Ottawa 
Montreal, as a first-time visitor, is fascinating.
Credit: Shayan Ghiasvand/ Unsplash
It is quite unlike any other Canadian city. One thing Montreal has done well, and which helps it stand out, is to preserve the city’s history.
Old Montreal is a perfect example of this, but many other buildings and art pieces or museums around Montreal show off the city’s history as one of Canada’s earliest European settlements.
A second feature of Montreal that stands out to many is the ease with which visitors can explore the city. The train lines span most of the city, and if you can’t access somewhere in Montreal on a subway you can on a city bus.
Montreal is among the Canadian cities that are prime viewing locations for this year’s solar eclipse.
Mix all of this with Montreal’s local attractions, St. Lawrence scenery, culinary scene, and nightlife; your weekend away in Montreal can fill up quickly.
The Solar Eclipse in Montreal
Solar eclipse weekend: April 5-8, 2024
Total eclipse starts: April 8th, 2024, 3:26:51 PM EDT
Where to go to view the solar eclipse in Montreal
The entire city is building with excitement about the solar eclipse. As it does, these locations will not only be prepared with a place to view the eclipse, but also with other activities, events, and on-site astronomy experts.
- The Montreal Science Centre will host a free viewing event and festival outside of the centre.
- Join the party at Parc Jean Drapeau on St. Helen’s Island. The day’s program will include watching the eclipse with a specially created set of animations and music. Drapeau is set to be one of the best vantage points of the eclipse in the whole city.
- The Trottier Space Institute and the Department of Physics at McGill will be onsite at the University for McGill’s Eclipse Fair. The fair will include hands-on activities and workshops for people of all ages.
Top sights to see in Montreal
Plan accordingly, as Montreal is a large city with many places to see, things to do, food to taste, and drinks to try. Luckily, most of these places are close to public transit.
- Old Montreal, located along the edge of the St. Lawrence, contains some of the city’s oldest streets and buildings. Follow cobblestone streets to find souvenir shops, local boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and incredible gothic revival architecture.
- Mount Royal is an excellent place to go if you need a walk, exercise, or any way to stretch your legs. Follow the extensive network of trails to get to the top where you can take in the entire city in one view.
- Take in the larger-than-life art which decorates the entire city. Montreal is home to a huge number of murals which can be viewed, in bulk, in almost every neighbourhood.
- Explore all of Montreal’s best sights with a Gray Line Heart of Montreal Motorcoach Tour– they have availability for the entire solar eclipse weekend.
- Parc Jean Drapeau is worth a visit, and simple to access with the Metro, even if you can’t make it there for the eclipse viewing. The area has an excellent set of cycling and hiking trails.
Hotel Deals in Montreal for April 5-8, 2024
There a variety of different hotel deals available from many Montreal accommodations, plus a whole host of Airbnb options. And Montreal is possibly the only place in Canada with a Barbie-themed hotel suite!
- While not a deal per se, Montreal’s Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel offer a unique opportunity to stay in a totally-Barbie-themed-room. If their Barbie Dream Suite isn’t your thing, opt for the hotel’s Fairmont Moments Package, or their Fairmont Gold Experience.
- Montreal’s Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts offer a Family Getaway package with museum tickets included in the room’s rate.
- Uville on the Park, a hotel near Old Montreal, are offering 20% for stays of three nights or more, perfect for covering the Friday to eclipse-Monday.
- Need more ideas? Find Airbnbs in Montreal here, or more hotel ideas in Montreal here.
The best neighbourhoods in Montreal for dining and restaurants
Montreal’s culinary scene is world-famous. So, you’re likely to find great food wherever you go in the city. These neighbourhoods provide a good starting point. Another great way to start is with poutine. You’ll find it everywhere and made with many different ingredients and flavours besides cheese curds and gravy.
- Mile End is where anyone hiking around Mount Royal will want to head after their outdoor adventures. The area is a plethora of restaurants with cuisine from various cultures and countries. This is also an excellent place to find Montreal’s local cafes. Head east a bit for many more restaurants in the Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood.
- For casual drinks, beers, or to catch a hockey game, stroll the streets of Old Montreal. These old streets offer many bars and pubs, as well as upscale places to dine, and cafes that transport you to France.
- From Saint-Henri, to Little Burgundy, Griffintown, and the St. Lawrence, visitors will find an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and cafes on both sides of the canal which runs through each neighbourhood.
It’s not “a train” it’s a subway, called the Metro.