New city attractions to discover in Montréal
Leisure activities Arts The city
In Montréal, time can feel wonderfully fluid. You can sip coffee in a midcentury cabaret with Belle Époque flair, then climb the turret-like 1930s Tour de Lévis, which looks more 12th Century than 20th. Soak in hop-infused baths at a beer spa that hints at the future, then take journey in ancient Egypt or Impressionist Paris through immersive virtual experiences. Celebrate the city’s past and present major athletic events, from its 1976 Olympic Games to the UCI Road World Championships to be held this year. These new Montréal attractions weave together the past, present, and future in delightful and unexpected ways.
New immersive experiences
Eternal Notre-Dame
The Last Stronghold
Montréal is full of places where you can enjoy immersive experiences. With advanced VR, thoughtful setups, and engaging stories, these attractions take visitors on journeys across eras and worlds. You’ll find many opportunities to experience history, art, and myths brought to life in remarkable detail.
- Eternal Notre-Dame: At Arsenal Contemporary Art, take a journey through Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral and its 850 years of history, from its conception and building, to the devastating 2019 fire which shook the world, to current day and its speculated future.
- Tonight with the Impressionists: Also at Arsenal Contemporary Art, another Parisian excursion, this experience takes guests to the year 1874 for the birth of the Impressionist movement and its first exhibition by painters that are now household names.
- The Horizon of Khufu: In the Old Port, transcend millennia to Ancient Egypt’s 4th Dynasty and explore the Pyramid of Giza, resting place of Pharaoh Kufu, which delves into details such as construction of the tombs to the funeral rites of Kings.
- The Last Stronghold: Also in the Old Port, visitors are dropped into the fortified city of medieval Carcassonne, France. Join its defenders as you face the Inquisition and learn to defend the fortress from threats from both outside and within.
Fun Nation
Fun Nation is a new, dynamic cultural collective based in the Quartier Latin works in collaboration with nearby local venues and partners bring diverse live performances to the Montréal’s stages. Its mission centres on reinvigorating audience engagement with Montreal’s cultural scene, celebrating standout performing arts of all stripes, and highlighting both local and visiting artists through accessible, affordable programming. Fun Nation places a strong emphasis on accessibility, with offers such as multi-show passes, special pricing, and collaborations so that everyone might experience a little more spectacle in their lives. Welcome to the neighbourhood!
Caf’Conc’
Tucked inside the iconic Montreal Marriott Château Champlain, Caf’Conc’ revives the romantic tradition of the classic café-concert with its own Montréal flavour. Originally opened in 1967 for Montréal’s Expo, this cabaret lay dormant for nearly 30 years before being restored in 2022 to its former elegance. The sumptuous hall, inspired by the glamour and decadence of Paris’ belle époque, is once again ready to welcome visitors. Be sure to check their upcoming event program for a variety of live entertainment.
UCI Road World Championships Montréal 2026 and the 1976 Olympics 50th Anniversary
From September 20–27, 2026, Montréal will host the UCI Road World Championships, the annual world championship races for road cycling, organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). First hosted in Montréal in 1974, this international competition will showcase hundreds of cyclists, both elites and amateurs alike, from over 70 nations. This free event, unprecedented in its scale, will be celebrated in tandem with the 50th anniversary of Montréal’s iconic Olympic Games.
To commemorate the 1976 Montréal Games’ semicentennial, the McCord Stewart Museum unveils a retrospective exhibition revisiting the defining moments and lasting impact of the event on the city, the province, and the nation as a whole. The exhibition will showcase both documentation and objects to create a layered, immersive experience that acquaints visitors with Olympic history beyond athletic triumphs, from its controversies to its lasting architectural legacy, further enriching our understanding of modern Montréal history.
New spa experiences:
Recess
- RECESS Station Thermale: Located in the heart of Griffintown, RECESS is Montréal’s new “social thermal station”, a circuit of hot saunas and cold plunges with an added emphasis on meditation and breath work. The space aims to inspire connection as much as it does calm, designed to be part spa, part refuge, and part community lounge.
- JOY Wellness Social Club: A brand new addition to the Golden Square Mile, JOY blends saunas, cold therapy, high intensity fitness, and infrared therapy with a social club vibe, where the experience is more communal than a traditional spa’s silent and contemplative internal journey. Guided experiences through the sauna and ice bath experience are also available.
- Bains Ninkasi: Inspired by Europe’s beer spa tradition, this new downtown Montréal wellness destination invites guests to soak in hop-, malt-, and yeast-infused baths, recline in a hop-scented sauna, and sip on local Québec brews (or opt for a curated beer-and-chocolate tasting) all as part of a multi-sensory experience that blends a unique relaxation experience with a touch of sudsy conviviality. Santé!
- Bota Bota: If there is anything better than a spa boat, it is two spa boats. After fifteen years in operation, Bota-Bota is celebrating the opening of its second ship, moored to its first, with expanded sauna experiences and a brand new whirlpool bath. All aboard for panoramic views, luxury services, and unparalleled tranquility.
New stay experiences:
Hôtel Sonolux
- Hotel SonoLUX: This sleek newcomer in to Old Montréal combines both contemporary comfort and contemporary art to produce a unique hospitality experience. Artworks projected in the hotel’s common areas are an evolving exhibition that create a gallery space from the lobby to each room, while the rooms themselves offer pure tranquil luxury.
- Maison Grinder: – Groupe Grinder, the group behind many of Montréal’s most celebrated restaurants, has entered the hotel game. This 15-room boutique hotel in Griffintown is all warm hospitality and handsome, refined details. It is further complemented by a rooftop lounge where signature cocktails always come with a side of panoramic views.
Tour de Lévis
Perched atop Mont Boullé on Île Sainte-Hélène, the Tour de Lévis is a beloved Montréal landmark that has just reopened after years of restoration. The stone tower was first built in 1937, a creative way to conceal a massive water reservoir. Climb its 157 steps to reach the new observation terrace and be rewarded with sweeping 360° views, from the shimmering river to Montréal’s skyline and the Montérégie hills beyond.
Vans Warped Tour Montréal 2026
The Vans Warped Tour, the iconic touring punk and alternative music festival, makes a triumphant return to Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montréal on August 21–22, 2026, as part of its 2026 North American tour. Each day will be filled with music acts across the alternative spectrum, where genres blur between rock, punk, pop-punk, emo, hardcore and ska. Expect plenty of merch and community energy from fans both new to Warped and those who’ve been at it since 1995. We’ll see you in the mosh pit!
Alexandra Gauthier
Alexandra is a born-and-raised Montrealer who self-describes as an incorrigible bon vivant, vintage enthusiast, and poutine obsessive.