Whether you’re a student from out of town, a tourist, or even a lifetime resident, Montreal has plenty to offer, and many of its best sights are off the beaten path. The Tribune has compiled a list of hidden gems across the island to help you elevate your weekends and get out into parts of the city you might not have explored before.
Tucked away along the shorelines of the Saint Lawrence River, this old part of the city is relatively unknown to travellers and residents alike. From the cobblestone streets to the narrow alleyways, the Old Port feels like a little slice of Europe hidden on this side of the Atlantic. Getting to the area can be a bit tricky; when the metro was constructed in the 1960s, the city purposefully avoided naming the area’s stations anything obvious like “Old Port” as they feared doing so would bring in too much attention. The signage can be confusing as it’s written in some obscure local dialect called “français,” so keep an eye out for “Vieux-Port.”
Most McGillians go about their daily lives not knowing that one of Canada’s tallest mountains is quietly nestled right behind the university. After having been scammed by Desjardin’s Aurora Borealis, students are quick to dismiss the tall structure as another corporate misdirection. Finding your way up this hill—nay, mountain—can be a challenge, but the views from the top are well worth it. Where most students fail is that on their walk up McTavish, they get distracted by the prospect of a cold beer at Gerts or Thomson House—power through until you find a staircase across the street from that random law building. An expert tip: It’s a long walk, so pack your school bag with at least 10 litres of water.
Only the longest-tenured of Montreal residents know about this hidden gem. It features stunning buildings dating back over 150 years, lush greenery, lusher asbestos, and a scale replica of the Death Star from Star Wars, known by locals as Burnside. During the hustle and bustle of everyday life, McGill University’s campus offers an ideal spot for a quick repose, unless, for some reason, the place actually causes you stress—but I doubt that’s the case for anyone.
Tourists and students don’t assume that Montreal has a world-class shopping street to rival the famous Fifth Avenue, Bond Street, or Rodeo Drive, and they’re right. However, Montreal has its own, much lesser-known, approximation of those famous streets. Often referred to as “The Place with the Construction” or “Where the Zara is,” this commercial artery has been essential in keeping the consumerist nature of Montrealers alive for decades.
Some boroughs, like Anjou, Pointe-Claire, and Saint-Léonard, are world-renowned for their beautiful landscapes, jaw-dropping architecture, and fantastic coffee culture. But some Montrealers know that the smaller, quieter borough of the Plateau-Mont-Royal is a great alternative due to its proximity to downtown. According to legend, the area is home to some great hole-in-the-wall restaurants, including Schwartz’s Deli, La Banquise, and Au Pied du Cochon. Due to the high student population, it can be very quiet on Friday nights and weekends, as most are at home studying or resting for a hard week ahead.
If visiting the Katy Freeway or Interstate-10 is high up on your bucket list, a visit to Decarie Expressway is sure to tickle your fancy. Constructed in the mid-1950s, this autoroute has become a beloved part of many Montrealers’ morning routines. Astute fans of design will marvel at its trenched structure, which helps concentrate the car fumes. After a quick southbound stroll, you’ll reach the Turcot Interchange, a reconstruction so faithful to the planning policies of the 1950s that you’ll be shocked to find out it’s not even a decade old. Montrealers who know about this hidden gem love to perch themselves on the narrow sidewalks for hours to watch the cars go by.
