List of museums in Montreal facts for kids
Montreal is a super cool city in Quebec, Canada, packed with amazing museums! These places are like treasure chests, each holding unique stories, art, science, and history. You can explore everything from ancient artifacts to modern art, learn about animals, or even step back in time. This list will help you discover some of the best museums and art galleries in Montreal, perfect for a fun and educational adventure. We're focusing on real places you can visit, not just online museums.
Discover Montreal's Awesome Museums
Montreal has so many fantastic museums, there's something for everyone! Here's a look at some of them. We've simplified the list to show you the most exciting parts.
Museum Name | What You'll Find There | What It's About |
---|---|---|
Artothèque de Montréal | Art | Cool contemporary art that's new and exciting. |
Bank of Montreal Museum | History | Learn about the history of the Bank of Montreal and see old coins. |
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec | Library & Exhibits | See changing exhibits about history and art from their huge collections. |
Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada Museum | Military History | Discover the history and special items of a famous Canadian regiment. |
Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre | Aviation | See a collection of real aircraft and art all about flying. |
Canadian Centre for Architecture | Architecture | A special place for studying and showing off amazing building designs. |
Canadian Guild of Crafts | Art & Crafts | Find beautiful Canadian crafts, including art from Inuit and First Nations artists. |
Centre d'exposition de l'Université de Montréal | Art | A gallery from the Université de Montréal showing contemporary art. |
Centre d'histoire de Montréal | City History | Explore the fascinating history of Montreal itself. |
Centre Émilie-Gamelin | Religious History | Learn about the life of a Roman Catholic nun, Émilie Gamelin, and the Sisters of Providence. |
Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur | Art | A historic chapel that hosts interesting art exhibits. |
Dufresne-Nincheri Museum | Historic House & Art | Visit a beautiful 1910s mansion and the art studio of Guido Nincheri. |
Château Ramezay - Musée et site historique de Montréal | History | Step back in time to the 18th century and learn about Montreal's past. |
Cinémathèque québécoise | Media | See exhibits about film, television, and photography. |
Cité historia, musée d'histoire du Sault-au-Récollet | Historic House | Explore an 18th-century historic house and mill. |
Darling Foundry | Art | A cool center for visual arts. |
DHC/ART | Art | A gallery dedicated to contemporary art. |
Dorval Museum of Local History and Heritage | Local History | Discover the history of the Dorval area. |
Écomusée du fier monde | History | Learn about the industrial past and working-class people of Montreal. |
Ecomuseum Zoo | Zoo | Meet live animals that are native to the Saint Lawrence River valley. |
Fur Trade at Lachine National Historic Site | History | Explore the story of Montreal's important fur industry. |
Galerie de l'UQAM | Art | A contemporary art gallery from the Université du Québec à Montréal. |
Gallery X | Art | A contemporary art gallery from Concordia University. |
Lachine Canal National Historic Site | Transport History | Learn about the history and importance of the Lachine Canal. |
Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery | Art | An art gallery that is part of Concordia University. |
Musée des Illusions Montréal (Museum of Illusions Montreal) | Illusions | A fun place with mind-bending optical illusions. |
Maison de Mère d’Youville | Religious History | Discover the history of the Grey Nuns and their founder, Saint Marie-Marguerite d'Youville. |
Maison Saint-Gabriel | Historic House | Visit a 17th-century house and gardens, with exhibits of old decorative arts. |
Marguerite Bourgeoys Museum | Religious History | See a historic chapel and learn about early religious settlers in Montreal. |
McCord Museum | Multiple Topics | Explore Montreal's history and culture, with changing exhibits on art and heritage. |
Montreal Biodôme | Zoo & Ecosystems | Walk through different ecosystems with their animals and plants, like a rainforest or polar world. |
Montreal Biosphère | Natural History | Learn about ecology, the environment, and how to live sustainably. |
Montreal Botanical Garden | Botanical Garden | Explore beautiful themed gardens and greenhouses filled with plants. |
Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre | History | Learn about the Holocaust and the dangers of hate and prejudice. |
Montreal Insectarium | Natural History | See live insects and amazing exhibits about the insect world. |
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts | Art | A huge collection of art from Canada, Europe, Africa, and many other places and times. |
Planetarium | Science | Explore the stars, planets, and wonders of space in amazing shows. |
Montreal Science Centre | Science | Fun, interactive exhibits that make science exciting and easy to understand. |
Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal | Art | See the latest and most exciting contemporary art. |
Musée de la police de Montréal | Law Enforcement | Learn about the history of the Montreal police force. |
Musée de Lachine | Multiple Topics | History exhibits in a 17th-century house, a sculpture garden, and art shows. |
Musée des Hospitalières de l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal | Medical History | Discover the history of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital, medicine, and religious art. |
Musée de Paléontologie et de l'Evolution | Natural History | Explore fossils and the geology of Canada, learning about ancient life. |
Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec | Art & Crafts | See contemporary crafts and art from Quebec. |
Musée des ondes Emile Berliner | Technology | Learn about the history of sound, from gramophones to radios and recording. |
Musée des pompiers de Montréal | Firefighting | Discover the history of firefighting in Montreal. |
Musée des Sœurs de Miséricorde | Religious History | Learn about the work of the Misericordia Sisters. |
Montreal Video Game Museum | Technology | Explore the history of video games, especially Canada's role in it. |
Musée Eudore-Dubeau | Medical History | Learn about the history of dentistry in Quebec (by appointment only). |
Museum of Fashion | Fashion | Discover the history of fashion and costumes. |
Museum of the Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal | Art | Features beautiful Christian art from Quebec and around the world. |
Peter B. Yeomans Cultural Centre | Art | Hosts various art exhibits. |
Pointe-à-Callière, Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History | History & Archaeology | Explore the history and archaeology of Montreal, built on the city's original birthplace. |
Prison-des-Patriotes | History | An exhibition about the 1837-1838 rebellions in Lower Canada and the Patriote movement. |
Redpath Museum of Natural History | Natural History | Part of McGill University, with exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, and more. |
Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps Museum | Military History | Learn about the history and special items of this military corps. |
Royal Montreal Regiment Museum | Military History | Discover the history and memorabilia of The Royal Montreal Regiment. |
SBC Gallery of Contemporary Art | Art | A gallery focused on contemporary art. |
Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site | Historic House | Visit a 19th-century Victorian house and learn about Sir George-Étienne Cartier's life. |
Stewart Hall Art Gallery | Art | A gallery that hosts various art exhibits. |
Museums That Have Closed Their Doors
Sometimes, museums change or close. Here are a few that are no longer open, but their collections often find new homes in other museums:
- The Stewart Museum closed in 2021, and its collection is now joining the McCord Museum.
- The Just for Laughs Museum closed in 2010.
- The Musée Marc-Aurèle Fortin closed in 2007, and its art is now at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
- The Musée Grévin Montreal, a wax museum, closed in 2021.
Montreal Museums Day: A Day of Free Fun!
Montreal Museums Day is a super exciting annual event in Montreal! Every May, on one special Sunday, over 30 of the city's biggest museums and art galleries open their doors for free. Imagine exploring all these amazing places without paying an entry fee!
To make it even easier to visit as many museums as possible, the Montreal Transit Corporation provides free shuttle buses. This means you can hop from one museum to another, discovering new things all day long. The first Montreal Museums Day happened way back in 1987, and it's been a popular tradition ever since!