Montreal

Cinémathèque québecoise

Modern theater complex with 17-screens (most shows in French only), cafe, restaurant and bar.

Tue-Sun regular showing 17:00, exhibition hall Tue-Fri 11:00-20:00 and Sat Sun 16:00-20:00 · Exhibitions free; film screenings $8 adults, $7 seniors (65+)/students, $5 children (6-15), free for children 5 and under · Wheelchair accessible

Théâtre de Verdure

3000-seat outdoor theater open for a summer program of dance, music, movies, and theater. Plan to line up early for the popular symphonies in the park series or just join the crowd of picnickers on the grass around the lake.

30 Jun-17 Aug, Wed-Sun 19:30 · Free-$30 depending on the show

La Ronde

An amusement park that is a member of the Six Flags chain.

Discounts are readily available: a Coca-Cola tin is worth an $8 discount on any rides ticket · Limited wheelchair access

Voiles en voiles

This venue offers a diverse range of outdoor activities, including aerial adventure courses, wall climbing, and inflatable games, all set within a thematic environment inspired by 18th-century pirate and royal ships.

10:00 - 21:00

Cinéma Cineplex Odeon Quartier Latin

Showcases mostly mainstream Hollywood films, all dubbed in French.

$11.75 general admission, $8.25 children and seniors · Wheelchair accessible

Maison de la culture Frontenac

Cultural centre in Sainte-Marie. Many free shows. Music, dance, cinema, theatre, etc.

Tue-Thu 13:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 13:00-17:00

Bell Centre

Centre Bell

Home of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, commonly known as the Habs. Also hosts larger concerts.

MUTEK

An annual gathering, held in Montreal. The MUTEK festival showcases emerging forms of electronic music and the latest trends in sound creation.

Montreal International Jazz Festival

Festival International de Jazz de Montréal

The world's largest jazz festival, this festival is a major international event, attracting many big name artists. Many streets in downtown Montreal are closed off to traffic for two weeks and several concert stages are set up. There are many free outdoor shows and indoor concerts (paid). Late June - early July.

Parc du Mont-Royal

North of avenue des Pins, between avenue du Parc and chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges. This beautiful, immense urban park tops the "mountain" (at 232 m, it's more like a hill) that overlooks all of Montreal and lends the city its name. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, creator of Central Park and Prospect Park in New York, the park is elegant and accessible, and has hundreds of nooks and crannies to explore. A broad and gradual 8-km (5-mile) bike and pedestrian path begins at the Monument Georges-Étienne Cartier (on Avenue du Parc, opposite the western end of rue Rachel, where the bike path continues), winding its way around the mountain and culminating at the Belvédère (lookout) and Chalet Mont-Royal, with incredible views of downtown, the St. Lawrence river, and the Eastern Townships. The Belevedere and Chalet are also accessible from downtown by the newly restored staircase, access via the path at the top of rue Peel. Many smaller paths and trails crisscross the park. For lazy visitors, or those with limited mobility, you can enjoy a wonderful view from the mountain by taking bus route 11, which stops at the lookout on Chemin Remembrance, and at Beaver Lake. Every Sunday during the summer, thousands of people get together at the monument on Avenue du Parc to enjoy the big tam-tam jam.

H2O Adventures

Lachine Canal Nautical Centre

Offers kayak, pedal boat, and canoe rentals, plus beginner kayaking lessons, along the Lachine Canal; it's just across the canal from the Atwater Market.

May: Mon-Fri 12:00-20:00, Sat Sun 09:00-20:00; Jun-Aug: 09:00-20:00 daily; Sep: Mon-Fri 12:00-19:30, Sat Sun 10:00-19:30. Kayaking courses offered Wed 18:30-20:30 and Sun 11:00-15:00, other times available upon demand · Kayaking lessons $39 M-F, $45 Sa Su. Rental prices vary based on type of boat and amount of time

Bleu Blanc Rouge skating rink

This refrigerated rink is a donation from the Montreal Canadiens children's foundation, and is normally open longer than regular rinks in Montreal. Call before going to be sure it's open.

09:00 to 22:00

Dance lessons near the river

During the summer, drop in the municipal greenhouse any evening for salsa, tango, country or line dancing. Check website for hours and details.

May to August · Free

Main Madness

Two weekends each summer St-Laurent boulevard is closed to cars for the Main Madness street fair. More an overgrown sidewalk sale than fair, restaurants, and shops set up in the middle of the street.

One weekend in June and August · Free

Montreal Casino

Casino de Montréal

Opened in 1993, this is the largest casino in Canada. Open to visitors aged 18 or older.

24 hours daily

CF Montréal

Club de Foot Montréal

Members of Major League Soccer since 2012, and one of three Canadian teams in the otherwise U.S.-based league. While not as widely followed as the Canadiens, CFM (originally the Montreal Impact) are still a major force in the city's sports scene, with routine sellouts of their stadium (which holds a shade under 21,000). Games for which an especially large crowd is expected are played at the Olympic Stadium—typically the home opener, and sometimes major in-season matchups or playoff games. As in several other sports, and in social and cultural matters, the Montreal–Toronto rivalry is present in soccer, with CFM matches against Toronto FC among the highlights of any season.

McGill University MacDonald Campus

Visit MacDonald Campus of McGill University, featuring its experimental farm, raptor/rare bird centre, eco-museum, and arboretum.

Molson Stadium

Stade Molson

An outdoor Canadian football stadium on the McGill campus. The McGill Redbirds (Quebec University Football League) and the Montreal Alouettes (Canadian Football League) play here.

Montreal Forum / Pepsi Forum

Forum de Montréal / Forum Pepsi

An entertainment complex at the site of the former home of the Canadiens from 1926-1996. It is home to an AMC Cinema (22 screens) and The Montreal Comedy Nest.

Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques

Go to the makeshift beach at Cap Saint-Jacques in the summertime. The park also offers hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.

Adult admission: $4.50, parking: $7.00

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal

Have a summer picnic at the Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal, a National Historic Site in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue and watch the pleasure boats go through the historic locks to avoid the rapids. Then take stroll on Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Street, which has a small-town character, rather than the predominantly suburban character of the West Island.

Strøm Spa Nordique

One of the best spas in the city, this place has a beautiful location next to the lac des battures on Nun's Island. There is no nearby public transportation, unfortunately.

The Natatorium

Swim at the Natatorium which is a huge outdoor swimming pool.

$2.25 adult, $1.25 child

Verdun circus school

Verdun circus school is a venue for circus shows. See website for a schedule to see a circus show.

Rialto Theatre

5723, avenue du Parc

Maison de la culture Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

3755 rue Botrel

Tue-Wed 13:00-19:00, Thu-Fri 13:00-18:00, Sat Sun 13:00-17:00

Maison de la culture du Plateau-Mont-Royal

Exhibits local artists.

Tue-Thu 13:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 13:00-17:00 · Free

Beach park

Clean water and sand attracts families to this small, man-made beach at the south tip of Ile Notre Dame. Activities include a playground, volleyball, and watercraft rentals. There are bathrooms, changing rooms, and a snack bar.

20 Jun-24 Aug: daily 10:00-19:00 · Ages 14 and up $8, 6-13 $4, 65+ $7, family $20. Season passes available

Festival Mondiale de la bière

Annually, in June: several days of tasting beers, ciders, and other beverages from all over Quebec, Canada and further afield. The event typically offers over 500 different beverages, from over 70 brewers, from many countries. There is no admission fee, and samples typically sell for 2-8 tickets ($1 a ticket) for a 150-200 ml sample. There are also musical performances and food kiosks. The festival can get very busy at peak times (Friday and Saturday evening of the event), so it is advisable to arrive early to avoid possible long queues.

Francofolies

A festival celebrating French-language music from around the world. Similarly to the jazz festival, many free outdoor concerts are offered in a section of downtown that is closed off to traffic for a week. Mid-June.