10 Best Indoor Activities in Montreal

Built in 1829, the Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the oldest buildings in all of Montreal. After all, this Gothic Revival-style structure has stood tall for nearly 200 years!

There are a few different ways to experience the Notre-Dame Basilica. You can catch an organ performance or check out the multimedia magic known as the AURA experience. That said, the most popular option is a simple sightseeing visit, during which you can admire everything from the jaw-dropping historic architecture to the more modern décor pieces.

If art museums are your style, you won’t regret a visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. As a matter of fact, it’s the most visited art museum in Canada and the oldest one, too.

Over the years, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has definitely had time to improve and expand its collection. Today, it boasts over 45,000 pieces of art! Within its walls, you’ll find everything from an early cast of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker to Jean-Paul Riopelle’s bold abstract pieces.

Calling all history buffs; this indoor activity in Montreal is for you. Once upon a time, Chateau Ramezay was the home of Claude de Ramezay, the then-governor of Montreal. Today, it’s the oldest private historical museum in the province.

For the best experience at Chateau Ramezay, take a tour with a guide decked out in historical garb. Not only will their outfits transport you back a couple of centuries, but your guide will also be able to tell you loads of fun facts about the many artifacts displayed at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Are you ready to shop until you drop during your Montreal getaway? Look no further than Les Cours Mont-Royal. This upscale shopping mall is the place to go to pick up some new looks.

Originally the Mont-Royal Hotel, this converted building now houses loads of designer boutiques. But its most visited spot is actually the Barbie Expo, the world’s largest Barbie exhibition. Featuring Barbie dolls dressed in everything from Christian Dior to Vera Wang, it’s one of the most unique attractions in all of Quebec.

Located in the Old Port of Montreal, the Montreal Science Center is a favorite indoor activity for kids and adults alike. With several fascinating exhibits and an IMAX theater with a 36,000-watt system, you can easily stay entertained for hours on end.

As for what exhibits are in store, you won’t be disappointed. Get hands-on with nature in the Mini Mondo exhibit, turn table scraps into renewable natural gas in the Digesto exhibit, or even touch a lunar rock from space in the Water in the Universe exhibit.

Space for Life is essentially a place where you can appreciate the beauty of nature while staying indoors. There are 5 parts to this 1 attraction, each focusing on a different part of the natural world.

Plant lovers could easily spend hours at the Montreal Botanical Garden. Animal fans can learn about all sorts of interesting creatures in the Biosphere, the Biodome, and the Insectarium. And those who want to leave Earth behind and head to the stars will feel like their dreams have come true in the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium.

The Underground City is quite a unique set-up. As the name implies, it’s a city that’s all connected below the surface. With hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, convention centers, and more within its bounds, there are loads of things to see and do in this massive, interconnected area.

Since the Underground City is so big, there’s a good chance you won’t get to see it all. Instead, stick to the tried-and-true highlights, like the Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal, Time Out Market, and Atrium Le 1000 ice-skating rink.

Speaking of the Atrium Le 1000, it is, without a doubt, one of the best indoor activities in Montreal. This year-round ice-skating rink has plenty of space for you to lace up your shoes and take to the ice – after all, it’s the largest indoor rink in the city!

While at its core Atrium Le 1000 is an ice-skating rink, there’s so much more to it than that. Your ice-skating adventure will also be filled with tasty meals courtesy of the rink’s diverse food court and incredible live music.

Bonsecours Market is widely known as one of the best markets in Montreal. But rather than finding fresh produce, you’ll find everything from local handmade maple syrup desserts to chic Quebecois designer clothing.

Surprisingly, the highlight of Bonsecours Market isn’t the products for sale. Rather, it’s the awe-inspiring building that the market is in. While this elaborate domed building was originally designed as a market building, it later also functioned as the home of Montreal City Hall for 25 years, which many visitors believed to fit the building’s architectural style quite well.

Montreal is home to a thriving microbrewery scene. And what better way to escape the heat or the rain than with a good old cold beer.

Visit the city’s original microbrewery, Le Cheval Blanc, for a retro atmosphere and a wide away of hoppy brews. Head to Boswell Brasserie Artisanale for Quebec-made beers and tasty bar bites. Or make your way to the famed Dieu du Ciel for all sorts of brews – from old-time favorites to brand new concoctions.