Montreal is full of activities to please visitors of all personalities and backgrounds. As a city with a rich history, a thriving arts and culture community, and plenty of entertainment, Montreal makes a great vacation destination.
Montreal Museums
With 36 exhibition centers and museums, Montreal offers plenty of locations for visitors to see amazing collections and learn about the history of the city. The Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History is a great place to start. Built on the original city site of 1642 ('Pointe-a-Calliere'), this museum treats visitors to a 16-minute informational film in the theater that is built upon exposed traces of the original city. The museum covers all inhabitants of the area through history, including the Amerindians, French trappers and Scottish merchants. There art lots of artifacts on display from decades of archaeological excavations, as well as an interpretive center, shop and caf'. The Musee de Chateau Ramezay is another interesting museum. As the former estate of the 11th governor of the colony, the facilities have served a variety of public purposes throughout time, including courthouse, government office building, teacher's college and museum (since 1895). The museum's collection includes old furnishings, coins, prints, a loom and much more; there is also a garden and caf' on-site.
Montreal Arts & Culture
While Montreal has plenty of museums that focus on history, there are also a lot of art museums. The city's premiere art museum, Musee de Beaux-Arts ('Museum of Fine Arts') includes a collection of 30,000 items of contemporary art as well European art of all artistic media from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Artists include Tintoretto, Brueghel, El Greco, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Roding, Matisse and Cezanne to name a few. There is also a store with books, games and folk art for sale, plus a caf'! A second particularly interesting art museum is the Musee Marc-Aurele Fortin, Montreal's only art museum dedicated to a single French Canadian artist, the landscape watercolor painter of the same name. One great place to experience some of the best of Montreal's culture is the Marche Bonsecours (Bonsecours Market). With its neoclassical architecture and silver dome, this market was first the Montreal City Hall before becoming the city market. Today, the space is used for a variety of functions including shopping, dining and exhibitions.
Montreal Entertainment and Adventure
In addition to the arts, culture and museums, Montreal is also big on pure entertainment! Visit Vieux Port ('Old Port'), a quarter-mile long stretch with a promenade, park, bike paths, exhibition halls and plenty of family activities. Hop a ride on the free Balade tram for a trip through the area, or depart the harbor on a cruise. Visitors enjoy visiting the 1922 La Tour de l'Horloge clock tower with its 192 steps up to three levels of observation decks. There are also bicycle and skate rentals, as well as lots of festivals between May and October. Another equally fun locale in Montreal is the Place Jacques-Cartier, a gathering place for locals and visitors and charming all with its musicians, magicians and acrobats on the square, and providing various restaurants. La Ronde Amusement Park offers entertainment of another sort ' in the form of excitement and thrills aboard its 35 rides and additional kiddie rides. Le Vampire is a 5-loop suspended coaster that will leave you breathless, and other highlights include the Ile Ste-Helene sailing lagoon, the Enchanted Forest with its costumed storytellers and a Western town with a saloon. For a sit-down experience that is one part entertainment and one part adventure, consider viewing a movie at the Science Center's 5-story IMAX Theater screen, where you'll feel as if you are living the movie instead of just watching it.
Montreal is a hubbub of activity, from its exciting adventure parks and entertaining boroughs, to its numerous art and history museums. With so much to do and see all over the city, you'll fall in love with Montreal as your new favorite vacation destination!
