There’s only one Old Montréal. It has a history and culture all to its own, and it’s where the past and the present meet in the best kind of way. We Explore Canada contributor Pamela MacNaughtan has a special love and connection to this neighbourhood in Quebec’s most populous city, and she’s here to share her favourite things to do in Old Montréal.
In a society where venturing off-the-beaten-path is a sought-after travel style, spending time in Old Montréal feels counterintuitive. On a sunny day, the cobblestone streets are teeming with visitors from around the world. This is, after all, the most popular tourist attraction in Montréal, Quebec.
Visitors flit in and out of boutiques, gaze at the architecture, and crowd into restaurants. Swept away by the history and “Frenchness” of the neighbourhood, they recklessly walk into traffic to snap Insta memories.
“Skip Old Montréal and check out the local neighbourhoods instead” is a common statement made by writers and locals, but in my opinion, skipping Montréal is the last thing you should do.
Embrace 380+ Years of History in Old Montréal
Originally home to the Saint-Lawrence Iroquoians, the first Europeans settled here in 1642. In the beginning, it was a missionary colony under the direction of Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Jeanne Mance. Over time fur trading became more of a focus, and the colony of Ville Marie began to grow.
Building the colony was slow due to labour shortages. In 1689, King Louis XIV permitted enslaved people from Africa and the West Indies, along with Panis slaves (Indigenous), to build the colony. A century later, the population of the colony was around 5,500 individuals. The French held strong until after the Seven Years War, when the British took control of New France.
In time, what we now call Old Montréal was a thriving marketplace, the heartbeat of an expanding city. Wood houses were replaced by stone ones, scandals came and went, as did the waves of immigration. Major banks and insurance companies built their head offices here, essentially creating a Wall Street of Canada.
In the 1960s a decision was made to preserve the city’s historic heritage and increase tourism – which is when the term Old Montréal came into play. 1967 was an eventful year in Montréal. It was the 325th anniversary of the establishment of the mission colony, the centennial anniversary of the founding of Canada, and Expo ‘67. Cobblestones were returned to the streets of Old Montréal, as well as 19th-century style lamp posts. Stone buildings were restored to reflect the neighbourhood’s heritage and a tourism information centre opened on rue Notre-Dame.
Art, History, and Science in the Heart of Montréal
There are many fascinating museums in Old Montréal that help to bring this historic district alive. Pointe-à-Callière, also known as the Museum of Archaeology and History) is an impressive museum chronicling thousands of years of history; Indigenous peoples used this spot for hunting and gathering for over 4,000 years. Other exhibits include Archaeo-Adventure, where kids can try simulated digs; Where Montreal Began, and Memory Collector, which resides in an old sewer under the museum.
On rue Notre-Dame, across from City Hall, Château Ramezay is considered one of the 1001 historic sites to see before you die, according to a team of experts in collaboration with UNESCO. Located in an early 18th-century house, Château Ramezay was home to Montréal governor, Claude de Ramzey. Benjamin Franklin stayed here in 1776 while looking for fighters for the American Revolution (the house was used as the headquarters for the Continental army at the time). Admire artefacts from Montréal’s early days, and learn about life at château from costumed guides.
Next up, why not have some mind-bending adventures at Musée de l’Illusion Montréal, where rooms of optical illusions provide more questions than answers? Then, continue the mind bending adventures at Foundation PHI, which is known for their thought-provoking expositions, and Centre PHI is worth the visit as well.
Nowadays, the 1903 Stock Exchange Building is home to Centaur Theatre, a performing arts centre featuring plays and spoken word performances.
Finally, kids and adults alike will enjoy a visit to the Montreal Science Centre. It’s located on the pier near Port of MontréalTower (a great viewpoint), and features an IMAX theatre. The exhibits are interactive and fun, and there are quite a few special events throughout the year to check out.
Beaches and Bars in This Historic Neighbourhood
Old Montréal has a beach? Yes, it does! Plage de l’Horloge is tucked behind the Clock Tower, facing the Saint-Lawrence River – hiding it from public view. It’s a strip of sandy beach with blue umbrellas and Muskoka chairs. It’s a fab place to hang out on a sunny day, and best of all, it’s free!
One of the coolest speakeasies in the city is located in Old Montreal, to find it just #followtheduck. The Coldroom’s duck logo is inspired by the Rubber Duck Squad, a 1970s police unit formed to fight gang activity. To find it go to the crossroads of rue Saint-Amable and rue Saint-Vincent.
El Pequeño is a great spot for craft cocktail lovers. It’s a little piece of Cuba in Old Montreal, and pairing your cocktail with a Cubano sandwich is always a good idea.
Looking for a touch of wine? Buvette Pastek is a lovely contemporary wine bar with a food menu that includes oysters, beef tartare and Magret du canard. If you’re in the mood for tequila or mezcal (or both, who are we kidding?), head over to Clandestino. The atmosphere is eclectic, the food is good, and the cocktails are even better.
While wine and cocktails are delightful, sometimes a cold beer is needed. In Old Montreal, BreWskey Taproom is the place to go. There are 22 beers on tap, all brewed in-house, so buckle up for a beer-soaked night. The food menu has everything from lobster rolls and gnocchi to mughlai and steak. They do have vegetarian and gluten-free options, which is great.
Dining in Old Montréal
There are an abundance of dining options in Old Montréal, which can be either a gift or a curse. Choosing a restaurant on a whim is fine, but the risk of a mediocre meal is high. Montréal is an incredible foodie destination, having a bad meal is a crime, so let’s avoid that.
Everyone should try poutine at least once in their life, and in Old Montréal the best place to try it is Montreal Poutine on rue Saint-Paul Est. Le Petit Dep is a tad kitschy, but they have great coffee and locally baked pastries and other goods.
Un Po’ Di Più is a delicious Italian spot in Old Montreal with a menu that changes with the seasons. Every dish is thoughtful, flavourful, and made with local ingredients whenever possible. Another favourite in the neighbourhood is Olive & Gourmando, which is owned by the same group. It’s been a neighbourhood staple since 1998. Go for breakfast and try the sconewich or Tex-Mex egg bake; they make delicious salads and sandwiches, too.
Gaspar is a gorgeous French brasserie serving dinner and brunch. The menu features dishes such as mussels casserole, lamb shank, and braised beef cheek. For a classic steak dinner in an old carriage house go to Gibby’s, but if you’re in the mood for sushi and other izakaya eats go to Hanzo Izakaya. Salad girlies will love dining at Mandy’s (they just opened a place in Toronto!), and the best brunch is at Dandy.
Getting Your Souvenir Fix Before You Take Off!
Shops filled with cheesy knick-knacks mingle with art galleries, antique dealers, home décor and beauty boutiques. Quebec-made products are easy to find, and a great way to relive Montréal memories when you’re back home.
One could say that your best souvenirs of Old Montréal begin the moment you step foot on its streets. Arriving with an open mind and a positive outlook is the best way to begin. Use the French words you know, remember to be kind, take photos, and wander down side streets. Create memories that are exciting, and ones that soothe. They’re the best souvenirs of all.
Tourist areas can be chaotic, but that doesn’t mean you should skip them. Spend a day in Old Montréal, or better yet, book a hotel here and use it as your base while you’re in the city.
Old Montréal Awaits
Before you take off, make some time to do a little walking. You’ll want to make sure you set eyes on Notre-Dame Basilica, pop into Bonsecours Market, explore the Old Port of Montréal, and to walk up and down the main streets and squares (though you’ll be doing a fair bit of that by following the recommendations up above!).
It’s no shock to anyone that Montréal made the list of best places to visit in Quebec, or that you’ll find Montréal very well represented in a fun facts about Quebec article. Ultimately that’s because Montréal, and specifically Old Montréal, is a place with a history like no other in this nation, and where top museums, memorable restaurants, unique bars, and great eats are not in short supply.
Pamela has been a freelance travel and food writer for the last 10 years. She writes about travel, culture, and food in Québec on her website, Urban Guide Québec. Pamela has written for Québec City tourism, and updates guidebooks on Montréal, Québec City, and Canada for Michelin and DK Eyewitness. Montréal is a favourite day trip, often filled with neighbourhood explorations, culture, and a lot of food.