If you’ve just moved to Montreal - welcome. You’re coming to a city full of opportunity, culture, activity, and personality. There truly is nothing like living in North America’s most European city, but regardless, we know that any time you move into a new place, it can be difficult to settle in and feel at home.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of 10 amazing things to do when you first arrive in Montreal. Our hope is that this list can help you get acquainted with the city and fall in love with Montreal, just like how we continue to do.
These 10 things to do are all based on what Montreal is best known for - its food, its culture, and its history - and yes, expect to see the word poutine coming up very shortly!
Without further ado, let’s jump into it.
Explore Mount Royal Park
One of the most well-known parks in the city, Mount Royal is the place to be if you enjoy beautiful landscapes, suntanning, picnicking, partying, hiking, and so much more.
The park is famously known for its designer, Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York City’s Central Park. Mount Royal has an incredible lookout point of Montreal (arguably the best in the city), a beautiful lake in Beaver Lake, a hiking trail that brings you on a panoramic tour of Montreal and into forestry that makes you feel like you’re in the woods, and so much more.
On top of everything else, it’s very easily accessible and you can actually enter Mount Royal from Westmount, walk through it to arrive either Downtown, in the Plateau, or on Côte-des-Neiges street.
Solve The Bagel War
There have been many wars throughout the past few centuries in Montreal, but the only present feud you can find here is over who makes the best bagel in the city.
The bagel war is between Saint Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel, two iconic eateries known not just in Montreal, but around the world. Have a go at a hot sesame bagel from both of these spots and determine which one you like more - either way, we promise that you’ll be going back often.
Walk Through Old Montreal
Montreal was founded in 1642; it’s the fourth oldest city in North America, and while a lot has changed since then, there are still a few buildings and streets that stand. You can find all of those historical points in the old port area, otherwise known as Old Montreal.
Old Montreal is unlike any other suburb in Canada because it looks and feels exactly like you’re living in Europe. From old cobblestone streets to 400-year-old buildings, and now in recent decades the immersement of great restaurants, bars, and parks, Old Montreal is a prime example of Montreal’s distinct culture.
Poutine.
There’s not much to be said here except that the best way to welcome your family to Montreal is to head straight to one of many restaurants and order poutine.
Poutine, if you aren’t already familiar, is a traditional Quebec dish made up of french fries, gravy, and cheese curds. It goes down easily at any time of the day, which is why a lot of 24-hour joints in Montreal actually specialize in making it.
Our recommendations for the best poutine are the Orange Julep, La Banquise, and Ma Poulle Mouillée.
Enjoy A Hockey Game At The Bell Centre
Montreal is regarded as the mecca of the hockey world, so if you and your family are big sports fans and are looking for an experience to add to your bucket list, attending a hockey game at the Bell Centre in Montreal is your best bet.
The season typically starts in September and ends around April (not including playoffs), and as the season progresses, you’ll notice the entire city show increasing levels of support for the Canadiens. Being in Montreal at that time truly is a sight to behold, but going inside the arena and witnessing a live hockey game is a bucket list item in itself.
Spend A Day At The Atwater Market and Lachine Canal
In the summertime, Montreal is one of the best places to spend a day outside, and one of the best outdoor activities to do is head over to the Atwater Market, buy a few pastries, cheeses, meats, and breads, and have your own little picnic on the Lachine Canal.
Like we said earlier, living in Montreal is like living in Europe, and nothing screams Paris like a baguette, some croissants, a patch of grass, and a beautiful day.
C’est bon?
Experience An Unparalleled View of Montreal on La Grande Roue
La Grande Roue, French for “The Big Wheel,” is a massive ferris wheel in the old port and one of the best activities to do as a family. Montreal is not a city known for its viewpoints, but like Mount Royal Park, La Grande Roue offers a unique perspective of the city and all of its beauty.
Jean Drapeau Park
Another incredible park in Montreal, Jean Drapeau is known for hosting many music festivals, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the world famous Expo 67, and so much more. While some of those may not interest you, going to the park is a great way to explore the city, especially if you bike there.
Jean Drapeau isn’t actually located on the island of Montreal, but in biking from the city’s core to the park, you get to see a lot of iconic spots like Habitat 67, the Five Roses building, Pont De La Concorde, and much more.
The Orange Julep
The Orange Julep, known by locals as “OJs,” is a classic diner-style restaurant located just off the Decarie expressway. It’s best known for its orange juice - the best in the world, some would say - and for how it looks.
The structure of the Orange Julep is, quite literally, a massive orange, and so we always say that while New York may be called “The Big Apple,” Montrealers get to call their home “The Big Orange.”
Eat Pastries, Sip Coffee, and Tour Parks
One of the beautiful things about Montreal is just how much we have to offer with regards to eating and drinking. You may not know this, but Montreal has the second most restaurants per capita in North America, trailing only New York City.
That being said, we are uniquely known to have the best French food in the country, and something you will have to continuously learn to love (this won’t be hard, though) is waking up and heading over to your local patisserie (pastry shop) for some fresh baked goods and coffee.
We recommend Mamie Clafoutis and Première Moisson as your go-to pastry shops, and Café Olimpico as your first coffee shop stop.
The Bottom Line
There is no doubt in our minds that you will come to fall in love with Montreal. From its rich history to its decadent food, and everything in between, living here is a gift that just keeps on giving.
From full-size executive family homes, modern downtown condos, upper and lower duplexes, and townhouses, Copley’s collection of luxury homes is the perfect mix of comfort and elegance. We only offer the finest luxury homes that are well-suited for our clients and their families. Continue scrolling through our blog and listings for more information on Montreal.