Best hotels & accommodations in Montreal

About Montreal

There is so much more to Montreal than just its famous poutine, maple syrup and the wintertime blues. In fact, there are few cities in North America that offer visitors a more diverse range of activities and things to see and do. From summer festivals, art galleries and museums to winter ice-skating, snow-tubing and underground bars, this compact city has something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to Montreal soon or have been meaning to visit this unique city for some time now, here are some useful tips on the top things to do when you’re there.

Travel By Foot
If you’re staying in the downtown area then you won’t need a car or public transportation to get around, as most sights are within walking distance. Explore the downtown area and get to know the historic streets and buildings of Old Montreal, where you’ll find French-colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and beautiful parks that are home to many fountains and statues. From here you can also walk along the banks of the St. Lawrence River past the cruise ships and giant ferries or head up to Mount Royal Park, the city’s green lung where you’ll find the spectacular views overlooking the city. Alternatively, if you’re looking to get up and out of the downtown core, a great way to see and experience the city is to jump on one of the city’s hop-on, hop-off bus tours.

Go Underground
Though it might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, Montreal’s famous underground neighborhood is a must-see for any visitor. The city’s historic network of underground streets and alleyways were first developed in the late 1800s when the city’s above-ground buildings caught fire, were destroyed in floods and became overcrowded with people. Today, this 16-block area is one of the city’s most intriguing neighborhoods and is home to a colorful mix of artists, artisans, shop owners and restaurateurs. Head down into this neighborhood via the Underground City’s Square-Victoria Metro station and explore the various shops, galleries and food vendors, as well as the unique architecture of this strange and wonderful place. You can also take a guided tour to learn more about the neighborhood’s history and significance to the city.

Visit The Olympic Stadium
One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, the Olympic Stadium is a great place to visit when in Montreal. Built for the 1976 Summer Olympics, the massive steel-and-concrete structure is home to the Montreal Expos baseball team, as well as the Concordia University’s soccer and track and field teams. The stadium is also a great place to visit during the summer months when it hosts outdoor events and concerts. Get inside the Olympic Stadium and explore the sports museum and gift shop, or get up close to the Olympic tower and catch a panoramic view of the city from the observation deck. Alternatively, if you visit in the winter months you can enjoy tobogganing, snow-tubing or cross-country skiing right inside the stadium.

Sample Montreal’s World-Famous Cuisine
From poutine to smoked meat sandwiches, Montreal’s unique and diverse cuisine has become a popular international draw. You can find restaurants serving up these local delicacies all over the city, but if you want to taste them at their source, then try to visit some of the following places. La Banquise is a very popular poutine restaurant serving up more than 20 different varieties of this hearty Canadian dish. Visit Schwartz’s to get a taste of Canada’s most famous smoked meat sandwich served up in Montreal-style bagels. Kaff Kake is a fun and funky bakery serving up delicious cakes, pastries and coffee. You can’t visit Montreal without enjoying some of its unique and delicious cuisine, so try to visit one of the above-mentioned places for a taste of what Montreal is all about.

Hop On A Tour Bus
There are a number of hop-on, hop-off bus tours that operate from various locations around Montreal and make for a fun and convenient way to explore the city. For instance, the Green Bus Tour is a hop-on, hop-off tour that takes you to some of the city’s most popular attractions, as well as a few unusual and little-known places along the way. The Old Montreal Tour is another hop-on, hop-off tour that visits some of the city’s biggest attractions, including the Olympic Stadium, Notre-Dame Basilica, the Underground City and the Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, you can try the Montreal Urban Adventure Tour, a guided walking tour that visits nine of the city’s attractions, as well as two seasonal activites, while learning about the city’s interesting history and culture along the way.

Watch A Professional Hockey Game
No visit to Montreal would be complete without watching a hockey game at the Bell Centre, home to the city’s National Hockey League (NHL) team, the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens have a rich and storied history, having won the Stanley Cup a record 24 times and have a large and dedicated fan base both in Montreal and across Canada. The team plays 81 regular-season games between October and March, with tickets starting from about $15 and going up to about $200, depending on where you sit. Children aged three and younger get into the game for free, and there are also family packages on offer. You can also try to get tickets for the Habs’ other home venue, the smaller and intimate Saputo Stadium, which is home to the team’s reserve team and women’s team.

Go Snow Shoeing In Mount Royal Park
If you visit Montreal in the winter months, then one of the best things to do would be to go snow shoeing in the city’s largest park, Mount Royal. Located in the middle of the city, the park is also home to the Mount Royal Chalet, which was built in 1886 and is open to the public as a restaurant and gift shop in the winter months. You can also go snow shoeing in the park, with either a guided or self-guided snow shoe tour offered. Alternatively, you can go cross-country skiing in the park too. There are a number of outdoor adventure companies that run snow shoeing and cross-country skiing tours in the park, or you can hire equipment to do it yourself. If you go self-guided, you can also enjoy a delicious meal at the Mount Royal Chalet before or after your walk or trek in the park.

Go Skating At The Marché Bonsecours
Easily one of the most charming and unique places to visit in Montreal, the Marché Bonsecours is a sprawling, indoor public market that dates back to 1847. Originally the site of a shipping dock, the market has been operating ever since and is now home to more than 100 stalls selling everything from fresh produce, seafood, baked goods and coffee to clothing, souvenirs and jewelry. The market is open seven days a week, and you can enjoy a delicious coffee while sitting beside the river, watching the giant ferries and giant cruise ships sail past. Alternatively, you can go skating on the rink beside the market, where you can enjoy some free public skating between October and March. The rink also hosts a variety of seasonal events and activities throughout the year.

Enjoy Art And Culture At Museums And Galleries
There are a number of art galleries and museums in Montreal where you can explore and discover more about the city’s history, culture and art. The McCord Museum of Canadian History is one of the city’s most popular museums and is home to a wide-ranging collection of artifacts and artifacts from the early colonial period to the modern day. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is Canada’s oldest art museum and features a vast collection of paintings and sculptures from some of the world’s most famous artists and artists. The Pointe-à-Callière Museum is another top museum in the city.

Want to get to know the city a bit better? Check out our guide about where to stay in Montreal, it includes recommendations about the best areas, museums, attractions and other things to do.

If you like our list of accommodations and hotels in Montreal, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Ottawa or the best hotels in Toronto.