Montreal's Top 10 Places To Visit
If you're looking where to visit in Montreal, no matter what time of year it is, there will always be something going on in our fair city. But here's a list of the top 10 sure fire sites that makes our multicutural city uniquely Montreal.
Old Port (Le Vieux Port)
Whether to enjoy a horse drawn tour, fine cuisine or strolling on the boardwalk, Montreal's Old Port will charm anyone crossing its path.
Accessible metros: Place D'armes, Champs-De-Mars
St-Laurent (The Main)
The hippest street in the city, St-Laurent is adorned with restaurants, shops, coffeeshops, barbershops, and state of the art furniture stores. Here you'll find some of the most popular clubs,lounges, and the world famous smoked meat joint, Schwartz. Surely not a place to be missed.
Accessible metros: St-Laurent, Sherbrooke, Mont-Royal
St-Denis
More known for its french flavour ambiance, St-Denis is home to the city's numerous pubs, bars and restaurants with terrasse (outdoor seatings). One of the most notable places to visit is Le Saint-Sulpice which boasts an enormous terrasse behind its stone walls. St-Denis also has a collection of specialized boutiques including Cafe Ceramique where visitors can paint their own ceramics and enjoy lunch and coffee with friends.
Accessible metros: Mont-Royal, Sherbrooke
Botanical Garden/Jardin Botanique
Montreal's Botanical Garden holds one of the largest Japanese and Chinese gardens in the country. From Spring to Fall, there are daily events happening within its grounds. Visitors can enjoy a picnic under the blooming of flowering apple blossoms, ikebana exhibits, butterflies flying free, as well as numerous flowering plants, cacti and trees. This is also home to the yearly fall event of the "Magic Lanterns" which you can learn more about here.
Accessible metro: Pie-XI
Olympic Stadium
Built for the Summer Olympics in 1976, Le Stade Olympique is a historical monument remaining the tallest inclined structure in the world (more than the Tower of Pisa in Italy!). Although now closed for year round public viewing, it still holds many events and serves as an all-purpose venue. Located right next to the Botanical Garden, Le Stade is still a sight, simply for being a sheer colossal structure sticking out like a sore thumb on the island.
Accessible metros: Pie-XI, Viau
Oratoire St-Joseph
Montreal's St-Joseph Oratory is the largest roman catholic church in Canada and second only to St-Peter's Basilica in Rome as the largest basilica in the world. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Royal, the church has approximately 2 million visitors a year. The most faithful pilgrims climb the center staircase — 103 steps — on their knees, pausing to pray and reflect on each step. An astounding fact to be seen! More information on the basilica here.
Accessible metro: Cote-St-Catherine
Underground mall
What would Montreal be without its unique underground shopping? Store after store, metro station after metro station, you can have the ultimate shopping experience without ever setting foot outside. Go here for more information about the "Underground City."
Accessible metros: Atwater, Peel, McGill, Place-des-Arts, Berri-UQAM
Crescent Street
Located Downtown, Crescent street may be short in length but it is quite efficiently packed with bars, clubs, and restaurants and harbors the most exciting nightlife vibe in the city. It is also here where the biggest Grand Prix event is held, with stages, cars, and other activities related to the world famous racecar competition.
Accessible metros: Guy-Concordia, Peel
Jean-Talon Market
No longer restricted to local residents looking for their weekly grocery errands, the renovated market is THE destination for the largest variety available for all your food hunting needs. Homegrown, fresh, exotic or imported, Jean-Talon's market will surely please anybody who is passing by. Seeing the increased traffic over the years, the new additions to the market include more restaurants, underground parking and terrasse to go round.
Accessible metro: Jean-Talon
Montreal Casino
Even if you're there to gamble $5 or simply to watch rollers spend their lifesavings, Montreal's Casino is an elegantly 4 leveled building of gambling space. The building also houses the only 5-star graded restaurant, Nuances. Located on the Notre-Dame Island, it shares its grounds with the Grand Prix race track and offers great entertainment for people looking for some fun.
Accessible metro: Jean Drapeau w/ free shuttle bus
