Montreal Things to Do – Attractions & Must See

Montreal Things to Do

Things to Do

Olympic Park houses a stadium, the Biodome, and the Botanic Gardens. The Biodome tour takes you through the Canadian tropical rainforest, the maple forest, up the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and ends at the Sub Polar region. Each habitat is realistic and beautifully presented. The Botanical Garden consists of 10 greenhouses, an Insectarium, a Chinese garden, and a Japanese garden. Each greenhouse has its own theme. The Chinese garden hosts a lantern festival in autumn.

The Casino de Montréal features lavish decor and plenty of entertainment with over 120 gaming tables and 3,200 slot machines. Catch a show at the Cabaret and feast on haute cuisine at Nuances.

La Ronde Amusement Park has something for everyone. One section of the park hosts rides that cater to all thrill levels and boasts of the world’s highest wooden rollercoaster. Another area has about 10 different rides geared for young children. Ribambelle and the Z’s, sing and dance, and perform six shows daily. In late July, La Ronde hosts the L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, the world’s most prestigious fireworks competition.

Neighborhoods

Old Montreal is a small district with cobblestone streets, trendy shops, ultramodern art galleries, great restaurants, and outstanding architecture. Don’t miss City Hall, the Hotel De Ville, or Old Port.

Chinatown has plenty of great places to eat and many cool little shops.

Above ground, downtown Montreal looks similar to most modern big cities. Below ground however, you’ll find over twenty miles of tunnels which connect shopping malls, apartment buildings, hotels, commercial buildings, several train and bus terminals, and the Bell Center amphitheater and arena.

The former working-class district known as Atwater is now a trendy neighborhood with a thriving Sunday market, shops, cafes, and historic churches. There’s also a tour boat that takes visitors up and down the canal.

History

Montreal boasts of a long and rich history with no shortage of must see museums and historical sites. The Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal dates to 1672 and served as the first cathedral of the Diocese of Montreal from 1821 to 1822. Canada’s largest church, the St Joseph Oratory, stands on the southwest edge of Mount Royal. The exterior of this beautiful basilica is Italian Renaissance and the interior is contemporary.

The Museum of Fine Arts is a comprehensive museum with extensive European and Canadian collections.

Built in the 18^th century, Château Ramezay was home to the 11th governor of Montreal. Benjamin Franklin stayed here for a short time in 1776.

Visit actual archeological digs at the Montreal Museum of Archeology and History. Located in the complex called Place Des Arts, the Contemporary Art Museum has an extensive collection of modern art.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about Montreal things to do.