Montréal is a destination that's filled with fun things to do, scenic natural parks, excellent museums and exciting attractions. However, if you're looking to make the most of your time in the city without breaking the bank, worry not; some of the best experiences for visitors are also free or inexpensive. Here are a few examples.
Check Out the Art Scene
Every city has its creatives and you don’t want to miss Montréal’s museums, artists and performers. Whether you prefer classic painters or modern dance, there’s something for everyone.
1. Get Inspired at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts
With five pavilions featuring Québec and Canadian art, ancient and modern international art, decorative arts and design and more, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is a must for art lovers visiting the city. If your trip includes the first Sunday of the month, you're in luck as admission is free and it's always free for kids up to age 20. Admission is half-price on Wednesdays after 5 p.m. for the museum's major exhibition.
2. Enjoy Murals on St. Laurent Boulevard
Graffiti is celebrated as an art form in Montréal, with the city holding an annual festival in June that brings artists from around the world to create murals at intersections along St. Laurent Boulevard. This is the city’s main drag, dividing east and west and it’s lined with shops and restaurants that are fun to check out as you look for the giant, colorful works of art between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal avenues.
3. See Contemporary Art at the Belgo Building
The Belgo Building downtown is Montréal’s go-to stop for contemporary art. Home to dozens of galleries as well as artist studios and art centers spread across four floors, this Quartier des Spectacles attraction ranks as the biggest collection of contemporary-art galleries anywhere in Canada. On top of that, the location is also entirely free to enjoy. Visit to discover new artists, plan a trip to an art show, or attend an artist workshop for a hands-on art experience.
4. Join the Circus
Montréal is the circus capital of North America. Home to the National Circus School, Cirque du Soleil and several independent circus companies, Montréal offers high-flying performances year-round. Many are paid, but there are chances to catch free shows at events and special showings. One of the components of the Cité des arts du cirque complex, the center of Montréal's circus universe, is La TOHU, which, besides live performances, also has numerous free offerings, including temporary and permanent exhibitions focused on the circus arts, guided nature walks, children's storytelling and kite-flying gatherings.
Enjoy Some Fresh Air
The city has plenty to see inside and outside all year round. You’re likely visiting during the warmer months when Montréal is most active. So rent a bike, lace up your tennis shoes and enjoy the great outdoors.
Of course, there are beautiful seasonal fall colors and plenty of winter activities to keep you warm in the snow. So don’t hesitate to explore all Montréal offers.
5. Take in the City From Parc du Mont-Royal (Mount Royal Park)
Escape into nature along miles of scenic trails that wind throughout Parc du Mont-Royal Park (Mount Royal Park) and lead up to lookouts offering spectacular views of the surrounding city. A welcome center on the ground level of Smith House offers information about the park as well as an exhibit about the mountain’s history.
If you're not up for a hike to the summit, take advantage of one of several bus routes that travel to the welcome center throughout the day.
6. See the Sights in Downtown Montréal
Visit Saint Catherine Street to experience all downtown has to offer. There’s plenty of window shopping and restaurants and the busy street often features street performers and musicians. This nine-mile stretch weaves through multiple iconic neighborhoods and has several metro stops, so you can easily travel to your next destination.
7. Wander the Parks As a Family
Local parks and green spaces are a great way to relax outside your hotel room while giving kids room to play. Montréal offers acres of parkland and miles of trails throughout the city. Parc La Fontaine, near Saint-Denis, features year-round activities including winter ice skating, while nearby Parc Jarry offers picnic tables, a playground, a wading pool and a seasonal skating rink close to Little Italy and Jean-Talon Market. Garden lovers should visit Parc Maisonneuve, home to multiple gardens, grazing sheep and a location next to the Montréal Botanical Garden. In summer, several Montréal parks also host free outdoor film screenings through the Funambules Médias Cinéma sous des étoiles ("Cinema Under the Stars") program.
Take in the History
Montréal was established over 300 years ago, in 1642, so there’s plenty for the history buffs to enjoy. Take in stunning architecture, visit the city’s top history museums and learn something new before you head home.
8. Travel Through Old Montréal
Strolling along the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal is an essential experience during a trip to this destination. It's filled with historical buildings, museums, cozy restaurants and quaint shops, with some dating back to the 17th century.
One important thing to know is that parking is scarce, so driving yourself isn't advised. Another option is taking the metro, where you can stop by the tourism office for a map of a self-guided tour so you don't miss any key attractions. Free guided tours are available from Free Montréal Tours.
9. Learn at the Redpath Museum
The Redpath Museum is a fascinating natural history museum on the McGill University campus. The unique Greek Revival building houses one of the oldest museums in Canada and displays a vast collection ranging from dinosaur skeletons and ancient sea creatures to Egyptian mummies. Admission is by voluntary donation and children and students are admitted free.
10. See Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal
Said to be the largest shrine in the world dedicated to St. Joseph, this Catholic sanctuary sits atop Mont-Royal and offers spectacular panoramas from its front steps. The grounds feature the Garden of the Road of the Cross and a forest preserve. Inside, you'll find a votive chapel with thousands of candles. For a $4 admission fee, you can visit a museum featuring nativity scenes from around the world as well as works reflecting the religious heritage of Québec.
Free Events Year Round
Montréal loves a good festival, so there are plenty of annual events to see if you’re in town, especially if you’re visiting during the popular summer months.
11. Dance at Montréal En Lumières
This winter festival kicks off in February and features a variety of local and traveling musicians, from folk to symphonic. New restaurant pop-ups keep visitors fed while creative light installations dazzle the senses. This is just one of the amazing things to do in Montreal that both kids and adults can enjoy.
12. Enjoy Little Italy's Festivities and Cuisine
Little Italy's long-running ItalfestMTL in August celebrates Italian-Quebecer heritage, drawing some 500,000 attendees in the process. There's no entry fee and the programming, spread across numerous venues, is nicely varied, from live opera—including free outdoor performances close to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense Church—to a film festival. As you can imagine, there's no shortage of delicious cuisine on offer, whether from a restaurant, a food booth or even a marketplace.
13. Walk the Summer Street Fairs
Local markets and fairs can feel like hidden gems, as they are excellent ways to get a sense of a city and its culture. Montréal isn’t an exception, with multiple streets closing to traffic to host artists, makers and market stalls of every variety. Buy your souvenirs, enjoy local art and connect with the locals all in one stop.
14. Take in Free or Budget-Minded Parts of Signature Montréal's Festivals
Montréal is a genuine heavyweight when it comes to festivals and you can certainly enjoy many of these world-class annual events without breaking the bank. For example, the Montréal International Jazz Festival (Festival International de Jazz de Montréal) presents hundreds of free outdoor concerts as part of its June programming. Indeed, it's considered the world's biggest free jazz festival and certainly one of the most illustrious. In July, Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL, among the highest-profile international comedy festivals anywhere, offers some free activities as well as good opportunities for high-value deals, from high-value passes to discounted last-minute tickets.
15. Browse Your Way Through One of the Largest Open-Air Farmer's Markets on the Continent
The famous Jean-Talon Market has been drawing shoppers to Little Italy in Montréal since 1933. It's worth visiting for the atmosphere and visual spectacle alone, what with the wonderfully diverse lineup of vendors: from butchers and fishmongers to fruit/veggie vendors, bakeries and grocers. And it's certainly a wonderful chance to sample the regional foodshed and some Montréal culinary specialties (at very reasonable prices).
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