© Sylvain Légaré
MEM (Centre des mémoires montréalaises)
1210 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Urban nostalgia enthusiasts, rejoice! The city bids you welcome to the MEM (Centre des mémoires montréalaises), Montréal's latest museum and community space which celebrates its citizens' voices and their histories, both past and present. The centre's focus is on sharing stories of Montrealers from every neighbourhood, cultural background, and era via art installations, immersive VR, nostalgic memorabilia, and cultural activities. Beyond the permanent exhibit, the MEM will also host temporary exhibitions, along with host acts in its cabaret. With an accessible and convenient location in the Quartier des spectacles and an in-house boutique-café, there's no doubt it will quickly become a local favourite.
Museum of Illusions
54 Saint-Antoine Street West, #44
Is it a filter? Is it AI? Is it a trip (of the Grateful Dead variety)? No, it's the Museum of Illusions, a mind-bending, multi sensory space in Old Montréal where your visual cortex will be given the runaround. Illusion rooms, installations, and psychedelic images are all part of the museum's dedication to advancing what the Trompe-l'œil painting was doing in 1800: challenging your idea of perceived reality.
© Victorine Sentilhes
OASIS Immersion Installations
301 Saint-Antoine Street West
We live in the future—despite what the lack of flying cars suggest—and part of that future is experiencing art and information in ever-more subversive ways. OASIS Immersion is Canada's largest indoor immersive experience, with mesmeric walk-through installations that ignite the imagination. This summer's event roster includes the popular Van Gogh - Distortion, an interactive exploration of over 225 of the artist's paintings, Sweet Folie, an all ages, quirky daydream experience that promises a crazy universe and sunny atmosphere, and transformé, a three part, enveloping, guided journey designed to highlight the power courage and empathy.
© AviaSim
AviaSim
800 Leigh-Capreol Place, Dorval
Is your head in the clouds? Do you want it to be? OK, maybe not literally: strictly speaking, you'll remain on terra firma, but at Montréal's flight simulator centre AviaSim, your brain will be none the wiser. Choose your route and take to the sky either solo or with a co-pilot and appreciate the sim's spectacular 180 views while learning the complexities of the cockpit from a professional flight instructor.
© PHI
Space Explorers : THE INFINITE
2 de la Commune Street West
Now that you've spent some time in the air, the next step is to leave our atmosphere altogether. The INFINITE, the immersive VR experience that allows you to explore the International Space Station, is back with new content. Experience the first ever VR-captured space walk, see sunsets like you've never experienced them before, and take in life on the ISS. Located in the Old Port of Montréal, this 60 minute, interactive, multisensory journey is, quite literally, out of this world.
© Charlotte B Domingue
Bonjour Montréal structure
Grand Quay: 200 de la Commune Street West
Bonjour, hi! Whether you're a first-time visitor, seasoned tourist, or long-time resident, there's something a little magical about a cheesy photoshoot at a city landmark. The newly-inaugurated Structure Bonjour, located at the heart of Montréal's Grand Quay, is a four-season, permanent architectural attraction that looks over the Old Port with its sunny message of greetings and welcome to la belle ville. The structure will also be illuminated at night, making it a perfect selfie-spot (and perhaps, we suggest… proposal location?) year-round.
© Grand Quai et Tour du Port de Montréal
Port of Montréal Tower
Grand Quay: 200 de la Commune Street West
There's something about an epic city view from a tall structure that really captures the human imagination the world over—maybe we just really love seeing things from a fresh perspective. The newest public space on city's waterfront is the Port of Montréal Tower, a stunningly modern architectural addition to the Grand Quay. The new addition to the port serves both a cruise terminal and a lofty observation tower with a 360 view showcasing both the river and the historical Old Montréal.
© Age of Union
The Age of Union Earth Centre
7049 Saint-Urbain Street
Those interested in exploring even more thoughtful artwork about our relationship the environment are invited to explore Age of Union's impactful, immersive, 12,000 sq ft space, The Centre. The Age of Union Alliance, a nonprofit environmental organization, has created a space where guests can move through captivating exhibits and installations that highlight aspects of our natural world. Walk through the fiery Lava Cave to mimic a journey down to the earth's ever-shifting molten core, or begin your journey with the cool-hued Glacier Cave installation made of post-consumer synthetics that engages visitors to meditate on the narrative between plastic use and our relationship to the oceans.
MARISOL: A Retrospective
Montréal Museum of Fine Arts: 1380 Sherbrooke Street West
The newest touring exhibition to hit Montréal's Museum of Fine Arts is Marisol: A Retrospective, celebrating the life's work of Parisian-born, Venezuelan-American visual artist Marisol Escobar. From her international upbringing and study in both Paris and New York, Marisol's varied influences reflect in the evolution of her work, from early Abstract Expressionist inspirations to dramatic and life-sized mixed media sculptures that are both provocative and often satirical. Along with her canonical, midcentury works, the retrospective showcases personal photographs, sketches, and a broad installation of the artist's figurative drawings. With the museum open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, the exhibition makes for a perfect mid-week evening of culture, best followed by an animated discussion over a glass of of wine.
© Alison Slattery
The Place Ville Marie Ring
Esplanade Place Ville Marie, downtown Montréal
This 30-metre permanent art installation at the freshly revitalized Esplanade Place Ville Marie is one of Montréal's newer public spaces, selfie-spots, and—more than likely—marriage proposal hubs. Day and night (where its illumination mirrors the another iconic metallic landmark), the 23000kg stainless steel ring serves to link 200 years of the city's heritage, from Mount Royal itself, through McGill University to the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel and the Esplanade above which it is suspended. The sheer scale of the project evokes an awe in real life that is hard to capture in photos, but we urge you to try all the same. Beyoncé lyric Instagram captions encouraged.
Alexandra Gauthier
Alexandra Gauthier is a young Montrealer who loves to eat, drink and be merry with friends in neighbourhoods all over the city.