Offbeat & Memorable: 25+ Unique Things to Do in Montreal
Last Updated on December 23, 2025
Canada’s second-largest city of Montreal has no shortage of things to do. But if you’ve already hit the main museums, walked the Old Port, and eaten your weight in poutine, there’s more waiting just outside the usual itinerary. Here’s how to fill your trip with the most unique things to do in Montreal.
From kayaking the Lachine Canal to jet boating through rapids, hunting murals in Mile End to relaxing in forest spas, the city and its surroundings offer plenty of ways to switch things up. Think of it as the next layer of Montreal: more local, more active, with unique insight into Quebec’s culture.
This guide pulls together unique and lesser-known experiences for travelers who like to explore beyond the basics, whether that means seeking out street art, solving immersive escape rooms, or stepping into a drum circle.
Prefer a done-for-you Montreal weekend, or want ideas on how to build your trip? Check out my Montreal 3-day itinerary.
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In This Guide to Unique Things to Do in Montreal
Insider Tip: The Passeport MTL Card
The Passeport MTL card grants discounted access to the city’s most popular attractions, saving an average of 35%! Choose either a 3- or 5-attraction pass and select a set number of experiences from each tier, plus get extra discounts. Over 50 options include the McCord Stewart Museum, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Pointe-à-Callière, the Botanical Garden, a maple syrup tasting and so much more! See all attractions and details here.
Unique Things to Do in Montreal for Foodies + Cocktail Conoisseurs
Montreal’s food scene is known for its bagels, smoked meat, and poutine — but there’s plenty more to dig into if you know where to look! I’ve got tips on places to sip, snack, and savor beyond the tourist staples, from maple syrup tastings and market bites to some of the city’s most inventive cocktail bars.
Maple Syrup Tasting at a Specialty Bakery
If you visit on Friday or Saturday, I highly recommend you book a maple syrup tasting with Domaines des 15 lots (English at 1 PM, French at 3 PM both days). Located in the Viauville neighborhood about a 15-minute walk from the Honoré-Beaugrand metro, this pastry shop is the only one that bakes exclusively with maple sugar!
We got to taste four varieties of syrup, sample maple sugar confections, and even roll our own maple sugar taffy on trays of snow, in addition to learning about the process of how maple syrup is made. This was one of my favorite experiences in Montreal and offered unique cultural insight into one of Quebec’s most important (and delicious) products.
You can also shop for foodie souvenirs, including syrup, candies, and bricks of maple sugar. (I brought one home and discovered it’s perfect grated on top of vanilla ice cream!)
To book a tasting in English, reserve directly on their website.
Specialty Tour of Jean Talon Market
Jean Talon Market opened in 1933 as part of Montreal’s first network of public markets. It’s named for Jean Talon, the 17th-century colony administrator who championed New France’s agriculture.
From the start, farmers from the Laurentians and Eastern Townships brought fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy into the city’s Little Italy district. Over the decades it evolved from a simple farmers’ market into a sprawling year-round venue, with major renovations in the early 2000s expanding vendor space and adding covered halls.
You can wander the stalls yourself, but you’ll gain unique insight into Montreal’s culture by touring Jean Talon with a local food writer, where you can sample cheeses, charcuterie and seasonal produce.
Or go beyond the market with a local expert: taste multiple samples at Jean Talon with free time to wander, then continue to Little Italy and beyond.
Self-Led Pub Crawl of Montreal’s Best Cocktail Bars
Montreal currently has five entries on the list of North America’s Best Bars, including two ranked in the top 50. I recommend adding on at least one to your Montreal itinerary. Or, if you’re a cocktail aficionado, create your own pub crawl to visit them all.
The Cloakroom Bar
Currently ranked at number 31 of North America’s Best Bars for 2025, this speakeasy is hidden inside the men’s tailoring store and barber Maison Cloakroom.
There’s no menu, so come prepared with a mental list of the spirits and flavor profiles of cocktails you usually enjoy; their master mixologists will concoct something to perfectly suit your tastes.
📍 Address: 2175 Rue de la Montagne #100, Montréal, QC H3G 1Z8, Canada | Map
Atwater Cocktail Club
Don’t be deterred by the graffiti-tagged alley and bare lightbulb illuminating the alley to Atwater Cocktail Club, ranked #36 on the list. Inside, the bar’s dark, sleek styling will quickly help you settle in. Grab a silver-upholstered banquette seat, or head straight to the bar where you can watch the bartenders riff on classic cocktails with seasonal produce and house-made syrups.
Their menu has food, too, with everything from small plates to fresh oysters and smashburgers – definitely enough for a meal if you decide to settle in for a few drinks. I recommend the fried chicken and the Pina Accolada.
📍 Address: 512 Atwater Ave, Montreal, Quebec H4C 2G5, Canada | Map
Bar Bello
Bar Bello comes in at number 84 on the North America’s Best Bars list. This Little Italy spot mixes straightforward drinks and offers light bites like olives, arancini, and charcuterie. Its retro sensibilities even include a Negroni machine: pay at the bar for a token.
📍 Address: 6740 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2S 3C7, Canada | Map
Bar Bisou Bisou
Bar Bisou Bisou (#75) sits behind a discreet entrance on Rue Saint-Jacques in Old Montreal. Low-key velvet seating and warm wood paneling set the stage for an impressive array of sherries, vermouths and low-ABV cocktails. Small plates of house-baked bread, local cheese and charcuterie round out the menu.
📍 Address: 416 R. Saint-Vincent, Montréal, QC H2Y 1E6, Canada | Map
The Coldroom
Step up to the unmarked black door and ring the bell for entrance to The Coldroom, a speakeasy at number 91 on the list. Inside, a former industrial cold room has been turned into a moody lounge known for celebrity sightings.The bar’s mixology leans into reimagining well-known formats by layering unexpected ingredients and textures.
📍 Address: R. Saint-Vincent, Montréal, QC H2Y 1G8, Canada | Map
Day Trip to a Sugar Shack (Feb – May)
About an hour from town, you can find traditional cabane à sucre (“sugar shacks”), where you can learn about the process of tapping maple trees and turning the sap into maple syrup. Many shacks also include a farm-style lunch and the experience of rolling your own taffy on fresh snow. Be sure to book ahead of time and dress for the weather.
This top-rated tour includes round-trip transportation to a sugar shack about 45 minutes from the city.
Afternoon cocktails at Canal Lounge
Canal Lounge pours crisp gin-and-tonics and seasonal spritzes in a moored boat along the Lachine Canal. Lounge inside or on the upper level as you watch kayaks and swan paddleboats glide past, and order light bites to go with your Aperol Spritz.
📍 Address: On the canal, 3002 Rue Saint-Ambroise, Av. Atwater, Montréal, QC H4C 3R6, Canada | Map
Cooking Class or Private Supper Club with a Michelin-Trained Chef
Experience Montreal’s culinary scene firsthand from a Michelin-trained chef in the Old Port of Montreal. Prepare and enjoy a 3-course meal inspired by French bistro cooking and the flavors of Montreal.
Or, enjoy a supper club in a private chef’s kitchen in the historic Old Port. A 5-course menu allows you to taste the global food culture of Montreal with an optional wine, beer, or cider tasting add-on.
Have the Best Negronis and Lasagna of Your Life at Gino’s
I really did have the best lasagna of my life at Gino’s Negroni and Lasagne, a restaurant with an 80’s art deco style in the Plateau neighborhood. Choose from their small plates, appetizers, and lasagnas (classic beef, vegetarian or vegan), paired with their menu of negronis (including mocktail “nogronis”). The service is friendly and unhurried, so linger over a second round or share a tiramisu for dessert before calling it a night.
📍 Address: 4639 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1R2, Canada | Map
Unique Things to Do in Montreal for For Culture Lovers
Montreal’s cultural scene goes well beyond its big-name museums. Whether you’re into community history, cutting-edge street art, or haunted history, this section pulls together experiences that add texture and context to the city.
Écomusée du fier monde
Écomusée du fier monde offers a side of Montreal most visitors miss: its working-class roots and neighborhood histories told from the ground up. Set in a former public bathhouse in the Centre-Sud district, the museum blends industrial artifacts, personal stories, and rotating exhibits that explore labor, immigration, and local activism.
This museum trades polished narratives for community perspectives, making it one of the few places in the city that centers the lives of everyday Montrealers. Plan for 45 minutes; it is often one of the options on the Passeport MTL card.
🌐 Website: Ecomusee du fier monde
📍 Address: 2050 R. Atateken, Montréal, QC H2L 3L8, Canada | Map
Original Montreal Mural Arts Tour
The Original Montreal Mural Arts Tour walks you through the heart of the city’s street art scene along Saint-Laurent Boulevard (known by locals as “The Main”), home to dozens of large-scale works created during the annual MURAL Festival.
Led by local guides, the tour covers the stories behind the murals, the artists who created them, and the neighborhood’s role in shaping Montreal’s creative identity. It’s a unique way to see the city through its art and gives context to the ever-changing outdoor gallery that makes the Plateau and Mile End so distinct.
Tours run seasonally and last about 90 minutes.
Less-Visited Gardens of the Montreal Botanical Garden
While the Montreal Botanical Garden is best known for roses as well as its Chinese and Japanese gardens, some of its most rewarding corners are quieter and often overlooked.
Inside the conservatory greenhouses, you’ll move through distinct climates like tropical orchids, desert cacti, and carnivorous plants under misted glass.
Outdoors, the Alpine Garden showcases hardy, low-growing species from mountain regions, arranged along stone paths and rocky outcrops.
Nearby, the First Nations Garden offers a peaceful walk through native plantings used in traditional medicine and food, with signage developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
These spaces offer a slower pace and more personal experience, especially in the shoulder seasons. The garden is usually included as a Passeport MTL option during the summer months.
🌐 Website: Montreal Botanical Garden
📍 Address: Montreal, Quebec H1X 2B2, Canada | Map
Stroll Mile End & Le Plateau
Mile End and Le Plateau are adjacent neighborhoods are where Montreal’s creative energy shows up on the street: in sprawling murals (many created through the city’s annual MURAL Festival), open-late bagel shops, cafes filled with regulars, and staircases that curl along rows of walk-up flats.
Start your walk along Saint-Laurent Boulevard (locals call it “The Main”) and cut east or west depending on what catches your eye. For a snack break, grab a wood-fired bagel from St-Viateur or Fairmount, two longtime rivals still baking by hand. Coffee at Olimpico is another classic stop.
You’ll find plenty of local shops along the way, from secondhand bookstores and record stores to independent fashion and design boutiques. Stop in for a cocktail at a casual neighborhood bar, or book a spot at one of the area’s chef-run restaurants that blend Québécois ingredients with global influences.
Or book a walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide for a deeper look at these neighborhoods.
📍 Maps: Saint-Laurent | Mile End | Le Plateau
Haunted Old Montréal Walking Tour
Old Montréal’s narrow alleys and centuries-old buildings lend themselves well to a ghost story – or several! The Haunted Old Montréal Walking Tour, run by professional storytellers in period dress, takes you through the darker side of the city’s history: public executions, unexplained hauntings, and lingering legends tied to the oldest streets and squares.
The route covers familiar sites like Place Jacques-Cartier and Rue Saint-Paul, but with a focus on what doesn’t show up on the history plaques. It’s not a jump-scare kind of tour, but the candlelit pacing and nighttime setting make it a memorable way to experience the area after dark.
Tours run seasonally and should be booked ahead, especially around Halloween.
Sunday Tam-Tams at Mont Royal
On Sunday afternoons from spring through fall, Mont Royal Park comes alive with the sound of drums. At the foot of the George-Étienne Cartier Monument, you’ll find Tam-Tams, an informal, open-air drum circle where musicians, dancers, and curious passersby gather.
Around the perimeter, vendors sell handmade crafts, vintage clothes, and snacks, while spontaneous games of hacky sack and frisbee break out on the lawn.
If you’re nearby, it’s worth stopping to listen for a bit. No ticket is required, but it’s a distinctly Montreal tradition that’s been running since the 1980s.
📍 Address: Ville-Marie, Quebec H2W 1S8, Canada | Map
After-Hours “AURA” at Notre-Dame Basilica
Once the crowds clear out, Notre-Dame Basilica transforms into a different kind of experience with AURA, a multimedia light show projected across the cathedral’s ornate interior.
Using music, projection mapping, and carefully timed lighting, the show highlights architectural details you might otherwise miss like wood carvings, painted vaults, and the massive Casavant organ. The immersive light show is accompanied by an original musical composition performed by 30 musicians and 20 choristers.
The entire experience runs 45 minutes. Shows run several nights a week and often sell out, so book ahead if it’s on your list.
🌐 Website: Basilica of Notre Dame
📍 Address: 110 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1T1, Canada | Map
Unique Things to Do For Outdoor Lovers + Adventure Seekers
When warm weather arrives, Montrealers take advantage of the opportunity to get outside. These outdoor and active experiences make the most of the city’s parks, waterways, and nearby escapes.
Hike Mont Royal to Kondiaronk Belvedere
Montreal’s best-known summit doesn’t require hiking boots, but it does reward a little effort. Kondiaronk Belvedere, perched just below the summit of Mont Royal, offers the most iconic view of the city skyline.
You can reach it by foot via a few different trails, some steeper and more direct, others winding and gradual. The paved Serpentine path from the Peel Avenue entrance is a scenic 30-minute climb, while a shorter, steeper route climbs from Avenue des Pins at Rue de la Montagne.
Alternatively, grab an Uber or take a bus to the Remembrance / Du Chalet bus stop at the Mount Royal parking lot. Then it’s about a 10-minute walk on a paved path to the viewpoint.
Sunset is a popular time to go, when the light hits the skyline and you can look out over the city’s rooftops all the way to the river. Keep an eye out for the Leonard Cohen mural, visible from the viewpoint.
🌐 Website: Parc du Mont-Royal
📍 Address: 1260 Chem. Remembrance, Montréal, QC H3H 1A2, Canada (Mont Royal), 1196 Voie Camillien-Houde, Montréal, QC H3G 1A1, Canada (Kondiaronk Belvedere)
Jet Boating on the St. Lawrence
For a full-throttle way to see Montreal from the water, book a jet boating excursion on the Lachine Rapids. These high-powered boats launch from the Old Port and take you downstream into fast-moving whitewater, where the St. Lawrence River narrows and surges through a series of rapids.
Expect it to be a lot of fun, but you will get completely soaked! The crew provides ponchos and life jackets, and there’s a short briefing before departure.
Trips run from late spring through early fall, and advance booking is a must, especially on weekends. The excursion lasts about an hour.
Paddle or Pedal the Lachine Canal
The Lachine Canal offers a quieter, more local side of Montreal. Stretching southwest from the Old Port, it’s a favorite spot for kayaking, biking, and long walks.
You can rent a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or even a swan boat at one of several docks along the canal, with calm waters that are easy to navigate even for beginners.
On land, a well-maintained trail runs alongside the water, popular with runners and cyclists. The path connects to neighborhoods like Griffintown and Saint-Henri, passing green spaces, public art, and old industrial buildings that hint at the canal’s 19th-century shipping past.
BIXI bike stations are located nearby, and Canal Lounge, a floating barge bar, makes a good stop for a post-paddle cocktail in the afternoon. Or head to the nearby Atwater Market for a meal.
🌐 Website: H2O Adventures
See Montreal by Helicopter
If you want a full view of the city there’s no better angle than from above. Several companies offer helicopter tours over Montreal, with departures just minutes from downtown.
20-minute flights usually sweep over Mont Royal, the Olympic Stadium, and Old Montréal, while the 30-minute tours follow the Saint Lawrence River over Parc Jean Drapeau and the Jacques Cartier Bridge. You’ll get a clear sense of the city’s layout, how the neighborhoods connect, and how much green space wraps the island.
Tours run year-round, though fall foliage and late summer sunsets make for especially striking views. Reservations are required, and weather can affect flight schedules, so leave a little flexibility in your plans.
Book a Montreal Helicopter Tour: Viator | Get Your Guide
Day Trip to Escaparium in Laval
For a hands-on challenge just outside the city, head to Escaparium in Laval, home to some of the most ambitious escape rooms in North America, including the top-ranked room in the World.
More than just puzzle rooms, they’re immersive experiences with detailed sets, sound design, and storytelling. Two of their most popular rooms, The Forgotten Cathedral and Magnifico, are currently ranked #3 and #1 (respectively) in the world by Terpeca.
You’ll need a group of 3–4 players for most rooms, and sessions generally last about 90 minutes to two hours including briefing time.
Laval is about 30 minutes from downtown Montreal by car or Metro + bus combo, making this an easy day trip. Book ahead, especially on weekends, as many rooms sell out early.
🌐 Website: Escaparium Laval
📍 Address: 5545 Bd des Rossignols, Laval, QC H7L 5Z1, Canada
Read my guide to visiting Laval ⫸
Day Trip to the Laurentians
If you’re craving fresh air and mountain views, a day trip to the Laurentians makes for an easy break from the city. Just an hour to 90 minutes north of Montreal by car, this region offers scenic drives, forest hikes, lakeside towns, and seasonal outdoor activities.
You can head to Mont-Tremblant for more structured trails and gondola rides, or explore smaller towns like Saint-Sauveur or Val-David for a quieter pace, local cafés, and art galleries.
Renting a car gives you more flexibility to stop at viewpoints, farm stands, or walking paths along the way. But if you’re short on time, booking a tour with a guide and transportation will maximize your sightseeing hours.
Day Trip to A Nordic Spa
For a quiet day outside the city, plan a visit to a spa outside Montreal. The spa’s thermal circuits usually include hot baths, cold plunges, saunas, and outdoor relaxation zones with views of the surrounding forest.
Spas are an ideal spot to unwind year-round, whether you’re warming up on a winter day or relaxing after a summer hike.
For an effortless experience, book a day tour to Day trip to Natur’Eau Spa & Chalets, about two hours outside Montreal in Mandeville. Or for a closer spot, opt for Strom Nordic Spa Nuns’ Island. Both tours include transportation and entrance to the thermal circuit, with the option of adding on additional spa services a la carte.
Montreal Planning Tips
Getting to Montreal
Most international and U.S. flights arrive at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), about 20 km from downtown. VIA Rail and Amtrak serve Montréal Central Station in the heart of the city.
Airport to City
At YUL, follow the clearly marked rideshare/Uber lane outside baggage claim. The process is very efficient: after requesting a ride in the app as usual, you’ll wait in line for the next available car. A reservation number from the app is then given to the driver to pair the booking. I paid less than $30 for my Uber ride from the airport to the Old Port area.
If you prefer transit, take the 747 bus (24/7 service) to central stops (Bonaventure, McGill, Lucien-L’Allier) or connect to the Metro.
Where to Stay in Montreal
Old Montréal & Downtown
Hôtel Place d’Armes (luxury): Housed in a 19th-century mansion overlooking Place d’Armes, this 5-star hotel blends historical details with modern luxury; rooms have views of the Old Port or Notre-Dame Basilica.
Book Hotel Place d’Armes: Expedia | Booking.com
Hotel Nelligan (luxury): A 4-star boutique property on Rue Saint-Paul, Hotel Nelligan offers a rooftop terrace with skyline views and a central location steps from galleries and cafes.
Book Hotel Nelligan: Expedia | Booking.com
Auberge du Vieux-Port (boutique): This cozy, English-run inn occupies a restored stone building on a quiet side street. Rooms mix antique furnishings with modern comforts, and the front-parlor breakfast room feels more like a private home than a hotel lobby.
Book Auberge du Vieux-Port: Expedia | Booking.com
Le Plateau & Mile End
Auberge Alternative (hostel): Tucked into the Plateau, this budget-friendly hostel offers dorm beds and private rooms in a converted Victorian house. It’s steps from cafés and murals, with a shared kitchen, cozy common areas, and regular social events.
Book Auberge Alternative: Hostelworld | Booking.com
Gingerbread Manor Bed & Breakfast (midrange): Charming B&B in a historic Victorian building, with excellent breakfast included.
Book Gingerbread Manor: Expedia | Booking.com
Marriott Bonvoy Picks
The new, top-rated Honeyrose has a convenient location at the Place-des-Arts metro, great restaurant and rooftop bar, and a pool and fitness room on the 15th floor. Bonvoyers also love Humaniti for its pool and design, and Le Centre Sheraton for lounge access.
Book with Marriott: Honeyrose | Humaniti | Centre Sheraton
Getting Around
- Subway & bus: The STM network runs the subway (Metro) and public bus system; buy a 1-, 3-, or 5-day pass, weekend pass, individual tickets, or load value on an OPUS card. Plan routes with the STM app or Google Maps.
- Metro tips: There are four metro lines in total: green, orange, yellow, and blue. The train directions are named after the last stop on the line, rather than northbound or southbound.
- BIXI Bikes & E-scooters: Stations are dense downtown and in Plateau; download the BIXI app to unlock bikes.
- Underground City: Over 32 km of heated tunnels link Metro stations, malls, and hotels are quite handy in cooler months.
- Rideshare & taxi: Uber and local services cover late-night gaps when transit slows.
Additional Planning Tips
- Seasons: Spring through fall has patio season, festivals, and bike-friendly streets.
- Packing: Be sure to bring layered clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen/hat, umbrella, and a reusable water bottle.
- Safety: Montreal is walkable and safe, but watch for cyclists in dedicated lanes when crossing the streets.
One City, Dozens of Ways to Explore
Montreal rewards travelers who go a little off-route. Beyond the main landmarks, there’s a steady supply of local flavor and creativity that keeps the city interesting no matter how many times you visit.
Pick a few of these ideas to add to your next trip, or let them shape an itinerary of their own. Either way, you’ll come away with a version of Montreal that feels a lot more memorable.
Want more tips on visiting Quebec? Grab my culture lover’s guide to Quebec City, 3-day Montreal itinerary, adventurous weekend in Laval guide, or itinerary for a road trip in Lanaudiere-Mauricie.
