Top 10 Free Things to do in Montreal Year-round

by Stephanie Dubois (subscribe)

As a tourist or as a native Montrealer, there is no shortage of things to do in Montreal year-round. As someone who was born and raised just outside the bustling metropolis, here are what I consider the top 10 free things to do in Montreal:

1) Vieux Port de Montreal
Year-round, this popular outdoor Montreal attraction dates back to the 1700s when fur trading merchants began building docks for the ships coming to the shore.

With a spectacular view of the St. Laurence on one side and a stunning view of downtown Montreal at night, guests can do a variety of activities like admire buskers, people watch or eat at one of the numerous restaurants nearby. Most of the streets in the area are cobblestone, and buildings in the area reflect the local heritage of La Belle Province.
There are several activities which you can pay for but the Old Port is very budget-friendly for anyone.

www.vieuxportdemontreal.com

2) Museums of Montreal
There is no shortage of museums one can attend for free almost every day of the week. The natural history Redpath Museum, which is part of McGill University's campus, is free to the public.
The Musee des Beaux-Arts de Montreal has an always free permanent gallery for guests.

3)Sainte Catherine street
If people watching and window browsing is more your thing, you should check out Sainte Catherine Street.

As one of the fashion capitals of Canada, Montreal's Ste. Catherine street boasts numerous boutiques, including the entrance to the underground mall. It is also home to Simons, the Quebec-founded retailer.

4) Mount Royal Park
With countless running and walking trails as well as mature trees, Mount Royal Park is Quebec's Central Park. A great place to enjoy a picnic or a stroll on one of the trails. Be sure to walk to the top to get a stunning view of downtown Montreal and the St. Lawrence year-round.

5) Nuit Blanche a Montreal
It can get cold in Montreal during the winter months, so if you're visiting and want to explore the city be sure to check out Nuit Blanche, a night where a lot of the cities' museums and other attractions are free to the public and open very late.

www.montrealenlumiere.com/nuit-blanche-en

6) Festival International de Jazz de Montreal
One of the best times in the summer is when the performers of the Jazz festival began playing in the city at both free and private venues. Drawing thousands of guests from around the world, the jazz fest is a great time to hear some talented international performers.

www.montrealjazzfest.com/default-en.aspx

7) Parc Jean Drapeau
An island off the Montreal island, Parc Jean Drapeau offers tourists and locals a chance to explore nature but also many of the sites like the old Expo 67 pavilions that still remain and also the beach in the summer. Great place to be year-round.

www.parcjeandrapeau.com/en

8) L'international des Feux Loto-Quebec
A popular site to see in the summer is the International fireworks competition in which countries from all parts of the world compete with a firework display both Wednesday and Saturday nights. This isn't your typical fireworks show and can be seen (and heard) from several parts of the city.

www.internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com/en

9) Just for Laughs Festival
If you want a great laugh, this is the summertime festival you need to be at. With a lot of the showcases requiring purchased tickets, the festival is also home to a lot of free shows so keep your eyes out for a good deal.

www.hahaha.com/en

10) City Markets
If there's one thing Montreal is known for is its food. With markets such as Marche Bonsecours and Marche Jean-Talon. Vendors at both offer several goodies like local art, food or produce, but also offer a chance to wander.

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When: All year-round

Where: In and around Montreal

Cost: Free