Montréal

St Joseph’s Oratory, © Can Stock / marcbruxelle

Visit Montréal – Old Town

The most popular place to see when you visit Montréal is the Old Town. Place d’Armes is a great spot to start a walking tour of the Old Town. On the square is Notre-Dame Basilica and the statue of Sieur de Masionneuve, the founder of Montréal. Notre-Dame is amazingly beautiful inside. Opera singer Pavarotti used to love to perform here and singer Celine Dion was married in Nontre-Dame. The church charges an entry fee or for about triple the entry fee price you can attend the Aura light show, which happens on most evenings.

Next to Notre-Dame is the Sulpician Seminary. Around the corner from the Sulpician Seminary is the Centaur Theatre. At the other end of the square from Notre-Dame is Canada’s first bank – the Bank of Montréal. From Place d’Armes wander down Rue Saint-Jacques past the business district. Then walk down Sainte Helene and Recollets Streets to view the 1870s architecture. See the architecture at Crew Collective & Cafe. Consider a side trip to the Underground City Shopping network, which connects many downtown office buildings and saves you from exposure to bad weather. Next visit the Pioneer’s Monument obelisk and the Museum of Archaeology and History by the St Lawrence River at the beginning of the Old Port.

Old Port, © Can Stock / gvictoria

Visit Montréal – Old Port

In the Old Port, see the Montréal Science Center. Walk north along the seafront on Rue de la Commune or wander past the interesting buildings and side streets on Rue Saint-Paul. Back on Rue Notre-Dame a couple blocks north of the basilica, brings you to the Court Houses, Nelson’s Column, Place Jacques Cartier and City Hall.

Then finish off your walking tour by returning to the river and Bonsecours Market, known for its high end shops. You can walk out on the quay to visit the Clock Tower. At the outer edge of the Old Port is Habitat 67, which is a housing project built for Expo 67.

Olympic Stadium, © Can Stock / JulienSirard

Visit Montréal – Olympic Stadium

At the Oympic Stadium, ride the glass elevator to the top of the Big O and spend time in Olympic Park. Take a tour such as the Montréal Tower Observatory Admission. The Olympic Stadium was once famous for its financial and structural problems, but has since attained great popularity with tourists. It includes the Montréal Biodome, with various ecosystems. On a visit to the Olympic Stadium you will also find an insectarium, penguins, the Montréal Botanical Gardens and a planetarium.

Montréal from Mont Royal, © Can Stock / rabbit75can

Visit Montréal – Mount Royal

Mount Royal is a hill top park of more than 300 acres. Mount Royal was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed Central Park in New York. Jacques Cartier chose the name Mount Royal in 1535 and there is a plaque honoring him at the lookout. Climb the Grand Staircase from the Old Town to Kondiaronk Belvedere viewpoint at the Mount Royal Chalet. Then continue on to Beaver Lake Fountain and to St. Joseph’s Oratory where you can view the heart of Brother Andre, which is kept in a jar.

Visit Montréal – Underground City

The Montreal Underground City has more than 20 miles (30 km) of pathways under the city. The Underground City is located roughly between Peel and Place-des-Arts metro stations on the Green Line and between Lucien-L’Allier and Place-d’Armes stations on the Orange Line.

Atwater Market, © Can Stock / gordonw

Visit Montréal – Hotels

• Intercontinental
• Loews Hotel Vogue
• Hotel Bonaparte
• Hotel Place d’Armes