Things to Do in Montreal: An Explorer's Local Guide

When I arrived in Canada in April 2019, Montreal was my welcoming home. Over the years, having walked hundreds of kilometers through its boroughs, climbed Mount Royal in all four seasons, and driven through every corner, I can tell you: Montreal is unlike any other North American city. It effortlessly marries centuries-old French colonial stone architecture with an energetic, modern arts and food scene.

Whether you have a weekend or an entire week, here are the absolute best things to experience, curated from years of real personal exploration.

1. Stroll the Cobblestones of Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal)

Stepping into Old Montreal feels like teleporting to a European riverfront town. Centered around Rue Saint-Paul, the city's oldest paved street, you'll walk past 17th and 18th-century stone facades, wrought-iron street lamps, cozy coffee shops, and independent art galleries.

• Place Jacques-Cartier: A lively pedestrian plaza lined with historic terraces, street performers, and artists.
• Notre-Dame Basilica: A masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture. The deep blue, star-studded vaulted ceiling and intricate wooden carvings inside are breathtaking.
• Old Port Promenade: Walk along the St. Lawrence River, watch boats dock, and take in the view from the historic Clock Tower (Tour de l'Horloge).

2. Catch Sunset at Mount Royal (Kondiaronk Belvedere)

Montreal takes its name from this very hill—Mont-Royal. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (the same visionary architect who designed New York's Central Park), Mount Royal is the green lungs and emotional heart of the city.

The highlight is the Kondiaronk Belvedere (Chalet du Mont-Royal) lookout. From this wide stone terrace, you get a sweeping panoramic view of the entire downtown Montreal skyline, the St. Lawrence River, and the Monteregian hills in the distance.

• How to reach it: You can hike up the wooden staircase trails from Peel Street, walk the gentle gravel Olmsted serpentines, or take the 11 bus directly to the top.
• Beaver Lake (Lac des Castors): A peaceful man-made lake on the mountain that offers paddleboats in summer and ice-skating in winter.

3. Marvel at Saint Joseph's Oratory (L'Oratoire Saint-Joseph)

Dominating the northern slope of Mount Royal is Saint Joseph's Oratory, the largest church in Canada. Its massive green Italian Renaissance dome is the third-largest basilica dome of its kind in the world.

Even if you aren't visiting for spiritual reasons, the architecture and scale are astonishing. Climbing the wide outdoor staircase rewards you with one of the finest, least-crowded sunset views overlooking the northwestern expanse of Montreal toward Lake Saint-Louis.

4. Taste the Wood-Fired Montreal Bagel Rivalry

Unlike dense, doughy New York bagels, authentic Montreal bagels are rolled by hand, boiled in honey-infused water, and baked in a scorching wood-fired oven. The result is a slightly sweet, chewy bagel with a crisp, blistered exterior, traditionally coated generously in sesame seeds.

In the historic Mile End neighborhood, two 24/7 institutions have fought a friendly rivalry for decades:

5. Stroll or Bike Along the Historic Lachine Canal

The Lachine Canal National Historic Site stretches 14 kilometers from the Old Port westward to Lake Saint-Louis. Once the industrial powerhouse of Canada, the canal path is now one of the city's premier recreational corridors.

Rent a BIXI bike or take a casual walk along the tree-lined banks, passing renovated 19th-century red-brick factories now converted into loft spaces. Make a pit stop at the vibrant Atwater Market (Marché Atwater) to sample local Quebec cheeses, fresh seasonal berries, and maple pastries.

6. Explore the Underground City (RÉSO) & Downtown

If you visit in late autumn or winter, you'll discover Montreal's engineering marvel: The Underground City (RÉSO). With over 33 kilometers of interconnected, climate-controlled pedestrian tunnels linking metro stations, shopping complexes, universities, hotels, and food halls, locals can live, work, and commute comfortably even during a -20°C snowstorm!

Practical Tips from a Montreal Local