Montréal: River, City and Mountain All in One

A metropolis perched on the mighty St. Lawrence River, Montréal is a bustling cultural centre with a mountain at its very heart. There’s a vibe for everyone, whether you feel like soaking up centuries of history, hobnobbing with locals in the latest happening bar or getting out into the green for a hike! Which Montréal is your Montréal?

A River Runs Through It

Montréal’s position on the St. Lawrence River is what drew its founders to settle here in 1642. The riverside neighbourhood of Old Montréal is steeped in history, and it’s been overflowing with enterprise and an inventive entrepreneurial spirit ever since.

From the cobblestone streets to the 17th and 18th century architecture, it’s rich with Euro-style charm and great photo ops.

• Click some bird’s-eye shots from the height of the Port of Montréal Tower
• Snap from on-high on the Grande Roue de Montréal Ferris wheel
• Get a view on-the-move by renting a bike and pedaling along the waterfront

Old Montréal’s cobblestone streets are rich with shops featuring wares by local designers, jewellers, homeware makers and visual artists.

• Shop unique designer ware on Saint-Paul Street
• Collect local and world-famous First Nations art from the dozens of small galleries
• Discover cutting-edge contemporary culture at the one-of-a-kind PHI

Above all, come hungry! Old Montréal is one of the greatest areas to explore both new and established restaurants, plus a few of the city’s most renowned bars.

• Stop into any of the famous restaurants along Notre-Dame Street
• Pop into the stunning Crew Collective & Café for a memorable coffee break
• Grab a drink with a view on the water on De la Commune Street

A Site for City Slickers

What’s unique about Montréal is that the business district Downtown is fully integrated with the play district. A quick block or two away from the international company HQs that make the city a buzzing metropolis, you’ll find the Quartier des Spectacles, the epicentre of cultural events of this forever buzzing Festival City.

Whether it’s comedy, music, circus or fashion, there’s always a festival going on with free programming that spills onto the streets.

• Hear elite musicians perform for free at the Montréal International Jazz Festival
• Watch acrobats flip and flit inches away at Montréal Complètement Cirque
• Discover next season’s looks at the pop-up shops during M.A.D. fashion festival

If it’s museums and galleries you’re after, just walk around: the city itself is filled with murals and public art.

• See international exhibitions at the iconic Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
• Explore the avant-garde at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal
• Soak up historic art at the McCord Stewart Museum

Downtown has some stunning restaurants up its sleeves, too.

• Amaze at Le 9e, purveyor of refined cuisine and stellar 1920s décor
• Sample the prized flavours of Restaurant Toqué!, Maison Boulud or Ferreira Café
• Enjoy casual meal at the next-level food hall Time Out Market, full of local delicacies

A Mountain of Possibilities

Between all of the city’s green spaces and verdant neighbourhoods, Montréal offers a million places to get active and escape the hullabaloo — the most famous of which is the iconic Mount Royal Park.

Walkers, hikers and joggers will rejoice at the park trails to explore all over what locals lovingly call “the mountain.”

• Try the running routes of all levels, from the beginner-friendly Chemin du Belvédère to the more athletic wooded trails
• Hike to views in all directions from the various lookouts, all accessible on foot
• Bring a picnic up to the grassy knoll at Beaver Lake, best enjoyed at sunset

Montréal is a biker’s paradise, with over 3,450 km of bike paths. Including on Mount Royal!

• Cycle up to the iconic Mount Royal Cross, then take in the view from the nearby Kondiaronk Belvedere
• Find out why mountain bikers love the bike-only wooded trails that zigzag the top
• Walk up to the mountain’s Camilien-Houde lookout during the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal for a front-row seat on the day-long international cycling race

And discover local terroir… literally.

• Explore the unique flora of Mount Royal Park with a guided tour company or with the local experts at Amis de la Montagne
• Savour some refreshing lemonade, ice cream or salty treat at the snack bar nestled within the breathtaking Chalet du Mont-Royal
• Bring your binoculars and spot some of the 180 bird species that call Mount Royal Park home!

As you prepare to join us in Québec City for TBEX North America 2025, consider extending your journey just a few hours west to experience Montréal, a dynamic city where Old World charm meets modern creativity. Whether you’re chasing iconic views, inspired by thriving local culture, or craving the buzz of a world-class festival scene, Montréal delivers a mosaic of stories waiting to be told. With river, city, and mountain all in one, it’s the kind of place that fills your camera roll and your soul. Don’t just pass through. Let Montréal be part of your TBEX adventure.