Organized Tours in Montreal
An introductory guided tour is often the best—or, at least, most efficient—way to begin exploring a new city. It can certainly give you a good lay of the land and overview of Montréal’s history.
Most land tours leave from the Square Dorchester, right at the tourist office. Most boat tours depart from Vieux-Port (Old Port), 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:
Croisières AML Cruises (www.croisieresaml.com; tel 866/856-6668): One of the more popular cruise operators includes a weekend brunch cruise (C$53 for adults and 17 and older, C$31 children 6 to 16). There are also guided history trips throughout the day, as well as a fireworks cruise and gourmet dinner cruises. Tours are offered year round. Boats depart from the King Edward Pier, in Vieux-Port.
Le Bateau-Mouche (www.bateau-mouche.com; tel 800/361-9952 or 514/849-9952): An air-conditioned, glass-enclosed vessel reminiscent of those on the Seine in Paris, Le Bateau-Mouche plies the St. Lawrence River from mid-May to mid-October. 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. During the day, cruises run for 60 minutes and 90 minutes, with a 3 1/2-hour dinner cruise at 7pm. The 60-minute tours cost C$25 for adults, with each adult ticket including one children’s ticket. The tours depart from the Jacques-Cartier Pier, opposite Place Jacques-Cartier.
Les Sautes-Moutons (also known as Lachine Rapids Tours; www.jetboatingmontreal.com; tel 514/284-9607): These tours provide an exciting—and wet—experience. Operating from May through October, wave-jumper powerboats take on the St. Lawrence River’s roiling Lachine Rapids. The streamlined jet boat makes the trip in about an hour. 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 (8–12-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$67 adults, with discounts for children. Inquire about children 5 and under. The jet boats depart from the Clock Tower Pier (quai de l’Horloge) in Vieux-Port.
Navettes Fluviales Maritime Shuttles (www.navettesmaritimes.com; tel 514/281-8000): 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$7.50 per person (free for children 5 and under).
Land Tours
Gray Line (www.grayline.com/things-to-do/canada/montreal; tel 800/472-9546) offers commercial guided tours in air-conditioned motorcoach buses daily year-round. The basic city tour takes 3 1/2 hours and costs C$47 for adults and children 12 and over, C$31 for children 5-11. Tours depart from 1001 Dorchester Square in downtown. The motorcoach tours offer an option to pick you up at selected hotels. There’s also a shorter 2-hour “Hop-on-Hop-Off” tour on a London-style double-decker bus.
Walking & Cycling Tours
Guidatour (www.guidatour.qc.ca; tel 800/363-4021 or 514/844-4021) offers three tours that are about 90-minutes each: downtown, Vieux-Montréal east (including Notre-Dame Basilica), and Vieux-Montréal west (also including Notre-Dame). The downtown tour costs C$14 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors; the Vieux-Montréal tours cost C$23 for adults, with discounts for children and seniors. Guidatour also offers bicycle tours in conjunction with Ça Roule Montréal that go through different parts of the city. Rides last 3-6 hours, so although they’re described as “easy” tours, be sure you’re willing and able. The classic tour is C$65, which includes rental of a bike, helmet, and lock for the day. Tours start at the bike shop at 27 rue de la Commune est in Vieux-Port. Reservations are required and there’s a 5-person minimum.
Fitz & Follwell Co. (www.fitzandfollwell.co; tel 514/840-0739) also offers walking tours and bike tours, and throws in snowshoeing tours as well. The company's “Hoods & Hidden Gems” bike tour zips around Plateau Mont Royal, Mile End, and Little Italy, and includes stops for espresso and bagels. That 4-hour tour costs C$89 and includes a picnic lunch.
Food & Wine Tours
VDM Global (www.montrealfoodtours.com; tel 514/933-6674)offers three food-centered walking tours: “Flavours and Aromas of Old Montréal,” which focuses on the city’s French heritage (C$55); “A Foodie’s Tour of Little Italy,” which includes several restaurants as well as the Jean Talon market for the same price; and “Bar Hopping in Old Montréal,” which covers three locations on Friday evenings mid-May to mid-October (C$65). All tours are bilingual and the fees include food tastings.
If you have a car, the Route des Vins (Wine Route) is a pleasant driving tour of the vineyards of Québec. It’s in the Cantons-de-l'Est region, a pretty, rural region 103km (64 miles) southeast of Montréal.
