Are you visiting Montréal for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in ¨the City of 106 Festivals.¨
When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see is Old Montréal, but I also take them to Jean-Talon Public Market – for a more local, authentic experience.
When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is Le Plateau Mont-Royal.
If this is a romantic trip, I recommend the Belvedere in Mount-Royal Park for kissing with a view.
The best place to walk the dog is Saint-Hélène’s Island.
Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit the Biodôme.
Montreal, the city of food:
If you are looking for typical Montréal cuisine, I recommend Maison Pierre du Calvet.
The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Cafe Vasco da Gama. They have the best coffee cake, cinnamon rolls and latte.
Looking for good value food in Montréal? Go to St. Viateur Bagel & Cafe.
Restaurant Leméac is the spot for late night dining in Montréal.
Creative Montréal
Seeing a lot of concert halls? Montréal is best known for its creativity and public works of art.
When you come to Montréal, get your picture taken at the top of Mount Royal Park.
The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Mount Royal.
The Quatier des Spectacles offers great views and the Place des Festivals is the best place to watch or experience Festival International de Jazz de Montréal.
In Montréal outdoor enthusiasts will want to bike, walk, cross country ski, snowshoe, and skate.
Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Lachine Canal or the Mount Royal Park.
If you are a museum lover, Montréal’s best museum is the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts
Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at the new Altitude Club 737 or Upstairs Jazz Club for live music.
The Montréal Gazette will keep you posted on what’s happening.
You can tell a lot about Montréal from visiting and watching the Grand Prix du Canada event event.
In the spring you should attend the Montréal Museum Day.
In the summer you should attend Festival International de Jazz.
Did you know that Montréal is known for the Gardens of Light? Plan a visit to Montréal in the fall.
Come to Montréal for Le Montréal en Lumière Festival in the winter.
Insider Tip: I’ll bet you didn’t know that each neighborhood in Montreal is distinguished by unique lampposts.
Just outside of Montreal you can visit authentic Quebec and the regions of Lanaudiere and la Mauricie.
What are your favorite things to do in Montréal , Canada?
For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Tourism Montreal on Twitter.
If You Go:
Montréal , Canada
Thanks to Tourism Montreal for assistance with this post. Photos and YouTube video courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Quebec Tourism.