Whether you’re between conference sessions, wrapping up a big day of meetings or just need to go for a quick walk, there are plenty of sightseeing options steps away from the Montréal convention centres, aka the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The compact, walkable city centre puts everything within easy reach.
Here are 10 great attractions just 10 minutes from the very central Montréal convention centre.
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal
This place of divinity is a thing of rare beauty. Designed in the Gothic Revival style by Irish Protestant architect James O’Donnell (he converted to Catholicism just before his death to be buried there), and built between 1824 and 1829, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal is a symphony of sculpted wood, soaring gold-painted ceilings, and intricate detail. A massive 7,000-pipe organ dominates the back wall. Utterly breathtaking.
Place d’Armes
A public square dating back to the late 1600s situated in front of above-mentioned basilica, Place d’Armes allows you to experience a slice (or square) of Montréal’s riveting history. Stand in the centre and do a slow 360 as you soak in some truly gorgeous and historic buildings of the old city, including the Saint-Sulpice Seminary (next to the Basilica), the country’s oldest bank and Montréal’s first skyscraper.
Toqué
If you appreciate locally sourced, modern cuisine, reserve a table at Toqué, one of Montréal’s finest restaurants. Boasting a CAA/AAA Five Diamond rating and reviews in Wine Spectator, Gourmet, GQ Magazine and Food & Wine, it has also been an exclusive Relais & Châteaux member since 2006. But enough about the honours, let’s talk food! Chef Normand Laprise has always prioritized market-fresh, locally grown products and they absolutely shine in his kitchen.
The exterior of the Montréal convention centre
The massive kaleidoscope wall is made up of 332 coloured glass panels and 58 clear glass panels. The creation, entitled TransLucide, represents the purpose of the Montréal convention centre, aka the Palais des congrès de Montréal, as a place where different points of view converge. No trip to Montréal is complete without a snapshot in front of this iconic installation.
Chinatown
Dim sum, anyone? Although modest-sized, Montréal’s bustling Chinatown offers a delicious “getaway” just a hop and skip from the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Roam the pedestrian-friendly streets chock full of restaurants, Asian markets and grocery stores, plus shops to buy herbs, natural medicines and even martial arts accessories.
Marché Bonsecours
This handsome symbol of 19th century Montréal was built in 1847 as a market and gathering space, and today houses sidewalk cafés, artisans boutiques and exhibition and event spaces for parties of up to 975 guests. On the lower level of Marché Bonsecours, facing De la Commune Street, you’ll find a microbrewery that's well worth a pit-stop.
Crew Collective & Café
Few cafés double as architectural marvels to the extent that Crew Collective & Café does. This jewel was built as a former bank in the 1920s, and drips with that opulence all the while being one of the most welcoming and friendly places to enjoy a snack or a work session in one of the easily rented coworking spaces.
Montréal Science Centre
Take your inner science geek for a stroll and re-fire your neurons! This dynamic, interactive space shines the spotlight on — you guessed it — science and technology and the impact both have had on society. The Montréal Science Centre exhibition halls focus on Canadian innovations and inventions in particular. If you feel like a movie, it is also home to the IMAX®Telus Cinema.
The Old Port of Montréal
Maybe the wind in your hair is what you need after a busy day of networking. A superb scenic spot is Montréal’s harbour front, where you can gaze at the majestic St. Lawrence River, check out giant cruise ships or observe the many marine comings-and-goings, including sailboats, motorboats, and pedal boats. There’s lot of stuff on dry land too: bright bistros with terraces, boutiques, a massive Ferris wheel, and high-end spas, if you need to get the knots worked out.
Art galleries along Saint-Paul Street
This is easy on the eyes in addition to being history-rich (info nugget: Saint-Paul is Montréal’s oldest street). Take time to step off the cobblestones into these tasteful temples to the visual arts and pamper your senses. You can rest your gaze on Inuit art as well as contemporary canvases by artists from Québec, Canada and around the world.
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