Image credit: Sean Bonner

With winter coming to an end and summer fast approaching approaching  it’s time to shed those winter layers and gear up for the new season, and what better place to buy the latest summer fashion than Montreal, A shoppers paradise. With over 1,200 up-scale stores, from the busy downtown street of Rue Ste- Catherine,lined with many trendy shops selling the latest fashions. with the Eaten Centre, Complexe Les Ailes, Les Cours Mont-Royal  all connected by Montreal’s famous underground city, Or if you are looking for something a little bit funkier you could  take a stroll out to Ave Mont Royal.

With countless stores’s in Montreal you are guaranteed to find something that matches your tastes, and if you are a more savvy shopper looking for even more bargains check out these great discounts and coupons for many popular Canadian retailers from Flipit to help you get the most out of your shopping experience.

9. Montreal Biodome,Botancial Gardens, Insectarium and planetarium

Image Credit: Muninn

The Montreal Biodome, is an indoor re-creation of many different ecosystems, From forests,Marine and arctic conditions, complete with fauna and many species of Penguins, Beavers,Puffins,Frogs,Snakes,Bats,Monkeys and many varieties of birds and fish. This is a great place to visit for both adults and kids alike. While your in the area don’t forget to pay Montreal’s planetarium and  stunning botanical garden’s a visit, with its 185 acres of stunning garden areas it is also home to the Insectarium, a museum dedicated entirely to bugs.

There are also amazing ticket options to see multiple attractions which will save you money.

8. Old Town and Old Port

Image Credit: dicktay2000

The old Town is the oldest area in Montreal with it’s cobblestone streets and buildings dating back 17th and 19th centuries, There are many restaurants, history museums and the historic Old Port, which is home to the Montreal science museum. If the science center isn’t  for you there are plenty of riverfront area’s to walk,cycle. You can even rent a quadricylce or segway and explore all the old port has to offer.

7. Visit the Notre Dame Basilica for it’s amazing sound and light show.

Image Credit: neilalderney123

This amazing church should be on everyone’s must see list. Located in the old town the best time to visit this Basilica is during the evening when there is a light show where visitors for a fee can experience a short multimedia history lesson, with it’s amazing visuals and sounds it surely is one of the more unique and interesting things to do in Montreal.

6. Visit The Many Museums

Image Credit: PnP!

If your after something a bit more arty, cultural, sciency or historical, then Montreal won’t disappoint, with over 11 museums ranging from The Musée d’Art Contemporain (contemporary art museum),To the most prestigious in the city “The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts“, Montreal Science Centre with its complex displays of technological and scientific wonders, McCord Museum of Canadian history where you can get a glimpse into national history, to the more hilarious “Just For Laugh’s Museum” guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. These are just a few of the many amazing museums Montreal has to offer.

For a more comprehensive list of Museums check out Montreal Museums official website.

5. Watch Some Street Performers

Image Credit: Ika-Ink

With countless festivals on throughout the summer month’s you’ll find no shortage of street performers of all kinds walking the downtown streets of Montreal, so take a stroll through the busy Place Des Arts and enjoy some street entertainment.

4. Grab a Bixi and go for a ride.

Image Credit: spcbrass

If your sick of walking around why not jump on one of the low cost public “BIXI” bikes, With dozens of stations where you can pickup and drop off the bike’s throughout the city, With prices starting at  a $5 one day fee for use of the bike on trips under 30 minute duration theres no excuse not to get yourself a set of wheels. So whether you want to take a ride through the busy city streets of Montreal or take a scene ride along the Quays in the Old Port and Lachine Canal, renting a bike is a great way to see the city.

3. Visit the Park Mount Royal and Tam Tam’s.

Image Credit: flowercat

Mount Royal park comes alive during the summer with outdoor volley ball, countless picnics and the famous Sunday drumming event called TamTams where thousand of drum players gather in big drum circles at the George-Étienne Cartier Monument. These festivities start at 1pm and continue till after sunset, As well as the drum circle there are many people relaxing in the sun, playing frisbee and selling local handicrafts at the markets near the monument. There is even some Larping further up in the woods if you fancy getting a little geeky.

2. Grab some of the local eats, Poutine and smoke meat.

After an exhausting day of exploring all of Montreal’s sights why not grab  some  French Canadian  food favorites. Poutine, made up of French fries, cheese curds and gravy is a Quebec specialty,  this artery exploding comfort food is guaranteed to satisfy the taste buds.If your looking for something a bit more carnivorous pick up some of Montreal’s famous Smoked Meat sandwiches at Schwartz Deli or one of the the many deli’s around town. With more than 6,000 restaurants, cafe’s and bistro’s, Montreal has the most restaurants per capita in all of North America ensuring you will find no shortage of choices.

If you want to find out more about how deliciously awesome Poutine is Check out my Foodgasm friday post all about Poutine

1. Enjoy the many festivals

Image Credit: Andos_pics

Montreal is a city of festivals, with over 90 festivals per year the majority of which are in the summer month’s, From the Montreal Jazz Festival  in late June/early July that attracts famous jazz players. To the world famous Just for Laughs comedy festival  in July with free street events, clowns,jugglers and much more, It also attracts world famous comedians such as John Cleese, Louis CK, Bill Cosby, Weird Al Yankovic and even the Muppets. And if all those festivals wasn’t enough entertainment, Montreal is also the home to Cirque Du Soleil one of the world’s most famous circus acts.

For events listings, visit the Tourisme Montréal website

With so many amazing things to do in montreal you can see why so many tourists flock to this great city.

What are your favorite things to do in Montreal?