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As a destination for amazing food, festivals, events, cultural hotspots and great outdoors, Montréal has something for everyone, just a short distance from the train station. As well as being easily accessible by rail (both train and metro), this dynamic city offers countless activities you can get to on foot or by public transit (bye-bye, traffic jams and parking headaches!).
This guide to Montréal’s must-sees is your ticket to 72 hours of pure delight—that’ll get you on track for a memorable adventure. Ready to jump on the train of this memorable adventure?
A few good spots to spoil your taste buds
In Montréal, we eat incredibly well! There’s a bountiful cornucopia of cuisines to sample—French, English and Indigenous, enhanced by Jewish, Italian, Portuguese, and so many more. What’s on the menu? Local specialties, gourmet showstoppers and vibrant markets!
Our first stop is in Mile-End, easily accessible by metro from Montreal's Central Station for a bagel hot out of the oven. For Montrealers, two bakeries share the title for best bagels: St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel, founded in 1957 and 1919 respectively. Up to you to pick your favourite!
Another classic is, of course, smoked meat. The traditional way to enjoy this dish—thin slices of salted beef that’s been cured, smoked and steamed to perfection—is piled high on rye bread, maybe with a smear of yellow mustard. To try the real deal, line up in front of the legendary Schwartz’s Deli in Montréal’s Little Portugal, or swing by one of the other great specialized delis.
As for the iconic poutine, there’s an embarrassment of riches! From a Portuguese-style one at Ma Poule Mouillée to a luxury version with foie gras at restaurant Au Pied de cochon, there may be as many kinds of poutine as there are days in the year! Chez Claudette, a beloved snack bar in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal, serves 35 varieties of this comfort food.
Montréal also boasts renowned restaurants, like Vin Mon Lapin in Little Italy which has topped Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list for two years running, and Beba, which is #8. And who could forget the bustling farmer’s markets? There are a full 15 in town, including Jean-Talon Market and Atwater Market, where you can stroll around admiring the colourful stands, sample the bounty of the terroir and stock up on delicious souvenirs.
Here are some other fun things to do in Plateau-Mont-Royal, near Central Train Station.
Some events to have fun, day and night
At any time of day and in every season, Montrealers exude an undeniable lust for life—a certain joie de vivre—that even a blizzard can’t dampen. Just look at the full calendar of events that enlivens the city all year long.
One of the biggest winter celebrations in the world, Montréal en Lumière, will take place from February 27 to March 9, 2025, in the Quartier des spectacles, just a 20-minute walk from Central Train Station. Combining excellent food and art, it also features free activities, concerts and the famous Nuit blanche.
Since 2007, Igloofest has been attracting electronic music fans who come to dance under the starry sky of the Old Port, which is also located at a short distance from the train station. And even a symbol of the city puts on a show—the Jacques-Cartier Bridge is lit up in a different hue every day, all year round.
In Old Montréal, you can stroll around admiring the European-style architecture and go for a spin on the Grande Roue de Montréal to enjoy sweeping 360° views 365 days a year. At a towering 60 metres, it’s Canada’s tallest Ferris wheel. In Montréal, you’ll feel like you have the world at your feet!
Experience culture’s many facets
With 42 museums and a schedule bursting with fun things to do, Montréal is a cultural powerhouse. Do you like visual arts? The The Montreal Museum of Fine ArtsMontreal Museum of Fine Arts showcases a vast permanent collection and exhibits from around the world, just a few steps from the train station. Temporarily housed downtown in Place Ville Marie, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal—Canada’s first museum devoted exclusively to modern art—features many innovative works from Canadian and international artists.
You can also dive headfirst into history at the McCord Stewart Museum and Musée Pointe-à-Callière. And you won’t want to miss Cité Mémoire, the world’s largest video projection circuit, which you can see on the walls of the city and hear thanks to its soundtrack and narrations available on the free app. What’s more, Montréal offers countless concerts and shows that’ll wow young and old alike in venues across town, including from world-renowned companies like Les Grands Ballets Canadiens and Cirque Éloize.
Learn other ways to explore downtown Montréal.
Enjoy the great outdoors in the big city
Perhaps it’s because of its nearly 1,500 parks or the two waterways that border it, but Montréal can make you feel like you’re out in nature even when you’re close to downtown. It’s the perfect playground for a host of activities!
If your muscles are sore after a day of sightseeing, why not weigh anchor at Bota Bota, spa-sur-l’eau a 20-minute walk from the train station in Montreal's Old Port? This wellness centre nestled in an old ferryboat pairs Nordic baths with spectacular views of the city and the St. Lawrence. And when you want to get moving, there’s a seemingly endless supply of options—not to mention equipment rentals. Will you be cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at Parc La Fontaine, Parc Frédéric-Back and Parc Jean-Drapeau or will you opt for hiking and tubing in Mount Royal Park? Follow your heart!
And after the sun sets, the outdoor fun continues at rinks around town—find one with a DJ at the Old Port and another with disco vibes, heated patios and a central hearth at Esplanade Tranquille. Rosy cheeks and laughs galore await!
Get on track for Montréal!
With tasty treats and award-winning restaurants, incredible festivals, events, museums, and natural spaces — Montréal will dazzle your taste buds, satisfy your love of beauty, and make your spirit soar. For an unforgettable long weekend in a city that radiates joie de vivre, plan your getaway and get on board today!
Discover other activities for more family fun in Montréal.
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