Montreal has a rich heritage and culture, making it a great destination for all discerning travelers. Its cultural heart, Old Montreal, still features cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages. If you want to be transported back in time, this neighborhood is the place to be. For a breath of fresh air, you may stroll around the massive Montreal Botanical Garden. You can marvel at the stunning city views from the top of the hill in Mount Royal Park. To see a massive collection of Barbie dolls, you may head to Barbie Expo — however, do note that this is temporarily closed.
You can have fun even if the weather is bad because the city has many indoor attractions. Check out the top things to do indoors in Montreal, Canada, below.
1. Learn about Quebec's history at The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Canada’s oldest art museum - The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts - has been around since 1860. Its primary mission is to preserve and showcase Quebec’s rich history and heritage through a massive collection of artworks and installations from different periods. You can admire over 45,000 diverse artworks while you’re here.
The complex features more than 80 exhibits and some venues, such as a concert hall and theater. For visitors aged 20 and below, admission is free. A ticket for guests aged 21 to 30 costs 12 USD (16 CAD).
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Address: 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J5, Canada
Website: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Opening hours: Wed: 10am - 9pm; Thu - Sun, Tue: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
2. Have a fun learning experience at Montreal Science Centre
Montreal Science Centre is the place to be if you are looking for something to do with the whole family. The good thing about it is that it’s open daily, even on holidays, most of the time. For kids aged under seven, Mini Mondo is an interactive learning space. Those who are into science and technology will also like learning about renewable energy in Digesto.
Meanwhile, Fabrik - Creativity Factory allows visitors to explore and unleash their creativity through invention and assembly work.
Montreal Science Centre
Address: 2 De la Commune St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 4B2, Canada
Website: Montreal Science Centre
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 12.75 CAD (9.73 USD)
3. Catch a show at Place des Arts
A hub for performing arts and culture, Place des Arts is a major events venue in Montreal. Aside from hosting a wide range of performances, it offers some exhibits every now and then. Until September 2023, you’ll catch the French, a Language to Celebrate! exhibit, an interactive event showcasing the vital role of the French language in Quebec’s culture.
You’ll also find several on-site dining outlets, so you never have to worry about where to eat before and after catching a show.
Place des Arts
Address: Montreal, Quebec H2X 1Y9, Canada
Website: Place des Arts
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4. Enjoy learning at Montreal Biodome
Montreal Biodome features five lovely ecosystems under a single roof, providing a fun and comprehensive learning experience for all. If you want to experience the utter warmth of a tropical rainforest even during winter, head to the Aisha-Savoie-Weider Gallery. Those who are into marine life will enjoy exploring the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Meanwhile, the Laurentian Maple Forest introduces you to various animals often seen in a Quebec forest.
This museum allows curious travelers to learn more about Earth and its diverse offerings.
Montreal Biodome
Address: 4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, Quebec H1V 1B3, Canada
Website: Montreal Biodome
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 22.75 CAD (17.36 USD)
5. Shop and dine at Underground City
Montreal’s famous pedestrian network, Underground City, links metro stations to different shopping centers. It provides convenient access to various establishments — before and after getting on or off the train. If you’re commuting around Montreal, you will most likely pass through here.
There are plenty of shops where you can get souvenir items. Of course, dining outlets are plentiful. Enjoy a delectable dining experience at Rosélys or try different food items at Time Out Market Montréal. Conveniently, this network also links to Place des Arts, a renowned entertainment venue.
Underground City
Address: 747 Rue du Square-Victoria #247, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3Y9, Canada
6. Spend quality time with your loved ones at BoulZeye
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
BoulZeye is perfect for everyone who likes having friendly competitions with their loved ones. It features 16 bowling lanes with cinema screens, a 2-floor laser tag arena, and an arcade zone, giving you plenty of entertainment options. Moreover, escape rooms are available for those who love solving puzzles.
If you get hungry in the middle of a game, you can grab a bite from the on-site pub. This pub has 12 microbrewery draft beers that can help you quench your thirst. What’s more, the establishment is open daily.
BoulZeye
Address: 3655 Bd du Tricentenaire, Montréal, QC H1B 5X4, Canada
Website: BoulZeye
**Opening hours: from 10pm (daily)
Price: 15 CAD (11.45 USD)
7. Uncover the story of Montreal's indigenous people at McCord Stewart Museum
If you wish to learn more about the history of Montreal and its people, you can head to the McCord Stewart Museum. It hosts temporary exhibits but also houses permanent displays. The permanent Indigenous Voices of Today: Knowledge, Trauma, Resilience exhibit celebrates the knowledge and resilience of Quebec’s indigenous people. If you want to enjoy free admission to this particular exhibit, visit from 5pm onwards on a Wednesday.
The museum also houses a coffee shop, Cafe Notman, so you can recharge with a refreshing beverage.
McCord Stewart Museum
Address: 690 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1E9, Canada
Website: McCord Stewart Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Tue, Thu - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Wed: 10am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am -5pm
Price: 20 CAD (15.26 USD)
8. Practice your skating skills at Atrium Le 1000
Atrium Le 1000 allows you to enjoy ice skating indoors. Open year-round and featuring a glass dome, it makes ice skating under the sun possible. A team of experts provides ice skating classes for all ages. For adults, it is never too late to learn the art of ice skating. Whether you are a first-timer or want to learn new techniques, you can enroll in a class. The rink also occupies the main floor of one of Montreal’s tallest buildings.
There are free skating time slots for all, every day except Mondays and Tuesdays.
Atrium Le 1000
Address: 1000 Rue de la Gauchetière O, Montréal, QC H3B 4W5, Canada
Website: Atrium Le 1000
Opening hours: Wed - Fri, Sun: 11:30am - 6pm; Sat: 11:30am - 9pm
Price: 10 CAD (7.63 USD)
9. Embark on a fun brewery tour (from USD 72.0)
Do you love beers? You have every reason to join The Sip of Montreal Brew Tour. It is a 3.5-hour tour that includes VIP access at three stops and roundtrip transportation. During the tour, you can try up to 10 beer styles paired with classic Montreal snacks.
The all-inclusive tour is headed by passionate beer guides who will not only give you an overview of what you are drinking but will also tell you about local history and culture.
The Sip of Montreal Brew Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
10. Appreciate Montreal's rich heritage at Pointe-à-Callière
Pointe-à-Callière is a well-preserved archaeological site that tells the First Peoples’ history from the early settlements to the present. It houses numerous permanent exhibits, such as Where Montreal Began and Crossroads Montreal. Moreover, an avant-garde multimedia showcase, Generations MTL, tells Montreal’s rich history in 17 minutes. This show starts at 10:30am on weekdays and at 11:30am on weekends, and goes on every 30 minutes. The last show begins 30 minutes before closing time.
After exploring the displays and watching the show, you can grab a bite at the on-site bistro, L’Arrivage.
Pointe-à-Callière
Address: 350 Place Royale, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3Y5, Canada
Website: Pointe-à-Callière
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am to 6pm; Sat - Sun: 11am to 6pm
Discover Montreal’s fascinating culture
Montreal draws thousands of tourists with its colorful culture. Find out what you can try and see during your trip by looking at these top things to do indoors in Montreal, Canada!
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