Five things you have to do on your next trip to Montreal

Montreal is one of the most interesting and culturally distinct cities in Canada.
Urban skyline, a point of view from the Saint Joseph Oratory...
Urban skyline, a point of view from the Saint Joseph Oratory... / Roberto Machado Noa/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

As a province, Quebec is quite a bit different than the rest of Canada in some ways. It's French roots have caused a distinct culture to develop, some of which is more in line with what you might find in parts of France. French being the primary language is definitely a big difference.

By far the most popular city in Quebec, not to mention one of the most popular destinations in Canada, Montreal has a lot of offer visitors. From the food to the music and beyond, there are definitely a few things you have to make sure you do when you're in town.

Eat great food

Exploring Montreal's Old World Charms
Exploring Montreal's Old World Charms / George Rose/GettyImages

There's a lot you could put first on a list like this for Montreal but food has to be number one. Montreal might have the most interesting, rich, and compelling food scene in Canada. And it's not just about poutine, which you should definitely have plenty of in Montreal. Some of Canada's best restaurants are here, many of which have deep roots in everything that makes this part of the country unique.

Explore the museums

Montreal is also home to a booming arts and culture scene. That includes major art museums like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts as well as a seemingly endless array of smaller or more focused galleries. There are also other incredible experiences, such as Pointe-a-Calliere, the Museum of Archaeology and History. It is the largest museum of its kind in Canada.

Wander the city

St. Joseph's Oratory
St. Joseph's Oratory / Douglas Keister/GettyImages

Some cities don't offer much when it comes to going for a walk. That is certainly not the case for Montreal. The city was founded in 1642, with some parts of it dating back to that era. Several neighborhoods have incredible architecture steeped in history. On top of that, there are numerous parks and green spaces to experience, particularly Space for Life.

Enjoy live music

Without a shadow of a doubt, live music is king in Montreal. From major concerts to bands playing in pubs, there is always a show to take in. The indie scene in Montreal is both prominent and well established, having been key to growing Canadian artists for decades. Montreal is the kind of city where you can take in jazz and punk within a couple of blocks.

Watch a hockey game

Patrik Laine
Washington Capitals v Montreal Canadiens / Minas Panagiotakis/GettyImages

Keeping in mind that lacrosse is the official national sport, Canada is synonymous the world over with hockey. Arenas for the sport can be found in the smallest of communities across the country. But there are few fan bases as passionate as the one that supports Montreal's NHL team, the Canadiens. This franchise has been around since 1909 and is one of the original NHL team. Go to a game.