Montreal Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Highlights the best Montreal has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.

Montreal itinerary

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Viewpoint

Head to the highest point in Mont Royal park– designed by famous public-park guru Frederic Law Olmstead, (aka ‘Mr Central Park’) – and enjoy the sight of the city spread before you like an urban counterpane.

Arts and culture

Montreal’s renowned Musee des Beaux Arts (www.mbam.qc.ca) on Sherbrooke Street is a sumptuous museum in glitzy downtown location. If you’re into fur trading and canoes, the nearby McCord museum (www.mccord-museum.qc.ca) has been amassing a vast collection of historic Canadian artefacts for almost a century. More cutting-edge tastes are catered to at the Musee de l’Art Contemporain (www.macm.org/en), which houses an ever-growing collection of provocative Quebecois and international modern art. Our favourite way to idle a day is a visit to the Canadian Centre for Architecture (www.cca.qc.ca).

Something for nothing

Tap into your inner hippy during Montreal’s warmer months and spend a Sunday afternoon in the park listening to the crowds of tam-tam drummers – pack a picnic and feel the love in the air (http://tamtamsmontreal.net).

Shopping

Possibly due to its couture-conscious French heritage, Montreal rivals Paris in the fashion stakes. Boutique U&I (www.boutiqueuandi.com) on the St Laurent strip has been clothing the discerning hommes and femmes of Quebec for more than 10 years. M0851 (www.m0851.com) now has outlets in style cities such as Paris, NYC and Antwerp, but the store on St Laurent was the world’s first. You’ll find clothing and furniture in addition to its signature line in soft, beautiful and buttery leather accessories. Nearby, Lola & Emily (www.lolaandemily.com) is a haven for Mrs Smiths, a seriously cute boutique set up to resemble a stylish friend’s apartement. On a grander scale, Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com) is Montreal’s answer to Bloomingdales or Harvey Nicks. The Jean-Talon Market on Little Italy's Casgrain Avenue is a must for foodies, perfect for spending the day grazing authentic Quebecois produce.

Daytripper

Part of the same mountain chain as the mighty Adirondacks, the Laurentians are just under an hour from Montreal and offer amazing cross-country and downhill skiing in winter, as well as fantastic hiking and picnicking opportunities in the summertime. Autumn, however, is the most mind-blowing time to visit, as forests of maple turn the leafy landscape into a patchwork of russet and gold. The best ski resorts in the region are 45 minutes from the city at Mont Saint Sauveur (www.montsaintsauveur.com) and two hours away at the more well known Monnt Tremblant (www.tremblant.ca).

Walks

Summer, spring, or fall (and only winter if you’re equipped with cross-country skis), meander up the spiralling gravel path all the way to the top of Mont Royal or, if you’re feeling hardy, take the angina-inducing ‘shortcut’, the Trafalgar Stairs, which take you all the way from Côte-des-Neiges straight to the summit.

Children

Montreal is awash with child-friendly nature museums, including the Biodome, Botanical Gardens, Insectarium, and Planetarium, which are ideal for whiling away afternoons with the kids (www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/museumsnature/ses.htm).

Activities

Cirque du Soleil was formed in Montreal. Thanks to the Trapezium (www.trapezium.qc.ca), you too can run away to join the circus, having learned the acrobatic art of the flying trapeze.