Things to Do in Montreal
This list covers things to do in Montreal, from parks and gardens to museums and markets. The places are all in the Ville-Marie, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, and other neighbourhoods. All entries are free to visit, with no price level indicated. The ratings are high, ranging from 4.6 to 4.8 based on thousands of reviews.
Ville-Marie is the most common area, home to Mount Royal Park, the Old Port, and several basilicas. The list includes places with at least 500 reviews, ensuring they are well-established. Reviewers often mention specific features like views, hiking, or specific exhibits. This provides a reliable guide to popular Montreal activities.
| # | Name | Area | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mount Royal Park | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 26,742 | |
| 2 | Chinese Garden | Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 4,681 | |
| 3 | Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 3,736 | |
| 4 | Vieux-Port de Montréal | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 53,301 | |
| 5 | Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 40,220 | |
| 6 | Montreal Museum of Fine Arts | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 17,919 | |
| 7 | Michel-Chartrand Park | Le Vieux-Longueuil | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 6,215 | |
| 8 | Maisonneuve Park | Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 4,529 | |
| 9 | Rafting Montréal | Lasalle | ★★★★★ 4.8 | 1,016 | |
| 10 | Rapids Park | Lasalle | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 3,725 | |
| 11 | René-Lévesque Park | Lachine | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2,910 | |
| 12 | Parc Westmount | Westmount | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2,564 | |
| 13 | Parc André-J.-Côté | Candiac | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 1,449 | |
| 14 | Saint Patrick's Basilica | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 1,349 | |
| 15 | Jean Talon Market | Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 33,676 | |
| 16 | Jardin botanique de Montréal | Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 30,233 | |
| 17 | La Fontaine Park | Le Plateau-Mont-Royal | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 14,519 | |
| 18 | Esplanade Tranquille | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 1,028 | |
| 19 | Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History | Ville-Marie | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 8,677 | |
| 20 | Parc Jarry | Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 8,384 |
Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal Park is a large park in Ville-Marie. Reviewers often mention the view of the city, hiking, and the Sunset lookout.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-00:00
- Mon 06:00-00:00
- Tue 06:00-00:00
- Wed 06:00-00:00
- Thu 06:00-00:00
- Fri 06:00-00:00
- Sat 06:00-00:00
Chinese Garden
Reviewers frequently talk about the light show, lanterns, and peaceful atmosphere. It is open daily, with slightly later hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opening hours
- Sun 09:00-18:00
- Mon 09:00-18:00
- Tue 09:00-18:00
- Wed 09:00-18:00
- Thu 09:00-18:00
- Fri 09:00-19:00
- Sat 09:00-19:00
Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral
Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in Ville-Marie. The cathedral is open every day from 7:00 to 19:00.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-19:00
- Mon 07:00-19:00
- Tue 07:00-19:00
- Wed 07:00-19:00
- Thu 07:00-19:00
- Fri 07:00-19:00
- Sat 07:00-19:00
Vieux-Port de Montréal
Reviewers often mention the ferris wheel, zipline, and food trucks. It is open from 6:00 to midnight daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-00:00
- Mon 06:00-00:00
- Tue 06:00-00:00
- Wed 06:00-00:00
- Thu 06:00-00:00
- Fri 06:00-00:00
- Sat 06:00-00:00
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
Its features recommend getting tickets ahead. Hours vary, opening at 12:30 on Sundays and 9:00 on other days.
Opening hours
- Sun 12:30-16:00
- Mon 09:00-16:00
- Tue 09:00-16:00
- Wed 09:00-16:00
- Thu 09:00-16:00
- Fri 09:00-16:00
- Sat 09:00-16:00
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Reviewers often mention Picasso, mummies, and free admission. It is open daily, with extended hours until 21:00 on Wednesdays.
Opening hours
- Sun 10:00-17:00
- Mon 10:00-17:00
- Tue 10:00-17:00
- Wed 10:00-21:00
- Thu 10:00-17:00
- Fri 10:00-17:00
- Sat 10:00-17:00
Michel-Chartrand Park
Reviewers often mention roe deer, trails, and a peaceful atmosphere. It is open from 6:00 to 23:00 daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-23:00
- Mon 06:00-23:00
- Tue 06:00-23:00
- Wed 06:00-23:00
- Thu 06:00-23:00
- Fri 06:00-23:00
- Sat 06:00-23:00
Maisonneuve Park
Reviewers frequently talk about cycling, cross-country skiing, and its connection to the botanical garden. It is open from 6:00 to midnight daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-00:00
- Mon 06:00-00:00
- Tue 06:00-00:00
- Wed 06:00-00:00
- Thu 06:00-00:00
- Fri 06:00-00:00
- Sat 06:00-00:00
Rafting Montréal
Reviewers often mention rafting, rapids, and friendly staff. It requires appointments and is open on weekends and Fridays.
Opening hours
- Sun 10:00-15:30
- Fri 11:00-15:30
- Sat 10:00-15:30
Rapids Park
Reviewers often mention picnics, bird watching, and surfing. It is open from 7:00 to 21:00 daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-21:00
- Mon 07:00-21:00
- Tue 07:00-21:00
- Wed 07:00-21:00
- Thu 07:00-21:00
- Fri 07:00-21:00
- Sat 07:00-21:00
René-Lévesque Park
Reviewers frequently talk about biking, BBQ areas, and sunset views. It is open from 6:00 to 23:00 daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-23:00
- Mon 06:00-23:00
- Tue 06:00-23:00
- Wed 06:00-23:00
- Thu 06:00-23:00
- Fri 06:00-23:00
- Sat 06:00-23:00
Parc Westmount
Reviewers often mention the pond, ducks, and tennis courts. No specific hours are listed.
Parc André-J.-Côté
Reviewers mention the landscape, relaxing atmosphere, and segregated cycle facilities. It is open from 7:00 to 23:00 daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 07:00-23:00
- Mon 07:00-23:00
- Tue 07:00-23:00
- Wed 07:00-23:00
- Thu 07:00-23:00
- Fri 07:00-23:00
- Sat 07:00-23:00
Saint Patrick's Basilica
It is open daily, with hours from 9:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and longer on weekends.
Opening hours
- Sun 09:00-18:30
- Mon 09:00-16:00
- Tue 09:00-16:00
- Wed 09:00-16:00
- Thu 09:00-16:00
- Fri 09:00-16:00
- Sat 09:00-17:00
Jean Talon Market
Reviewers often mention fresh produce, vegetables, and local products. It is open daily, with hours until 18:00 most days.
Opening hours
- Sun 08:00-17:00
- Mon 08:00-18:00
- Tue 08:00-18:00
- Wed 08:00-18:00
- Thu 08:00-18:00
- Fri 08:00-18:00
- Sat 08:00-18:00
Jardin botanique de Montréal
Jardin botanique de Montréal is a botanical garden in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie. Reviewers frequently talk about the Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, and lanterns. Hours vary, with some evenings open until 22:00.
Opening hours
- Sun 09:00-22:00
- Mon 09:00-18:00
- Tue 09:00-21:00
- Wed 09:00-21:00
- Thu 09:00-21:00
- Fri 09:00-22:00
- Sat 09:00-22:00
La Fontaine Park
Reviewers often mention picnics, the lake, and tennis. It is open from 6:00 to midnight daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 06:00-00:00
- Mon 06:00-00:00
- Tue 06:00-00:00
- Wed 06:00-00:00
- Thu 06:00-00:00
- Fri 06:00-00:00
- Sat 06:00-00:00
Esplanade Tranquille
Reviewers often mention the rink, skating, and free admission. It is open daily, with hours until 23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opening hours
- Sun 09:00-22:30
- Mon 09:00-22:30
- Tue 09:00-22:30
- Wed 09:00-22:30
- Thu 09:00-22:30
- Fri 09:00-23:30
- Sat 09:00-23:30
Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History
Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History is an archaeological museum in Ville-Marie. Reviewers often mention interactive exhibits and the history of the city. It is open daily, generally from 10:00 or 11:00 to 17:00.
Opening hours
- Sun 11:00-17:00
- Mon 10:00-17:00
- Tue 10:00-17:00
- Wed 10:00-17:00
- Thu 10:00-17:00
- Fri 10:00-17:00
- Sat 11:00-17:00
Parc Jarry
Reviewers frequently talk about BBQ areas, tennis, and soccer fields. It is open from 5:00 to 19:00 daily.
Opening hours
- Sun 05:00-19:00
- Mon 05:00-19:00
- Tue 05:00-19:00
- Wed 05:00-19:00
- Thu 05:00-19:00
- Fri 05:00-19:00
- Sat 05:00-19:00
Tips before you go
- Check hours before visiting, as they vary. For example, Notre-Dame Basilica opens at 12:30 on Sundays, and the botanical garden has some late evenings.
- Some places, like Rafting Montréal and the Chinese Garden, recommend getting tickets or appointments ahead of time.
- Many parks, like Mount Royal and La Fontaine, are open until midnight or 23:00, good for evening visits.
- All listed places are free to visit, with no price level indicated.
- Several attractions, including the Esplanade Tranquille rink and the Museum of Fine Arts, offer free admission.
- Markets like Jean Talon accept credit and debit cards, and are open every day.
How we made this list
This list was made using Google ratings and review counts as of October 22, 2026. A weighted rating was used so places with very few reviews did not rank too highly. Only places with at least 500 reviews were considered. The list also includes only places that are currently open.
Questions about things to do in Montreal
What are the best free things to do in Montreal?
All places on this list are free. This includes major parks like Mount Royal, attractions like the Old Port, museums like the Museum of Fine Arts on free admission days, and markets like Jean Talon. Many parks and gardens have no entry fee.
Which neighbourhoods have the most attractions?
Ville-Marie has the most entries, including Mount Royal Park, the Old Port, and several basilicas. Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is also well represented with the botanical garden, Chinese Garden, and Jean Talon Market. Other areas like Lasalle and Lachine have parks.
Do I need to book tickets for any of these places?
Yes, for some. The facts for Notre-Dame Basilica and the Chinese Garden recommend getting tickets ahead. Rafting Montréal requires appointments. It is a good idea to check the specific place's features for booking advice.
Are these places good for families?
Many are. Reviewers mention features like picnic areas, cycling lanes, and playgrounds in parks. Places like the Chinese Garden and Parc André-J.-Côté explicitly welcome children. The Old Port has activities like a ferris wheel and paddle boats.
More in Montreal
Things to do in other cities
Ratings, review counts, prices and hours come from Google Maps listings as of 2026-10-22 and change over time. Call ahead or check the venue's own site before you go. Nobody pays to be on these lists.