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Downtown (Centre-ville) is a district of Montreal.

Get in

Map
45°30′10″N 73°34′10″W
Downtown Montreal

By car

Street parking costs $3/hour from 8AM-9PM and ticketing is common. There are a number of large, commercial parking structures and by-the-day lots. Driving can be very slow and frustrating along rue Sainte-Catherine, with large numbers of pedestrians and heavy traffic. Sherbrooke often comes to a standstill during rush hour.

By metro

Downtown Montreal is served by the Orange and Green Lines. The Green Line follows boulevard de Maisonneuve, while the Orange line runs parallel five blocks to the south (i.e. towards the river). Note that in many cases, you can use the "Underground City" to walk from one station to another — even between lines — without surfacing (useful in winter or rain!).

Useful stops include:

  • McGill and Peel on the Green Line for McGill University and downtown shopping district.
  • Bonaventure for Gare Centrale (Central Train Station) and AMT Downtown Bus Station.

By bus

Dozens of bus lines run through the downtown area.

  • 24 Sherbrooke runs on rue Sherbrooke, a good way to get out to Westmount or the Plateau.
  • 15 Sainte-Catherine covers rue Sainte-Catherine from rue Atwater to the Village.

Get around

Downtown is walkable, weather permitting, but watch for frustrated drivers trying to cut through throngs of pedestrians crossing the street. The new bike lane on Blvd. de Mainsonneuve provides easy and relatively safe bike access in and out of downtown.

Many blocks are connected by 30 km of underground pedestrian tunnels, arcades and malls. You can walk and shop in comfort when the weather above is foul.

See

Montreal viewed from Mount Royal
  • McGill University Campus, 805 rue Sherbrooke ouest at ave McGill College. The lower section of McGill's campus is composed mainly of nineteenth century neoclassical buildings and is definitely worth a ten minute stroll.
  • The Underground City (Montréal souterrain). Throughout the downtown area. This network of underground malls and passageways is a very convenient way to walk around during the winter months. It encompasses six metro stations on the green and orange lines and all of the major downtown shopping malls, including food courts, cinemas, innumerable boutiques, and services. 
  • 1 Christ Church Cathedral, 1444 ave Union (entrance on rue Sainte-Catherine; metro McGill), ☏ +1 514 843-6577. It is a small, but colourful church, the mother church of the region's Anglican (Episcopalian) denomination. Of special interest is the organ with additional remote-controlled organ pipes in the front of the church. If you have the opportunity to listen to an organ concert there, you should go. The concert will probably be by donation only. 
  • 2 Mary Queen of the World Cathedral (Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde), 1065 rue de la Cathédrale (main entrance on boul René-Lévesque; metro Bonaventure), ☏ +1 514 866-1661. 7:30AM-6PM daily. A 1/4 scale copy of St. Peter's in Rome. Impressive interior. 
  • 3 Canadian Centre for Architecture (Centre canadien d'architecture), 1920 rue Baile (between rue Saint-Marc and rue du Fort; metro Guy-Concordia or Georges-Vanier), ☏ +1 514 939-7026. W,F 11AM-6PM, Th 11AM-9PM, Sa,Su 11AM-5PM. Architecture museum and research institute that incorporates the Shaughnessy House, an 1876 Second Empire-style manison. Across boulevard René-Lévesque from the CCA is a sculpture garden with works designed around the theme of architecture. Guided tours available. $10 adults, $7 seniors, free for students and children. (updated Jul 2015)
  • 4 Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal), 1380 rue Sherbrooke ouest (at ave du Musée; metro Guy-Concordia), ☏ +1 514 285-2000, toll-free: +1-800-899-6873. Tu-F 11AM-5PM, Sa-Su 10AM-5PM. Free permanent exhibitions and many prominent traveling exhibits. There is usually a fee for special exhibitions. 
  • 5 McCord Museum (Musée McCord), 690 rue Sherbrooke ouest (at rue Victoria; metro McGill). Mo-Tu,Th-Fr 10AM-6PM, We 10AM-9PM, Sa-Su 10AM-5PM. Museum dedicated to Canadian history. Located next to McGill University. $15 adult / $12 senior (65+) / $8 student (13-17) / $9 student (18-30) / free for children / $30 family. (updated Jul 2015)
  • 6 Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, 185 rue Sainte-Catherine ouest (at rue Jeanne-Mance; metro Place-des-Arts), ☏ +1 514 847-6226. Tu 11AM-6PM, We-Fr 11AM-9PM, Sa-Su 10AM-6PM. Contemporary art museum at the Place-des-Arts complex. $14 adult / $12 senior (60+) / $10 students (18+ with ID) / free for children (0-12) / $5 youth (13-17) / $30 family. (updated Jul 2015)
  • 7 Redpath Museum (Musée Redpath), 859 rue Sherbrooke ouest (between rue McTavish and ave McGill College, behind the Roddick Gates from rue Sherbrooke; metro McGill), ☏ +1 514 398-4086. M-F 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM, Sa closed. A museum of natural history on the McGill campus. Free. 
  • 8 Windsor Station (Gare Windsor), 1160 rue de la Gauchetière ouest (at rue Peel), ☏ +1 514 287-8726. This Romanesque Revival building served as one of the city's main railway stations until it was cut off from the rail network by the construction of the Bell Centre nearby. 

Chinatown

Montreal's Chinatown (Le quartier chinois) mostly runs along rue de la Gauchetière between rue Jeanne-Mance and rue Saint-Dominique (this section is mostly pedestrianized), and also along rue Saint-Urbain and boulevard Saint-Laurent between rue Viger and boulevard René-Lévesque. It is the third largest Chinatown in Canada, behind those in Vancouver and Toronto, and is known best for its many restaurants and gift shops.

  • 9 Place Sun-Yat-Sen, rue de la Gauchetière and rue Clark (metro Place-d'Armes). A small public square in the middle of Chinatown. There are murals made of grey slate along the north and east side of the square; also at the square is a pavilion selling typical Chinatown tourist souvenirs. 

Parc du Mont-Royal

The Parc du Mont-Royal (Mount Royal Park) is a 529 acre park surrounding Mount Royal, the city's namesake. Most locals refer to as a mountain even though it just looks like a hill to most visitors; its highest peak is only 233 metres (764 feet) above sea level.

  • 10 Chalet du Mont-Royal, up the stairs from Redpath Crescent. Built as a make-work project in 1932 during the Great Depression. The interior features artwork depicting various scenes from Canadian history. 
  • 11 Kondiaronk Lookout, next to the Chalet du Mont-Royal. Offers panoramic views of the downtown Montreal skyline. 
  • 12 Croix du Mont-Royal (Mount Royal Cross), along chemin Olmsted. A white illuminated cross installed in 1924 at the site where Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve planted a wooden cross in 1643. He allegedly planted it there after praying to the Virgin Mary to spare the city of Montreal from a flood. 
  • 13 Lac des Castors (Beaver Lake), off of Chemin Remembrance. Man-made lake in a former marsh. Paddleboats are rented out in summer; in winter the lake becomes an ice skating rink. 
  • 14 Monument à George-Étienne Cartier (George-Étienne Cartier Monument), along chemin Olmsted on the east side of Parc du Mont-Royal (across ave du Parc from Parc Jeanne-Mance). A 1919 monument sculpted by George William Hill in honor of George-Étienne Cartier, one of the fathers of Confederation. 
  • 15 Belvédère Camillien-Houde, voie Camillien-Houde across from Cimetière Mont-Royal. Another lookout point. 
  • 16 Maison Smith, near Chemin Remembrance and voie Camillien-Houde. 

Do

  • 1 Bell Centre (Centre Bell), 1260 rue de la Gauchetière (at rue de la Montagne; metro Lucien-L'Allier), ☏ +1 514 790-2525, toll-free: +1-877-668-8269. Home of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, commonly known as the Habs. Also hosts larger concerts. 
  • 2 Molson Stadium (Stade Molson), 475 ave des Pins ouest (at rue Alymer; metro McGill), ☏ +1 514 398-7017. An outdoor Canadian football stadium on the McGill campus. The McGill Redmen (Quebec University Football League) and the Montreal Alouettes (Canadian Football League) play here. 
  • 3 Montreal Forum / Pepsi Forum (Forum de Montréal / Forum Pepsi), 2313 rue Sainte-Catherine ouest (between ave Atwater and rue Lambert Closse; metro Atwater). An entertainment complex at the site of the former home of the Canadiens from 1926-1996. Currently home to an AMC Cinema (22 screens) and The Montreal Comedy Nest. 

Buy

Rue Sainte-Catherine offers all the brandnames (Gap, Zara, Roots, Payless, etc.) and is packed with shoppers on nice days. Much more shopping happens out of sight in the hundreds of small stores in the "Underground City".

  • 1 Eva B Cafe-Boutique, 2015 boul Saint-Laurent (at rue Ontario; metro Saint-Laurent), ☏ +1 514 849-8246, . M-W 10AM-6PM, Th-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 11AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Selections from local designers, vintage, and a bistro/bar thrown in for good measure. It's mostly just a thrift shop. $5 and up. 

Eat

Budget

  • 1 Café Presto, 1244 rue Stanley (between rue Sainte-Catherine and rue Cypress; metro Peel or Bonaventure), ☏ +1 514 879-5877. M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM and 4:30PM-9PM. The best downtown deal for a very inexpensive and very satisfying casual/cozy Italian fare (main courses are all $5.95. Calculate approximately $20 if you add a glass of wine and an espresso). Very busy during lunchtime on weekdays. Arrive before noon or after 1:30PM to avoid the longest lines. Cash only (no credit or debit cards, but there are a few ATMs on the same block). 
  • 2 Café Crystal, 1216 ave Union (between rue Cathcart and boul René-Lévesque; metro McGill or Square-Victoria), ☏ +1 514 866-3338. Light meals for breakfast and lunch. $5-7, close to the rue Sainte-Catherine shopping district. 
  • Cafe Dizengoff, 3460 rue Stanley (between ave Dr Penfield and rue Sherbrooke; metro Peel). Kosher cafe on the ground floor of the Hillel House, on the McGill campus. 
  • 3 Cao Thang, 1082 boul Saint-Laurent (between boul René-Lévesque and rue de la Gauchetière; metro Place-d'Armes or Saint-Laurent), ☏ +1 514 392-0097. Vietnamese sandwiches, snacks and sweets. A traditional Vietnamese pork roll is just $2.50. 

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

  • 1 SAT (Société des arts technologiques), 1201 boul Saint-Laurent (at place du Marché; metro Saint-Laurent), ☏ +1 514 844-2033, . M-F 5PM-10PM, Sa-Su various. This one-of-a-kind venue is supported by the province of Quebec and the federal government to display and promote digital art. With high ceilings and low couches, it has the feel of a funky, uber-hip techno club. In fact, there is quite a bit of great club music on weekend nights. But there's also fascinating computer art installations going on at all times, with some video and live performances. A great place to meet people in Montreal. $4.50 draft beer, $5 well drinks, $5-25 cover after 10PM. 
  • 2 Bar des Pins, 3714 ave du Parc (between ave des Pins and rue Léo Pariseau; metro Place-des-Arts), ☏ +1 514 845 6760. 5PM-3AM daily, sometimes closes earlier on weekdays. Blue collar bar invaded regularly by beer-pong-playing university students. Sells only cheap beer. Hottest night of the week is Tuesday. 
  • 3 Vinyl, 2109 rue de Bleury (between rue de la Concorde and rue Sherbrooke; metro Place-des-Arts). 8PM-3AM daily. Vinyl is a small, intimate club with frequent specials including $3 Rhum-n-Tings on Sunday nights and a diverse range of music from Reggae to Techno on different nights. Also, couches in the bathroom and an outdoor terrace around the back. $5 draft beer, $3 drink specials. 
  • 4 The Cock n' Bull, 1944 rue Sainte-Catherine ouest (at rue Towers; metro Guy-Concordia). Inexpensive pub with a small kitchen, live bands, a single pool table and a couple of active dart boards. Known for their cheap 4 Liters beer pitchers (16 $). Friendly and sociable, for the most part English-speaking patrons, from age 18 to 60. Arts and crafts on Monday nights! 
  • 5 McKibbin's Irish Pub, 1426 rue Bishop (between rue Sainte-Catherine and boul de Maisonneuve; metro Guy-Concordia), ☏ +1 514 288-1850. Being next door to Concordia University may or may not be a point in its favor, but there's no denying that this friendly pub is a great place for a pint. The food is above-average for a pub, too. McKibbin's is known for their ladies night every Wednesday with its all night open bar ($10 cover for girls and $25 cover for guys). 
  • 6 Hurley's, 1225 rue Crescent (between rue Sainte-Catherine and boul René-Lévesque; metro Lucien-L'Allier or Peel), ☏ +1 514 861-4111. Probably the best Irish pub in Montreal, with live traditional music every night and excellent food at fair prices. There's an upstairs for the busy nights, in addition to outdoor patios in the front and back. A part of the pub is non-smoking. Very cozy with a highly authentic feel and friendly professional staff. 
  • 7 Brutopia, 1219 rue Crescent (between rue Sainte-Catherine and boul René-Lévesque; metro Peel), ☏ +1 514 393-9277. Brewpub on the busy Crescent strip. English-speaking college crowd. 
  • 8 Peel Pub, 1196 rue Peel (at rue Cypress; metro Peel or Bonaventure), ☏ +1 514 844-7296. Montreal legend. Sports bar. Dirt cheap specials. Good time, particularly on $1 shooter Thursdays. 
  • 9 Reggie's Bar, 1455 boul de Maisonneuve ouest (inside the Henry F Hall Building between rue Mackay and rue Bishop; metro Guy-Concordia). Concordia University's bar. Features special Hockey nights, and cheap Thursday beer and shots (1$). Great part of student-life experience. 
  • 10 Le Vieux Dublin (The Old Dublin), 636 rue Cathcart (at rue University; metro McGill or Square-Victoria), ☏ +1 514 861-4448. 11:30AM-3AM daily. Don't let the Vieux Dublin sign outside fool you — this pub is not one bit Irish. There's not a lot of Emerald Island schlock around, but the pints are good, and home-style meals for lunch and dinner really hit the spot. There's live music on weekends on the minuscule stage, but during the week it's quiet and comfy. Staff is polite and nice. $6 draft beer. 

Sleep

Budget

  • 1 Abri du voyageur Hotel, 9 rue Sainte-Catherine ouest (between boul Saint-Laurent and rue Clark; metro Saint-Laurent), ☏ +1 514 849-2922, toll-free: +1-888-302-2922, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Charming hotel for budget-conscious travellers in the heart of Downtown Montreal. Renovated historical building recommended by many guides as an excellent value with a personal touch. $48-78 low season, $60-99 high season. 
  • 2 HI-Montréal (Auberge de jeunesse de Montréal), 1030 rue Mackay (at ave Overdale; metro Lucien-L'Allier), ☏ +1 514 843-3317, toll-free: +1-866-843-3317, fax: +1 514 934-3251, . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Friendly and helpful staff. Activities organized every day (pub crawls, bike tours, urban walks, etc.). Dormitories and private rooms. Dorms from $25.75 (HI member) $30 (non member), one and two bedrooms $65 (HI member) $75 (non member). 

Mid-range

  • 6 Marriott Residence Inn Montreal Downtown, 2045 rue Peel (between boul de Maisonneuve and rue Sherbrooke; metro Peel), ☏ +1 514 982-6064, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. In the heart of downtown Montreal with fully equipped kitchens and complimentary daily hot and cold buffet breakfast, Free WiFi access, rooftop terrace, laundry facility, friendly multi-lingual staff, $149+. 
  • Major hotel chains like Holiday Inn (155 boul René-Lévesque ouest) [1], and Delta Hotel (475 ave du Président-Kennedy) [2] have locations in the heart of downtown Montreal.
  • 7 Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth (Le Reine Elizabeth), 900 boul René-Lévesque ouest (between rue Mansfield and rue University; metro Bonaventure), ☏ +1 514 861 3511, toll-free: +1-866-540-4483. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Offering 1,037 rooms, of which 100 are suites. Comprises 50,000 sq.ft. of meeting space, a health club and an indoor pool, as well as three restaurants, Les Voyageurs lounge, Le Montréalais bistro-restaurant and Beaver Club. $129+. 
  • 8 Hotel Novotel Montreal Centre, 1180 rue de la Montagne (between boul René-Lévesque and rue Sainte-Catherine; metro Lucien-L'Allier or Peel), ☏ +1 514-861-6000. Located in the heart of the business centre of downtown Montreal, the Hotel Novotel Montreal Centre is within walking distance of shopping, restaurants, and old Montreal. 

Splurge

  • 9 Hotel (10), 10 rue Sherbrooke ouest (between boul Saint-Laurent and rue Clark; metro Saint-Laurent, bus 24 or 55), ☏ +1 514 843-6000, toll-free: +1-855-390-6787, fax: +1 514 843-6810. A modern hotel with great design. Ideally located near the hot spot boulevard Saint-Laurent. $200+. 
  • 10 Hotel Le Germain Montreal, 2050 rue Mansfield (at ave du Président-Kennedy; metro Peel), ☏ +1 514 849-2050. Montréal's trendy downtown district is home to Le Germain, a chic and intimate boutique-hotel designed for a hip clientele of leisure and business travelers. 
  • 11 Loews Hotel Vogue, 1425 rue de la Montagne (between rue Sainte-Catherine and boul de Maisonneuve; metro Peel), ☏ +1 514 285-5555, toll-free: +1-800-465-6654. Close to the corner of rue Sainte-Catherine in the centre of city's main shopping district. 
  • 14 Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, 1050 rue Sherbrooke ouest (at rue Metcalfe; metro Peel), ☏ +1 514 284-1110. This five-star, four-diamond luxury hotel is centered amongst fashionable boutiques, museums, fine dining, and the exciting nightlife of Montreal's chic rue Crescent. 

Connect

Go next

Routes through Downtown
Verdun ← Westmount ←  W Montreal Metro Line 1 Green E  → Quartier Latin-Le Village → East End
Saint-Laurent ← South West ←  W Montreal Metro Line 2 Orange E  → Old Montreal → Laval
Candiac ← Notre-Dame-de-Grâce ←  W AMT Candiac Line E  → END
Deux-Montagnes ← Côte-des-Neiges ←  W AMT Deux-Montagnes Line E  → END
Mascouche ← Côte-des-Neiges ←  N AMT Mascouche Line S  → END
END ←  W AMT Mont-Saint-Hilaire Line E  → Longueuil → Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Saint-Jérôme ← Notre-Dame-de-Grâce ←  N AMT Saint-Jérôme Line S  → END
Hudson ← Notre-Dame-de-Grâce ←  W AMT Vaudreuil–Hudson Line E  → END


This district travel guide to Downtown is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.


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