A complete guide to the best museums in Montreal

With roots stretching back to 1860, the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal or Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is more than an art institution—it’s a cultural cornerstone, seamlessly blending the visual arts with history, science, and a sense of community. The MMFA’s vast collection of 47,000 works moves from Quebec and Indigenous heritage to Renaissance paintings and multimedia installations, all with a distinctly progressive lens.

Located in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile, this museum doesn’t just exhibit art; it fosters dialogue, art therapy, and educational initiatives. Five interconnected pavilions house everything from European masterpieces to striking sculptures, while a concert hall and outdoor installations extend its creative reach. Inclusive and unafraid to innovate, the MMFA shapes an art experience that’s as transformative as it is welcoming, inviting everyone to engage with art’s ever-evolving narrative.

Housed in a former Olympic velodrome, the Montreal Biodome invites you to step into a world of ecosystems brought into proximity to one another. Following a transformative renovation completed in 2020, the Biodome now offers a striking journey across five habitats, each designed to feel vividly alive. Wander through a tropical forest buzzing with macaws and an elusive sloth, or peer into the icy realm of penguins in the subpolar zone. The Laurentian forest and St. Lawrence marine areas bring Canada’s wilderness indoors, blending lush plant life with iconic fauna like capybaras and frogs.

More than an attraction, the Biodome combines hands-on discovery with a commitment to environmental awareness, creating a space where visitors of all ages can experience nature’s variety up close. Its grand entrance hall, framed by concrete columns, sets an unforgettable stage for any encounter.

The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) stands as a dynamic testament to architecture’s role in shaping public life. Founded by visionary architect and philanthropist Phyllis Lambert, the CCA is a global think tank rooted in Montreal’s Shaughnessy Village. Anchored by the 19th-century Shaughnessy House, once home to a railway baron, the CCA marries heritage with innovation, framing the mansion in sleek, modern spaces that house exhibitions, archival treasures, and research facilities.

With a commitment to exploring architecture as a public concern, the CCA curates immersive exhibitions, hosts thought-provoking events, and supports research that challenges our understanding of urban spaces. Across the boulevard, the postmodern sculpture garden invites reflection with a view over Little Burgundy and Saint-Henri.

The McCord Stewart Museum offers a vibrant window into Montreal’s social history, capturing the city’s evolving identity through an impressive collection of 1.5 million artifacts. Located across from McGill University’s main campus, this mid-sized museum covers everything from fashion and textiles to photographs and decorative arts. Its crown jewel, the Notman Photographic Archives, offers a sweeping visual history of Montreal, while temporary exhibitions draw crowds year-round.

For those seeking a deeper dive, the museum’s extensive archives and historical walking tours provide immersive explorations of Montreal’s heritage. Don’t miss the seasonal Urban Forest, an outdoor space that brings artistically simulated nature to downtown Montreal each summer.

Spanning 75 hectares, Montreal’s Botanical Garden is one of the most celebrated botanical collections globally. Opened over 80 years ago, this National Historic Site boasts over 22,000 plant species, each corner revealing a unique facet of the botanical world. Stroll through ten greenhouses, themed gardens, and cultural installations, from bonsai displays to tranquil koi ponds. Highlights include the annual butterfly exhibit, medicinal herb gardens, and Indigenous-inspired spaces with totem poles. Located near the Biodôme and Olympic Park, the garden is a living museum, hosting events, exhibitions, and workshops that invite visitors to explore, learn, and unwind amidst stunning biodiversity.

In the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, the MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises serves as Montreal’s living memory bank, capturing the spirit and stories of the city through curated exhibitions and personal testimonies. This civic space, located at Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sainte-Catherine Street, transforms Montreal’s public and oral histories into immersive exhibits that answer the questions, “Who is Montreal?” and “What defines this city?”

Through 100 unique life stories, online content, and free podcasts on lost neighborhoods, the MEM brings forgotten facets of Montreal’s identity to life. Beyond exhibitions, it offers spaces for community gatherings, cultural events, and a cozy café for post-visit reflection. The MEM is a place where Montrealers, both new and old, can see themselves and share in the city’s evolving narrative.

A relic of Expo 67 and a vision of futurism, Montreal’s Biosphere rises as a symbol of ecological exploration. Designed by Buckminster Fuller, this geodesic dome initially served as the United States pavilion. After a fire left it dormant, the structure reopened in 1995 as a museum devoted to environmental awareness. Now part of the Espace pour la Vie museum complex, the Biosphere offers a blend of science, art, and activism through immersive exhibits on climate, water, and sustainable living.

With interactive displays, workshops, and panoramic views from its fourth-floor belvedere, the museum inspires visitors to engage with environmental issues in meaningful ways. At night, the dome’s shifting lights transform it into a beacon of eco-citizenship—a space that encourages imagining a sustainable future.

Montreal’s Insectarium offers an immersive plunge into the world of insects, challenging perceptions with a blend of science, art, and sensory experience. This 38,750-square-foot marvel is the largest insect museum in North America. The journey begins outdoors in a pollinator garden, leading into dark alcoves where projections and floor vibrations simulate insect perspectives, from the kaleidoscopic vision of flies to the tight crawl spaces of cockroaches. At the Chromatic Collection, preserved insects are arranged by color in a stunning domed hall, while the journey ends in a greenhouse alive with hundreds of free-flying butterflies.

The Insectarium seeks to shift human attitudes towards insects, underscoring their vital ecological roles. Visitors are encouraged to rethink their place within the natural world, fostering what the museum calls “entomophilia”—a love and respect for insects that mirrors the biophilic design embedded throughout the museum’s LEED Gold-certified structure designed by architects Kuehn Malvezzi and local firms Pelletier de Fontenay and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte.

Montreal’s Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium merges cutting-edge astronomy with sustainability, offering visitors an immersive cosmic experience in a LEED Platinum-certified design utilizing energy-efficient lighting, greywater recycling, and a green roof adorned with drought-resistant plants. As part of the Space for Life museum district, this planetarium is a reinvention of its 1966 predecessor, now embodying a bold architectural vision inspired by nature.

With dual 360° domes as metaphorical telescopes, it brings the mysteries of the universe down to Earth through state-of-the-art projections, interactive exhibits, and dazzling shows. With views from its panoramic room and versatile spaces for private events, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium is both an architectural and scientific landmark that redefines our relationship with the cosmos and the planet.

Since its founding in 1964, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, or “the MAC”, has carved a space as Canada’s leading institution for contemporary art. The MAC has a unique blend of edgy exhibitions and community-focused events that extend beyond the typical museum experience. With a collection of nearly 8,000 pieces, the museum features everything from immersive video installations and soundscapes to thought-provoking sculptures and paintings.

It’s also a social hotspot with its Nocturne evenings, where art lovers gather for a lively mix of DJs, cocktails, and late-night exploration. Always expanding its reach, the MAC draws global attention, as with its blockbuster tribute to Leonard Cohen where it merged artistic reverence with popular culture that you don’t see every day.

Founded in 1963, the Cinémathèque québécoise is Montreal’s haven for cinephiles and history buffs, housing an expansive collection of Canadian and global audiovisual works. This celebrated institution preserves not just Quebec cinema but also world animation, experimental film, and television. Located in the Quartier des spectacles, the Cinémathèque serves as a hub for screenings, retrospectives, and educational events, making it a must-visit for anyone eager to explore film’s artistic and cultural impact.

Highlights include the Médiathèque Guy-L.-Coté, a trove of filmic archives free to the public, and a sculpture garden showcasing local art. With pioneering efforts in digital restoration and the annual Sommets du cinéma d’animation festival, the Cinémathèque remains committed to celebrating and evolving the medium.

Afromusée is a dynamic tribute to African heritage, tracing over 300 years of African presence and influence in Quebec. It’s a mobile, living space for exploring Africanity in all its forms—from cultural expressions to historical narratives and modern perspectives. With a commitment to accessibility and community engagement, the Afromusée brings together virtual exhibitions year-round and in-person events across the city.

It’s a place where history, art, and social dialogue converge, fostering a welcoming atmosphere for open sharing and learning. Here, visitors can delve into diverse African and Afro-descendant stories, participate in intercultural exchanges, and engage with exhibitions that celebrate the cultural connections between Canada and the African continent.

Since its founding in 1882, McGill University’s Redpath Museum has stood as a storied gem of natural history. With its Greek Revival architecture and grand Beaux Arts gallery feeling right out of an adventure film, this museum hosts a vast collection of nearly three million artifacts, inviting visitors to explore worlds both ancient and modern.

Highlights include a formidable Gorgosaurus skeleton, Ancient Egyptian mummies, a cast of the Rosetta Stone, and a majestic minke whale skeleton. Serving as both a teaching and research hub, the Redpath Museum intertwines education and exploration, offering exhibits that span evolutionary biology, geology, and cultural history.

A sprawling 2,000 m² multimedia experience at Montreal’s Palais des congrès, OASIS immersion redefines how we explore ideas and stories. This walkable space combines three immersive galleries and two light installations powered by 105 laser projectors and 119 surround sound speakers. Each exhibit here is conceived as a living, breathing magazine—a blend of art, light, and sound that captures the pulse of global trends, social movements, and individual stories. Entry times are every 20 minutes and a trip through lasts about 75 minutes.

Inside Saint-Henri’s RCA Victor factory, the Emile Berliner Musée des Ondes is a unique museum that preserves and explores the evolution of sound technology, housing an extensive collection of audio artifacts, from vintage gramophones and turntables to early radios and recording equipment. Named for Emile Berliner, the inventor who shaped audio’s past, the museum delves into Montreal’s rich history in the audio industry and its cultural impact.

In 2018, the museum opened its extensive sound and image archive to the public, making vinyl lovers and tech aficionados flock to spin rare records and uncover forgotten sounds. Guided tours and specialist-led talks add depth to the experience, while future plans to expand exhibit space and integrate Studio VICTOR promise even more to explore. This museum is a sanctuary for sound’s legacy, offering a rare auditory journey through history.

The Montréal Signs Project (MSP), led by Dr. Matt Soar at Concordia University’s Department of Communication Studies, preserves Montreal’s iconic signs and the memories they evoke. Since 2010, this initiative has been rescuing and showcasing vintage commercial and civic signs—from beloved landmarks like Fairmount Bagel and Club Sandwich to STM logos and Mirabel Airport displays. Housed primarily on Concordia’s Loyola campus, the MSP invites visitors to immerse themselves in Montreal’s cultural past, connecting them to stories of migration, neighborhood changes, and the unsung artisans behind these everyday artifacts.

The MSP combats the loss of Montreal’s visual heritage by preserving pieces that would otherwise be scrapped. The collection captures a nostalgia that resonates widely; each sign sparks memories, linking visitors back to childhood haunts, student escapades, and cherished local spots.

The Montréal Holocaust Museum preserves the personal testimonies of Holocaust survivors, offering visitors a powerful and intimate glimpse into one of history’s darkest periods. Its permanent exhibition, “The History of the Holocaust Told by Survivors,” showcases artifacts generously donated by Montreal’s survivors, a testament to the city’s large survivor community.

Through a collection of video installations, personal objects, and photographs, the museum educates visitors about the Holocaust, underscoring the universal dangers of antisemitism, racism, and indifference. Located in the West End, this poignant museum also hosts seasonal exhibitions and events, ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust remain relevant for future generations. Set to expand with a new $120 million location on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in 2026, the museum is dedicated to fostering understanding, empathy, and resilience against hate.

The Montreal Science Centre in the Old Port provides an engaging hub for curious minds. This family-oriented museum hosts a blend of permanent and rotating interactive exhibitions that explore how science and technology influence our everyday lives. With topics ranging from dinosaurs and Star Wars to the science of emotions, the centre transforms learning into a hands-on experience. Highlights include the impressive IMAX® TELUS Theatre, where 3D films bring the natural world to life with a 36,000-watt sound system, and a convenient nine-vendor food court to recharge between exhibits.

Pointe-à-Callière, Canada’s largest archaeology museum, offers an immersive dive into Montreal’s origins, built directly over the historic Fort Ville-Marie, where the city was founded in 1642. The museum’s permanent exhibitions reveal the city’s layered past through multimedia displays and an underground archaeological crypt. Pointe-à-Callière also draws crowds with its rotating exhibitions on topics from Easter Island to Ancient Egypt, bringing global stories to local audiences.

Founded in 2010 as a digital project, the Museum of Jewish Montreal has evolved into a vibrant cultural hub on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the heart of a historic Jewish neighbourhood for Montreal. As Canada’s only institution of its kind, it offers a blend of art exhibitions, walking tours, food events, music, and fellowships, redefining what it means to engage with Jewish heritage. From immersive exhibitions and pop-up dinners to storytelling events and food tours, the museum connects visitors of all backgrounds to Jewish arts and. An array of programs features things like oral history fellowships and an online interactive map that traces Jewish life in Montreal since the 1760s.

Housed in a former Art Deco public bathhouse, the Écomusée du fier monde offers a deeply immersive look into Montreal’s industrial roots and working-class heritage. Located in the Centre-Sud neighbourhood, once Canada’s bustling industrial heart, this museum goes beyond traditional exhibits by championing the stories and struggles of labourers who shaped the area. Through its permanent collection and community-driven programming, the Écomusée invites visitors to explore the intersections of labour, social justice, and grassroots activism.

Visitors can explore displays that trace the challenges of factory life, the impact of urbanization, and the lives of the often-overlooked families who built Montreal. The Écomusée is, all told, a tool for citizens to reflect on past and present social issues in a space that emphasizes the power of community-led change.

The Musée des métiers d’art du Québec (MUMAQ), located in the Saint-Laurent borough of Montreal, is a hidden gem for lovers of crafting and design that celebrates the skills and creativity of Quebec’s artisans. Founded in 1962 and housed in a Neo-Gothic church that was meticulously relocated from its original downtown site, the museum itself is a work of art.

Dedicated to preserving and sharing Quebec’s artisanal heritage, the MUMAQ offers a range of thematic exhibitions and educational. The museum’s mission is not only to honor traditional craftsmanship but also to foster a dialogue between communities, techniques, and eras. Visitors are invited to explore a rich collection that spans centuries and to reflect on the societal value of handmade artistry.

Situated in Old Montreal, the Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel holds layers of history and unexpected beauty. This “Sailors’ Church,” built in 1771, stands as a tribute to Marguerite Bourgeoys, one of Montreal’s founding figures, and has become a quiet pilgrimage site for both spiritual seekers and sailors. In the 19th century, sailors would stop here to offer thanks for safe passage, and a statue of the Virgin as Star of the Sea, overlooking the harbor, is a nod to these maritime roots.

This nautical-themed chapel is home to an evocative crypt—home to artifacts and Indigenous relics dating back over 2,400 years—that invites contemplation on the city’s layered past. Those who climb the spire are rewarded with one of Montreal’s best-kept secrets: a panoramic view of the Old Port and Saint-Lawrence River.

Château Ramezay in Old Montreal is a living piece of history. Originally built in 1705 as the private residence of Governor Claude de Ramezay, this New France estate later served as the Canadian headquarters of the American Revolutionary Army in 1775-76, hosting Benjamin Franklin himself during his efforts to sway Montreal into joining the revolution. As Quebec’s oldest private historical museum, established in 1895, Château Ramezay holds a remarkable collection of artifacts donated by private collectors, including currency, documents, and period furnishings that reflect Montreal’s evolution over centuries.

Beyond its exhibits, the Château extends outdoors to the Governor’s Garden, where heritage plants recreate the look and feel of New France. In summertime, displays by the Anciennes Troupes Militaires de Montréal, as costumed performers in period uniforms, can be seen parading through the grounds.

Château Dufresne, a striking Beaux-Arts mansion across from Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, is a lush glimpse into early 20th-century French bourgeois life. Built between 1915 to 1918, it was inspired by the Petit Trianon of Versailles and originally served as the home of influential Dufresne brothers, Marius and Oscar, who played pivotal roles in Montreal’s eastern sector. Each brother resided in a separate wing of the mansion, with interiors decorated by famed muralist Guido Nincheri—a rare secular undertaking for the devout artist—and Belgian-born Alfred Faniel, who adorned the walls with stunning scenes that continue to captivate visitors.

Declared a historic monument in 1976, Château Dufresne has evolved from a private home to a hub for arts and culture, hosting Montreal’s first decorative arts museum and later the Musée national d’art contemporain. Today, as the Dufresne-Nincheri Museum, it immerses guests in Montreal’s rich cultural history through exhibitions, community programs, and the meticulously recreated Governor’s Garden.

Tohu is Montreal’s dedicated circus arts hub, a destination for circus lovers seeking an alternative to Cirque du Soleil. With its stunning 360-degree circular performance hall, Tohu stages live acrobatic shows, improv sessions, and exhibitions year-round. Tohu is not just about spectacle; it also provides a cultural and historical journey through circus arts via its Jacob-William Collection, one of the world’s largest private circus collections. It features tens of thousands of artifacts, with 80 highlights on permanent display, encompassing centuries of circus history and themes like clowns, animals, and acrobats.

Located in the Cité des arts du cirque, Tohu is a model of sustainable development, housed in a LEED Gold-certified green building. The venue offers a unique peek into Quebec’s circus legacy and the international evolution of this beloved art form. From the captivating “Going Full Circus” exhibition that traces Montreal’s circus roots to themed showcases on clowns, circus animals, and parades, Tohu serves as a dynamic space where circus culture is both celebrated and preserved.

Maison Saint-Gabriel is an immersive historical experience that brings to life Montreal’s rural past and the tenacity of the early settlers. Established in 1668 by Marguerite Bourgeoys, Ville-Marie’s first teacher, this former farm played a crucial role in both the education and sustenance of her community. As the oldest example of rural architecture in Montreal, it offers visitors a rare glimpse into the colonial lifestyle with its carefully preserved farmhouse, gardens, and grounds.

Located in Pointe-Saint-Charles, a neighbourhood undergoing swift changes, Maison Saint-Gabriel is a journey into the 17th century where visitors—guided by staff in period costumes—can witness traditional crafts like ropemaking, glassblowing, and woodcarving.

The Musée des Hospitalières de l’Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal is a medical history museum focused on four centuries of healthcare, community resilience, and religious dedication in the city. Located in a historic section of Hôtel-Dieu, Montreal’s first hospital founded in 1642 by Jeanne Mance, it originally operated within the early settlement of Ville-Marie.

Today, the museum offers visitors a journey through this rich history, from the founding of Montreal to the establishment of modern medicine. Guests can explore the convent gardens, chapels, crypt, and even Jeanne Mance’s tomb, making for a rare glimpse into Montreal’s medical and cultural heritage.

The Musée des Fusiliers Mont-Royal in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal borough is both a historic site and a repository of regimental heritage. This storied armoury, home to the Regimental Museum, honors the contributions and sacrifices of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, Montreal’s oldest francophone regiment. Through its exhibitions, visitors gain insight into the regiment’s role in shaping Montreal and Canada, as well as the heroism of its members in defending liberty.

The museum’s origins trace back to 1976, when Lieutenant-General Jacques Dextraze tasked Lieutenant-Colonel Gilles Bissonnette with establishing a dedicated museum to preserve and share the regiment’s legacy. The collection displayed throughout is particularly highlighted in three exhibition rooms. The Carabiniers Room (G-7) spans the regiment’s early years, from its founding in 1869 through the North-West Rebellion, Boer War, and World War I. The adjoining rooms, G-20 and G-21, focus on World War II, detailing the contributions of the regiment’s five primary commanders and offering a window into the soldiers’ daily lives.

The Shriners Hospitals for Children’s Canada Museum is Canada’s largest hospital-based museum. It showcases the history of the Shriners Masonic fraternity and their Montreal hospital, a leading pediatric care and research center since 1925. The museum’s collection includes over 2,000 artifacts and 50,000 documents related to pediatric orthopedics and the Shriners’ presence in Canada. The permanent exhibition, “A Tradition Moving Forwards – The Evolution of Orthopedic Pediatric Care and Research,” features medical equipment, costumes, uniforms, prosthetics, and unique items like a miniature motorcycle. Admission is free, and the museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.