What to do in Montreal (Source: Pixabay.com)

There’s nothing necessarily wrong with visiting the most touristy places a city has to offer. However, if you have been to the city before or if you aren’t too fond of crowds, then tourist traps are something you’d want to avoid. 

Montreal has certain destinations that are considered a must-see for first-time visitors. These include Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame Basilica and Mount Royal. 

But Montreal is a large 400-year-old city with far more places to see and experience. There are numerous opportunities to have a more authentic feel of the city. While the popularity of touristy places has been fueled by the need for people to share their vacation experience on social media platforms like Instagram, off-the-beaten-path trips will often deliver memories you’ll cherish for years to come. 

Here’s a look at some of the exciting places in Montreal that are waiting for you to explore them. It’s important to note that given these destinations are off the beaten path, you are probably better off going with car rental as your primary means of transportation. Montreal has numerous car rentals you can choose from but globecar.com stands out for its price guarantee that promises to match any competitor’s rate and even offer a further 5% discount.

Village au Pied-du-Courant

Like many cities that have been existence for hundreds of years, Montreal is constantly exploring ways it can revitalize its old features. Along the St Lawrence River in the shadow of the iconic Jacques Cartier Bridge is one such place. 

It’s an artificial sandy beach and temporary boardwalk circled by shipping crates put up each summer. Known as the Village au Pied-du-Courant, it’s a place to shop, eat, dance, watch fireworks, enjoy a movie or sit back and observe as the boats on the river pass by. 

Leonard Cohen’s Home

Leonard Cohen was a legendary poet and songwriter who passed away in 2016. His gray stone house in the Plateau neighborhood is on 28 Vallières Street and sits across the Portugal Park. It has been transformed into a memorial of sorts. His most ardent fans pay tribute by leaving behind artwork or lighting candles.

While a plaque hasn’t been installed just yet, feel free to grab a photo of the home as a souvenir or better yet, leave a note. To catch a glimpse of the life the man lived, enjoy breakfast at the Bagel across the street, one of his more regular haunts.

St. Michael Flea Market

At 3250 Cremazie Boulevard East, this giant flea market opens on Friday through Sunday. It’s a paradise for antique and bargain hunters. The St. Michael Flea Market is a must-see for any off-the-beaten-path shopping experience in Montreal. With two floors of merchandise, you can find everything from furniture and hockey cards, to television sets and old VCR tapes. 

Some of the market’s vendors have been here for decades and, in the process, accumulated an impressive array of stuff that is hard to come by today in conventional stores. In fact, when walking through the market, you might have an overwhelming feeling that you are on the verge of discovering a rare hidden treasure.

Jean-Talon Market

The Jean-Talon Market is one of Montreal’s oldest public markets and among the largest in North America. Situated in Little Italy, it has a family-friendly and village-like air that would almost feel out of place in a big city. Thanks to its nearly 90-year history, it’s a place where generations of customers and merchants have grown up. 

The Jean-Talon Market not only stands out due to the sheer number of shopkeepers but their diversity. From butchers to bakers, fishmongers to grocers, you can count on finding the freshest and best quality produce in Montreal. Open all year round, there’s something for every taste and occasion.

Jacques-De-Lesseps Observatory Park

Montreal’s main airport is in suburban Dorval, which isn’t too far from the city’s downtown. A quick car or bus ride will get you there. For this reason, a park was built in Dorval’s Jenkins Avenue to cater to people who are keen on seeing planes land and takeoff. 

With benches carefully placed to help you watch the planes, the Jacques-De-Lesseps Observatory Park is a popular spot with novices and seasoned aviation enthusiasts alike.

Alley Cat Gallery NDG

This is one of the more hidden sights in Montreal, which is actually a shame because the gallery is unlike any you’ll see in the city. Sitting in a small alley on Sherbrooke Street West, the outdoor gallery is dominated by uplifting and quirky cat-centric street art. 

Founded by John Jordan to counter the proliferation of graffiti, today a life-sized photo of Humber the Tabby watches over the alley’s masterpieces, which include cartoons, portraits, and a Godzilla-battling heroic cat – all donated by the local community.

Never Apart Gallery

In the trendy Mile-Ex neighborhood is the non-profit, multi-purpose arts and culture space that is the Never Apart Gallery. Its overall theme is centered around bridging gaps within the community and creating spaces that foster creativity and acceptance. Though it features a regular rotation of exhibits, the offerings are interactive and unique. 

Quirky pop art, a piano that lights up when played, a painting projecting patterns and sound on a canvas, a meditation room with the ambiance of a sun-soaked field, an orbiting moon in a darkroom that models space, and a laser show featuring smoke and aluminum foil, are some of the things that make the gallery a great place to visit.

St. Leonard Cavern

The summer creates an opportunity for Montrealers and visitors alike to enter a 10,000-year-old cave tucked away in the otherwise ordinary-looking Pie XII children’s park. It’s located in the St. Leonard neighborhood. Getting into the caves is a bit of a tight fit. But the squeeze is worth it, as it provides a glimpse into an era that existed long before the dawn of human civilization. 

Some of the fossils in the cave are thought to be over 450 million years old. Guided tours are free, but you need to reserve a place in advance by contacting the Société québécoise de spéléologie.

Montreal is a city that’s bursting with conventional artistic creativity, cultural diversity and architectural genius. But it is also home to the delightfully weird sights and sounds that contribute their part to the city’s overall character. Let these off-the-beaten-path attractions be included in your itinerary the next time you plan a visit to this memorable city.