Top 30 things to do when visiting Montreal Canada. A complete travel guide for fun activities in MTL

in this video I visit more than 30 of Montreal's top City attractions I'll explore some of the city's famous landmarks architectural structures activities international party festivals and Foods all in hopes of demonstrating why Montreal should be added to your International list of places to visit be forewarned this list is quite extensive but you will soon see that it is representative of all the great things the city has to offer now before we get into the list of things to do I think it's very important to underline the best ways to get around the city Montreal has a very Broad and modern public transportation Network which includes an underground subway system buses train and even bixi which is the city's bike sharing Network that is spread out across the island this means that there will be numerous cost-effective ways to move around the city while you visit the various attractions given that it will take a few days to accomplish this Travel list I would highly recommend getting a weekly metro card so you can have unlimited trips around the island using either bus or Metro the cost of a weekly metro pass is 30 Canadian dollars which is the equivalent to 22 US Dollars using the exchange rate at the time of this video you can buy your transit pass at any Metro station or authorized retailer in the city using cash Debit Visa or MasterCard for additional info I will post a link to the STM website which has all the information pertaining to public transportation if by chance you're arriving to the City by plane you will also be able to buy your Transit card from the Metro Fair vending machines situated in the international arrivals area of the Trudeau airport to make your way into the city you can either take a taxi or an Uber for private travel or you can simply take the 747 short route shuttle bus Which brings you directly into the City and stops at the Lino glue Metro equally you can also take the 747 long route which has 11 stops on the way that include major Metro lines and hotels positioned on Rene Levesque Boulevard the 747 shuttle operates 24 hours a day seven days a week and can be boarded for the individual price of 11 Canadian per trip or by using the weekly metro pass I spoke of earlier now that we have gotten you properly set up to move around the city let's talk about the attractions that you need to see and experience during your stay in Montreal now if you speak with any local in the area it will almost be a reflex for them to recommend you visiting Old Montreal which is such a unique part of the city that has deep historical Roots if you want to feel like you have traveled back in time in Europe and see architecture that dates back to the 1600s then this is the place to see it the streets are lined with Cobblestone and it's evident that much work has gone into preserving the original look of the surrounding structures some of the more popular buildings in the area are the famous Notre Dame Basilica which is now used to hold Mass services and sightseeing visits there is also the malsheim also cool which now hosts special events and exhibitions I would highly recommend touring the area on foot in order to really absorb a historical charm of the area so if you did venture out to walk within the Old Montreal region you will more than likely stumble onto the Old Port of Montreal which is where you will be able to take part in numerous fun activities along the St Lawrence River you will find a series of Piers or caves that have been retrofitted with major landmarks that offer some kind of fun experience in my case I started off with a boat tour offered by AML cruises the company has a variety of tour packages that can include an evening with fireworks off the shores of the St Lawrence River or even a fancy five-course meal but if you simply would like to enjoy a couple of hours on the water with an on-board Bar and Bistro then simply opt for the regular Montreal boat tour later on in this video I will also let you know how you can further save money on this well worthwhile experience the tour is a 20 kilometer trip that runs along the island of Montreal and that takes 90 minutes to complete while on board you will have access to a tour guide that will provide background historical information as the boat passes important landmarks along the way this is a great opportunity to get a quick summary of the rich historical background of Montreal to get top seating arrangements I would suggest arriving 30 minutes prior to your appointment so you can be one of the first to board to select Prime seating sailing through the open air while having a spectacular view of the Charming City and the surrounding landmarks is a very refreshing experience and a great way to kick off your trip to Montreal while cruising around the Old Port of Montreal you will undoubtedly notice a giant Ferris wheel overlooking the region as it can be seen from a far distance the structure goes by the name lagon who de Maria which translates into the big wheel of Montreal rightfully so this name is very fitting for this structure as it is the tallest observation wheel in Canada the ferris wheel stands 60 meters high which is the equivalent to a 20-story building when boarding you will be encircled by a somewhat plush cabin by Ferris wheel standards all 42 gondolas are fitted with an ultra UV and Ultra clear tempered glass and also comes fitted with climate control so you can be comfortable all year round from the top you will have a 360 degree unobstructed view of the surrounding area on a clear day you'll be able to see up to 28 kilometers in the distance if at all possible definitely try scheduling your visit during sunset in order to make the most out of the beautiful scenery [Music] just earlier this year the city actually launched a secondary Lookout from the Old Port of Montreal called the port of Montreal Tower which actually stands five meters taller than lagon who de Maria the tower offers a somewhat different vantage point of the city and also has some interactive activities suitable for children now with that being said given the fact that you can see like on who two Piers away I wouldn't recommend visiting both attractions for the purpose of looking over the city as the experiences are somewhat similar from a viewing perspective however if you do end up choosing lagon who then still visit the port of Montreal tower for the natural Open Spaces located at the foot of the building as it will make for a very nice setting for an evening stroll now if you're looking for something a little more exhilarating then be sure to consider stopping by triolin MTL zipline which features the biggest Urban zipline in Canada this is an activity that can be easily enjoyed by the entire family No Reservations are required here When approaching the pier farthest to the east you will find a giant clock tower that is a big Ben replica it was constructed in 1922 in order to commemorate the sailors lost at sea during World War One which makes this a 100 year old piece of architecture now right beneath the clock tower you will also find the clock tower Beach that is fitted with umbrellas and various seating arrangements this is a prime location to see the sunrise and also to see the large vessels sailing through the St Lawrence River it's a nice way to enjoy a beach experience without having to go too far out of the city on site you can find a mini bar and restaurant to cater to your needs admission to the clock tower Beach is also free of charge one thing to know about Montreal is that the city is always buzzing with countless food and music festivals which I will make further reference to a bit later on in this video now during my visit to the Old Port of Montreal there just so happened to be a poutine Festival that was ongoing if you have never heard of poutine before then allow me to be the first to introduce you to a dish that is synonymous with the Quebec culture while there are many many Renditions of this dish the base ingredients for a classic poutine entails french fries combined with gravy and a type of cheese curd that is known to have a somewhat rubbery texture however I wouldn't let this combination of ingredients scare your way because personally this dish has quickly become one of my favorite foods to indulge in just 20 minutes outside the main city center you will also find another famous Montreal staple known as the orange Julep which has been in operation since 1947. the physical structure of the orange Julep is 1 one that can't be mistaken for anything else as it was quite literally designed to look like a giant Orange believe it or not what comes out of this building is more unique than how the building itself looks the orange Julep gained its reputation in the city for its creamy orange juice beverage that is strictly made in-house the best way I can describe the drink is that it has a soft orange juice flavor while eliminating most of the acidity through some kind of dairy mixture as weird as this sounds the mixtures actually work quite well together and it's worth exploring while visiting Montreal and just for the record while I was there I also ventured to try their rendition of poutine so this could also be a good opportunity to check two things off your list with just one visit now before we continue further with this list of top 30 attractions I would like to say thank you for watching this video thus far and in turn I'd like to point you towards some cost savings when booking some of these paid activities as I know that traveling can become quite expensive fairly quickly so simply go online to visit the passport Montreal website to buy a combination of three or five paid activities in the city bundling your purchases together in this way results in a lower overall cost compared to buying your tickets individually be sure to make your reservations where necessary as specified by the activity organizers if you're liking the information thus far be sure to hit the like subscribe and Bell notification so you can be notified when I do Post new content with that being said let's get back to the top 30 list now the next three attractions I am about to mention should ideally be visited on the same day as they are located in the eastern part of the city and are adjacent to each other conveniently though you can access this area using the Metro which is literally steps away from these attractions specifically you can get off at metroville or pinov which are on the Network's Green Line immediately when you exit the Metro you will take notice of a ginormous white flying saucer looking structure known as the Olympic stadium and as its name entails it was designed and built to accommodate the Summer Olympic Games of 1976. following the Olympic Games though the city did struggle to repurpose the building as it had such a peculiar and unique structure for a point in time it became the home of the Montreal Expos which was the city's major league baseball team due to waning sales the team eventually migrated to Washington in 2005. today the venue is used to host various concerts events and festivals and actively serves as a physical training facility at 165 meters high and with a 45 degree angle the structure is recognized as the tallest incline tower in the world the tower does have an observatory but during my visit it was closed for renovations the lookout is scheduled to reopen to receive tourists in 2024. just to give you an idea of how large the structure is it is capable of seating up to 60 000 people that is three times the capacity of the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City for this reason the stadium has accumulated a long history of Hosting events for some of the biggest draws in the world like Michael Jackson in 1984 Tony Hawk and even Metallica just to name a few over the years it has become an iconic Landmark within the city this next activity is one that will also be geared towards the entire family right next to the Olympic Stadium you will find the city's biodome which is a 28 000 square foot enclosed space that houses sea air and land animals in an artificial yet seemingly natural habitat the biodome has five man-made ecosystems that have been carefully put together to emulate that of where the species originated within the same building you can go from a very warm and humid tropical climate to one that is very cold and dry to the point where they had a corridor that was lined with a thick sheet of ice during my tour I encountered Penguins monkeys parrots and various kinds of underwater species that even included jellyfish the biodome is home to 2 500 animals and 800 plant species an absolute breeding ground for an abundance of learning and knowledge the natural scenery doesn't end here just north of the Olympic Stadium you will also find the city's famous Botanical Garden which features an assortment of plant life based on International themes as you navigate through the garden you genuinely get a feeling of migrating to different parts of the world one moment you're in an Alpine garden and the next you stumble onto a Japanese or even Chinese themed Park the scenery from start to finish was truly convincing and presented an opportunity to simultaneously learn about the various World cultures and the associated Landscapes that influence these cultures completing the Trek around the garden was extremely enjoyable but also time consuming due to how massive the park was so be sure to bring water and proper Footwear to ensure a comfortable tour around the various terrains now I'm sure after doing all of this walking you will more than likely want to head back into the downtown core to enjoy a nice meal or beverage one of the highest points in the city where you can do both is that place to get to the rooftop Terrace you will need to take two elevators to arrive to the summit of Placer depending on your choice of bar or restaurant you will be elevated between 44 and 46 stories above ground during my visit I opted to check out a Resto bar by the name of Liz alfonteheble on the 44th floor which is also shared with the rose orange Terrace the 45th and 46th floors feature a newly opened Cafe slash restaurant slash wine bar by the name of hiatus so even if one of these locations are full you will potentially be able to find a reservation for the other two options while at least I had a really bougie cocktail while I sat around enjoying the cool atmosphere what really elevated the Ambiance was this spectacular view from above the city a truly great spot to hang out and absorb the amazing scenery be sure to place a reservation beforehand to guarantee yourself a table now if elevated spaces aren't your thing not to worry on the ground floor of plus Bill Murray you will find even more areas to enjoy the outdoors and passing by I noticed there was another outdoor Terrace that was fitted with its own DJ if you go during the night hours you'll be able to witness a giant illuminated circular structure that would make for some amazing photography this open area at Placerville Marie is often used for numerous outdoor events and performances so it's definitely worth popping by just to see what kind of activities they have on the go now it just so happens that place wilmarie is also one of the connecting stops in Montreal's massive underground city which is rated as one of the largest in the world and if you like to shop then this is something you'll want to take note of between the Atwater and plastas are metros you can seamlessly move from one shopping center to the next without exposing yourself to the outside elements this comes in really handy for extremely hot summer days or during the rigidly cold winter months this extensive network is collectively known as the herso network which is composed of a 33 kilometer or 20.5 mile long pedestrian friendly route that also includes underground Metro Lines within the network you will find countless restaurants kiosks boutiques from local or even international fashion brands for example one of the most recent stores to open in the city is the Nike flagship store at the Eaton Center the shoe and clothing collection is enough to overwhelm anyone and drive them to some of the worst cases of indecisiveness so when it comes to shopping you will certainly find something that caters to your desires it's important to note that all of these shopping malls can also be accessed externally while walking along St Catherine Street between the Atwater and plastos art metros there are three things that Montreal is notorious for festivals festivals and more festivals especially during the hot summer months while it would take an eternity for me to name all of these festivals here I will quickly go through the biggest ones that have garnered the most attention in the city normally the formula F1 Grand Prix is what kicks off the Summer Festival season in the month of June for a weekend the city is filled with people who have traveled from far and wide to witness the annual racing event that takes place on a man-made Island just south of the island of Montreal during this weekend the city is just buzzing with a race car Enthusiast who tore around the island with their rare automobiles bars are full restaurants are packed and The Nightlife simply comes alive if you wish to witness an F1 race a close end in person then do schedule your trip to Montreal for this weekend even if you are not able to attend the race you can still take a tour around the racetrack by car or bicycle all year round as it is open to the public but just note that ironically speed is not tolerated on the Racecourse outside of the Grand Prix weekend another noteworthy Festival is the international Jazz Fest that is held at Montreal's Performing Arts sector known as Katie spectacular during this week-long Festival there are countless free musical performances that take place on massive public stages placed in the surrounding area the festival has hosted some of the greatest names in its almost five decade long tradition these names include Diana Ross Gloria Gaynor Diana Krall and so much more the festival also runs into the late evening which gives an opportunity to enjoy the night Ambiance of the city as well the city doesn't just come alive with speed and music but it also does so with humor the just for last Festival is a two week long event that showers the city with both paid and free comedy performances over the years the festival has been known to attract some of the biggest names out there in the business such as the famous Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle whatever your preference in food comedy or music there is always a festival that will be catered to your interests so be sure to plan your trip in line with whatever Festival you feel would enhance your overall experience while visiting Montreal now this next Landmark is one that is sure to keep you in a very Zen mood Mount Royal is an elevated Green Space that is positioned right next to the busy City Center so if you're looking for a more quiet space away from the commotion of the city you don't have to travel very far in fact as you make your way up the hill you slowly fade into a Serene quietness and you become more in tune with the nature around you this concept is actually quite similar to that of the famous Central Park in New York City this is probably due to the fact that both parks were actually designed by the same individual to maximize your experience in the park I would suggest starting from the trail at the base of the hill located on Park Street right next to the monument from here you can make your way up on foot or by bike in the case that you have rented one from bixi the trail on foot should take you approximately 45 minutes to complete but once there you will be greatly rewarded with a Scenic open space where you can chill out or even rent a small boat to tour around a giant pond but this isn't the Ultimate Prize further follow the gravel Trail and follow the signs for the Chalet de Morgan you will eventually arrive to A stunning Plateau that overlooks the city and its skyscrapers gazing down you can quickly see how the cars and pedestrians have shrunk in size this park has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit in the city as it exudes Positive Vibes all around needless to say this attraction is one that should not be overlooked now this next Landmark is for those of you who appreciate ancient architectural designs the Saint Joseph oratory is recognized as Canada's tallest church it was strategically placed on the Northwestern slope of Mount Royal where it can actually be seen from a far distance visitors from all over the world have come to the city to see this architectural Marvel just to the side of the oratory there is also a beautiful yet hidden Courtyard that almost seems to seclude you from the rest of the city beneath you it was a really calm and relaxing space to observe and appreciate the design of the massive structure be sure to follow the signs to the Garden as it's extremely easy to miss entry to the Saint Joseph oratory is free however donations are also welcomed earlier in this video I made mention of the importance of poutine to the Quebec culture however Montreal more specifically is also known for its great selection of oven-baked Bagels now there are two famous spots in the city that are notorious for oven baked Bagels Fairmount Bagel or St Viator Bagel which are actually positioned relatively close to Mount Royal out of no preference to one over the other I elected to go to the Saint Peter bagel shop in the Mile End District walking into the shop I immediately noticed the smell of fresh Bagels as well as the various employees who were making the baked goods from scratch even though the space wasn't the largest the workers were popping out fresh Bagels as if it were a factory we placed an order for their classic sesame seed bagel and while we waited in line I noticed their wall of fame which had photos that were signed by the famous William Shatner I also saw an article that showed how the shop was used as a roadblock during an episode of The Amazing Race TV series so clearly the shop has built a reputation since its Beginnings in 1957. we got our order we then ventured Outdoors to try the famous Bagel needless to say it certainly did not disappoint be sure to have cash available when making your purchase not too far away from The Bagel Shop you will also find some of the province's best fresh produce by visiting the jean-tal market it's quite literally a One-Stop shop for local fruits vegetables fish and dairy products here the vendors always have interesting offerings even cooked meals like croquetas from a local Spanish shop or even freshly baked donut-like desserts made on site be sure to also pick up a jar of their genuine maple syrup to accompany any future homemade breakfast or desserts it would seem that every major city has its own Little Italy and or Chinatown Montreal 2 keeps up with this tradition although these two sectors are stretched out along saleron Boulevard both Little Italy and Chinatown are great spots to support local restaurants and boutiques the area is vibrant with their respective cultures and always maintains a great Ambiance for locals and tourists alike sure to visit these two sectors to try great exotic dishes and to simply enjoy the entrepreneurial Spirit of the merchants if you decide to walk or drive from Chinatown to Little Italy or vice versa you will also notice along Saint Laurent Boulevard and its side streets that there are a plethora of murals and wall art while these pieces of work have traditionally been synonymous with vandalism or graffiti these giant paintings are recognized as street art and have been placed in collaboration with the owners of the buildings it's certainly something to explore while in the city one of the most iconic and famous murals in the city is located on Crescent Street to commemorate the famous Leonard Cohen who actually lived in Montreal to get the best view consider visiting this specific mural during the evening hours while the artwork is beautifully lit with spotlights while on Crescent Street also stop by a Resto bar or even a club during the evening hours as the street is notorious for its electric nightlife good this next activity truly sets the city's nightlife apart from any other for the month of July into early August the city holds up to two nights of fireworks every single week and these aren't just your regular fireworks either they are big enough to be seen from almost anywhere in the city this is on account of the city holding an international contest between various countries so when they're on each participating country brings their best game ideally the best spots to watch the fireworks are anywhere along the St Lawrence River however on the evenings when they are holding fireworks the city actually closes off car traffic to the Jacques calte Bridge so pedestrians can view the fireworks unobstructed from the bridge quite a special experience to witness what seems like the entire city gazing up into the illuminated night sky if you would like to splurge a little more on the experience you can also watch the fireworks from within lahond which is the city's famous theme park that features an assortment of rides and roller coasters the theme park also sells packages that include special Waterfront seating and access to beverages while watching the fireworks being synchronized to music for the ultimate firework experience consider booking an evening package with AML cruises where they specifically Sail Out to enjoy the scenery of the fireworks off the shores of the St Lawrence River for a complete summer schedule of the fireworks see the links Below in the description so these last few recommendations are activities that take place on the madman Island referenced earlier in this video is situated right in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River not only does it have an F1 race track and a theme park but it also has a casino and a bunch of different water activities to reach the island you can take the subway to get off at jean-topol Metro or you can go by bike automobile or even by the navette mara Tim which is a ferry that leaves from the Old Port of Montreal once there you will be able to move around by bus or big sea as the activities are spread out across the island now while gambling is not really my personal choice of activity I still paid a visit to the Montreal Casino just to check out the Ambiance and the cool architecture of the building as it's definitely something that sticks out on the island do note that you need to be at least 18 years of age to enter perhaps the highlight of my trip to the island though was the 90-minute kayaking tour I booked with ecotours Montreal through this experience I was able to explore the lagoons on the island using the equipment that was provided the activity also comes with a tour guide who provides background information on the virus landmarks as we pass through the open Waters what I enjoyed about this experience was that the waters were very calm and easy to navigate so this is definitely an activity that could also be considered by a novice level kayaker so I'm sure by now you have gotten a pretty good grasp on the caliber of city that Montreal is whether you enjoy food music history or fun activities you will certainly find something to elevate your experience while visiting Montreal for those of you who have already been to the city let me know Down Below in the comment section if your experience Echoes that of my own in closing I like to remind you to take advantage of some of the links down in the description to save a bit of money on the paid activities everyone is aware of how traveling can easily get pretty expensive so it helps to save money in any area you can with that being said I'd like to say thank you again for taking the time to watch this video and I hope that it has inspired you to get out travel and see those places in the world that will leave you with memories for life until the next video take care for now

Channel: Travel Wright

Views: 83,332

Keywords: montreal tourism video, montreal vacation travel guide, montreal vacation travel guide expedia, montreal vacation guide, best things to do in montreal canada, montreal food, montreal metro, montreal hotel, montreal downtown, old montreal, port of montreal, montreal attractions, quebec, quebec canada vlog, montreal travel vlog

Id: XaMq8vqLvV0

Length: 30min 41sec (1841 seconds)

Published: Fri Sep 01 2023