Free and Cheap Things to Do in Montreal

With five pavilions featuring Québec and Canadian art, ancient and modern international art, decorative arts and design and more, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts is a must for art lovers visiting the city. If your trip includes the first Sunday of the month, you're in luck—admission is free, and it's always free for kids up to age 20. On Wednesdays after 5 p.m., admission is half price for the museum's major exhibition.

Escape into nature along miles of scenic trails that wind throughout Mont-Royal Park and lead up to lookouts offering spectacular views of the surrounding city. A welcome center on the ground level of Smith House (1260 Remembrance Rd.) offers information about the park as well as an exhibit about the history of the mountain. If you're not up for a hike to the summit, take advantage of one of several bus routes that travel to the welcome center throughout the day.

Graffiti is celebrated as an art form in Montréal—in fact, the city holds an annual festival in June that brings artists from around the world to create murals at intersections along St. Laurent Boulevard. This is the city’s main drag, dividing east and west, and it’s lined with shops and restaurants that are fun to check out as you look for the giant, colorful works of art between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal avenues.

Strolling along the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal is an essential experience during a trip to this destination. Dating back to the 17th century, it's filled with historical buildings, museums, cozy restaurants and quaint shops. Pro tip: Don't drive here; parking is scarce. Instead, take the metro and be sure to stop by the tourism office (174 rue Notre-Dame Est) for a map of a self-guiding tour so you don't miss any key attractions. Free guided tours are available from Free Montréal Tours; phone (514) 613-1940.

The Redpath Museum is a fascinating natural history museum on the McGill University campus. The unique Greek Revival building houses one of the oldest museums in Canada, and displays a vast collection ranging from dinosaur skeletons and ancient sea creatures to Egyptian mummies. Admission is by voluntary donation, and children and students are admitted free.

Said to be the largest shrine in the world dedicated to St. Joseph, this Catholic sanctuary sits atop Mont Royal and offers spectacular panoramas from its front steps. The grounds feature the Garden of the Road of the Cross as well as a forest preserve. Inside, you'll find a votive chapel with thousands of candles, and for a $4 admission fee, visit a museum featuring nativity scenes from around the world as well as works reflecting the religious heritage of Québec.

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