Things to Do in Montreal for a Perfect Winter (or Anytime!) Trip
Montreal is such a beautiful cosmopolitan city—a little taste of Europe closer to my home near NYC. I had visited as a teenager, but I have to say that going back as an adult felt like the first time in so many ways. It was so fun to wander the cobblestone streets in Old Montreal, even in the snow, with the trees twinkling from the white lights still adoring them from Christmas. Everything was washed in shining white, and despite the weather, all of the locals cheerfully ventured outside, with their rosy cheeks, barely bundled against the cold—they are hearty Canadians, after all.
This guide has recommendations, family-friendly planning tips, and even more things to do in Montreal, including food stops, winter sports, markets, spas, and easy ways to fill a 3–5 day itinerary.
Planning Guide
- Where to stay: Hotel St. Paul
- Flight details: Fly into Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Time of year visited: Winter
- Time in Montreal: 4 days
Save this map to use on your trip:
- Click the star to the right of the map title
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone
- Click on the three lines in the upper left corner and select “Your Places”
- Select “Maps” and the map will be saved there for you to use on your trip. Have fun!
Where to Stay in Montreal
If you’re planning your favorite things to do in Montreal, it helps to stay somewhere central so you can walk to markets, restaurants, and historic streets.
Old Montreal
A perfect home base for first-timers. You’re steps from cafés, the waterfront, and some of the best things to do in Montreal.
Downtown / Quartier des Spectacles
Better for nightlife and easy access to museums and winter festivals.
Plateau Mont-Royal
Trendy, walkable, and full of independent restaurants. Great if you want a neighborhood feel.
A note for families
If you’re traveling with kids, staying near Old Montreal makes sightseeing easier. You’re close to playgrounds, the Old Port, and indoor activities for colder days.
Things to Do in Montreal
Here you’ll find a mix of winter fun, local favorites, and easy ways to explore the city at your own pace. These things to do in Montreal work well for a 3–5 day trip
Winter Sports
Montreal is a wonderland in the winter. There are hills for sledding, frozen lakes for skating, and mountains for skiing. If you can brave the cold, you’re in for some fun.
Don’t Miss: My favorite moments of the trip hands down were the two coldest ones—ice skating in La Fontaine Park in the freshly falling snow and dogsledding right outside the city at Kinadapt Outdoor Training and Education Center. It’s worth it to do the trip where everyone in your party gets to drive the sled instead of being taken out by an instructor. If you have decent balance and can run about 100 meters uphill, you’ll be just fine, but it takes some time to get the hang of it. We were in stitches laughing at ourselves while we figured things out. Don’t worry—the guides are used to tourists driving off of the path.
Logistics: You can rent skates at the facility on the lake, which also has storage lockers. They don’t include locks so bring your own. Be careful on the ice. This isn’t a combed indoor rink, and it’s easy to catch an edge and face plant (I know from experience!).
At Kinadapt, the dogs are all super sweet, and the instructors are so kind, but make sure you follow their instructions, so you don’t accidentally hurt one of the dogs by hooking the harness incorrectly. The guides will follow you closely to make sure you have it right.
Visiting with kids? Both of these activities are family-friendly, and there’s so much more for families to do. Check out the best places to stay with kids in Montreal here.
Old Montreal
Since so many of the best things to do in Montreal cluster around Old Montreal, it’s worth slowing down and giving yourself a full morning or evening here.
What makes Old Montreal special
Cobblestone lanes
European architecture
Waterfront views
Street performers and seasonal markets
Easy stops to add to your itinerary
- Notre-Dame Basilica (buy timed tickets!)
- St. Paul Street for shopping
- Old Port for winter festivals, ice slides, and warm drinks
Old Port is great for kids, because there’s space for them to move after sightseeing. With adults, it’s a great spot for a long dinner and a nighttime walk.
Mount Royal Park
If you want a mix of views and outdoor time, add Mount Royal Park to your list of things to do in Montreal. The summit offers panoramic views of the city, the trails are easy enough for families, and the lookout points are some of the best places for photos in both winter and fall. It’s an easy stop to pair with breakfast in the Plateau or a slow afternoon walk through the surrounding neighborhoods.
Food Scene
Montreal is a haven for foodies. There are so many trendy restaurants that you can actually get into, unlike in some bigger cities where you have to wait for months and sit in the kitchen. The community’s commitment to fresh ingredients in markets translates to inventive menu options that will be a joy for your tastebuds.
Don’t Miss: Marché Jean Talon, the huge open-air (not in the winter) market in Little Italy has the best selection of local delicacies. We bought some stuffed olives, cheese, and bread to snack on while browsing the market.
For dinner, you have to try:
- Gibbys, a romantic meat and seafood restaurant built in an 18th century stable;
- Boulon Bilk, a minimalist-chic space with modern French cuisine;
- Cadet, which was such a romantic spot to have spent New Years Eve.
For breakfast, you must go to Olive & Gourmando—charming, rustic, amazing. And for poutine, La Banquise is the gold standard.
Logistics: You need a reservation at every one of these places. They were crowded even during off hours. La Banquise doesn’t take reservations, so just go with whichever line is shorter (dine in or carry out).
Spa Day
After all of that outdoor activity, you deserve to #treatyoself. Enter Bota Bota. Bota Bota is an upscale floating spa housed on a historic ferry boat. You can easily spend an afternoon or a full day there between the treatments and other amenities. After your massage or facial, make sure to sign up for the water circuit, which allows you to leisurely use the multiple saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and cold pools. Plus, it’s walking distance from Old Montreal, making it easily accessible from many of the best hotels.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Montreal
If you’re bringing kids, there are some easy additions that fit nicely into a winter or non-winter trip and round out your list of things to do in Montreal.
The Biodôme
This is an easy win with little ones because it feels like a series of mini worlds under one roof. You walk through different ecosystems, spot animals up close, and stay warm the whole time, which makes it especially helpful on cold or rainy days.
The Montreal Science Centre
The Montreal Science Centre sits right in the Old Port and is packed with interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments, and rotating special shows. It works well as a morning or afternoon activity when everyone needs a break from walking but you still want to feel like you are doing something special.
Indoor play cafés
Indoor play cafés are great backup plans for truly cold days or when your kids just need to climb and run. You can sip a coffee while they explore play structures, toy corners, and slides, and it gives everyone a reset before heading back out to see more of Montreal.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Parc Jean-Drapeau is a better option in warmer months, with open green spaces, water features, and room to run around. It is a good place to bring a picnic, let kids play, and get a different view of the city without packing in too much sightseeing.
La Grande Roue
La Grande Roue, the huge observation wheel in the Old Port, gives kids a fun “ride” and adults a great city view at the same time. The enclosed cabins make it comfortable in most weather and it fits easily before or after dinner nearby.
Montreal is one of the easiest cities in Canada to explore with little ones because walkable streets pair with tons of indoor options for colder days.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to do everything to have a great trip. Pick a mix of things to do in Montreal that match your style: a morning in Old Montreal, an afternoon skating in La Fontaine Park, a trip out for dogsledding, and a long dinner somewhere cozy while the snow falls outside.
Montreal works well as a standalone getaway or as part of a longer Canada or Northeast itinerary. And if you’re dreaming about where to go next, check out some of my other guides like things to do in Seville, Best Things to Do in DC with Kids, and toddler flight essentials for planning your future trips.
If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you.
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