Looking for a city that’s always at the heart of the action? La Belle Ville will blow you away. Any time of day, any month of the year, Montréal wows with its spirited street life, creative culture, out-of-the-box experiences and festive soul. Here are a few suggestions to unlock its offerings.
PUT A SPIN ON CLASSICS
For a city that’s as old as the country, Montréal has the youthful energy of a teenager who doesn’t want to go to bed. You’ll know its classic landmarks and attractions by reputation, but don’t sleep on them—they’re constantly reinventing themselves to offer more, more, more.
For a sense of our famous festival scene, soak up the very best of international music at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.
The birthplace of contemporary circus is the perfect spot to take in the latest show by homegrown heroes, Cirque du Soleil, and while you’re in the Old Port, hop onto La Grande Roue de Montréal—this observation wheel has weather-proof cabins to go with the 360-degree views.
To shake a leg, trek to the top of Montréal’s beloved Mount Royal Park, featuring 200 hectares of green space crisscrossed with kilometres of trails, or jog, bike or picnic along Lachine Canal to soak up that waterfront life.
YOUR PLAYBOOK
- Soak up the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
- Amaze at the Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia
- Ride La Grande Roue de Montréal
- Walk along the Lachine Canal
PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD
One thing’s for sure: you won’t leave hungry! Montréal is finally welcoming the MICHELIN Guide this year, so it’s your last chance to sample star-worthy restaurants while they’re still our little secrets. From gastronomic greats to down-and-dirty comfort-food classics, be it brunch, smoked meat or poutine, there’s nothing we don’t do well.
Explore seasonal produce and fine foods at Montréal’s public markets like Atwater Market or Jean-Talon Market, where you can take cooking classes on the spot—something you can also do at Ateliers & Saveurs, Appetite for Books and Chef en Vous.
Get a local guide to give you the low-down on a food or drink tour like those offered by Spade & Palacio, VDM Global DMC, ‘Round Table Tours or Local Montréal Food Tours (known for their wine bar crawl).
Here with a gang? Find space and a party vibe at one of our supper clubs, ranging from the outrageous Bord’Elle to the sophisticated Hang.
YOUR PLAYBOOK
- Wander through our public markets
- Laugh as you learn at a cooking class
- Tipple on a wine bar tour
- Taste the city on a food tour
- Swing from the chandeliers at a supper club
SEEK OUT THE UNEXPECTED
Connect to your inner wild side with some uniquely Montréal experiences that hit that singular je ne sais quoi the city is known for: that Euro-influenced, multicultural, big-city with small-town-feel vibe that’s revealed to anyone who visits. Key word: creativity.
Take in the sights in an extra special way with a private helicopter tour courtesy of Hélicraft, or ride the waves (wine glass in hand) with an electric boat tour on Le Petit Navire that will show you another side of the city and the islands that dot the St. Lawrence River.
Watch street murals come to life during the artful street party of MURAL Festival, a great way to discover the buzzy Plateau neighbourhood, or dance the weekends away at the daytime party Piknic Électronik, a summer-long festival featuring the latest EDM acts.
For a good time packed with charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent, find a drag show: the Village’s Cabaret Mado or the iconic Café Cléopâtre both aim to please.
YOUR PLAYBOOK
- Ride on a hélicraft
- Tour on Le Petit Navire
- Paint the town red at MURAL
- Dance at Piknic Électronik
- Cackle at a drag show
HOP TO SHOPS THAT POP
Montréal style is generally understated and creative, with a definite proclivity for personal expression thanks to its anything-goes spirit of welcome. That means that in addition to international labels, you’ll find a ton of unique shops by local designers or carriers of international fashion by small, boutique brands guaranteed to leave people wondering, “where’d she get that?”
Find incredible fashion by designers from here and beyond along (and around) pretty Saint-Paul Street in Old Montréal, including SSENSE Space (the brick-and-mortar home to the high-end e-fashion sensation), Le Cartel, Sarah Pacini, Denis Gagnon and Pépin Shop (boho chic at its best).
Find world-class designers ranging from Gucci to Vuitton at the vast, glittering new Royalmount mall, or head downtown for both big and lesser-known designers at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy.
In the mood to splurge? Birks awaits, a Montréal-born jewellery brand founded in 1879 that’s still the it place when you want to put a ring on it.
YOUR PLAYBOOK
- Stroll along pretty Saint-Paul street
- Indulge in SSENSE’s personal shopping service
- Get a new fit at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
- Shop big designer brands at Royalmount
- Treat yourself to something shiny at Birks
LIVE IT UP LIKE A LOCAL
The difference between what Montrealers do in their spare time and what visitors do while they’re here? We just do more. You’ll still find a ton of locals at our most famous attractions, restaurants and festivals, by droves. But with a city in a constant state of creative ebullience, there’s just so much new and exciting stuff to explore.
New restaurants sprout up like mushrooms in Montréal, with hot spots like Makro, Juliette Plaza, Monarque and Cabaret l’Enfer getting lots of local love these days.
The bar and club scene here calls for a hop, so you can try a bunch in one night. Start at Le French Line at Le 9e downtown, and head slowly towards Bon Délire in Saint-Henri.
Speaking of cool neighbourhoods, Saint-Henri is packed with one-of-a-kind cafés, shops, eateries and art galleries you’ll want to make time to explore. Verdun is also a great hood, as are Mile End, the Monkland Village area of NDG and Westmount, especially along Sherbrooke Street West.
Enjoy a pinkies-up kind of time at the Dom Pérignon champagne bar in the storied Ritz-Carlton Montréal, the first Ritz established in Canada, well over a century ago. Followed maybe by a buck-a-shuck oyster fest at Seasalt? That sounds like a good time to us!
YOUR PLAYBOOK
- Try the city’s hottest new restaurants
- Explore buzzing new bars
- Discover only-here neighbourhood shops
- Do a champagne tasting at the Ritz-Carlton Montréal
- Slurp on some oysters at Seasalt