Things to do in Montreal

Montreal offers a mix of attractions, which includes historical sights along with modern ones and others that are more nature-based. Visitors of all backgrounds will find something of interest in the city. With the province of Quebec to explore and the capital city, Ottawa, also within driving distance, its no surprise that Montreal is such a popular visitor destination.

Old Montreal

Old Montreal is the city’s original quarter and is home to the Vieux Port, the original port at which so much of the city’s trade was conducted in the early years of Montreal’s development. Many of the city’s old and historically significant buildings are located in this area, with some houses dating back over 300 years. Old fashioned cobbled streets are home to restaurants and cafés, and in the summertime, it’s not unusual to see street performers with eager spectators around them.

Olympic Park

Olympic Park was originally constructed for use in the 1976 Summer Olympic Games; however, over 30 years later, it remains one of the city’s most interesting landmarks. The park, which was designed by the French architect Roger Tallibert, is an impressive creation in terms of both its shape and size. A stadium capable of seating 80,000 spectators is now used for public functions such as music concerts and baseball games. The stadium features a tower, which at 575ft high, boasts the claim of being the world’s highest inclined tower. The tower’s observation floors permit awesome views over the city.

Botanical Gardens

Just across from the Olympic Park are the Botanical Gardens, an impressive horticultural facility which houses over 22,000 different plant species. Some 30 gardens and 10 greenhouses are home to various specimens of plant life that have been collected from across the globe. Among the gardens are those with French, Chinese and Japanese themes, each complete with plants and flowers typical of those countries. A tropical rainforest conservatory and an orchid and aroid conservatory are among the many indoor attractions at the gardens.

St Josephs Oratory

Among the city’s most famous landmarks is the St Joseph's Oratory, an imposing structure which has become a famous pilgrimage site since its opening in 1967. The building was founded by the monk, Brother André, who is famed for having had faith healing abilities, although this reputation only became attached to him after his death in 1937. Of interest is the building’s dome, which is the second largest in the world after that of St Peter’s at Vatican City, and the carillion which is comprised of 56 bells that were originally created for the Eiffel Tower.

Notre Dame Basilica

Officially part of the city since its opening in 1829, the Notre Dame Basilica is one of the largest religious constructions in North America. The building, which is constructed in a neo-Gothic style, was designed by the American architect James O'Donnell under commission from the Roman Catholic Sulpicians. The basilica features some spectacular sights both inside and out, and offers visitors an abundance of photo-taking opportunities. The wood carvings and exquisitely painted wall reliefs in the church’s interior are among its most interesting sights.

Museum of Fine Arts

Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts is an impressive facility that boasts one of North America’s finest collections of two and three-dimensional artworks, with over 30,000 pieces contained within. Canadian art as well as Native American art and classic and contemporary pieces of international origin are all available for viewing, with special exhibitions focusing on individual styles, genres or artists held throughout the year. If you are a fan of art in any capacity, then you certainly shouldn’t miss out on this hotspot.

Museums

Including the above-mentioned Museum of Fine Arts, Montreal has a good selection of museums covering a wide variety of themes. The McCord Museum of Canadian History is a must for anyone with an interest in the country’s colourful past, while the Museum of Archaeology features interactive displays and regular visiting exhibitions. Other venues worth mentioning include the Musée Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs Museum) and the Musée des Soeurs Grises, with its 17th century furniture and religous art and artefacts.