Best Arts and Culture Places in Montreal

"Driving around Montreal, you might notice a big, rounded, green roof standing tall on the horizon. That roof belongs to St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal, the largest church in Canada and a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. At 97 metres, that huge roof — the dome of the Oratory basilica — is the second highest in the world, behind only Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome."

"Saint Joseph’s Oratory or commonly known as L’Oratoire in Montreal is a national shrine and is the largest church in Canada. At the top of L’Oratoire, indulge in amazing views of Montreal that is great for skyline pictures. Make your way up the stairs to the top of L’Oratoire for your fix of epic pictures."

"St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal is Canada’s largest church. An imposing example of religious architecture, it’s said to have one of the largest domes in the world. Although I didn’t get a chance to visit at this hour, I understand that the best time for photos here is sunset."

"The rundown: It’s so wonderfully strange to think that the world’s largest permanent exhibit of Barbie dolls lives in the Cours Mont-Royal shopping centre. Half childhood fantasy, half current daydream, this is literally a collection of 1,000+ Barbies—but they’ve had a massive transformation from the dolls you collected as a kid. Some are dressed in tiny, perfect designer creations, everything from a replica of Dior’s Tailleur Bar to a Hervé Léger bandage dress; others are styled like beloved celebs and movie characters, or sport uniforms inspired by brands (Harley Davidson, Hard Rock Cafe) and works of art (Van Gogh’s Starry Night, a Fabergé egg)."

"Montreal is home to the Barbie Expo, the largest permanent collection of Barbie dolls in the world. Guests have the chance to see and snap pics of over 1,000 one-of-a-kind Barbie dolls, all dressed by the city’s leading fashion designers. When: Daily Time: Friday, 10 am to 9 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am to 5 pmWhere: 1455 Rue PeelPrice: Free admission"

"Home of Concordia’s best work from their Faculty of Fine Arts students, teachers, and alumni, this non-profit gallery is all about supporting emerging talent. Students run the show at FOFA, and the gallery occasionally offers grants and internship programs for promising Concordia artists. The art on display ranges as far and wide as the talent of the students who create it—there’s always something new to be seen, and new artists to discover."

"Arsenal Gallery is set in a converted shipyard complex, housing a gallery (Division Gallery), a private collection (Collection Majudia), an artist studio, a video projection room and a rental space. The original shipyard was constructed by Augustin Cantin, an ambitious entrepreneur from Upper Canada. This immense 83,000 square foot building, along with an engine foundry and sawmill, was operated by Cantin and later his son."

"Arsenal is a vast contemporary art galley located in the old industrial district of Montreal called Griffintown. The space was built in 1853 as a shipyard workspace but now features 50,000 square feet of exhibition space for local and international contemporary artists who’s work interrogates today’s world in a myriad of different ways. 2020 William Stwww.arsenalmontreal.com/en/"

"This is the spa you want when you want the full eat-drink-relax-sleep-repeat package. The Hôtel Le St-James alone sports luxury rooms and one of the best restaurants in Old Montreal, but when you’re wondering what to do in between sleeping off a multi-course extravaganza downstairs?. Jump into the steam baths and sauna, hand yourself over to the massage therapists, hit the hot stones or get a body wrap done; it’s all here, inside of a beautiful space featuring the old masonry often found in this historic part of town."

"The oasis-on-an-island feel here’s complete with its location on Nuns' Island. Secluded from the city core among a grove of trees, this spa focuses on the use of natural surroundings to enhance its focus on thermal experiences, massages and beauty treatments. Plunge into a hydrotherapy ritual of hot and cold waters before getting every ounce of tension in your body massaged out, followed by one of their events like lunar nights, wellness retreats, or their bistro with Scandinavian-inspired cuisine made from local products (plus brunches on Sundays, natch)."

"Strom Spa’s philosophy is to combine the Nordic spa experience with urban living. Only minutes away from Montreal’s city centre, this Nun’s Island spa offers a myriad of baths at different temperatures. They believe in the benefits of plunging into hot and cold baths to release toxins and promote relaxation of the body and soul."

"Guests can enjoy the outdoor baths no matter what time of year or the weather. From the baths, patrons have a view of Des Battures Lake. Treatments like massages, facials, body wraps, manicures and pedicures are performed in outdoor tents."

"Billing itself as the top ecofriendly spa in town, this holistic spa excels on one hand for the different types of facials, vegan manicures and pedicures (toxin-free) it offers, with a specialization in massages, beauty and body treatments on the other. Making a point of using organic products—and that includes the in-house juice bar—makes this place a good guilt-free option that will satisfy the most devout vegan or environmentally conscious spa seeker."

"Montreal’s first organic spa, Nomad offers treatments and products inspired by Indonesian beauty rituals in a peaceful and luxurious setting. With a wide range of traditional and Holistic massage therapies, as well as full facial and corporal care, guests will find an exotic escape from the hustle and bustle of the Main."

"Spa Espace Nomad views the notion of beauty from a holistic perspective, that is, as a whole. As a result, they’ve created a variety of therapies that help both your body and your mind. Treatments that help you connect with yourself, circulate energy, or awaken a dynamic well-being process."

"Maestro SVP is a casual and popular Italian bistro that focuses on oysters and seafood. For 25 years, the loyal clientele have been coming to this small and friendly place. Maestro SVP often features oyster tasting sessions and contests at both locations."

"This family restaurant in TMR has been open for twenty years, offering Mediterranean-style seafood dishes that are consistently good and fresh: grilled octopus, fried calamari, mussels in white wine and grilled fish. They also operate a fish market out of an adjoining space."

"Recognized as the first Asian-inspired lifestyle shopping mall, Swatow Plaza is the recent multi-story commercial complex in Montreal providing a unique experience to all the shoppers. Situated in downtown Montreal’s heart, the shopping complex consists of multiple stores ranging from homestyle, eateries, fashion, etc. It is nestled within walking distance from most of the city’s popular attractions such as Place des Arts and Chinatown and Old Port among others."

"Source: Photo by user Agatheflourent used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Situated opposite to Place des Festivals and Place-des-Arts, Complexe Desjardins features over 100 stores, multiple restaurants, food courts, and a hotel. While here, you will walk through the familiar big brand outlets, a couple of bargain stores, and luxurious boutiques."

"It doesn’t deal only with fashion but also has other stores like restaurants, hotels, shopping malls etc. In order to make the eastern end of downtown Montreal, this project was created. The Desjardins Group has its offices in these buildings."