Montreal is a French-speaking cultural melting pot and an underrated tourist destination.
It has a vibrant art scene and gourmet food that even the French would be proud of, and it is home to a huge number of significant architectural landmarks.
And I’m not the only one to notice this fascinating destination.
Tourism figures in Montreal are up this year.
A press release from Tourisme Montreal said visitor numbers were up 4.8% compared to last summer, and there has also been a 7.7% increase in the number of American travelers.
Montreal is a year-round destination, but fall is an especially great time to visit.
Here’s why:
Cultural Attractions In Montreal
The cooler and more comfortable temperatures of fall are perfect for exploring big cities, getting lost in hidden alleyways, and wandering around popular attractions.
And when it comes to popular attractions in Montreal, you are really spoiled for choice.
One of the most iconic attractions is the Notre-Dame Basilica which is located in the historic Old Montreal district. This is an imposing neo-Gothic church and truly a visual feast.
Unlike many churches and cathedrals, you can’t actually enter this one for free unless you are attending daily mass or another service.
You’ll need to get a ticket which costs $16.00 CN ($11.60) for a sightseeing visit during the daytime.
If religious iconography is your thing, then your next stop should be Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, another Roman Catholic minor basilica and national shrine.
This is the tallest church in Canada, and unlike the Notre Dame Basilica, entrance is free.
For old-world charm, don’t miss Old Montreal.
This part of the city was founded by French settlers, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Paris because so much of the original French style and architecture remains.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is a great place to spend an afternoon.
It’s located on the historic Golden Square Mile (so right in the thick of things) and is Canada’s largest art museum.
One of my favorite things to do in any new city is to make a beeline for the most renowned art gallery, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is home to works by Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, and Rembrandt.
Adult admission costs $27 CN ($19.60) but anyone aged under 25 is free. Admission is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month.
Finally, although the Montreal Botanical Gardens are at their most beautiful during spring and summer, Fall is an excellent time to visit for the changing and then falling leaves.
Until October 31, you can visit the gardens at night for a Jardins de Lumiere (Gardens of Light) event.
This is a visually spectacular, immersive, light-up experience that is well worth seeing. Tickets cost $20.75 CN ($15) per person.
Events In Montreal This Fall
Because it’s such a bustling metropolis, there’s always something happening in Montreal. That’s why I like city breaks so much: you can never be bored!
The most exciting event (from my perspective at least) is the Kampai Montréal sake festival: the only one of its kind in Canada.
This takes place throughout October, and as the name suggests, it’s a festival dedicated to Japanese sake, meaning you can experience sake tastings and food pairings from Japanese restaurants across the city.
From October 9 to October 20 the incredibly popular Festival du Nouveau Cinéma will attract movie fans to the city.
This cinematic event screens over 200 works from 60 different countries and showcases both new and emerging talent.
Golf fans will descend on the city at the end of September. The PGA Presidents Cup will take place in Montreal from September 24 to September 29.
You have to buy separate tickets for each day of the tournament. I looked for tickets for the first day of the event (September 24) and general admission tickets are currently available for $63 CA ($46).
Getting To Montreal
Getting to Montreal is easy and affordable for American travelers this fall.
You can fly directly to Montreal from a whopping 29 different U.S. airports in October and November.
The 3 cheapest airports with direct flights for this October are Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and New York JFK.
Fly round trip from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal from October 3 – October 7 with Air Canada for $201. This flight will depart Fort Lauderdale at 8.25 pm and return at 7.15 am with a 3 hour 21 minute flight time.
From New York your cheapest flight will be on October 21 and return on October 28. This flight has just a 1 hour 32 minute flight time and a return flight with Air Canada will cost $211.
When you arrive in Montreal, it’s a very walkable city, and all of the main historical and cultural attractions are located relatively close together.
But if you don’t like the idea of walking or if your feet get tired, then the city also boasts an excellent bus and Metro system. Perhaps the best way to explore the city is by bike.
BIXI Montréal is a public bike-sharing system, making it easy to pick up a bike and get wherever you need to go with ease.
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