10 Best Things to Do in Old Montreal

Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica was raised as a minor basilica by the Pope in 1982 and designated a National Historic Site of Canada 7 years later. The first stone church on Notre-Dame Street was opened in 1683, but the larger, Gothic-style Notre-Dame du Sacre-Coeur chapel opened in 1891. It was a sight to behold then, as it is now.

Visitors to the church can purchase tickets for the purpose of sightseeing or to experience special audio-visual experiences and organ concerts. Or you can sit in and partake in Catholic mass any day of the week. Note: Mass is performed in French only.

Built in the 1870s, the historic Montréal City Hall is an ornate and eclectic building worth visiting in Old Montréal. The building is notably remembered as being the place where French president Charles de Gaulle uttered the famous “Vive Montréal! Vive le Quebec libre!” during the 1967 World’s Fair, an inciteful nod to Quebec sovereignty.

Today, the 4-story building is still a place of democratic business, but also a place that welcomes visitors. If you are a fan of French architecture, you’ll be wowed by the details of the stunning building. Come by at night when the facade is awash in incandescent light.

Bonsecours Market, a famed architectural relic in Old Montréal, was originally built in the 1840s. For more than 100 years it served as the city’s central market for farmers and local vendors. After it was saved from demolition it was turned into what tourists and locals alike enjoy today.

Spend the day at Bonsecours Market dining on upscale sushi or grab a cup of coffee for your stroll through the boutique shops showcasing locally made products. The market is also home to several art galleries and event halls available to rent.

If you want to get the most out of your Montréal visit, a stroll down Saint-Paul Street hits many of the popular landmarks, like the Notre Dame Basilica and Bonsecours Market. It is also the best place to shop at the area’s European-style boutiques and has ample dining options. From May to September the cobblestone street is closed to car traffic to make room for all the pedestrians who sweep through.

The oldest street in the city (originally paved in 1672), Saint-Paul is a draw for history buffs. It is often a stop on walking tours of Old Quebec that highlight the neighborhood’s history.

Pointe-a-Calliere is Montreal’s premiere museum exhibiting archaeology and history. In fact, it is the largest archaeology museum in all of Canada. Permanent exhibits give visitors a taste of what life was like in New France. Some artefacts date back 4,500 years, highlighting hunter-gatherers of North America.

With 3 to 4 temporary exhibits rolling through each year, you’re likely to see something new on each visit. And with multiple interactive, kid-friendly exhibits, this is a place you can spend the whole day with the family.

When you pass through Place Jacques-Cartier, you get a real feel for Old Montreal. The plaza is a gathering place for outdoor festivals, food stands, and street musicians. Along both sides of the stone walk you’ll also find plenty of Parisian-style open-air restaurants.

The 2-block square is home to a notable statue that is worth stopping for a look: Nelson’s Column. It was dedicated in 1810 to Admiral Horatio Nelson, an officer of the Royal Navy lauded for his victory over Napoleon’s fleet.

La Grande Roue de Montréal, Canada’s tallest observation wheel, is the best place to take in the sights of Old Montreal. Located right off the St. Lawrence River, you’ll be able to see St. Helen’s Island to the east as well as the city centre to the west. The climate-controlled cabins offer a 360-degree view from 60 metres in the air.

Make a day out of your ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal by dining at 1 of the 2 restaurants located at the base of the attraction. Go to Bistro de La Grande roue for salads, sandwiches, pizza, and small bites. Visit Café de La Grande Roue for a more Montreal-inspired menu.

For all things art in Old Montreal, spend a day at Phi Centre. The multidisciplinary venue has an ever-changing calendar full of independent films, live musical performances, and experimental multi-sensory exhibits. Artists featured at Phi Centre take contemporary art to a new level through their creative use of technology.

Though Phi Centre only opened in 2012, it blends in beautifully with the rest of Old Montreal, housed within an original industrial-era building on Saint Paul Street. Within the heritage building is a space designed with pristine acoustics in mind for exquisite performance potential.

In 1969, Centaur Theatre found its home in Old Montreal in a building that once housed Canada’s first stock exchange. Today, Centaur is a thriving space for theatre, featuring plays written by Canadian playwrights as well as shows with international acclaim.

The shows, which typically run in fall and spring, feature diverse casts with a variety of ensemble sizes. Note: All shows are performed in English.

This 45-meter-tall Clock Tower overlooks the bank of the St. Lawrence River. The looming white façade marks one of the most iconic landmarks in Old Montreal. You won’t want to miss the chance to climb the stairs inside the tower (192 total) to look out over Clock Tower Beach and the river.

Inside the Clock Tower, you can also see the remarkable mechanism behind the clock, which is a replica of London’s Big Ben and was built in England in 1919. The time kept by Montreal’s Clock Tower is known to be as accurate as Big Ben as well.