YANA'S WANDERLUST

This big and diverse megapolis definitely will keep you entertained! There are various activities and attractions in Montreal. If you have enough time and money to explore them all – lucky you! But if you’re short on one of those things, let me introduce to you my Montreal do list:

• La Grande Roue de Montréal
• Kondiaronk Belvedere
• Boat tours in Old Port
• Biodome, Montreal
• Montreal Botanical Garden
• Underground City (RÉSO)
• Downtown and Old Montreal
• St. Helen’s Island

1. La Grande Roue de Montréal

This Observation Wheel in Old Port has gorgeous views of Downtown Montreal. In my opinion, it’s a bit overpriced, but Skyline is fantastic. For someone who’s a view chaser just like me, it would be worth it!

2. Kondiaronk Belvedere

It’s a large observation terrace by Mount Royal Chalet on Mount Royal with the best view of Montreal, especially at sunset.

If you don’t have a car, different trails lead to the terrace. Some include a lot of stairs. Others looked much easier but longer. I chose the one that starts at Peel Street and leads straight to the observation terrace to save some time, which was in short supply. That was a challenging hike. You can even find an attraction called “Grand Staircase of Mount Royal” on Google Maps. Well, that name makes sense. The good news is that you can make it within 15 minutes from Peel Street to Kondiaronk Belvedere (without stopping, of course).

For those who travel by car, there is an easy, short trail from the parking lot. Access to this location is free, but you’ll have to pay for parking if you travel by car.

If you have some time, also visit Mount Royal Chalet. The entrance is free; you can buy snacks and souvenirs, explore some history, and use washrooms inside the building. And if you have a lot of time – explore Mount Royal Park, it’s vast and beautiful. I’m sure you can find a lot of great spots over there. And if you’ve already done it, let me know in the comments, and I’ll note it for the next visit.

3. Boat tours in Old Port

There are different boat tours from Old Port Montreal. My choice was Electric Boat Cruise Le Petit Navire for 30 CAD. It was a 45-minute trip with views of Old Port and some beautiful panoramic views.

4. Biodome, Montreal

It’s an amazing place with five ecosystems – the Tropical Rainforest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Labrador Coast, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands.

It’s definitely worth the money. The ticket cost was a little over 20 CAD. Plan at least for 3-5 hours, especially if you’re planning to see all the animals. Some of them could be hiding, so you might want to come back and check on them later.

It’s a good idea to bring food or money to buy some. There are designated rest areas and souvenir shops. Also, be prepared for different climate zones here. Bring different layers of clothes. It’s warm and humid in the Tropical Rainforest but much colder in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, for example.

5. Montreal Botanical Garden

It is located by the Biodome and was priced slightly over 20 CAD. The garden territory is divided into thematic areas. It is better to visit if you have a lot of free time and can afford to walk peacefully along the paths, have a picnic by the lake, and just enjoy nature.

6. Underground City (RÉSO)

It’s a pedestrian network of tunnels right under the downtown that links hotels, office towers, shopping plazas, metro stations, etc. If you visit Montreal in bad weather, it could be a good option in your to do list. There are many interesting things over there: plazas, fountains, colourful staircases, etc. But my highlight would be a segment of the Berlin Wall in Centre de Commerce. It was given to Montreal in 1992 for the city’s 350th birthday by Berlin.

7. Downtown and Old Montreal

There’s no better way to experience the city than to explore its streets on foot. Montreal is beautiful. Architecture is magnificent, both old and new. It’s also mixed very unexpectedly, as you can see in the photo above.

Montreal is very comfortable to walk around. All main attractions are located close by, and you can visit them all within one or two days (depending on your pace). And there are a lot of green zones, cute little parks and squares where you can rest if you’re tired. You can also take a break in one of the coffee shops, cafes or restaurants, which are easy to find and enjoy various cuisines from different corners of the world.

8. St. Helen’s Island

There are a few attractions here: Fort of St. Helena, La Ronde amusement park, Biosphere, water complex, Jean Drapeau Park, Trois Disques, and terrace with another great view of Montreal Skyline.

The terrace, located by Trois Disques, is free and very accessible. Just a few minutes walk from the Subway station or the parking lot. If you are coming from the parking lot, you’ll also see a few other different spots with a nice view.

We didn’t visit La Ronde amusement park, but we discovered that buying one ticket for all attractions is necessary. So if you are planning to visit it, plan for at least a half day to make the best of your money.

That concludes my must see list in Montreal for now. But there are still many things to discover in this vibrant city. I even have one regret – not visiting The Cirque du Soleil. That’s on my to do list for my next visit to Montreal!

Please note all prices provided here are approximate and might’ve changed. Make sure to check with official resources.

Feel free to share your thoughts and top places in Montreal in the comments and check my favourite photos and videos from the locations mentioned above on my Instagram: