7 things you can only do in Montréal

The only thing that could make Montréal any more fun is if you could surf here. Too bad it’s not even remotely close to an ocean. Wait… what’s that you say? Yes, urban surfing in Montréal is a thing, and a very popular thing at that. The fast-flowing St. Lawrence River, which wraps around the Island of Montréal, has a number of white-water rapids along its course, and several of these have what are called standing waves. These are permanent waves: you go to them, they don’t come to you. Many of them, like Guy’s Wave and Big Joe (not for the faint of heart), are located just minutes from downtown and are ideal for river surfing. And if river surfing isn’t in your bag of tricks yet, not to worry. One-of-a-kind Montréal nautical centre KSF — specialists in SUP (stand up paddleboard), river surfing, recreational kayaking, white-water kayaking and even SUP yoga — offers river surfing packages that include instruction.

Want to chill out in a massive rooftop garden overlooking the St. Lawrence River? Enjoy a range of imaginative contemporary urban art? Or maybe journey up a beautifully designed observation tower with spectacular views of the city? You can do all of this and more at the Iberville cruise ship terminal on the Port of Montréal’s Grand Quay, located in the historic district of Old Montréal. Serving over 100,000 passengers a year, the Grand Quay and the terminal recently underwent an ambitious reimagining, transforming the terminal and its quay into a vibrant and creative cultural focal point for both Montrealers and visitors alike. Among the many new features of the port are the majestic, 65-metre-high Observatory Tower, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the city as well as a uniquely Montréal interactive experience. Additionally, the terminal’s roof is home to a vast green rooftop garden boasting over 24,000 plants and the city’s best vantage point to watch cruise ships arriving at the port. 

Sprawling out in front of you is a vast, slightly wild expanse, dotted with white orbs that glow phosphorescently at dusk; intriguing, futuristic constructions emerge from the landscape. There’s only one place you can be, and it’s not on another planet: Frédéric-Back Park. Located in the heart of the Saint-Michel Environmental Complex, this enormous former quarry has for the last 25 years been transformed into one of Montréal’s largest green spaces with a surface area similar to that of Mount Royal Park. The park features walking and biking trails, picnic areas, works of art and lookouts with views of downtown, Mount Royal and the Olympic Stadium. And those glowing orbs? They’re specially designed spheres covering the biogas capture wells. Cool.

Scratch your travel itch with an adventurous trip that takes you through the wilds of Canada to the lushness of the tropics to remote islands in Subantarctic seas — all in one day and under one vast roof. The hugely popular Biodôme — located in the sprawling and spectacular Espace pour la vie, the largest natural sciences museum complex in Canada — offers an immersive, multisensory walking tour through five ecosystems of the Americas: Tropical Rainforest, Gulf of St. Lawrence, Laurentian Maple Forest, Labrador Coast and Sub-Antarctic Islands. Reopened in 2020 after an extensive two-year reinvention and renovation, the Biodôme is home to 2,500 animals representing 200 different species as well as more than 800 plant species. Go see penguins, piranhas, tamarin monkeys, sloths, lynx, sturgeon, otters and so much more in meticulously recreated natural environments.

Okay, so it’s not exactly K2, but Mount Royal (known simply as “the mountain” to Montrealers) is the city’s big, green crown jewel and we happen to be quite proud of it. Standing 233 metres (or almost 765 feet), the tree-covered mountain is an iconic symbol of the city piled high with other iconic symbols of the city: Saint Joseph’s Oratory, the mountaintop Mount Royal Chalet, the stately former Royal Victoria Hospital, Percival Molson Memorial Stadium (where Montréal’s pro football team, the Alouettes, play) and, of course, most iconic of all, the Mount Royal Cross. There are numerous hiking and biking paths ascending to the mountain’s “belvederes,” where truly incredible views of the city may be found, as well as a range of guided discovery walks tailored to different interests.

Every year, for one high-octane weekend in June, Montréal’s Gilles-Villeneuve racetrack roars to life with the Formula One Grand Prix du Canada, featuring the world’s elite open-wheel racers. For the rest of the year, drivers, cyclists, joggers, walkers and in-line skaters are invited to take advantage of the completely unique 4.361-kilometre (2.5 mile) speedway located on Île Notre-Dame in the middle of the St. Lawrence River just minutes from downtown and accessible by metro. The picturesque, tree-lined F1 track is named for Québec driving legend Gilles Villeneuve, and the challenging course reflects his driving style: aggressive and technical. That said, if relaxation is more your speed, you can count on the track for a win. 

You can’t miss it: a humungous, four-storey orange right next to one of Montréal’s major thoroughfares, the Décarie Expressway. And an orange that serves food at that. Generations of Montrealers have indulged cravings for steamies (hot dogs with steamed buns), burgers, fries and poutine served by roller-skating waitresses at the iconic Gibeau Orange Julep diner, built in 1966 and now an obvious fave of Instagrammers. Though the skating waitresses have long since rolled off into history, patrons can still avail themselves of the landmark’s signature frothy, orange-based beverage, the recipe for which remains a Gibeau family secret.