01

Day 01

The Old Port, River & Skyline

Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, a river cruise, and Place Ville Marie.

1. Morning

   Place Jacques-Cartier & Old Montreal

   Start in Vieux-Montreal at Place Jacques-Cartier, wandering the cobblestone lanes and Place d'Armes while the district is quiet. It's the ideal orientation point for a first full day.

2. Late Morning

   Notre-Dame Basilica

   Devote an hour to the Notre-Dame Basilica, whose deep-blue vaulted ceiling and gilded altar rank among North America's finest church interiors, an easy walk from the square.

3. Lunch

   Old Port of Montreal

   Lunch along the Old Port waterfront with the Clock Tower and river traffic beside you, a scenic pause before the afternoon cruise departs from the same quays.

4. Afternoon

   St. Lawrence River cruise

   Take a Le Bateau-Mouche sightseeing cruise for the definitive skyline primer, gliding past the harbour and the islands along the St. Lawrence River.

5. Late Afternoon

   Au Sommet Place Ville Marie

   Ascend to the observation deck at Au Sommet Place Ville Marie for a 360-degree panorama. Late-day light and clear skies reward you with sweeping views to the mountain and the river.

6. Evening

   Smoked meat dinner

   Close the day with Montreal's iconic smoked meat at Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent, arriving early or expecting a line at this century-old institution.

02

Day 02

Space for Life & Olympic Park

The Biodome, Insectarium, and Botanical Garden plus the Montreal Tower in Maisonneuve.

1. Morning

   Montreal Biodome

   Begin at the Biodome, walking through recreated ecosystems from the tropical rainforest to the sub-polar islands. Arriving at opening helps you outpace the day's school groups.

2. Late Morning

   Montreal Insectarium

   Move next door to the Insectarium, newly reimagined with living displays and immersive galleries devoted to the world of insects. A timed entry ticket keeps waits short.

3. Lunch

   Space for Life grounds

   Enjoy a casual or picnic lunch on the grounds, framed by the Olympic Tower on one side and green space on the other.

4. Afternoon

   Montreal Botanical Garden

   Walk to the Jardin botanique, one of the world's great botanical gardens, to explore the Chinese and Japanese gardens and the towering greenhouse conservatories.

5. Late Afternoon

   Montreal Tower

   Ride the funicular up the leaning Montreal Tower at Olympic Park, whose observatory offers a broad view across the eastern city and, on clear days, the Monteregian hills.

6. Evening

   Hochelaga dinner

   Dine in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, whose restaurants along Ontario Street cover everything from Quebecois comfort food to modern bistro cuisine.

03

Day 03

The Plateau, Mile End & Little Italy

Parks, murals, boutiques, and celebrated independent dining on the Plateau.

1. Morning

   Parc La Fontaine

   Walk or bike through Parc La Fontaine, a leafy expanse of ponds and paths at the heart of the Plateau, ringed by public art and grand triplex facades.

2. Late Morning

   Boulevard Saint-Laurent boutiques

   Explore the independent shops, record stores, and bookshops along Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Avenue du Mont-Royal, plus the murals brightening the surrounding side streets.

3. Lunch

   Montreal bagels

   Settle in for a fresh, wood-fired bagel from St-Viateur or Fairmount in Mile End, or choose from the neighborhood's many acclaimed casual eateries.

4. Afternoon

   Mile End

   Wander north into Mile End past its cafes, galleries, and design shops, a stylish, unhurried afternoon of browsing.

5. Evening

   Little Italy dinner

   Head to Little Italy for dinner around the Jean-Talon Market, home to some of Montreal's most lauded trattorias and independent restaurants.

6. Evening

   Cocktail bar nightcap

   Finish with a drink at one of the Plateau's inventive cocktail bars, soaking up the neighborhood's easygoing creative vibe.

04

Day 04

Downtown, McGill & the Mountain

A landmark art museum, a historic campus, and celebrated modern architecture.

1. Morning

   Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

   Spend the morning at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, exploring its Canadian and Inuit collections, Old Masters, and rotating international exhibitions across several pavilions, a highlight for all ages.

2. Lunch

   Downtown cafes

   Grab lunch near the McGill University campus, where student-friendly cafes and international spots line the blocks around Sherbrooke and Milton Streets.

3. Afternoon

   McGill University campus

   Wander the tree-lined campus below the mountain, then visit the Redpath Museum, McGill's cabinet of natural history just inside the gates.

4. Late Afternoon

   Habitat 67

   Tour Habitat 67, Moshe Safdie's revolutionary stacked-cube housing complex on the waterfront, an architecture pilgrimage worth booking ahead.

5. Evening

   Kondiaronk Belvedere

   Walk up to the Kondiaronk Belvedere in Mount Royal Park for a peaceful skyline view across downtown before heading back down.

6. Evening

   Downtown dinner

   Have dinner downtown or grab a classic Quebecois meal along Crescent Street before returning for the evening.

05

Day 05

The Bell Centre & Parc Jean-Drapeau

Hockey energy, island parkland, and Sainte-Catherine shopping to close the trip.

1. Morning

   Bell Centre

   Visit the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens since 1996. Take an arena tour, or catch a game if the schedule aligns with your trip.

2. Lunch

   Crescent Street eats

   Lunch in the lively blocks around Crescent and Sainte-Catherine, from sports bars to the bistros and sandwich spots that fill the downtown core.

3. Afternoon

   Parc Jean-Drapeau

   Take the metro to Parc Jean-Drapeau on Ile Sainte-Helene, home to the geodesic Biosphere and quiet gardens, an easy, budget-friendly pairing beside the water.

4. Late Afternoon

   Jean-Dore Beach

   Relax at Jean-Dore Beach on Ile Notre-Dame and stroll the island paths for classic skyline-across-the-water photos.

5. Evening

   Rue Sainte-Catherine

   Finish shopping along Rue Sainte-Catherine, passing the Eaton Centre and the downtown core, with the Underground City linked below.

6. Evening

   Quartier des Spectacles farewell dinner

   End your trip with dinner in the Quartier des Spectacles or Griffintown; reserve ahead for the city's standout tables and steakhouses.