Fun Things to do in Montreal

Is Montreal worth visiting?
I would say most definitely! Be prepared to try some french speaking as the French population appreciates anyone who at least tries to speak French. Montreal is a beautiful city to soak up the culture of a bilingual city that offers so much more ambience than its competition- the other cities in Canada!
Marilyn Aikman - Lived in Montr̩al, QC

Yes for sure. Lots of restaurants and shopping. Festivals. A nice area by the water. With a Ferris wheel. Amusement park. Lots of parks. Depends when and what youre interested in!
Natalie C Luck - Lives in Montr̩al, QC

Yes, Montreal is definitely worth visiting. It's the second largest city in Canada. It's beautiful in both the summer and winter time. Visitors love the mix of European charm and modern North American style.


Is 2 days enough in Montreal?

You could take a bus tour of old Montreal and then spend the day on beaver lake wake up the next morning meet a friend for breakfast. Walk down Saint Denise Street go to Schwartzs for lunch go to the Montreal museum have dinner in Old Montreal. And get to the airport.
Theres ethnic cuisine from all over the world you could spend two days in Little Italy and not see everything because there are just so many restaurants.
Chinatown is small but there are many good restaurants Saint Lawrence Street alone is a world unto itself Theres a vibrant French and English culture in Montreal and if all you have is two days definitely come Ive been here for decades and even now I find myself discovering a new neighbourhood or a new street and Montreal. Is always changing just when you get used to Summers that make you think youre in California in the blink of an eye there are winters turn the city into an enchanted kingdom. At least until the snow gets dirty.
Stuart Nutik - Lives in Montr̩al, QC

Two days is enough to get a taste and feel of Montreal, but do go in more depth, add a third day.
Lynn - Legal Support Contractor

If you are traveling to Montreal first time, I suggest you spend at least 2 days in Montreal to explore the city's famous spots. If you have more time to spend, that's awesome!
Advocate Gaurav Bhalla - Immigration Consultant at Nationwide Visas Delhi



What is Montreal famous for?
Montreal is North America's number one host city for international events. Montreal is home to the famous Cirque de Soleil and hosted the Summer Olympics in 1976. Montreal also played host to Expo 67, considered to be the most successful world's fair in the 20th Century.


Is Montreal close to Niagara Falls?
The distance from Montreal to Niagara Falls is 318 miles. The road distance is 407 miles.

Do you need a car in Montreal?
Thanks to Montreal's public transportation system, there really is no need for a car. Parking is relatively cheap, but you might have difficulty finding a spot in the more touristy neighborhoods. Also, gas is expensive: You'll be charged by the liter rather than by the gallon.

Do they speak English in Montreal?
Montreal is a city where you can speak two languages: English and French.


How do we get around Montreal? We are looking for the best way to explore Montreal by either bike or public transportation. What are a couple stops on the route we should check out?
You should plan to go mid summer, ideally during the annual International Festival. Lots of fun, clowns and mimes in the streets, International Jazz, Comedy, etc Festivals. Montreal is a walking city particularly downtown. In the early mornings you can smell the croissants baking. Make it a point to go to quaint Quebec City. Take cruise up the St. Lawrence. Start with this site and subscribe for their free mailings. Bon Voyage..
Robert M. - Former International Business Consultant
Honestly, the best way to get around Montreal is on foot. Montreal is remarkably walkable and you can find interesting neighbourhoods and buildings pretty much everywhere. That being said, theres a big except for. As you move away from the St. Lawrence River, the terrain gets pretty darn steep. If youre going parallel to the river, Montreals topography isnt that challenging, but in the other direction, it can be exhausting.
That being said, the pearl of the city is the big hill that gives the city its name - Mont Royal. Its higher than the highest point in Toronto, which is on a lake thats well above sea level that also goes up not quite as steeply as you move away from the water. You should visit Mont Royal. It has great views and a little chateau at the top where you can grab snacks.
Best way to get to it is to take the bus west from Mont-Royal Subway Station on the Orange Line. It climbs up a not too steep hill to an observation deck that has a great view of the east end of the city and Olympic Stadium. Its also quite near the big lit up cross thats one of the citys primary symbols. From there, its a bit of a walk to the chateau. You can follow the Escarpment Trail which runs along the cliff (theres a very steep drop off on the southeast side of the hill) and joins up with the main trail later on.
Theres also a biking/walking trail, the Olmstead (yes, the Central Park Olmstead) that winds its way up the hill and its easy enough to bike up, but its extremely long. If you want to walk up, start at Peel Avenue downtown and walk towards the hill - thats where you find the very long staircase to the top and the chateau. You can walk up other parts of the hill (theres a rough path on the east) but the staircase is the easiest way.
For the best walking, theres Old Montreal and the Old Port. Most of the buildings are at least 150 years old and many are older. Theres the ancient Place Des Armes (where soldiers would gather in an emergency) which is next to the Notre Dame Cathedral. The Science Center is down at the port too. For biking, the Lachine Canal is a great trip, and ends at the Old Port.
Transit is the best way to get to the old Expo 67 site, to the Olympic Stadium area (which also has the Biodome and the Botanical Gardens nearby) and some of the more distant neighbourhoods, like the Plateau. A car should be avoided unless youre actually leaving the Island of Montreal for the outer suburbs where transit is terrible. Some of the communities around Montreal are very old and quaint, like Terrebonne.
Steven Haddock Lives in Toronto, ON (1959 Present)
In the summer, I would definitely recommend public transit (Metro, bus, Exo commuter trains and buses) and bike. Walking is good too. There's an extensive bike network in the city. If you don't have your own bikes with you, the Bixi bike share service is truly excellent. It operates from April 15 to November 15. Definitely DO NOT try to get around the city by car. The traffic, limited parking, and construction zones are a very problematic.
St̩phane Beauregard Lives in Montreal, QC (1963 Present)