Organized Tours

An introductory guided tour is often the best -- or, at least, most efficient -- way to begin explorations of a new city. Even a mediocre tour with a guide can give you a good lay of the land and overview of Montréal's history. You'll also pass many of the attractions listed in this guide and get a better sense of which you will want to spend more time exploring on your own.

For a complete listing of tours and tour operators, check under "Guided Tours" in the annually revised Montréal Tourist Guide, available at the downtown Infotouriste Centre at 1255 rue Peel (tel. 877/266-5687 or 514/873-2015; Métro: Peel). Most of the land tours leave from the Square Dorchester, just around the corner from the tourist office. Most boat tours depart from Vieux-Port (Old Port), at the waterfront bordering Vieux-Montréal. There's parking at the dock, or take the Métro to the Champ-de-Mars or Square Victoria station and walk toward the river.

Boat Tours

Among numerous opportunities for experiencing Montréal and environs by water, here are a few of the most popular:

Le Bateau-Mouche (tel. 800/361-9952 or 514/849-9952; www.bateau-mouche.com) is an air-conditioned, glass-enclosed vessel reminiscent of those on the Seine in Paris. It plies the St. Lawrence River from mid-May to mid-October. Cruises depart for 60-minute excursions at 1:30pm, 3pm, and 4:30pm; for a 90-minute cruise at 11:30am; and for a 3 1/2-hour dinner cruise at 7pm (boarding at 6:30pm). The shallow-draft boat takes passengers on a route inaccessible by traditional vessels. It passes under several bridges and provides sweeping views of the city, Mont-Royal, and the St. Lawrence and its islands. Daytime snacks are available onboard. The 60-minute tours cost C$21 (US$18/£9.05) adults, C$19 (US$17/£8.15) students and seniors, C$11 (US$9.60/£4.75) children 2 to 12. The 90-minute tour costs C$25 (US$22/£11) adults, C$23 (US$20/£9.90) students and seniors, and C$11 (US$9.55/£4.75) children 6 to 16. Dinner cruises, with meals prepared by the kitchen of the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, cost C$84 or C$149 (US$73 or US$130/£36 or £64) and reservations are essential. The tour departs from the Jacques-Cartier Pier, opposite Place Jacques-Cartier.

Croisières AML Cruises (tel. 800/563-4643 or 514/842-3871; www.croisieresaml.com) also travels the harbor and the St. Lawrence. The boats depart up to seven times a day, with options for a 1 1/2-hour sightseeing tour, 4-hour "Love Boat" dinner cruise, and 3-hour Latin Fiesta dance parties that leave at midnight. Fares, not including dinner, are C$26 to C$42 (US$23-US$37/£23.£18) adults, C$24 to C$39 (US$21.US$34/£10.£17) students and seniors, C$13 to C$28 (US$11.US$24/£5.60.£12) children 6 to 16. The tour also departs from the Jacques-Cartier Pier, opposite Place Jacques-Cartier.

Croisière historique sur le canal de Lachine (tel. 866/846-0448 or 514/846-0428) is a leisurely Parks Canada trip up the Lachine Canal, which was inaugurated in 1824 so ships could bypass the Lachine Rapids on the way to the Great Lakes. The canal was reopened for recreational use in 1997 after much renovation, and is lined with 19th century industrial buildings, many of which are being converted into high-end apartments. The guided tours, which take 1 to 2 hours, are by a glass-topped bateau-mouche, which carries up to 49 passengers. From May 20 to June 23 and early September to mid-October, departures are at 1 and 3:30pm on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; from late June to early September daily departures are at 1 and 3:30pm. Reservations required. Fares are C$17 (US$15/£7.20) adults, C$14 (US$12/£5.90) seniors and students, C$9.75 (US$8.50/£4.20) children, and C$42 (US$37/£18) families. The tour departs from a dock near the Marché Atwater farmer's market (Métro: Lionel-Groulx).

Les Sautes-Moutons (tel. 514/284-9607; www.jetboatingmontreal.com) is the option you want if you're looking for an exciting -- and wet -- experience. Their wave-jumper powerboats take on the roiling Lachine Rapids of the St. Lawrence River. The streamlined hydrojet makes the 1-hour trip from May to mid-October daily, with departures every 2 hours from 10am to 6pm. It takes half an hour total to get to and from the rapids, which leaves 30 minutes for storming up the river. Reservations are required, and plan to arrive 45 minutes early to obtain and don rain gear and a life jacket. Bringing a change of clothes is a good idea, because you almost certainly will get splashed or even soaked through. Fares are C$60 (US$52/£26) adults, C$50 (US$44/£22) ages 13 to 18, C$40 (US$35/£17) children 6 to 12. Boats depart from the Clock Tower Pier (Quai de l'Horloge; Métro: Champ-de-Mars).

Les Descentes sur le St-Laurent (tel. 514/767-2230; www.raftingmontreal.com) is another organization that provides hydro-jet rides on the rapids several times a day, 7 days a week from May to September. This operation is a little farther out than the others, so a little bit more of an adventure. Trips take 75 minutes and cost C$48 (US$42/£21) for adults, C$38 (US$33/£16) ages 13 to 18, C$28 (US$24/£12) for ages 8 to 12. Take to Métro to the Angrignon station and take bus no. 110, or pick up a free shuttle at the downtown Infotouriste Centre at 1255 rue Peel (Métro: Peel). Reservations are required.

The ferry (tel. 514/281-8000; www.navettesmaritimes.com) from Jacques-Cartier Pier in Vieux-Montréal to Ile Ste-Hélène is a much milder water voyage, but one that still offers great views. It's a great way to begin and end a picnic outing or visit to the old fort at Musée David M. Stewart or La Ronde Amusement Park. The ferry operates from mid-May to mid-October, with daily departures every hour in the high season, and costs C$4.50 (US$3.90/£1.95).

Land Tours

Gray Line de Montréal (tel. 514/934-1222; www.coachcanada.com) offers commercial guided tours in air-conditioned buses daily year-round. The basic city tour takes 3 hours and costs C$36 (US$31/£16) for ages 12 and up, C$30 (US$26/£13) ages 5 to 11. Tours depart from 1255 rue Peel in downtown.

Amphi-Bus (tel. 514/849-5181; www.montreal-amphibus-tour.com) is something a little different: It tours Vieux-Montréal much like any other bus, until it waddles into the waters of the harbor for a dramatic finish. Reservations are required; check the website for current times, prices, and departure sites.

Montréal's romantic calèches (tel. 514/934-6105; www.calechesluckyluc.com) are horse-drawn open carriages whose drivers serve as guides. These carriages operate year-round. In winter some steeds are hitched to old-fashioned sleighs for a ride around Parc Mont-Royal, the horses puffing steam clouds in the cold air, the passengers bundled in lap rugs. Carriages also depart from Square Dorchester in downtown and, in Vieux-Montréal, Place Jacques-Cartier and rue de la Commune, and Place d'Armes opposite the Notre-Dame Basilica.

Walking & Cycling Tours

Walking tours of Vieux-Montréal, the underground city, or any other section that piques interest are available through Guidatour (tel. 514/844-4021; www.guidatour.qc.ca), which developed its circuit in collaboration with the Centre d'Histoire de Montréal.

Bicycling tours from 1 1/2 hours to 4 hours in length are available from CaRoule/Montréal on Wheels (tel. 514/866-0633; www.caroulemontreal.com). Located at 27 rue de la Commune est in Vieux-Port, CaRoule also rents bikes.

If you're interested primarily in the city's architecture, landscaping, and urban planning, Heritage Montréal (tel. 514/286-2662; www.heritagemontreal.qc.ca) conducts most of its "Architectours" on foot or on bicycles, and in French and English. Heritage Montréal's summer schedule generally begins in mid-June and goes until late September, but check with them for a current schedule.