An introductory guided tour is often the best -- or, at least, most efficient -- way to begin exploring a new city and can certainly give you a good lay of the land and overview of Montréal's history. Tours take you past many of the attractions and can give you a better sense of which ones to spend time exploring.
For a complete listing of tour options, check under "Guided Tours" in the Montréal Official Tourist Guide, available at the downtown Infotouriste Centre at 1255 rue Peel (tel. 877/266-5687 or 514/873-2015; Métro: Peel).
Most land tours leave from the (recently relandscaped) Square Dorchester, right at 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 then 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): 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 11am, 2:30pm, and 4:30pm; for a 90-minute cruise at 12:30pm; and for a 3 1/2-hour dinner cruise at 7pm. The shallow-draft boat takes passengers on a route inaccessible by traditional vessels, passing under several bridges and providing sweeping views of the city, Mont Royal, and the St. Lawrence and its islands. Snacks are available onboard. The 60-minute tours cost C$24 adults, C$22 students and seniors 65 and older, C$12 children 6 to 14, free for children 5 and under. The 90-minute tour costs C$28 adults, C$26 students and seniors, and C$15 children 6 to 14. Dinner cruises, with menus prepared by the kitchen of Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth, cost from C$90, C$128, or C$153 per person, regardless of age, and reservations are essential (prices are higher Sat and the evenings of fireworks). The tours depart from the Jacques-Cartier Pier, opposite Place Jacques-Cartier.
- Croisières AML Cruises (tel. 800/563-4643 or 514/842-3871; www.croisieresaml.com): Options include a weekend brunch cruise that departs at 11:30am and lasts 1 1/2 hours for C$48 adults, C$46 students and seniors, C$28 children 6 to 16, and free for children 5 and younger. There are also 60- or 90-minute history trips throughout the day, as well as 4-hour "Love Boat" dinner cruises that depart at 7pm, 4 1/2-hour fireworks and buffet dinner cruises that depart at 7:30pm, and 3-hour "Latin Fiesta" dance parties that board at midnight. Call or check the website for prices and times. Boats depart from the King Edward Pier, in Vieux-Port.
- Croisière Historique sur le Canal de Lachine (tel. 514/283-6054; www.pc.gc.ca/canallachine): A leisurely Parks Canada trip up the Lachine Canal, which was inaugurated in 1824 so that ships could bypass the Lachine Rapids on the way to the Great Lakes. It's lined with 19th-century industrial buildings, many of which are being converted into high-end apartments. The 2-hour guided tours are on a glass-topped bateau-mouche, which hold up to 49 passengers. From mid-May to mid-June and early September to mid-October, departures are at 1 and 3:30pm on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; from late June to early September, departures are daily at 1 and 3:30pm. Phone reservations recommended. Fares are C$18 adults, C$15 children 13 to 17, C$11 children 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. Groups of 18 or more can charter 1- or 2-hour tours. Tours departs from a dock near the Marché Atwater farmer's market (Métro: Lionel-Groulx).
- Les Descentes sur le St-Laurent (tel. 800/324-7238 or 514/767-2230; www.raftingmontreal.com): Also provides hydro-jet rides on the white water. This departure point is a little closer to the rapids than the others, so a bit more of an adventure. Rafting and jet-boat options are available for C$41 and C$50 adults, C$35 and C$40 children 13 to 18, and C$24 and C$30 children 12 and under (though kids must be at least 6 years old to go rafting and at least 8 years old to go jet-boating). Reservations are required. Open daily from 9am to 5pm. (Métro: Angrignon. Bus: 110.)
- Les Sautes-Moutons (also known as Lachine Rapids Tours; tel. 514/284-9607; www.jetboatingmontreal.com): Provides an exciting -- and wet -- experience. Its wave-jumper powerboats take on the St. Lawrence River's roiling Lachine Rapids. The streamlined jet boat makes the 1-hour trip from May to mid-October daily, with departures every 2 hours from 10am to 6pm. It takes a half-hour to get to and from the rapids, which leaves 30 minutes for storming along the 2.4m to 3.7m (8- to 12-ft.) waves. Reservations are required. Plan to arrive 45 minutes early to obtain and don rain gear and a life jacket. Bring a towel and change of clothes, as you almost certainly will get splashed or even soaked. Fares are C$65 adults, C$55 children 13 to 18, C$45 children 6 to 12. Inquire about children 5 and under. The jet boats depart from the Clock Tower Pier (quai de l'Horlage) in Vieux-Port.
- Navettes Fluviales Maritime Shuttles (tel. 514/281-8000; www.navettesmaritimes.com): From Jacques-Cartier Pier in Vieux-Montréal to either Ile Ste-Hélène or Longueuil, these are much milder water voyages, but still offer great views. It's one way to begin or end a picnic outing or extend a bike ride beyond Old Montréal. Both ferries operate from mid-May to mid-October, with daily departures every hour in the high season, and cost C$5 per person. Your ticket stub gets you a discount at an array of partners, including the Biosphère and La Ronde amusement park.
Land Tours
Gray Line de Montréal (tel. 800/461-1223 or 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$45 for adults, C$41 for seniors and students, C$32 for children 5 to 11, or free for children 4 and under. 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. Departures are on the hour from 10am until 10pm June through September; and at noon, 2, 4, and 6pm in May and October. Fares are C$32 adults, C$29 seniors, C$25 students, C$18 children 6 to 12, and C$10 children 1 to 5. Reservations are required. The bus departs from the intersection of rue de la Commune and boul. St-Laurent.
Montréal's calèches (tel. 514/934-6105; www.calechesluckyluc.com) are horse-drawn open carriages whose drivers serve as guides. They operate year-round, and in winter, the horse puffs steam clouds in the cold air as the passengers bundle up in lap rugs. Reserved rides for up to four persons can be arranged from downtown for C$150 per hour and from Vieux-Montréal for C$125 per hour. During summer months, visitors can find the carriages waiting at Place Jacques-Cartier and rue de la Commune, and at Place d'Armes opposite Basilique Notre-Dame, where a 30-minute ride costs C$45 and an hour costs C$75. All of the guides speak French and English.
Walking & Cycling Tours
Guidatour (tel. 514/844-4021; www.guidatour.qc.ca) developed its walking tour of Vieux-Montréal in collaboration with the Centre d'Histoire de Montréal. The 90-minute circuit is conducted in English at 11am and 1:30pm daily in summer and costs C$20 for adults, C$18 for seniors and students, or C$11 for children 6 to 12; it's free for children 5 and under. Guidatour also offers a 3-hour bicycling tour in conjunction with Ça Roule/Montréal on Wheels that goes from Vieux-Port through the Latin Quarter, to Parc La Fontaine and then west to Parc du Mont-Royal, south through the business district, and back into Vieux-Montréal. The C$55 fee includes rental of a bike, helmet, and lock for the day. Tours are available daily from late June to early September, and Saturday and Sunday mid-May to mid-October. Tours start at 9am at the bike shop at 27 rue de la Commune est in Vieux-Port. Reservations are required.
