10 Wonderful Things to Do in Montreal, Quebec

I spent the month of May in Montreal exploring the city on my own, eating plates of poutine and wandering down cobblestone streets and admiring the incredible springtime scenery. Montreal is a relatively average city, about double the size of Boston but less than half the size of London. It’s extremely walkable (I definitely don’t recommend driving around the city in a car), or if bikes and scooters are your thing, this city is extremely bike friendly as well! Montreal is filled with restaurants with tinkle-lights shining over patios, large parks with benches and ponds and dogs galore, and gorgeous architecture in both historical Old Montreal and nearly every neighborhood you’ll find yourself in. There’s no shortage of wonderful things to do here, especially in the springtime when terraces open back up and the flowers are all in bloom. Below I’m sharing all of my favorite things to do in Montreal to help you decide what to do on your next visit!

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1. Lounge in a Park

Parks in Montreal are a culture in themselves. Truly, you can’t go a few blocks without stumbling on a park, whether it’s a huge one with ponds and trees and cafes, or a tiny one with a patch of grass and a couple benches. One of my favorite ways to pass the time on a slow day is to find a cozy spot in a park and read, have a picnic, listen to music, or just people watch for a while–Montreal is the absolute perfect place to do all of the above! You don’t have to go far to find a secluded spot in one of this city’s countless green spaces and relax for a few hours surrounded by beautiful scenery.

2. Visit the Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens in Montreal were probably one of the most beautiful, serene places I’ve ever been. It was unbelievably quiet for being right in the middle of the spring season, and the different sections of the gardens were stunning, particularly the Chinese Gardens. There’s also a section filled with cherry blossom trees that were the most gorgeous pinks and whites I’ve ever seen, and I’ve never been so calm walking down those shaded paths watching the petals fall to the ground in the wind. There are also indoor areas that I didn’t explore, but I’m sure are just as beautiful and informative. If you’re looking for a family friendly activity on a nice spring day, please don’t skip the Botanical Gardens!

3. Walk Through Old Montreal

There are lots of areas in Montreal that are super modern, so for much of the time I spent there, I didn’t feel too out of place like I often do when traveling Europe and the UK. However, walking through Old Montreal gave me a little glimpse of that European-feel that I love so much! You’ll find the Notre Dame here, along with a lovely collection of streets and restaurants with historical Parisian flair. The neighborhood is extremely walkable and includes the Old Port: the charming waterfront area home to the historical port of Montreal, used as early as 1611.

4. Eat Poutine

I think it’s actually a crime to go to Canada and not eat poutine… sorry, I don’t make the rules. Canada is definitely in the running for having one of the best national foods of all time. Luckily, there’s an abundance of incredible poutine in Montreal, so you don’t have to look very far to find a great option! You can read about my favorite poutines in Montreal here, and take my advice: it’s a must-do when you’re in this city!

5. Visit the Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal was one of the more impressive cathedrals I’ve been to, and it’s absolutely worth a visit when visiting this city. It’s in the heart of Old Montreal, so it’s an easy addition to any time spent wandering around this area. Do remember that it’s an active place of worship and masses are held daily (in French) at various times. They also hold light shows and musical experiences often, so if that interests you, there’s bound to be an event happening at some point during your visit! Entrance tickets are around $15 per adult, and they do offer some combined tickets with events happening at the basilica as well as other sightseeing locations in the Old Port.

6. Go to Jean Talon Market

Nothing beats a wander around a farmers market, and the Marché Jean-Talon was definitely a highlight of my trip! It’s packed full of gorgeous fresh produce, homemade goodies, food stalls, and flowers galore, so it’s the perfect activity for a day out in Montreal. The market is open year-round, both weekdays and weekends, and is one of the oldest public markets in Montreal, opened in 1933! It’s the perfect spot to get some homemade maple syrup, souvenirs, or even just groceries.

7. Go on a Self-Guided Food Tour

There’s nothing I love more than walking around a city and grabbing some food to-go. Why not make a day of it and hit a bunch of spots you’ve been eyeing? I love mapping out a good long walk and including different stops to get delicious food on the way, so it’s a win-win; you get your steps in and you get to satisfy whatever cravings you’re having. Plus, Montreal is such a big foodie city that you’re spoiled for choice: a walk through the park to get gourmet eclairs, then stopping by an iconic deli like Schwartz’s to try their smoked meat poutine, maybe with some street-side spicy gnocchi in between? Sign me up!

8. Find your Favorite Apartment

Does anyone else love walking through different neighborhoods to find their favorite building facades and daydream about living there? If you’re having a slow day, Montreal is a great city for grabbing a coffee to go and wandering down the leafy streets people-watching and apartment-hunting. I stayed in Plateau Mont Royal and it had some incredible homes lining the sidewalks (my favorites are pictured below), but there are so many other neighborhoods to explore, too! It’s also a great way to stumble upon new restaurants, cafes, stores, parks, and more.

9. Admire the Spring Blooms

Spring in Montreal is unlike any city I’ve been, in simply because of the sheer amount of beautiful flowers everywhere you look. The Botanical Gardens are one thing, but even just walking down the street, I’ve never seen such beautiful tulips sprouting from window boxes and sidewalk gardens! It really got me into the springtime spirit and gave me great energy every time I went outside to enjoy the weather and sunshine, especially when walking everywhere.

10. Dine on a Terrasse

My lovely Airbnb host told me that Montreal is a “city of terrasses” so I should enjoy dining outside as often as I could–and you should, too! If you’re visiting Montreal during a sunny season, there are literally countless restaurants with patios for you to enjoy your midday refreshments or dinner under the streetlights. Embrace the outdoor dining culture and treat yourself to a meal out on the terrace!