There aren’t too many cities in North America more interesting than Montreal, Canada. It has maintained a sort of old-world air about it despite growing and building itself into a modern city as well, and it takes cultural influence from a number of different places and people groups. The result is a place that’s fun to explore, relaxing to hang out in, and a refreshingly different from one neighbourhood or attraction to then next.
The prevailing word when I think about Montreal, ultimately, is charm. And in different sorts of ways, these are the places and attractions that best bring about that feeling.
Mont-Royal
Mont-Royal can sound like a bit of an effort when you first read about it. But it’s no towering peak, so much as a sort of plateau overlooking the city of Montréal. It’s very accessible to visitors and, between the extraordinary views it offers and the park-like atmosphere on top of it, it’s a justifiable top priority.
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The Biosphere
The Biosphere is a museum that is dedicated to the environment. Essentially constructed as a massive, transparent sphere on Saint Helen’s Island, it’s one of the most striking sights in the area even before you tour what it has to offer inside. And for those who really like to get to know the character of a city, it also has a fascinating history, including both a disastrous fire and an event in which it froze over! Today, it’s all the more valuable as an attraction given that it has a lot to teach about an environment it’s increasingly urgent for us to protect.
Notre-Dame
While it’s not quite as incredible as the chapel of the same name in Paris, Montreal’s own Notre-Dame Basilica is still an incredible landmark. Built in the 1820s as a Gothic Revival construction, it’s perhaps the most impressive sight in the Old Town of Montreal, which is a famously beautiful area. The tour, both inside and outside, is a must for anyone doing a thorough exploration of the city.
The Casino
Despite a thoroughly developed online gaming culture in Canada, including numerous gambling platforms and casino sites, there are still some outstanding casinos around the country. And one is in Montreal. The local casino is actually rather enormous, and while “charm” isn’t the first word that tends to come to mind with these venues, it’s rather classy as major urban casinos go.
Terrasse Nelligan
I mentioned that the Old Town portion of Montreal is famously beautiful, and really it’s where much of the city’s character shines through. As a result, one of the coolest experiences in town is eating or sipping drink among this part of town’s rooftops – which is exactly what you can do at Terrasse Nelligan. It’s a pretty outdoor restaurant on top of a hotel with tasty food and a fun drink menu, and best of all, you can enjoy it when the weather is less than ideal, thanks to its awning and heaters.
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