10 Best Things to Do when it's Raining in Montreal

Notre Dame Basilica is a spectacular building with stunning Gothic Revival architecture. You’ll be awestruck at the interior decor and the vibrant stained-glass windows. The altarpiece is breath-taking too with its gilt and carved wood details, as well as its high, vaulted ceiling.

Both locals and tourists come here for the amazing AURA Experience. You’ll sit in a pew and enjoy a multisensory display which illuminates the basilica in every color and immerses you in stirring music. It sends a tingle down the spine and is simply unforgettable. The concerts here are highly recommended too, especially Handel’s Messiah. Be sure to visit from Wednesday to Friday when an organ performance at 1 pm is included in the tour.

Montreal Underground City is a sprawling network of walkways in the downtown area. On a rainy day, you can explore 12 sq km of underground shops and food courts, without once needing an umbrella. This labyrinth links hotels, performing arts venues and hundreds of shops and commercial buildings, so you can wander for miles and discover new places.

Known as the RÉSO, the underground city is used daily by locals for commuting and shopping. You’ll find stores selling everything from homeware and women’s fashion to electronic goods and jewelry. Complexe Desjardins is especially popular for its beautiful fountain and food court. Pick up a free map of the RÉSO from any metro station and get ready to explore.

The Biodôme de Montreal is next to the Olympic Park in northern Montreal. It was once the velodrome for the 1976 Olympic Games and it’s now a magnificent showcase for 5 different ecosystems. Children will particularly love the Sub-Antarctic Islands area, where penguins waddle to and from the rocks.

You’ll discover eastern Canada in the Labrador Coast area with its beautiful puffins and fascinating marine life in the Gulf of St. Lawrence section. Try to spot an otter or lynx in the Laurentian Maple Forest area too. Be sure to download the Biodôme app before arriving for tips on which animals and plants to look out for in this fun and educational complex.

St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is a beautiful and historic church perched over 90 meters high. Its distinctive dome and magnificent architecture make amazing photos, so don’t forget your camera when visiting. You’ll love the Art Deco interior with its lovely geometrical shapes too. Over 2 million visitors come here every year and there’s a busy events calendar, including carillon recitals and organ concerts.

Guided tours only operate from June to September, but you can take a self-guided tour year-round. You’ll also find a small museum and a large gift shop in this complex, as well as a café where you can snack on paninis and salads whilst taking in breath-taking views over the city.

Bonsecours Market lies in the Old Town district of Montreal. If you love shopping for original, handmade gifts and buying locally crafted items, then this is a great choice for a rainy day in the city. This beautiful, century-old building with its majestic, silver dome is home to around 25 charming boutiques, galleries and eateries.

You’ll find clothing, accessories and jewelry crafted by Quebec artisans, as well as locally sourced maple products, including syrup, soaps and candles. It’s a popular place with locals who love the pub food and craft beers on offer. There are also fantastic regular events ranging from wine festivals to board game fairs.

The Bell Center is a huge arena and home to an NHL ice hockey team, the Montreal Canadiens. If you like fast sports and end-to-end action, the games will have you on the edge of your seat. The guided tours are popular too and you’ll get to see behind the scenes in addition to the arena itself.

Check out the events schedule for regular concerts and shows. You’ll be awestruck at the talent of the Harlem Globetrotters, the acrobatic skills in the Cirque du Soleil and the live music from superstars such as Madonna and Mariah Carey. Tickets sell out quickly for in-demand events, so be sure to keep an eye on the website for pre-sales and last-minute ticket releases.

Barbie Expo is a glamorous collection of iconic Barbie dolls. This free museum sprawls over 465 square meters and is home to over 1,000 dolls. Aspiring fashion designers and Barbie fans alike will love the custom couture gowns, bridal wear and celebrity-inspired outfits adorning the dolls in this collection. There’s also a Hollywood-themed area with a collection dedicated to famed movies, and you can even have your photo taken inside the legendary, pink Barbie box.

You’ll find Barbie Expo in the luxury Les Cours Mont-Royal mall. This beautiful precinct is known for its high-end boutiques and designer labels, so once you’ve been inspired by Barbie’s outfits, you can hit the shops and find a few for yourself.

The Insectarium is a wonderful voyage into the world of insects. Have you ever looked at a fly on the ceiling and wondered how it doesn’t fall when it’s upside down? In this fascinating venue, you’ll learn everything about insects, including how invaluable they are to keep ecosystems in balance. You can even experience a fly “ceiling walk” for yourself.

Kids will love the underground galleries which are designed to look and feel like the habitat of insects. The Great Vivarium, where you’ll see insects roaming freely, is always a popular hotspot and questions to the guides are encouraged. You’ll even learn which insects are edible and you can buy a box of appetizing insects to take home with you.

Upstairs Jazz Club is located next to Concordia University, close to downtown Montreal. This cozy club is popular with both locals and tourists who come here for the fantastic ambience and amazing music. The setting is intimate and laidback, with the stage right next to the tables. Relax with a glass of wine, and a tasty meal and listen to the soothing sounds of incredible jazz music.

There are different performers every night. Student jazz jelly sessions tend to have free admission, but you’ll need tickets for the more established acts and shows. Reservations are by phone only and most employees speak both English and French. Be sure to book early as it’s a small venue and it gets very busy.

SOS Labyrinthe lies in the Old Port district opposite the huge Ferris wheel. You’ll find around 2 km of passageways in this indoor maze and it’s great family fun. Kids will love twisting and turning around the lanes, searching for clues, solving puzzles and finding the 4 treasures. They’ll also learn a little local history as each treasure is linked to the city’s heritage.

There are regular special events, so check the website before arriving. The Hallowe’en Special is always popular as kids race to find pumpkin treasures. No reservations are needed for this exciting labyrinth, but in summer it’s best to arrive before 1 pm or after 4 pm as it can get very busy mid-afternoon.