If you’re a tourist or business traveler temporarily staying in Montreal, you can’t afford to miss the opportunity to color your visit with the many side attractions the “Paris of North America” has to offer.
Montreal is known for its endless list of downtime activities. From its festivals and events to the restaurants and historical sites, there’s always something guaranteed to catch your eye and blow off steam with in this city.
In this blog post, you’ll get a list of the top attractions and events to try out while you’re lodged in any of our Montreal furnished apartments.
Key Takeaways
- Montreal is a city of many attractions: historical sites, markets, amusement parks, and festivals.
- The top locations to visit in Montreal include the Notré-Dame Basilica, Time Out Montreal, and the area of Old Montreal.
- The most popular festivals to attend, particularly around the summer, are the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Musical Festival, and the AURA Experience.
- If you’re in Montreal as a tourist, Corporate Stays offers the best-furnished apartments to lodge in while you feed your eyes on all the goodies the city has to offer.
Top 10 Montreal Attractions
Montreal is a vibrant city, with different unique activities to try out and locations to visit and explore. Choosing which part of the city to spend your time or what leisure activity to engage in can be tasking.
We have taken the time to curate a list of the best 10 places to visit and things to do while you’re in Montreal. Let’s get right into it:
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The Notré-Dame Basilica
Rated by Angi as the 6th most beautiful building in the world, the Notré-Dame Basilica’s tall structure and Gothic architecture are sure to sweep you off your feet at first sight.
Its stained glass windows, chapel chair rows, and deep blue roof decorated with golden stars attract over 11 million visitors per year, making it the most visited site in Montreal.
Beyond the basilica as a building, there’s many more events and attractions to feast your eyes on at the site—a 130-year-old Casavant Frères pipe organ on display and a 12-ton Jean Baptiste bell are notable mentions.
Address: 110 Notre-Dame St W, Old Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: CA$16 (about $12 USD) for adults; CA$10 (around $7.5 USD) for kids aged 6-16.
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Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
For our artsy tenants, we recommend a visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The museum houses all kinds of pieces from antiquity to the contemporary era, making it a top destination for artlovers from all over the world.
From Picasso to Rembrandt, the museum houses some of the best works by the most gifted artists ever to walk the earth. A visit to the museum promises to be just as inspiring as it is relaxing.
Address: 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC
Average Cost of Visiting: CA$24 (about $18) for adults 31 and older; CA$16 (about $12) for adults 21-30. Free entry is available for anyone aged 20 or less.
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Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal)
Known as the playground of Montreal and visited by almost every bonafidé Montrealer, Mount Royal offers arguably the best view of the city—located right in the center of Montreal, you get a 360-degree view of the city and its skyline below you from the top of the mountain.
Beyond the impressive view this location offers, you can also choose to enjoy boat rides on Beaver Lake or the refreshing greenery and outdoor space of the attached Mount Royal Park.
Address: 1260 Remembrance Rd., Montreal H3H 1A2
Average Cost of Visiting: Free entry.
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Time Out Market Montreal
All of the finest dishes and drinks Montreal has to offer in one spot! Amazing right? Time Out Montreal is the perfect destination for foodies staying in Montreal.
Located in the downtown area, Time Out Market features dishes from the city’s best chefs and culinary experts. It offers a tasty ride through different eateries serving the delights of the multicultural Montrealean palate, with options ranging from Japanese oshizushi to Vietnamese pho dip, Indian butter chicken, and others.
Another great perk of Time Out Market is that you can order right from home, allowing you to experience Montrealese cuisine from the couch in your furnished apartment.
Address: 705 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: Varies based on your appetite. No cash allowed in the store.
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La Ronde Amusement Park
The biggest and most exciting amusement park in Québec, La Ronde promises fun for visitors of all ages. With its grand rides and rollercoasters, one of which holds the record for the highest double-tracked roller coaster in the world—Le Monstre (The Monster), we are sure you’re in for the thrill of your life.
The park also features haunted houses as part of their yearly Fright Fest, which may interest you if you are in town around Halloween—October 31st.
Address: 22 Chem. Macdonald, Montréal
Average Cost of Visiting: A regular entry ticket goes for CA$18 (about $14 USD).
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Montreal Botanical Gardens
Greenhouses, giant trees, and exotic species unique to Africa and Asia have it all at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. This is the perfect past time for you while you’re in Montreal if you enjoy spending time in nature and among greens and shrubs.
With over 22,000 species thriving and on display in the Montreal Gardens, your visit will be educative and calming.
Address: 4101 Sherbrooke St., Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: CA$23.35 (about $17.25 USD) for adults; CA$12 (about $9 USD) for children aged between 5 and 17
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Jean-Talon Market
If you want to use the cooking space provided in your CorporateStays furnished apartment, the Jean-Talon market is the place to shop for groceries.
With farm-fresh goods and stalls, a trip to the Jean-Talon Market, one of the oldest open-air markets in Canada, is sure to be refreshing. The constant chatter, bargaining, and small talk with the storekeepers are guaranteed to lift your spirits.
Address: 7070 Henri Julien Ave., Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: Free entry. Get your grocery list and cash/card ready!
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Old Montreal
Victorian-era buildings and cobblestone streets—Old Montreal is that part of town that has a historical feel.
You’ll probably feel like you’re on the set of a fairytale movie walking around Old Montreal. This area is home to many eye-catching sites, including the Notré-Dame Basilica, Montreal City Hall, and the first building to be declared a historic monument in Montreal—Château Ramezay.
Address: Old Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: Free entry.
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Montreal Science Center
With 3D displays and guided tours, the Montreal Service Center is the best destination for our nerdy tenants.
Drawing in over 600,000 visitors yearly, the IMAX®TELUS Theatre is the center’s top attraction, with a seven-story high screen displaying educational films and documentaries. Other great stops at the center include the Techno-Garden and Water in the Universe gallery.
Stop by the Montreal Science Center for an educative and exciting experience while you’re in Montreal.
Address: 2 De la Commune St W, Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: Varying plans and offers.
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Saint Joseph’s Oratory
Montreal is definitely not lacking in religious moments and landmarks. Another major attraction of religious importance is Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the highest building in Montreal—30 meters higher than Mount Royal.
From its dome—the third largest of any building in the world—to the shrine and statue of St. Joseph standing in the Votive Chapel surrounded by candlelight, every inch of this building is a sight to behold, with incredible architecture on display.
Address: 3800 Queen Mary Rd., Montreal
Average Cost of Visiting: Free General Admission
5 Events You Should Attend in Montreal
The city of Montreal is known for its elaborate events and festivals that happen almost all year round, particularly around the summer months. Here’s a list of the best events and festivals we think you should attend during your stay with us:
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Montreal International Jazz Festival
With saxophones and pianos, the city of Montreal really comes alive when it’s time for the largest jazz festival in the world—the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
Pulling in almost 2 million visitors annually, with guest appearances from renowned jazz musicians worldwide, traffic in Montreal practically comes to a standstill during the festival. If you’re in our city around the time for the festival, it would almost be criminal not to attend.
Date: Yearly, it will be around late June to early July. Keep an eye out!
Location: Downtown Montreal
Average Cost: Ticketing prices vary from year to year.
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Osheaga Music and Art Festival
Good food, better music, and excellent art all in one place. The Osheaga Music and Art Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Canada.
Featuring a mix of genres, from pop to rap, and artists of all kinds, from Coldplay to Eminem. Whatever your taste is, the Osheaga Festival has something we’re sure you’d enjoy.
Date: Every year in August
Location: Jean-Drapeau Park
Average Cost: Varies yearly. GA tickets are around $200 CAD.
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L’International des Feux Loto-Québec (Loto-Quebec Fireworks)
Organized by Six Flags, the owners of the La Ronde Amusement Park, the largest fireworks competition in the world, the Loto-Quebec Fireworks Festival has teams from countries all over the world vying for the best fireworks display.
With various musical performances, competitors light up the skies of Montreal, giving onlookers the show of their lives. These displays last 30 minutes over the course of several weeks, building a sense of anticipation and excitement among spectators.
Date: Annually in June
Location: Fireworks can be seen from all over the city. The best place to view from is the La Ronde Amusement Park.
Average Cost: Free sightings. Regular entry ticket for La Ronde goes for CA$18 (about $14 USD).
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MURAL Festival
Graffiti and large wall paintings—the MURAL festival in Montreal is a celebration of the city’s best artistic minds.
The festival features decorated street artists from all over town, turning the city into an open-air museum displaying iconic, eye-catching, and inspiring pieces.
Date: Annually in June
Location: St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal
Average Cost: Free entry with a few ticketed activities.
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AURA
Ochestra music and light displays of the Aura Experience against the majestic interior of the Notré-Dame Basilica are sure to leave you in awe.
The Aura show sweeps you off your feet with the immersive music and intense visual experience guaranteed to leave your heart thumping.
Date and Average Cost: Varies according to season and package. Visit the ticket shop for more information.
Location: 110 Notre-Dame St W, Old Montreal
Top Accommodation Options in Montreal
If you are visiting Montreal as a business person or a tourist and need temporary housing while you explore the various exciting locations and experiences our beautiful city has to offer,
Corporate Stays Montreal offers the most furnished apartment deals on the market, with flexible terms and top-level amenities to make your stay comfortable and feel like home.
Here is a list of the best short-term rentals available for lease in Montreal:
Conclusion
Montreal is a fun city with events and sites guaranteed to draw your attention at every corner. As a tourist or business traveler, visiting a number of these attractions can add a lot of memories to your visit.
The best locations to visit while you’re in Montreal include The Notré-Dame Basilica, Parc du Mont-Royal, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Jean-Talon Market, and the Montreal Science Center.
Festivals are common in Montreal around summer; the best of these events include AURA at the Notré-Dame, the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Osheaga Music Festival.
Enjoy your visit!
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