Top 5 Things To Do In Montreal

Montreal is one of the oldest cities in Canada, having been settled by the French in the 17th century. Because of this, many of the city's top attractions center around its rich history. But don't let that put you off. Montreal offers a myriad of activities to keep you busy year 'round; winter, though it can be cold, offers numerous things to see and do.

Any visit to Montreal should start at Vieux Montreal or Old Montreal. Enjoy a stroll through the cobblestone streets or maybe take a horse-drawn carriage ride for a romantic view of some of the oldest buildings in Canada. Old Montreal is alive with museums, boutiques and fashionable restaurants.

One site worth visiting is the Centre d'histoire de Montreal , a three-story building which is a museum of the city's past. Located in a former fire station, the museum has divided Montreal's history into five periods, each set up to make you feel you actually lived during that time.

If you like hockey, what could be more exciting than taking in a Montreal Canadiens game. The team, founded in 1909, won its first Stanley Cup in 1916, and went on to win another 23 over the years. Games are played at Bell Centre.

In February, head to the city's big annual winter carnival, the Montreal High Lights Festival. Activities such as ice rinks and ice slides will keep you too busy to be cold.

Another winter festival is the Igloofest, a series of outdoor music concerts held every year in January. Thousands of people attend these concerts which center around electronic music. Oh, and there's an igloo village to view.

Montreal Space for Life is another cool place to visit at any time of the year, especially if you're into nature and science. The attraction features a biodome, which reconstructs four ecosystems from Canada to the Antarctic; an insectarium; a botanical garden, and a planetarium.