Top Tips from the Montréal Tourist Information Office

One of my favourite architectural styles is undoubtedly Art Deco, and Montréal has some fantastic examples that you can see — and even enter! — downtown and in Old Montréal. I highly recommend that visitors and even locals go and admire Le 9e, the Aldred building and Crew Collective & Café. 

My fave spot is the Atwater Market, right by the Lachine Canal. I go there to pick up a coffee, a pastry and some good Quebec strawberries, and then my twin and I love to spend the day on the banks of the canal. It’s one of those simple pleasures in life! As a sports fan, I also like to go to the Fitzroy to watch an NBA game and have a good time with friends.

I love the Grande Bibliothèque de Montréal, where I can discover a new nook every time and ask the librarian for book recommendations.

My love of food makes me think of Le Cathcart, the gourmet food court in Place Ville Marie. Filling my belly and then strolling down rue Sainte-Catherine while popping into the many churches downtown always gives me the satisfaction of a day well spent! And let’s not forget my two favorite markets, Jean-Talon Market and Atwater Market, which, in my opinion, are the perfect places to find everything you want and to be able to travel without leaving town.

I recommend Le Petit Navire: it’s a boat tour that offers a sublime view of the city. It’s one thing to see the St. Lawrence River, but to sail on it is a unique experience!

Walking along the Lachine Canal is one of my favourite things to do. It’s a place that combines history, nature and pleasure, where you can stroll through several Montréal neighborhoods, as well as the Atwater Market. It’s a Montréal must-see. 

Here’s a hidden treasure I found recently: you can use the Navark river shuttles with your Montréal bus pass! I took advantage of this when I recently visited Pointe-aux-Trembles. I really enjoyed the experience; you pass under the Jacques-Cartier Bridge, see the Biosphère on your right, see the Olympic Stadium on your left... it’s a great getaway! What’s more, when I got there, I explored the open-air public market. The stalls by the river were charming and I found some one-of-a-kind handmade goods.

I love starting my day with a maple syrup iced latte, brownie and maple square at Domaine des 15 lots, right by Maisonneuve Market. Their small boutique is intimate and welcoming, and packed with local products.

I enjoy sunny days by exploring green alleys in different neighbourhoods and by discovering street art, gardens, and stray cats.

Some of my favourite things to do is go to the Jean-Talon Market to discover local products, and then take them to Parc Jarry with friends to feast and drink a good microbrewery beer. I also like to take advantage of the city’s many free festivals, including MURAL in summer and MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE in winter, to warm up the spirits. Two of my preferred spots to go out are Vinvinvin when I’m thirsty for wine and Dobe & Andy when I want creative Cantonese dishes.

Go to a spa! It’s a wonderful thing to do in Montréal, whether in summer to enjoy the good weather or in winter to escape the cold. I particularly like Bota Bota, which is a spa on a boat in the Old Port with outdoor pools. It helps me find my Zen while admiring the city lights.

This year, I discovered or rediscovered Mile End, a neighbourhood full of culinary finds. Mile End has got great places for brunch, lunch and nightlife, but it’s also very artistic, with lots of murals to see and beautiful little artisan boutiques to explore. Further east on the Plateau, Antipode on Laurier Avenue East is one of my faves for brunch — both for the decor and for the dishes.

"What a fantastic tourist information bureau. With a friendly welcome, the staff member answered a few initial questions and then provided us with many sight seeing options including detailed map instructions for each of over a dozen ideas. Highly recommend that you spend a few minutes here even if you have been to Montreal once or twice before since new shows and events come up that you may not be aware of." Rob L.