Loading...
Traveling to Montreal
Montreal is among the largest and most historic cities in Canada. It’s history dates back to the 1600s and is one of the most populous French-speaking cities in the developed world. The city is packed with outstanding things to do and see, and is a popular destination for tourists.
In a city the size of Montreal, you will also need adequate transportation for your journey. Whether you take public transit or rent a car (check out the offer here), getting around easily will be important if you want to see all the city has to offer.
Unfortunately, you could spend weeks in the city and still not see all there is to see. However, in an effort to help make sure you experience the best Montreal possible, this article is going to go over 6 amazing places you need to be sure to visit.
Old Montreal
Montreal has a ton of history as a city, and no place captures that history better than Old Montreal. It was where the city was founded and features unique and gorgeous architecture from hundreds of years ago. The streets are lined with cafes, boutiques, and several other restaurants and businesses that see ample amounts of foot traffic all year.
Popular tourist destinations like the Notre-Dame Basilica and the Old Port also reside within this area of the city. You will encounter several interesting historic sites during your time in Old Montreal, too. Whether you want to see these specific landmarks, or simply enjoy taking a step back in time by walking the cobblestone streets, Old Montreal is surely a place to see.
Mount Royal
Home to arguably the most spectacular view of the city of Montreal, be sure to stop by Mount Royal. Located right near the city center, this mountain and outdoor area provides a wonderful space for residents and tourists alike to enjoy. It was designed by the same person who was behind Central Park in NYC, and features a ton of green space for people to meet with friends, play sports or just go for walks.
The park was created back in 1876 and has since been a very popular destination in the city. If you find yourself there on a Sunday, you are particularly lucky. This is because of tam-tams. These are gatherings of drummers, dancers, musicians and vendors, and the atmosphere is incredible. Families will often come out to watch these events so don’t hesitate to stop by.
The Museum of Fine Arts
Museums are always a popular spot to check out when visiting a city, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal is no exception. The museum is among the most popular art museums in North America, with over a million annual visitors. It is home to over 40,000 different works, that span numerous different niches from international art to Canadian art. There are paintings, sculptures, photos and many other pieces that line the pavilions of the museum.
Some of the works are from modern times, while others date far back into history. Also, depending on when you visit, the art you view will be different. This is because the museum often hosts travelling exhibits within its walls. So even if you have visited this museum in the past, it is well worth it to go again and get a whole new experience.
The Botanical Garden
Montreal provides those who love the outdoors a lot to do, but you would be hard pressed to find something better than the botanical garden. Sitting at nearly 200 acres of space, the area is made up of numerous different gardens and greenhouses. Many of the gardens are themed, and you can enjoy alpine gardens, aquatic gardens, Japanese and Chinese gardens and even a garden of toxic plants!
All in all, the botanical garden contains over 20,000 different species of flora to check out. In addition to plants, trees and shrubs, these gardens are also home to some animals. Plenty of birds flock to the various trees and ponds, and there is even an insectarium on site. Whether you go in the bright and colorful summer, the busy fall time or even the calm and peaceful winter, this is a worthy stop.
Underground City
The Underground City is another place you should be sure to visit when you visit Montreal. It is a long network of connected buildings such as office towers, hotels, shopping, subway stations and several others. Even entertainment like nightclubs, museums, movie theaters and an ice hockey rink are within the network.
While not completely underground, there are several connections that are indeed subterranean. The entire Underground City consists of about 20 miles, and can be accessed right from the street.
It is a great place to go to shop, to have fun, to see something unique or even if you simply want to get out of the sun in the summer, or the cold weather in the winter. All in all, the network is used extensively by over 500,000 people daily as a quick and easy way to get around.
Place des Arts
If you are a fan of culture or the arts, this is a must-visit for you. It is a performance arts complex located in the city, and is the largest of its kind throughout the country. The complex has been around since 1963 and is open all year round. It has a variety of different theaters and stages, which hold many different events. These include dances, films, music, theater and others.
This is also the place to go if you want to see the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the ballet and even an opera show. There is always something exciting going on here, so it is certainly a place to visit.
While there are dozens of outstanding things to see in Montreal, these six places are some that you should absolutely see in your next trip to the city.