For families looking for an activity to keep their children busy, for friends wishing to celebrate a group member's birthday or simply to spend quality time with your sweetheart, you will certainly find something to do in Montreal.

We have listed for you the attractions or events likely to please the greatest number of people.

Moreover, it could not be better completed than by an outing to a restaurant. Whether before going to the event or to conclude the day of activities, a meal in good company is ideal and several options are available to you, particularly in Montreal.

There are tons of bring your own wine restaurants in Montreal, great for saving on the bill while having a drink with your meal, and also restaurants with delivery in Montreal if, by chance, you’re spending the night at a hotel and don’t want to get out from under the covers!

So, what can we do in Montreal to have a good time? Here are our suggestions!

Bell Centre

One of the busiest amphitheatres in the world, the Bell Centre is stormed by Montreal Canadiens fans and music fans alike. Every NHL season, the Bell Centre hosts at least 50 hockey games, and sometimes more if the team's journey is longer on the way to the Stanley Cup.

Between each game, where more than 20,000 spectators cram into the stands to cheer on their Glorieux, world-class shows are presented.

Francos

At the end of June, with summer vacation just around the corner, the Francos steal the show in the Quartier des Spectacles, in the heart of Montreal.

For over 35 years now, the Francos have been celebrating French-language music by presenting artists for all tastes and from all over the world. There will definitely be a show for you in the current edition's lineup.

Jazz Festival

Just a few days after the Francos, the Montreal Jazz Festival is once again rocking the streets of the Quartier des Spectacles.

There are many ways to attend the performances: free shows on outdoor stages or paid shows presented in venues.

OSHEAGA

After Francophone music and jazz, tourists then flock to Île Sainte-Hélène for the famous OSHEAGA festival. This one-weekend-only event, perfect for attending with friends, has attracted a record number of spectators at each edition since its inception.

For three days, nearly a hundred shows are scheduled on one of the many outdoor stages. The enchanting setting of Île Sainte-Hélène, which offers a glimpse of downtown Montreal and its majestic buildings, in addition to the musical notes, literally makes the atmosphere explode.

ÎLESONIQ

The ÎLESONIQ festival is also presented on Île Sainte-Hélène and showcases electronic dance music artists. The event has been held on Saturdays and Sundays in mid-August since 2016.

The sound systems make the music resonate throughout the ÎLESONIQ site and backstage visual aids and explosive pyrotechnic effects will amaze you.

Piknic Électronik

Electronic music fans can feast their ears all summer long at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

From May to October, every Sunday, bands take to the stage to perform their compositions and provide spectators with an immersive and friendly social experience.

Every year for over 15 years, Piknic Électronik Montréal has established itself as a flagship event on the Montréal summer cultural circuit.

Formula 1 Grand Prix

Presented on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit since the 1970s, the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix thrills the city of Montreal for a long week at the very beginning of summer. Several groups of friends get together annually just to attend and tourists flock in large numbers to see their favourite driver in action.

But above all, they spend a lot in local businesses, leaving very significant economic spinoffs for the restaurant industry, among others.

Omnium Banque Nationale

Every summer, Jarry Park welcomes the best tennis players, or best female players, depending on the year, in the world. Another international-caliber event that draws people in large numbers.

This ATP or WTA tournament usually brings together the biggest names in the sport. Every year, a local player makes his or her way to the main draw and makes the crowd on the center court dream.

Casino de Montréal

For over 30 years, the Casino de Montréal has been the place to be for a fun-filled evening. You can sit down at the gaming tables or slot machines, watch shows, have a drink in one of the bars or grab a bite to eat in one of the restaurants inside the Casino itself.

Located in Parc Jean-Drapeau, across from the Old Port of Montreal and directly in the building that housed the French pavilion during the 1967 World's Fair, the Casino de Montréal is ranked among the largest in the world.

La Ronde

Thrill-seekers meet up every season at La Ronde, whether they are small or large, young or old. Dozens of rides will make them experience all kinds of emotions, it's guaranteed.

Some rides are reserved for older children, like the Monstre and other thrill rides like the Boomerang, the Catapult or the Goliath.

Fortunately, many others are suitable for the whole family. If you have young children, they will also have fun in the section reserved for toddlers.

Biodôme

The ultimate family attraction in Montreal is without a doubt the Biodôme. Open year-round, the Biodôme will introduce you to the five ecosystems of the Americas and allow you to observe its animals and plants.

There is the Tropical Rainforest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which immerses you in the heart of Quebec marine life, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Labrador Coast and the Subantarctic Islands.

Planetarium

Right next door, the Planetarium offers something different from the Biodôme, but which will please families just as much. Here, astronomy is combined with science and art. There are two large dome-style movie theaters with 360° screens.

Various exhibitions are presented throughout the year and touch on observing the sky, the cosmos, the planets, etc.

Cosmodôme

Let's stay in the cosmic universe and activities for the whole family. Even though the Cosmodome is a little further than the Biodome or the Planetarium, it is worth the trip.

You will learn more about space and space exploration by boarding an immersive mission. Interactive exhibits will allow you to learn more about the most recent discoveries.

Botanical Garden

Let's go back to the east of the city of Montreal, where the Botanical Garden, one of the largest in the world, offers several events, exhibits and days of activities throughout the year, around plants from most regions of the world.

On this vast 75-hectare site, there are a total of ten exhibition greenhouses that can be visited, as well as three cultural gardens, the Maison de l'arbre Frédéric-Back and more than fifteen thematic gardens.

For sports enthusiasts

The last two events we want to tell you about concern sports enthusiasts. These are the Beneva Marathon and the Tour de l’Île.

The Beneva Montreal Marathon has been around since 1993 and always takes place at the end of September. On the official Sunday, running enthusiasts can choose between a 42.2 km course, the real marathon distance, or the 21.1 km.

On Saturday, smaller races are on the program: 10 km for the benefit of the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, the 5 km or the 1 km. These events are perfect for newcomers or families.

If you prefer to cover long distances by bike, you can opt for the Tour de l’Île or the Tour la nuit, which offer a safe ride through the streets of Montreal without cars.