A Walking Tour Of Montreal’s Old Port (2024)
Visiting Montreal and not exploring Old Port is like having a meal without the scrumptious dessert. Residing in the heart of Montreal, the Old Port is a place filled with eclectic wonders. The Old Port came into existence 25 years ago as a division of the Canada Lands Company to create a leading recreational tourist attraction in Montreal. Since then, it has provided a guided Old Port walking tour to let you explore the place to the fullest!
Old Port houses famous attractions and activities like Montreal Science Centre, IMAX, beaches, skating rings, musical events, Clock Tower, culinary events, and whatnot! As an iconic historical place, Old Port is crowded through all seasons, offering world-class entertainment and recreational attractions. This bustling place celebrates popular festivals to revel.
A Walking Tour Of Montreal’s Old Port
Before diving into all the things to do in Old Port, let us uncover its intriguing history.
Iconic History of Old Port
The Old Port has always been a historical attraction with iconic tales from the 17th century. It was only then that the French explorer Samuel de Champlain founded a fur trading post on the island of Montreal. Years later, the trade expanded, establishing a vital trading relationship between Europe and North America. Both countries traded in many goods besides fur, which demanded the expansion of the Old Port Montreal.
Sooner, when the Old Port expanded to accommodate more trade opportunities, the rise of railways in the 19th century, however, declined the fur trade to a great extent. The port continued to be a shipping destination for traders, facing competition from many leading ports. And finally, in the 1970s, Montreal’s Old Port underwent a significant transformation into a tourist destination and introduced many recreational activities. It developed as one of the many world-class places to visit in Montreal.
Things To Do In Old Port, Montreal
One can engage in uncountable attractions while stepping into the dreamy land of Old Port. From skydiving to shopping, you will surely go home pleased and happy! Here are all the must-to-do things to make the best of Montreal tourism.
Try The Delectable Food Of The Old Port
Your visit to the Old Port is incomplete if you haven’t tried the famous gourmet cuisines from the food outlets of Old Port. The visitors can also indulge in the local food-guided tours of the Old Port and enjoy the best-priced food with lip-smacking drinks. You can satisfy your hunger with the food trucks on all corners or even visit the Marché des Éclusiers farmer’s market on Saturdays for a delightful food experience.
There are many famous eateries in Old Port that you must not miss, like Cafe Arsenik, M Churros MME Banane, Smoothies & Limonade, Felix and Norton, Ice Creme Glacee, Salad Bar & Grill, Charleys, Cafe Macchiato, Scena, Smokies Pizza Old Port and more!
Experience a Ride in La Grande Roue de Montreal
The iconic Ferris wheel of Old Port is one of the best experiences to indulge in with your loved ones! This Ferris wheel operates in all seasons and offers a panoramic view of the downtown city. It also has a glass pod for winter rides to keep you warm from the cold breezes from the height. The ride takes around 20 minutes to finish and is as cost-friendly as one can imagine. There is a zipline ride nearby for people who have enjoyed reaching the height and wish to continue the bizarre experience.
Paddleboats on the St. Lawrence River
A paddleboat ride at the St. Lawrence River is all you need to escape from the bustling crowds and immerse yourself in the serenity of the rivers. The majority of the port facilities in Montreal reside in Old Port only. Therefore, you will never be short of places to paddle your boat to capture the best of the views. Get on the boat with your significant other for a romantic getaway!
Indulge in a Wholesome Shopping Experience
Visiting Montreal and not shopping seems like an impossible match! Old Port is just the place to shop for anything and everything at budget-friendly prices. The local markets of Old Port offer you a wide range of arts and crafts, clothes, painting, and other things to shop for. If you are an art lover who loves collecting art from around the world, you must visit the Galarie Images Boreales, Galerie LeRoyer, Art Monaro, and more! The F1 Boutique Canada, Boutique Patin Patin, and Marche Des Eclusiers are also famous places on the Old Port walking tour to shop for the best clothing and grocery for yourself!
Immerse in the Fun Recreational Activities
The Old Port is famous for hosting an eclectic range of recreational activities to make visitors’ experiences worthwhile. If you love taking on adventures, then you must indulge in activities like The MTL Urban Zipline, Quick Jump, Quadricycle and pedal boat rental from Écorécréo, SOS Labyrinth, and the fulfilling Éco Tours Montreal – Segway Tours. Once you are done with all the thrilling adventures, allow yourself to unwind and relax in the Bota Bota Spa of Old Port or take long walks on the beach to make the best of your Old Port walking tour.
Activities for Water Sports Enthusiasts
The Old Port has something for everyone! The water sports of the place let you experience adventures like Wet Set Adventures MTL, Jet St-Laurent, Petit Navire, and Bateau-Mouche. Even if you are not an expert water sports player, the experts there will take care of it and lets you enjoy every water attraction to the fullest. You can also sunbathe on the nearby beaches and sip on the cocktails!
Explore the World Of Science and Technology
THE INFINITE is a live experience show for all science lovers from around the world. This experience will take you through the famous museums and exhibitions of science and NASA-driven missions and projects to let you peek into the scientific world. You will get to see the 360-degree video of the space captured using advanced technology. Besides you can also visit the Montreal Science Centre and watch the movie “DINOSAURS OF ANTARCTICA 3D”.
Be a Part of Exciting Festivals and Global Events
The festivals and events are one of the main reasons why the Old Port walking tour has become so popular than ever. The place hosts a long, busy list of events throughout the year. The outdoor dance parties make every local and tourist grove to the beats of the artist. There is another renowned event where the whole weekend is dedicated to poutine (a famous dish of Montreal). You will not be bored for a second as Old Port will occupy you with fest and events like Igloofest, DJ on Ice, Le Grand poutine-fest, and more exciting events.
Summing Up
The Old Port is one of the famous places in Montreal that gives a vacation experience with its thrilling activities, recreational attractions, and delectable food. The place’s rich history makes it an iconic and much-loved tourist attraction in Montreal. From riding on a Ferris wheel to shopping for art and crafts, your Old Port walking tour will surely be exciting and full of surprises.
