Clock Tower Beach

When most people think of Montreal, a day at the beach probably does not come to mind. However, one of the hidden gems of Montreal provides you with all you need for a perfect beach day! You will find Clock Tower Beach in the Old Port area. This area is typically open from mid-June to early September and provides a place for Montreal residents, and visitors alike, to lounge in the sun and sand.

Additionally, a visit to Clock Tower Beach is free unless there is a special event. Relax under an umbrella, play in the sand, or enjoy delicious food from the beach’s bistro. For an added treat, check out the programming schedule. You can relax with a yoga class or dance the night away to a DJ while watching stunning fireworks during Montréal’s annual international fireworks (L’International des Feux Loto-Québec) competition!

Musee de Lachine

While Montreal is home to many excellent museums, one that often may not make your itinerary is the Musee de Lachine. This is actually the oldest still-standing complete building in the city. You will find it near the Lachine Canal as well as on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. This museum focuses primarily on the city’s history and archaeology.

When you visit this museum, you will find a wide collection of artifacts, exhibits tracing Lachine’s heritages and Montreal’s history, and a fur trading discovery space. You will also see the Le Ber-Le Moyne heritage site, featuring Montreal’s oldest preserved buildings. All of this can be found next to Montreal’s iconic rapids on the Saint Lawrence River.

Hidden Waterfall at Parc Jean-Drapeau

Parc Jean-Drapeau is one of the most popular things for people to do in Montreal. Thus, it may be surprising to find it on this list. However, one thing many people do not know about Parc Jean-Drapeau is its secret waterfall. This waterfall can be found within a ten-minute walk from the Jean-Drapeau metro station. While there are many small secret waterfalls around the island, but this is definitely the one to check out.

Of course, Parc Jean-Drapeau is well-known as the site of the 1967 World’s Fair (Expo 67). The island was turned in a public park in 1874 and has been a place to relax and attend recreational activities ever since. If visiting the park, be sure to explore some of the area’s more well-known sites like Jean-Dore Beach, La Ronde amusement park, or the Montreal Biosphere.

Canadian Centre for Architecture Sculpture Garden

If you are a fan of art and sculpture, you will find many wonderful places to visit around Montreal. However, one of the places you should definitely add to your agenda is the sculpture garden at the Canadian Centre for Architecture. You’ll find this public park on the Ernest-Cormier Esplanade. Founded in 1990, it features a mixture of materials, shapes, and styles. It is a great location to visit during your time in Montreal.

If you have spare time after wandering through the sculpture garden, consider visiting the museum where you will find many different exhibitions and a large collection. The goal of the museum is to “make people think,” citing architecture as an important public concern that highlights both functional, historical, and cultural issues.

Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery

Another unique aspect of Montreal that many visitors are unaware of is Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, which serves as the largest Catholic cemetery in Canada. Established in 1854, over 900,000 people have been buried in these lush grounds on Mount Royal.

One of the highlights of a visit to this historic cemetery is the war graves, located at the opening between this cemetery and Mount Royal cemetery. The site symbolizes the unity of Protestant and Catholic soldiers in their sacrifice during the World Wars. Notre-Dame-des-Neiges is also a popular location for activities such as walking and bird watching due to the flora and fauna which include several rare trees.

Comedy Shows in Montreal

This concludes our list of 5 hidden gems in Montreal. Our city’s thriving comedy scene is also something we’re particularly fond of. You will find a wealth of comedy shows in Montreal, providing the perfect evening entertainment. Whether you are a comedy afficionado or just want a little laugh after a busy day, stand-up comedy in Montreal is great to checkout.

You might be surprised to find that Montreal has a fairly strong history of stand-up comedy shows. Today, we have some of the best talent in Canada and often see internationally famous comedians perform in our city. If you would like to add some laughter to your evening in Montreal, you can find the best shows for you here.

Post by Eddie Case, exclusively for Comedyville.ca, All rights reserved.
Comedyville is a Comedy Club located in Downtown Montreal. 

The post 5 Hidden Gems to Visit in Montreal appeared first on Comedy Club in Montreal - Comedyville.

Theatre Mainline

While Montreal has many wonderful places to see theatre, one of the hidden gems is Theatre Mainline. This place serves as the center of independent theatre. It is home to a number of English-speaking performances, which may be something that draws the interest of those here for English comedy clubs.

Theatre Mainline also is home to a lot of unique reoccurring events including Slow Dance Night and a Strip Spelling Bee. Visitors are encouraged to check their schedule of events and pay them a visit.

Habitat 67

 If you take a walk along the river in the Old Port area, you may have noticed a unique architectural site across the way. Habitat 67 is actually located in Cité-du-Havre, an artificial peninsula used to host Expo 67. Designed by Moshe Safdie for the 1967 World Expedition, Habitat 67 served as an experiment in high-quality urban housing.

It provides a beautiful place to get panoramic views of all of Montreal. However, visitors interested in history and architecture will love taking a guided tour of this unique location. On a tour, you will be able to view the footbridges, suspended terraces, and even a residential apartment.

Surfing the St. Lawrence

 When you think of rivers, surfing is probably not one of the things that come to your mind. But in Montreal, you can surf the St. Lawrence River! This is due to the presence of an area where the river’s water runs into a series of rocks, causing the water to swell upwards. This creates stationary waves, which have transformed Montreal into a fun urban surfing destination.

One wave is actually nicknamed Habitat 67 due to its location near the architectural site. Another can be found in Lasalle near des Rapides Park. Experienced surfers are able to bring their own boards while newcomers are welcome to book an excursion with a company that provides surfing lessons, that will help ensure that you can navigate the wave safely.

Phi Centre

Montreal is filled with a wide variety of museums. One that many people don’t discover is the Phi Centre; however, this is one of the most fun to attend. This is because the Phi Centre is geared around creating interactions between artistic works and the audience.

You’ll find the Phi Centre home to a wide variety of virtual reality art exhibits. If you want an immersive artistic experience, you will definitely delight in the Phi Centre. The museum also hosts frequent musical performances from internationally renowned musicians.

Clock Tower Beach

 If you are looking to relax on your vacation, you can find many different opportunities. However, one of Montreal’s secret spots for relaxation comes in the form of our own beach. Clock Tower Beach is a place that is somewhat hidden in plain sight. Located in Old Port, this is a great place to relax on a summer day.

The beach has its own bistro where you can purchase food and plays host to frequent events. Riverside Yoga is a popular event; however, the crown jewel for Cock Tower Beach is the summer fireworks nights. Here, the beach is open until 11 p.m., meaning you can relax while watching a beautiful sunset followed by spectacular fireworks.

Lachine Canal

A National Historic Site, Lachine Canal provides a great place to connect with nature and get active. The canal itself spans 13.5 kilometres with an accompanying green space. As you traverse the canal, you will notice five different locks. You can find many sites nearby to learn more about Montreal’s history.

Today, one of the favourite things to do at Lachine Canal is ride bikes. The path along the canal is popular for those wanting a morning run or afternoon bike ride, and bikes can be rented nearby. The canal also serves as a good location for canoeing or kayaking.

Catch a Comedy Show

While you explore six secret spots in Montreal and other secret spots, we welcome you to catch a show by visiting our English comedy club. We would love the opportunity to be a part of your holiday in our wonderful city!

Post by Eddie Case, exclusively for Comedyville.ca, All rights reserved.

The post 6 Secret Spots in Montreal to Visit appeared first on Comedy Club in Montreal - Comedyville.