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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Montreal

36 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Montreal, Québec

Updated December 7, 2022

Unusual Attractions in Montreal

Montreal, Québec

Biosphere of Montreal

Designed by Buckminster Fuller, this relic of the 67 Expo survived fire and ice.

Montreal, Québec

Habitat 67

This 1967 experiment in modular architecture was designed to be a new model for urban living.

Montreal, Québec

Notre Dame Basilica

A grand Gothic Revival basilica with stained glass depictions of Montreal's religious history has only one soul resting in its crypt.

Montreal, Québec

Marché Jean-Talon

Montreal's giant farmer's market is a foodie's best friend, especially in the winter months.

Montreal, Québec

Redpath Museum

One of Canada's oldest museums, the beautiful Redpath has been serving up Natural History and Ethnography since 1882.

Montreal, Québec

Schwartz's

A Montreal deli that was so beloved that it was allowed to circumvent their laws of language.

Montreal, Québec

Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery

Canada's largest graveyard boasts a lot of noteworthy artifacts as well as its own computerized mapping service.

Montreal, Québec

The Murals on Saint Laurent Boulevard

Every year, the colorful murals of Montreal get a complete makeover.

See All 36 Things To Do in Montreal

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Montreal

Montreal, Québec

Marché Jean-Talon

Montreal's giant farmer's market is a foodie's best friend, especially in the winter months.

Montreal, Québec

Gibeau Orange Julep

The skyline of Montreal includes the silhouette of an unexpected fruit-shaped Canadian staple.

Montreal, Québec

Fletchers Espace Culinaire

The Jewish diaspora shares a menu at this museum café.

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Museums And Collections 4

Architectural Oddities 4

Sculpture Gardens 3

Unique Restaurants & Bars 2

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Stories About Montreal

The Twisty History of Montreal's Outdoor Staircases

Immigrants, artisans, economics, and the Catholic Church all played a role.

by Laura Kiniry

December 7, 2022

What Happened to Montreal’s Legendary Melon?

A medley of efforts, and one abbey's monks, may bring back the forgotten fruit.

Meet the Artist Making Fauna Out of Flora

Raku Inoue is now finding inspiration for his precise, ephemeral works in his backyard.

A Montreal Museum Café Digs Into the Foods of the Jewish Diaspora

At Fletchers, cookies and bagels come with a side of food history.

by Caitlin Stall-Paquet

December 18, 2019

A Kiln That Fired Millions of Clay Pipes Was Unearthed Under a Montreal Bridge

Archaeologists recently dug it up—but now they're putting an end to its brief affair with open air.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

December 2, 2019

Found: A New Ice Age Cave Network Below Montreal

Speleologists and cave enthusiasts are dying to see just how far it all goes.

by Vittoria Traverso

December 4, 2017

Destroyed by Fire in 1849, Canada's First Parliament Building Gives Up Its Secrets

Odor control was a significant concern.

by Vittoria Traverso

October 26, 2017

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