20 Things to do in Montréal for $20 (or less)
Montréal is a creative and playful city. We are also an affordable destination, especially when compared with other cities across North America. Whether you’re a young student on a tight budget, a retiree wanting to stretch your travel dollars, or anywhere in between, here are 20 great activities to do in Montréal—all for $20 or less.
Yes, and… Improv!
Montréal Improv is a local organization dedicated to promoting the art of improv—and all forms of comedic expression! They have weekly shows, typically around $12 per ticket.
Take a spin
Montréal’s bikeshare system is called Bixi. It’s a perfect way to move from A to B around the city. One-way passes are $1.35 plus 20₵ / minute. It’s a low-cost option to explore the city!
Attend an arty film
Cinéma Moderne allows audiences to enjoy and discover a world of independent cinema in an intimate and warm environment. General admission is $15. Extra dollars to splurge? Buy a glass of wine or a bowl of popcorn from the bar to enjoy during the film.
Hit a high note
Do you have pipes like Céline? Johnny’s gravelly timbre? Love the classics? Live for a Top 40 singalong? There’s a place in Montréal to unleash your inner singer. As with many of karaoke bars, the only cost will be a beverage.
Chuckle for only a few buck(le)s
Montréal is a hotbed of hilarity. Many of the live stand-up comedy shows (in English!) happen at the ComedyVille and the Montréal Comedy Club—and they’re under $20 per ticket.
Taste the Mile End
Fairmont Street (between Rue St. Urbain and Blvd St. Laurent) features a handful of delightful—and affordable—food options. Mix and match to create your own tour: $5 all-beef salami from Wilenskys, $5 gnocchi from Drogheria Fine, $3 bagel with small cream cheese from Fairmont Bagel, or $5 for an ice cream at Kem CoBa. Bon appétit!
Take a kayak
Or a canoe. At H2O Adventures, rentals start at $20 for 30 minutes. Travelling with a friend? Great! Pool your money to make the experience last longer. Reserve on the website.
Visit one of the world’s most beautiful churches
It’s easy to feel a sense of wonderment among the stunning ceiling, wood carvings, stained glass windows, and massive organ of Notre-Dame Basilica. Entrance is $16 (with discounts for students and seniors).
Immerse yourself in the making of Montréal
The McCord Stewart Museum is a museum of social history that celebrates life in Montréal, past and present: its history, its people, its communities. Exhibitions vary. Tickets are $20 (with discounts for students and seniors).
Set sail for the islands
Each summer, river shuttles are available to transport both locals and visitors from Old Montréal to Île Sainte-Hélène (and a selection of other destinations). It’s the most affordable way to get on the St. Lawrence River. Standard rate is $6 per trip.
Get board
Board game café Randolph Pub Ludique has over 1,500 games to choose from. The $9 (plus tax) cover fee includes access to the game library and the animators for the entire evening. They also offer trivia nights.
Feel the rhythm
Montréal’s Nuits d’Afrique festival offers over 100 concerts, special activities and public workshops that highlight the glories of Africa. They also have a concert series throughout the year, where ticket prices start at just $10.
Honour the past
The Montréal Holocaust Museum tells the story of Jewish communities before, during, and after the Holocaust. Through the life stories of Montréal survivors, visitors are invited to reflect on the destruction engendered by prejudice, racism, and antisemitism. Tickets are $10.
Hit new heights
Opened in 2023, the 65-meter Port of Montréal Tower is the perfect place to see the city and watch the sunset. Learn about the city’s points of interest with viewfinders and listen to a symphonic sound installation. Entrance is $15.
Tour the underground art scene
The Montréal subway system is filled with public artwork made by some of the most iconic names in Québec culture. The cost? Just the price of a metro ticket. (Currently $3.75)
Go to the hospital
At the Musée des Hospitalières, you can learn about the history of medicine and nursing, the beginnings of Ville-Marie and the history of the first secular nurse in Canada. Entrance is $12 (with discounts for students and seniors).
Light a votive candle
Rising majestically above the cityscape, Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites with over 2 million visitors per year. Entrance is free. But bring $5 for a candle. Bonus tip: stay for the sunset.
Savour an ice cream (or hot chocolate) with a view of the city
At the top of Mount Royal, the Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout affords a breathtaking vista of downtown Montréal and the Monteregian Hills in the distance. A food counter located in the adjacent chalet offers hot and cold beverages, soft-serve ice cream, and a variety of homemade snacks to enjoy.
Slot in some fun
With five floors of gaming, restaurants, bars and a cabaret hall, the Casino de Montréal delivers entertainment and excitement year-round. Entrance is free. But with $20, who knows what could happen?
Stroll in a gorgeous garden
Château Ramezay was selected by a team of experts—in collaboration with UNESCO—as one of the 1001 historic sites you must see before you die. Bonus: you’ll also learn about history and you could visit their beautiful gardens! Admission is $14.50.
Become a local
The MEM (Centre des mémoires montréalaises) offers a glimpse into the lives and stories of Montrealers. The museum opens at the end of 2023. Admission is $15.50 (with discounts for students and seniors).
Daniel Baylis
Daniel Baylis is a writer, poet, and musician. Several years ago he moved to Montréal to chase silly bohemian dreams. And he’s still at it.
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