The 10 Best Things To Do in Montreal in Spring

Spring and spring break are great times to visit Montreal, as the city slowly comes out of winter hibernation and the flowers start blooming. Today I’m focusing on the best things to do in Montreal in spring. 

I’ve included fun outdoor activities, free events, a quintessential spring in Quebec tradition and where to go for that Instagrammable flower moment. I hope you enjoy spring in Montreal as much as I do!

Things To Do in Montreal in Spring

Here are the best activities to tick off your bucket list and enjoy in Montreal in spring. 

1. Tulip Festival

If you’re looking for outdoor things to do in Montreal in spring, I recommend you head to the Old Port. This part of the picturesque Old Town hosts Montreal's annual Tulip Festival. The colorful flowers in full bloom completely change the neighbourhood. The flowers usually bloom in May, but you should check out their website closer to your visit as the blooming season varies. 

2. Tulip Picking

Speaking of tulips, did you know that you can go tulip picking near Montreal? Tulip gardens that offer this are generally off-island and make for a lovely day trip. I suggest you try Tulips.ca, which has a garden in Laval (less than a 30-minute drive from the Montreal core). 

3. Sugar Shack 

Here in Quebec, there’s a tradition where when the snow melts, we get together at a restaurant (called a sugar shack) and enjoy mountains of traditional foods like bean soup, omelet, ham, tourtiere and crispy pork rinds. The star of the show is the maple syrup, of course, which is generously slathered on every food item. 

Some of the sugar shacks even have horse-drawn carriages, petting zoos and live bands or entertainers to add to the magical experience. I really like ending my visit to the sugar shack with a dollop of maple taffy. There are many sugar shacks to choose from in Montreal, but I suggest you find one outside of the city to enjoy the full experience. 

4. Cherry Blossom Viewing

Montreal is home to a large number of cherry blossom trees. I think viewing cherry blossom trees is one of the best free things to do in Montreal in spring. I’m always amazed by their pink hue and seeing them always cheers me up so much. If you want to check out the cherry blossoms I suggest you head to the Botanical Gardens, Parc Maisonneuve, Westmount Park and Parc Jean-Drapeau. 

5. Enjoy a Terrasse 

Even if this is not an exclusive springtime activity, I had to include enjoying a terrasse on this list because spring is when the restaurants are allowed to set them up again. Montreal is known for its cosy outdoor dining areas and spring is always an incredible time of year for these as you can truly feel the excitement in the air. 

Montreal has more than 500 terrasses and I highly suggest you join in on the fun and visit one (or more) of these while you’re here this spring. Since March and April are still a little chilly in Montreal, you might want to wait till May and June to fully enjoy your terrasse experience. 

6. Art Souterrain 

This early spring arts festival is the perfect way to enjoy how truly diverse the Montreal art scene is. The festival is generally held during the first month of spring and is – in my opinion – a sight to behold. Art takes over 6 kilometres of Montreal’s “Underground City” (a vast network of interconnecting malls) and visitors are invited to explore the various art pieces.  

Since it’s not uncommon for it to rain at this time of year, Art Souterrain is one of the best indoor activities to enjoy in Montreal in spring.

7. Explore the Parks With Your Dog 

To me, spring is synonymous with the reawakening of the senses. I just love this time of year when the days grow longer, the snow melts and the temperature rises. It’s during spring that I become very eager to go back out into the world and explore nature. My dog feels the same. If you’re travelling to Montreal in spring with your pet, I highly suggest checking out the best dog-friendly parks and hikes near Montreal. 

8. Check Out a Hockey Game 

Montreal is home to one of the NHL’s oldest hockey teams, the Montreal Canadiens. Although most matches held at the Bell Center are during winter, a few regular season matches happen in spring too. If it’s a year where the Habs (as we like to call them here) are in the playoffs then there are many more action-packed games to enjoy during the spring season. 

If you’re a fan of hockey I highly suggest you check out a Habs game while you’re here. The entire city shows up to support their beloved hockey players and the downtown area (where the Bell Center is located) literally comes to life.

9. Enjoy a Picnic 

Nothing beats enjoying the many landmarks Montreal has to offer by packing a lunch and a blanket and heading down to the Lachine Canal; an offshoot of the St Lawrence River. Other options include Mount Royal Park, Westmount Park or Lafontaine Park. This is one of the best free activities in Montreal in spring because it’s laid-back, relaxing and a great chance for you to enjoy this beautiful city.

10. Free Museum Day 

Looking for free attractions in Montreal? Every year in spring, many Montreal museums open their doors to visitors for free. This is an excellent chance to try out many of the city's excellent museums free of charge, for instance: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Pointe-a-Calliere, MAC Montreal and the Science Center. 

I hope you enjoy spring in Montreal and take the time to soak up all the outdoor things to do in Montreal in spring. If you visit on the cusp of summer, you might also like to check out our guide to the best summer activities in Montreal.