Unique Things To Do In Montréal 

An Overview of Montréal

Montréal is a city expended across a wide island in the Saint Lawrence River, filled with several boroughs which were once independent cities that eventually connected as Montréal grew. The large urban area is filled with cobblestone roads, modern highways, French colonial structures and stunning overlooks of the nearby river. The city’s predominant language is French, which is the city’s official language. Though French is the primary and official everyday langauge, a large number of citizens in the region are fluent in English as well. Overall, the area is fantastic, diverse and engaging with many unique things to do in Montréal.

Unique Things To Do In Montréal

Habitat 67

For fans of outlandish architecture, the housing complex at Cité du Havre on the Saint Lawrence River takes a prize. The building uses bizarre designs and techniques to create stacked, blocklike apartment buildings at uneven intervals with open-air hanging beneath. The area is a private housing complex and historical monument worth a walk-by.

Otaku Manga Lounge

This comfty hangout venue combines a manga shop with a Japanese social club and café. The area also has scheduled language lessons, bubble tea menu options and old video games. The lounge is one of the quintessential Japanese culture hangout spots in the city.

Montréal Biodome

This is a large indoor facility that allows visitors to explore four distinct ecosystems found throughout the Americas. The area is compelling for its sheer scale, as well as the animals and flora found within.

The Montréal Biosphere Environment Museum

Not to be confused with the Biodome, which can be found in Montreal Olympic Park, the Montreal Biosphere is a huge bubble-like building dedicated to the environment. The unique structure and interesting interior is often lit up at night.

Juliette et Chocolat

This is a popular dessert chain found in Montréal, famous for their devotion to choclate treats in all forms. Brownies, cookies, pastries, fondues, crêpes and hot choclate can all be found within.

Sugar Shacks

Sugar Shacks, also called “cabanes à sucre” in French are tiny woodland cabins famous for collecting maple sap, which is boiled on-site into maple syrup. The technique is derived from Native Americans, who passed on the knowledge to French colonizers. Visitors can enjoy numerous treats crafted from maple syrup. There are numerous sites throughout the region which supply this service, but tourists are usually required to book in advance.

The Montréal Tower

Found in Parc Olympique, this is the tallest inclined structure in the world, a massive, white, slightly curved arc offering stunning views of Montréal. The tower is undoubtedly unusual and a recognized architectural masterpiece.

The Redpath Museum

This is a prominent museum of natural history situated on McGill University’s campus. The beautiful Victorian interior and auditorium hosts a wide range of exhibits, including a series of dinosaurs skeletons, such as the Dromaeosaurus, Gorgosaurus, Triceratops and the iconic Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Old Port of Montréal

The Old Port of Montréal is a vital part of the city’s historic district, found close to Place Royale. The Old Port serves as a large, energized recreation site. The La Grande Roue de Montréal Ferris Wheel and Old Port ice-skating rink are iconic. Other activities include the Montréal Science Center, the Bonsecours Market shopping mall, jet boating, and the Clock Tower. Visitors can also find jogging paths, children’s playgrounds, ferry rides, events restaurants, cafés and art exhibits. There are many different events and activities occurring around the port most days, making this a very unique thing to do in Montréal.

Saint Leonard Cave

This cave is found on the island of Montréal, underneath Pie-XII Park. The registered historic site can only be accessed through guided tours, but the caves are beautiful, unique features of the area, loaded with natural and human history. Much of the cave is flooded with clear, still water, so boats are the primary transport through the area.

Underground City, or RÉSO

RÉSO, affectionately called the Underground City (La ville souterraine) is the massive network of interconnected shopping centers, residential areas, commercial complexes, university campuses and community areas found underneath Montréal. Due to Montréal’s harsh winters, the underground pedestrian hub allows guests to fully enjoy the city, regardless of daily weather.

Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal 

This is a large and gorgeous church visited by over one million people ach year. The stunning church with its glowing interior and distinct façade can be found in the historic district of Old Montréal.

Mount Royal Park

This is a vast greenspace bordering a historic cemetery. The area is filled with walking trails, a small lake, boat rentals and striking views overlooking the city.

Jean-Talon Market

This is a massive open-air market which sells high-quality meats, cheeses, produce and baked snacks. The space is known to be a lively place to shop while exploring the city.

Twilight Sculpture Garden (Jardin du Crépuscule)

This small park space, now operating as a sculpture gallery, is filled with offbeat, whimsical sculptures, many of them kinetically powered by the wind.

Di-Octo II Sculpture

This kinetic sculpture designed by Anthony Howe is a wind-powered creation which spins smoothly and silently in small breezes, creating an endless “blooming” motion.

Montréal Botanical Garden

This fantastic botanical garden hosts more than 22,000 plant species, several exhibition greenhouses and truly impressive thematic gardens, where colorful hedges are trimmed into interesting shapes. The garden is widely recognized as one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens. Visiting the gardens is a very unique thing to do in Montréal.

The Murals on Saint Laurent Boulevard

Murals are a common feature throughout Montréal, but Saint Laurent Boulevard operates as a living art musuem. There’s a lot of compelling subject matter artfully added to the walls of the area, including suited skeletons, strange sea creatures, outlandish totems and colorful abstracts.

Insectarium of Montréal

This natural history musuem is one of the largest insect-focused museums in the world, with both live and preserved specimens on display for education and entertainment.

Read more about unique things to do in Montréal and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Blog.

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