is why artists consistently name it as a favourite city to play. The festival calendar is one of the densest in North America: Jazz Fest in late June, Osheaga in August, POP Montreal in September, and dozens more between.
Shopping and digging
Montreal's independent shop scene reflects the city's character. Thrift stores on the Plateau are goldmines for vintage fashion. Local designer boutiques sell pieces you will not find anywhere else. Record shops reward crate-diggers with Quebec pressings and rare imports. Vintage furniture dealers source mid-century and industrial pieces at prices lower than Toronto or New York.
Photograph the city
The colourful walk-ups on the Plateau, the murals along Saint-Laurent, and the cobblestones in Old Montreal are the obvious shots. Our most photogenic picks go beyond the postcard angles to the interiors, hidden corners, and light-catching spaces that reward anyone with a camera.
The things tourists miss
Every city guide lists the obvious spots. Our hidden gems are the shops, studios, and corners that even some locals have not found yet. If you have already done the bagels, the mountain, and Old Montreal, this is where to go next.
Get out of town
Montreal sits at the crossroads of Quebec's best landscapes. Our day trips guide covers Mont-Tremblant, Quebec City, the Eastern Townships, and more. For working visitors, our remote work picks cover the cafes with reliable wifi and a laptop-friendly atmosphere.
When to do what
What you do in Montreal depends on when you visit. Summer is for terrasses, festivals, and parks. Winter is for spas, museums, and indoor culture. Fall is for walking and foliage. Our month-by-month guide breaks down every season, and our seasons page compares what changes and what stays open year-round.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Montreal?
Walk up Mount Royal for the view. Eat a bagel from a wood-fired oven. Browse the murals on Saint-Laurent. Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on a free Wednesday evening. Catch live music on any given night. Explore Old Montreal's cobblestones. And spend time in the neighbourhoods, which is where the real character lives.
What can you do in Montreal at night?
Montreal stays up later than most of North America. Cocktail bars and wine bars run until 3 AM. Live music venues have shows every night of the week. Late-night food is a city specialty, with excellent pho, poutine, and pizza available after midnight. The Plateau, Saint-Laurent Boulevard, and Old Montreal are the main nightlife corridors.
What can you do in Montreal for free?
Mount Royal is free. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is free on Wednesday evenings. Tam-tams on Sunday at the base of Mount Royal is free all summer. Walking the Lachine Canal, exploring Chinatown, and browsing Jean-Talon Market cost nothing. Many festivals offer free outdoor programming. The city is extremely rewarding on a zero-dollar day.
What is there to do in Montreal when it rains?
Museums, the underground city, cinemas, bookstores, cocktail bars, and spa circuits. Montreal is built for bad weather. The underground city alone connects shopping, food courts, metro stations, and entertainment venues across much of downtown without going outside.
Is Montreal good for families?
Yes. The Biodome, Planetarium, and Insectarium are all on the same site. Old Port has the Science Centre and seasonal attractions. Mount Royal has easy trails for kids. Jean-Talon Market and the Plateau are stroller-friendly. Many restaurants welcome families, especially for brunch.
What should I do on a rainy day in Montreal?
The underground city is the obvious move. Connect it with a museum visit, a movie at a repertory cinema, lunch in Chinatown, and an afternoon at a Nordic spa. By the time you surface the rain will have passed and you will have had a full day.