Montreal is a beautiful city set on an island in Quebec, Canada. Home to famous attractions, museums, and great restaurants, Montreal is a fun weekend destination for couples and families. Visit the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, take a romantic walk through the Montreal Botanical Garden, and admire the architecture of the Notre-Dame Basilica. Best things to do in Montreal with kids include the Old Port of Montreal, the Biodome, the Pointe-a-Calliere Museum and the Montreal Science Centre.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
One of the most prominent museums in Canada and one of the best things to do in Montreal, this esteemed facility is the largest of its kind in the province of Quebec. The museum’s Sherbrooke Street location is significant for its inclusion in the Golden Square Mile, a prestigious stretch of road within the city’s widely acclaimed historic district. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts' permanent collection houses over 40,000 pieces ranging in style and medium. The museum offers both permanent and temporary displays, with touring exhibits visiting the center on a rotating basis. Additionally, the site boasts an elaborate concert venue. All exhibit and concert information is available on the museum’s website calendar.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, 1380 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montreal, Canada, Phone: 514-285-2000
Montreal Botanical Garden
The Montreal Botanical Garden is considered one of the most significant and important contributions to the horticultural world and one of the top Montreal attractions. The Garden’s expansive and diverse collections and comprehensive facilities contribute to its valuable reputation. The 190-acre site features 10 themed greenhouses and a Chinese lantern garden, along with numerous exhibits, gardens, sculptures, and examples of plant life.
An onsite planetarium and insectarium add additional interest and educational opportunities, and in the warmer months the Garden hosts a summer concert series. A rotating series of educational and interactive activities, groups, and lessons occur throughout the year based on the seasonal activities of the Garden and featured exhibits.
Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke E, Montreal, Canada, Phone: 514-872-1400
Jean-Talon Market
The Jean-Talon Market is an expansive and bustling farmer’s market located in the Little Italy district of Montreal. Encompassing several blocks, the market is a year round staple in the Montreal food scene, and it allows vendors to sell an array of produce, hand made goods, and local farm fresh ingredients. The multicultural variety of ingredients and products lends itself to the appeal of the market, and everything from spices to fresh cut flowers to locally raised meats are available for sale in the open air stalls.
In the winter, the market is smaller and moved to internal or closed stalls, but remains open for the sale of seasonal goods. In the warmer months, the market becomes a lively hub of shoppers and vendors.
Jean-Talon Market, Montreal, 7070 Avenue Henri Julien, Montreal, Canada, Phone: 514-277-1588
Old Port of Montreal
Once the primary functioning port for the city of Montreal, Old Port of Montreal is now a historic preservation site and recreational area. Originally used for Montreal’s importation and exportation of goods, the port dates back as early as 1611 when it was used as a trading post by French fur traders. However, in the 1970’s, the Port’s economic and functional purposes were transferred to a new location, and this site became a tourism based recreational district.
Today, visitors can walk up and down the mile long stretch of docks and see an expansive collection of attractions. If you are looking for things to do in Montreal today, this is a great place to start exploring. While the riverfront is often used for walking, roller-blading, or biking, it is also home to several event venues, an urban beach called Plage de l’Horloge, or Clock Beach, the IMAX theatre, and the Montreal Science Centre.
Old Port of Montreal, 333 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, Canada, Phone: 514-496-7678
Montreal Biodome
Housed in the facility that once hosted the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the Montreal Biodome is now a natural science epicenter. Visitors to the Biodome are able to contemplate replicas of each of the four unique ecosystems found within the continents of North and South America.
Pointe-a-Calliere Museum
The Pointe-a-Calliere Museum is a museum of history and archaeology situated in Old Town Montreal.
Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum
Dedicated to illustrating the story of the first settlers of New France in the 17th century, the Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum aims to preserve the heritage, history, and artifacts of the original pioneers. The museum itself is housed in a 300-year-old farmhouse that, once an original building of the settlers, is now a National Historic Site.
Exhibits within the museum include interpretive information and artifact exhibits describing the life and habits of these first settlers, showcasing their personal stories, farming techniques, the old school house, and a church. Over 15,000 artifacts are housed in the museum, and most of them originated between the 17th and 18th centuries.
Maison Saint-Gabriel Museum, 2146 Place Dublin Pointe-Saint-Charles, Montreal, Canada, Phone: 514-935-8136
Montreal Science Centre
Located on the King Edward Pier in the center of the Old Port of Montreal, the Montreal Science Centre is home to a vast array of technology and science based exhibits and an expansive IMAX theater.
