Summer is officially over in Montreal, which means cooler weather and shorter days are upon us! In fact, Montreal experiences an average of 120 days of precipitation (both rain & snow) per year! That said, Montreal still has plenty to offer, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate! I’ve compiled a list of 9 exciting things to do in Montreal on a rainy day, that will keep you both entertained and dry! From cultural experiences, cozy indoor dining & thrilling activities, there is something for everyone on this list!
Explore the Underground City
Explore Montréal’s extensive Underground City (also known as RESO), a pedestrian network that spans over 33 kilometers and links movie theaters, seven metro stations, 200 restaurants & 1700 shops. It is the largest underground complex in the world, and is linked through a network of interconnected tunnels so you can stay dry while spending the day shopping & dining through the subterranean world! You can shop till you drop at the Eaton Centre, Complexe Desjardins or Cours Mont-Royal and indulge in delicious cuisine at food halls like Time Out Market & Le Cathcart. With endless shopping, dining, art installations and cultural venues, the Underground City is the ultimate climate-controlled environment to escape the rain or snow.
Price: Free to explore the tunnels, costs may vary for activities within.
Website: https://montrealvisitorsguide.com/reso-underground-city-la-villesouterraine/
Location: Throughout Montreal downtown. Here is a handy map of the Underground City & its 120 street level entrances.
Visit the Biodome
The Biodôme de Montréal is an incredible natural science museum housed within the iconic rounded structure originally built as the Velodrome for the 1976 Montréal Summer Olympic Games. Inside, you’ll discover an astounding collection of 2,500 animals spanning over 200 diverse species, accompanied by a lush display of 800 plant species. Following a two-year revitalization, the Biodôme reopened in 2020 with an immersive, multisensory experience that takes you on a journey through five distinct ecosystems of the Americas, from the vibrant Tropical Rainforest to the marine life of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Biodôme is not just a refuge for animal lovers; it’s also an eco-conscious haven with a boutique committed to minimal packaging and a vegan-friendly restaurant, making it the ideal place for a rainy afternoon that will make you feel like a kid again! Whether you’re drawn to King Penguins, Canadian Lynxes, or Capybaras, the Biodome offers something for everyone, making it a must-visit on your Montreal rainy day itinerary.
Price: Admission fees is $22.75
Website: https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome
Location: 4777 Pierre-de Coubertin Ave, Montreal, Quebec H1V 1B3
Relax at a Nordic Spa
One of my favorite activities on a rainy day is to escape to a nordic day spa! Nordic bathing embraces the practices of Scandinavian countries, such as Sweden, Norway, and Finland, and is rooted in the belief that alternating between hot and cold experiences can promote physical and mental well-being. Alternating between these contrasting temperatures offers a myriad of benefits for the body and mind; the heat from saunas, spas & steam rooms promotes relaxation, reduces stress and soothes tired muscles & joints, while the invigorating cold plunges & showers help to detoxify the body, stimulate circulation & boosts the immune system. Montreal is home to a handful of incredible nordic spas, in fact – Quebec draws the greatest concentration of Nordic spas in Canada. In Montreal, you can choose from Bota Bota, Strøm Spa or Scandinave Spa. All three spas offer thermal circuits and additional massages services, so you can alternate between hot saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms & spas followed by icy plunges in Nordic baths, showers & waterfalls. To end your circuit, you can relax in a fluffy robe in the spa’s cozy relaxation areas! For my full review & guide to Scandinave Spa please click here; for my review and guide to Bota Bota spa, please click here.
Scandinave Spa
Price: $75-$80 for the Thermal Circuit
Website: https://www.scandinave.com/vieux-montreal
Location: 71 De la Commune St W, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2C6
Bota Bota
Price: $60-$85 for the Thermal Circuit
Website: https://botabota.ca/en/
Location: Entrée McGill et, R. de la Commune O, Montréal, QC H2Y 2E2
Strøm Spa
Price: $59-$84 for the Thermal Circuit
Website: https://boutique.stromspa.com/en
Location: 1001 Bd de la Forêt, Verdun, QC H3E 1X9 (Nun’s Island location)
Get Creative with an At-Home Pizza Kit
When it’s too cold to go outside but you still want a fun activity at home, you can treat yourself to an at-home meal kit from a local restaurant! My personal favorite is Pizzeria No. 900’s Make-Your-Own-Pizza Kit. I recommend their ‘Foukit’ (named after Francophone rapper Fouki) which contains 4 pizza doughs, marinara sauce, fior di latte, basil, salami, spicy oil & grana padano and costs $36. Your ingredients will arrive at your door perfectly portioned & ready to customize your own pizzas. It is a great way to savor the flavors of Montreal from the cozy comfort of your home. For a comprehensive review and guide to Pizzeria No. 900, please click here.
Price: $25 – $36
Website: https://no900.order-online.ai/#/
Location: Comfort of your own home!
Get Competitive at Mini Golf
Putting Edge Montreal is an indoor mini golf course located in Centre-Ville, offering a unique Glow-in-the-Dark experience that is a perfect escape on a rainy day. With 18 holes entirely illuminated by black lights, the course features surreal and fantasy theming, creating a nostalgic vibe that is perfect for any occasion. It has unique, challenging courses and one of my favorite aspects is the innovative Putting Edge Scorecard mobile app for effortless scorekeeping. After your game, you can even celebrate at the licensed bar and enjoy the retro arcade. Please click here to check out my full guide to Putting Edge. Pro Tip: Don’t forget to wear white clothing for the full glow-in-the-dark effect.
Price: $13.49
Website: https://www.puttingedge.com/
Location: 1259 Guy St, Montreal, Quebec H3H 2K5
Watch a Movie in VIP Style
On a rainy day, elevate your movie experience by visiting the VIP cinemas at Cinéma Cineplex Forum et VIP. These exclusive theaters offer a unique and luxurious movie-watching experience. The seating is exceptionally comfortable, featuring spacious, full-reclining chairs with individual temperature controls. With the VIP ticket, you also gain access to the VIP Lounge, a special area where you can enjoy cocktails and delicious restaurant-style food before and after the film. You can also order food directly to your seat prior to the movie, and a server will deliver it to you during your film. The VIP menu includes more than just popcorn and candy; you can indulge in hot meals like tacos, pizza, salads, desserts & more along with signature, hand-crafted cocktails. Plus, with no kids allowed, it’s a quieter and more mature movie experience. While the VIP experience comes at an additional cost, it’s a fantastic way to enhance your rainy day movie outing and enjoy all the perks it has to offer.
Price: $17-$29 (varies by day of the week)
Website: https://www.cineplex.com/
Location: 2313 St. Catherine St. West Suite 101, Montréal, QC, H3H 1N2
Indulge in High Tea
Indulging in an elegant high tea is the perfect rainy-day escape. In Montreal, you can experience this classic English tradition at various charming tea salons. Whether you prefer the quintessential tea experience in the Palm Court of the Ritz-Carlton Montréal, the classic charm of Le Parloir in the Plateau, or an extensive tea selection of over 100 choices at Cha Noir Tea House, you’ll find solace from the rain while relishing finger sandwiches, fluffy scones, and aromatic teas. For a unique twist, don’t miss the Barbie-themed Afternoon Tea at Rosélys Restaurant in the Fairmont, The Queen Elizabeth until September 30, 2024. Other fantastic options include Cardinal Tea Room, La Brume dans mes Lunettes, and Gryphon d’Or, but my personal favorite high tea experience is the one at Burgundy Lion. Set in their stunning four-season solarium, it offers divine three-tiered platters featuring smoked salmon and crème fraiche sandwiches, mini macaroons, and sweet and savory scones. What’s more, the flexible pricing, ranging from $45 to $75, ensures it’s an affordable treat for everyone. For my detailed review and guide, please click here.
Price: Varies by location and menu however expect to pay $45 +
Location: Various throughout Montreal
Get inspired at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) is a prestigious cultural institution, established in 1860 and recognized as the oldest art museum in Canada. It stands out as one of the top 15 most-visited museums in North America, and is a great place to escape the rain and get inspired! The museum has an extensive collection comprising over 45,000 artworks, ranging from European Masters to diverse multimedia installations. It has five interconnected pavilions, providing an enriching experience for guests to explore art, history, and culture while taking shelter from the rain! The MMFA also hosts traveling exhibitions, features a concert hall, movie theater, boutique, bookstore, and Beaux-Arts Bistro, ensuring a diverse indoor activity for all. Don’t miss the Marisol exhibit now until January 2024, or the Pop of Life! Exhibit on until March 2024.
Price: $16-$24 depending on age. Note you can visit the Collections for Free on the first Sunday of every month
Website: https://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/
Location: 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J5
Marvel at the Aura Light Show
The AURA Experience at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal is a captivating multimedia light and sound spectacle. The immersive presentation showcases the architectural beauty and cultural heritage of the basilica in a truly mesmerizing way. Created by the renowned and award-winning studio Moment Factory, known for their outstanding installations such as Tonga Lumina at Mont-Tremblant, the AURA Experience transforms the basilica’s interior into a visual and musical wonder. Before the main light show, you can take up to 30 minutes to explore the Basilica’s illuminated stations, highlighting its architectural and artwork details. Then, settle into the pews for the 23-minute multisensory performance. It’s a unique and enchanting opportunity to marvel at the rich history and stunning architecture of the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal while staying dry on a rainy day!
Price: $32 for adult admission
Website: https://www.aurabasiliquemontreal.com/en/experience
Location: Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal, 110 Notre-Dame Street West, Montréal, QC, H2Y 1T2
With the cooler months upon us, plan your rainy day adventures in Montreal and make the most of your time, no matter the weather. Whether you’re exploring the Underground City, savoring an elegant high tea, or marveling at the Aura Lightshow, Montreal offers a variety of indoor experiences to keep you entertained and dry. Make the best of every rainy day in Montreal, and let the city’s charm shine through, rain, hail or shine!
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