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Arsenal
For over a century, 2020 Rue William was the location of the Marine Works shipyard. Nowadays, the industrial complex is a groundbreaking gallery, which hosts exhibitions of works by Canadian and international contemporary artists in an 80,000-square-foot space. The vast venue houses an exhibition room, commercial gallery, studio and private collection, and has been host to events like Sotheby’s auction previews and Montreal Fashion Week shows.
Biodome
Housed in a former Olympic stadium, the Biodome is an iconic Montreal attraction and a must visit for families. The sprawling complex is divided into four exhibits, each dedicated to one of the ecosystems found in the Americas (Tropical forest, Laurentian forest, Saint Lawrence Marine Eco-system, Polar). Animals roam each habitat, but the penguins in the Polar facility are a highlight, especially for younger children.
Bota Bota
Set in a refurbished ferryboat docked at the Old Port, Bota Bota is a Scandinavian-inspired spa that champions the health benefits of its Water Circuit. The treatment has spa-goers alternate between hot and cold plunge pools and sauna and steam rooms with the aim of improving circulation and eliminating toxins. While one can simply enjoy the benefits of the pools and the stunning views of the St. Lawrence River, the spa menu offers traditional services like massages, manicures and facials for those looking for a more pampering experience.
Note: Bota Bota does not permit children under the age of 18.
Indagare Tours: Food Tour
Montreal has a long culinary tradition and was the birthplace for many dishes that are now found around the world. Among the “Montreal-style” offerings the city is known for are bagels, smoked meat, poutine and nearly every itieration of foie gras. A food tour of the Mile End neighborhood hits all the classic spots, but tours of the Atwater and Jean-Talon markets can also be arranged to sample regional specialties like maple butter and cheese curds. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange this tour.
Indagare Tours: Ghost Tour
Old Montreal transforms at night, when its cobblestoned streets are quiet and deserted, populated mostly by group ghost tours discovering the secrets and mysteries of the historic city. From haunted buildings to the abodes of notorious criminals, these guided tours are a spooky delight for the whole family. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange this tour.
Indagare Tours: Mile End
Fuse New York City’s West Village with Brooklyn, and you might get something akin to Montreal’s vibrant Mile End neighborhood. Artistic and youthful, the area northeast of downtown is one of the city’s most lively. This is mainly due to the lighthearted spirit that floats throughout the hip coffee shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques and intimate restaurants that line Mile End’s leafy streets. A number of Montreal’s most iconic restaurants are located here, and a food tour is a fun way to explore the diverse neighborhood. Indagare members can contact the Bookings Team to arrange this tour.
Mont-Tremblant
Montréal Botanical Garden
Covering 190 acres, the Montreal Botanical Garden boasts an incredibly diverse array of flora, making it one of the most important gardens in the world. The National Historic Site of Canada was founded during the Great Depression with the goal of saving endangered species and educating the public about botany. Today, the sprawling complex features a number of thematic gardens (Japanese, Alpine, Chinese and more) as well as a greenhouse with plants from all over the world.
Montreal Contemporary Art Museum (MAC)
Situated on the bustling Place des Arts, MAC showcases its collection of nearly 7,600 contemporary art pieces alongside temporary exhibitions. Expect to see strong showings by artists from Montreal, Québec and the rest of Canada next to global heavy hitters from the past 40 years. While smaller and more focused than the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, MAC is a must-visit for those looking to explore the local and national art scene.
Montreal International Jazz Festival
Montreal lays claim to the worlds largest jazz festival, an annual mid-summer event that usually draws roughly 3,000 musicians from all over the world. Concerts run nearly continuously during the ten-day festival, most of which are free to the public.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Montreal’s largest museum encompasses five pavilions and has a permanent collection with roughly 40,000 works. Despite its name, the museum does not only support the fine arts (as was the case until the mid 20th century), but all forms of art, including archaeology and photography.
Notre Dame Basilica
One of the most dramatic examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the world, the Notre Dame Basilica, a National Historic Site of Canada, features as opulent an interior as exterior. Immaculately detailed, the basilica is awash in colors, with a bright blue ceiling and stained glass scenes depicting key moments in Montreal’s religious history.
Parc du Mont Royal
At nearly 500 acres, Montreal’s largest park may not rival the size of New York’s Central Park (842 acres), but it does boast beautiful trails and look-out spots, including the Chalet du Mont Royal, which also houses a nice museum focused on Montreal history. It’s a lovely retreat from the city, and on a clear day, you can see miles from the summit. Incidentally, the park does share something with its NYC counterpart: the original Mont Royal was also designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (though most of his plans never came to fruition due to a city-wide depression shortly thereafter). One of the most scenic paths is named after the landscaping genius.
PHI Centre
Dedicated to all things creative, PHI Centre bills itself as a gathering space for art. The versatile gallery assigns floors different objectives, be it recording or filmmaking. The rooftop terrace offers great views of Old Montreal. Check the schedule for the current listing of concerts.
Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium
Located within the same complex as the Biodome, the space age–style Planetarium offers an interactive experience for visitors with cutting-edge astronomy equipment and two theaters. The museum was opened in 2013 after the city’s previous Planetarium closed, and features a streamlined, eco-friendly design.
The Biosphere
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