Winter is for the brave. For those traveling to the northern city of Montréal during those particularly bitter winter months, it may seem there is little to do without spending the money to be indoors. In reality, Montréal is designed for the winter. It is embraces winter and along with its plummeting temperatures offers a wide range of free activities to lift the spirits of thrifty travelers. After living here for almost four years, here are five of my favorite free and sometimes surprising wintertime activities in Montréal both indoors and outside.
1. Enjoy a movie at the National Film Board’s Cinerobotheque:
Canada’s esteemed National Film Board (NFB) generously opens its doors to the public every Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 9 p.m., allowing visitors to sit at one of their 21 personal viewing stations and choose from their extensive collection of films. Since its emergence in 1939, the NFB had been the heartbeat of Canadian cinema, producing such giants as animator Norman McLaren and documentary filmmaker and theorist John Grierson. With 10,000+ films on site, there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is a must-visit for any traveling cinephile.
2. Visit the Contemporary Art Museum (Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal) on a Wednesday Night
Although travelers can visit the Musée Des Beaux Arts for free any night of the week, I would recommend checking out the contemporary art museum if you happen to be in the city on a Wednesday night, between 5 and 9. While students get discounts at most museums, this offer is for all ages. With an impressive and frequent rotation of dynamic Québec, Canadian, and International artists, there is always something new to see, especially for visitors coming from outside Canada. Nestled in the nucleus of Montreal’s newly renovated arts quarter, visitors of the museum can easily check up on other arts entertainment by shuffling right across the street to Place des Arts — “the heart of Montreal’s Quartiers des Spectacles.”
3. Check out the McGill Conservatory of Music Listings
Montréal is justifiably lauded for its music culture. With a rich history in jazz, many come to the city hoping to catch live performances. However, many of these shows can get pricey. Luckily, talented graduate and undergraduate students at the McGill music school freely share their skills with audiences. By searching “concerts” on McGill University’s main page, those interested in seeing live music can choose from a myriad of free shows performed in one of McGill’s beautiful concert halls, by some of the most talented student musicians in Canada.
4. Go ice skating
Unlike in Boston or New York where cityfolk have to pay for pond time, in Montréal, all that’s needed is a pair of skates. The city is spotted in every neighborhood with free (artificial and natural) outdoor skate ponds for ice hockey, family skating or just slipping around. Ponds are never crowded because there are simply too many of them to get congested! Parc Lafontaine or Beaver Pond on top of Mont. Royal are particularly magical winter locales.
5. Go for a hike up Mont. Royal
The idea of walking up a mountain might sound like hard work for those who aren’t immune to Canada’s cold weather, but put on another layer of clothing and pack a thermos of tea to enjoy once reaching the top. Plus, this climb is sure to warm anyone up as they trudge upwards. This is a winter walk that is not to be missed when visiting the city. You won’t be alone. Mont. Royal, the summit of winter in Montréal, bustles with snowshoers, cross country skiers, sledders, and plenty of happy dogs. Scores of trails twist vagrantly through houses perched on the hillside and between the sparse stands of naked trees, allowing the walker to discover and follow his or her own path. Or, one could simply stand at the look-out point, watching the hot steam from the city rise into crisp, cold air, or heavy ice chunks float slowly down the St-Lawrence river. The majesty of Montréal’s vista, may help you forget immediately about chilly toes!
Lead photo: Wikimedia Commons
McGill University by TMAB2003, Flickr, others courtesy Montreal Tourism
Anna Leocha, is a student at McGill University studying film and a random contributor to this blog.
Anna Leocha has been to San Fermin’s Fiesta ten times. She started to attend when she was a toddler. Today she lives in LA and works in the movie industry.
