A positive impact stay in Montréal
Hotel Leisure activities Nature, fauna and flora Gastronomy Bars and pubs Coffee and sweets Restaurants
Is Montréal a city dedicated to sustainable development practices? Absolutely! Discover our recommendations and great spots for a positive impact stay.
Where to stay
Check into one of these hotels with eco-friendlier practices, hand-picked by Tourisme Montréal. Book yourself a room at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Le Germain Montréal, Saint-Sulpice or Ruby Foo’s. All of these outstanding establishments have strong environmental practices. Another option includes the ITHQ Hotel, which is just steps away from the Entertainment District (known locally as the Quartier des Spectacles). Alternatively, the Alt Hotel in Griffintown has EV charging stations in its parking area.
Where to eat
For the good of the planet, many cafés, bars, and restaurants have chosen to take action by committing concretely to zero-waste practices and reducing waste. Among them, Café des Habitudes, located in La Petite-Patrie, stands out for its décor made up of 95% second-hand furniture and objects. The establishment strives every day to move towards zero waste. Another example is La Cale Zéro Déchet on Plaza St-Hubert, a bar that makes everything it can on-site—from its tasty vegan dishes to its decorations. Here, everything is thoughtfully designed and used with care to minimize waste production as much as possible. To learn more about Montréal spots moving towards zero waste to improve your habits, click here.
Vegans, look no further! Your taste buds will find their happy place at LOV, Aux Vivres, Café Dei Campi, Pâtisserie Zébulon, Lola Rosa, Bloom Sushi, or The Green Panther. Hungry for more? Try the fresh and creative cuisine made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients at Candide, Chez Victoire, Le Mousso, Othym, Toqué!, Renoir, Saint-Urbainor the ITHQ restaurant. If you fancy some fish and chips, head to Brit & Chips, where the catch is sourced from more sustainable fisheries. For a hearty sandwich paired with homemade lemonade, head to Café Santropol, a true garden of Eden. Finally, Café Le 5e serves up a vegan brunch every weekend in Verdun. Take the opportunity to stroll through this quintessential Montréal neighbourhood.
Where to rest, relax and rejuvenate
Let your tension float away at Bota Bota, a river spa anchored on the St. Lawrence River. The facility uses geothermal-type energy to heat and cool its indoor spaces and thermal baths. The energy is extracted directly from the St. Lawrence River, which means it's renewable. Beyond the technical aspects, the spa uses Babor vegan products made with natural and organic ingredients sourced from the Alps. Added bonus: the spa's unique location offers terrific views of Montréal's cityscape. We love it!
Where to camp near Montréal
Want to balance your urban vacation with a few days of camping? Huttopia offers a hassle-free ready-to-camp option just a few kilometres from downtown Montréal. To get there, hop the metro, bus and river ferry to Grosbois Island in the Îles-de-Boucherville provincial park. There are 21 cozy tents for rent on site. Visitors should bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. For more information, go to sepaq.com.
Where to surf, kayak and more
Surfing, SUP, SUP-yoga, kayaking: whatever sport you choose, you'll quickly discover that the St. Lawrence River offers everything from serene spots to adrenaline-inducing areas! KSF calls itself "a family that's expanding around the St. Lawrence." Their team is passionate about adventure, nature and water and will provide you with unforgettable experiences accredited by Aventure Écotourisme Québec, members of the 1% for the Planet movement, and committed to the Leave No Trace Canada movement. Grab a paddle!
Embark on a cruise
Curious to know more about the history of the 150-year-old Lachine canal? Hop aboard the Petit Navire, an electric propulsion boat. Enjoy a 45-minute to two-hour historic ride where you can sip a drink and chat with fellow passengers.
Get out and get moving!
Just minutes away from downtown by metro is where you’ll find Parc Jean-Drapeau, a sprawling natural four-season playground alive with activities and festivals all year long. Explore its network of artwork-lined trails, two museums, and expansive beach. Drop by the freshy renovated Biosphère, a Montréal icon since the Expo ’67 World’s Fair, where you can learn about the importance of a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle through scientific exhibitions and demonstrations.
Witness thriving urban agriculture firsthand on the green roof atop the Palais des congrès, then head out to discover Montréal’s best seasonal markets and summertime spaces to drink in the city’s summertime vibe.
We invite you to discover the temporary and community spaces developed by La Pépinière, an incubator dedicated to promoting collective engagement. We also recommend visiting the Village au Pied-du-Courant, a special venue perfect for family gatherings.
Where to rent a bike and enjoy a ride
Ready to embark on a two-wheeled adventure? It's easy in Montréal, where bike rental shops and tours are available throughout the city (Ma Bicyclette, Fitz Montréal, Ça roule Montréal, BIXI and Spade & Palacio) and there are more than 1000 km of bike paths. Plus, there are tons of places to eat and drink along the way. We recommend packing a picnic lunch with fresh produce from the Jean-Talon, Atwater, or Maisonneuve markets and then cycling to La Fontaine, Jeanne-Mance, Laurier or Jarry Park. It's a great way to explore different Montréal boroughs. Les Urbanités has also put together an itinerary of Montréal's "green alleys." Everyone loves a quick escape into a green corridor!
Public transportation—offered through the STM bus and metro system—is another choice way to get around the city.
The best way to explore Mount Royal
You can't visit Montréal without seeing Mount Royal, our local "mountain." The park, which acts as the city's lungs, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect behind New York City's Central Park. It's located right in the centre of the city and can be explored on foot, by bicycle, on cross-country skis or on snowshoes. In winter, Les Amis de la montagne, a non-profit that helps protect Mount Royal, offers a guided night-time snowshoeing excursion called "By the Glow of the City Lights (À la lueur de la ville)." Pro tip: Finish off this memorable experience with a warm mug of hot chocolate!
Where to see sustainable arts and culture
Montréal's well-known cultural scene includes a several sustainable attractions. Espace pour la vie is Canada's largest nature and science museum complex. It includes the Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Jardin botanique and the Planetarium, four exceptional institutions that combine science with emotion to influence your perspective of the natural world and educate visitors of all ages. What will you learn?
The TOHU Pavilion is a venue for shows, experimentation and convergence between culture, environment and community projects. It's also an outstanding example of LEED GOLD-certified Canadian architecture. The facility includes a round circus-arts performance hall—the first of its kind in North America—as well as access to the Saint-Michel environmental complex. A little further north, lose yourself in the valleys and meadows uniquely punctuated with white spheres in parc Frédéric-Back, a new green space dedicated to the environment, culture, leisure and sports. Don't miss it!
Finally, the Maison du développement durable was the very first building in Québec to earn LEED Platinum NC certification. It offers guided tours, meetings and discussions on sustainable development.
Where to buy local products
Located in Verdun, Harricana par Mariouche is a world-renowned for its clothing and objects made from recycled furs, cashmeres and silks. The boutique also offers workshops for making pom-poms, braided scarves from recycled furs and custom hats. Let your creativity run wild!
Head over to Saint-Laurent Boulevard to BKIND, a store with more environmentally-friendly practices offering natural, vegan, and Québec-made beauty products. Located in Petite-Patrie, the DDD boutique will inspire you with its selection of products that are both stylish and responsible. Next, pick up an adorable, timeless little black dress by Betina Lou, a Matt & Nat backpack or handbag made from recycled plastic bottles, or a unique Québec creation from Unicorn boutique. Give in to the fragrance of Dot & Lil’s retro-style handmade soaps, and savour some urban honey produced locally by Alvéole.
Little things can go a long way
In addition to promoting the local economy through all the possibilities listed above, adopt a slow tourism approach during your stay by staying several nights in the same neighbourhood to discover its energy, habits and merchants. Always carry a kit with reusable utensils and lunch dishes to encourage less waste. Choose cafés that offer the reusable La Tasse mug, supporting more responsible consumption. You'll maximize your impact on a healthier planet!
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.