Are you curious to visit the cool places in Montreal where the locals hang? Then take a detour from Montreal’s typical tourist spots and explore two of the city’s tastiest and trendiest neighbourhoods on a guided walking tour: Plateau Mont-Royal & Mile End Montreal! These two adjacent communities may be on the quieter side, but they are beloved by locals for their excellent cafés and shops, artistic spirit, and multicultural roots! Get off the beaten path with one of our friendly local guides to explore where the locals live, work, and play. This MTL Detours route has been carefully crafted to show you what makes this part of Montreal so unique and special.
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Our Plateau Mont-Royal & Mile End walking tour kicks off when you meet your MTL Detours guide at the edge of Saint Louis Square, right in front of the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec. The surrounding area boasts beautiful Victorian-era architecture, and we’ll lead you down some residential streets to point out the typical architecture of the neighbourhood – iconic three-story triplexes with their distinctive wrought iron outdoor staircases.
Next, we’ll visit the multicultural hub of Saint Laurent Boulevard, where different waves of immigrants have arrived and settled over the years. Along the way, we’ll see plenty of photo-worthy murals and street art – evidence of Montreal’s reputation as one of the world’s top mural arts hotspots! We will learn about the Jewish influence in the city and walk by some important Montreal “institutions”, including the legendary Schwartz’s Deli, one of the oldest delis in Canada.
Of course, this wouldn’t be an MTL Detours tour if we didn’t take you to some hidden gems along the way! We’ll guide you through some quieter streets to visit our favourite “green alleyways”, which residents have adorned and revived with plants, benches, hosted neighbourhood happy hours, and street hockey games year round.
Next, we’ll hit the main street, Avenue du Mont-Royal, as your guide fills you in on Montreal history and culture, answering any questions you may have along the way.
Upon arrival in the Mile End area, you will see Parc Lahaie and the Saint-Enfant-Jésus Church. The group will weave and zigzag through the streets of the neighbourhood and enjoying the quaint residential architecture. As we walk, your local guide will explain the past and present of Mile End and will delve into fascinating stories about its working-class roots, its multiculturalism, its artistic flair, and its current popularity as a tech hotspot.
We’ll take in the vibrant atmosphere of the neighbourhood – a mix of a little bit bohemian, a little bit industrial, with plenty of quirk and charm! Of course, we’ll see local institutions and landmarks like St-Viateur & Fairmount Bagel Shops, Cafe Olimpico, Wilensky’s, St. Michael’s & St. Anthony’s Church, and many more.
At the end of this tour, with some new insight on the city, your appetite teased, and a personal list of recommendations from your Montreal tour guide on what more to do, see, and eat, you’ll be ready to explore more of Montreal on your own! Your tour will come to an end around Waverly and St-Viateur Street, where you’ll part ways with your MTL Detours guide.
Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec
Your MTL Detours guide will meet you outside the 3535 entrance of the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec.
Our meeting location is next to the Sherbrooke metro station (subway) on the Orange metro line.
Please note, we ask that all guests arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour start time. As our tours begin on time, latecomers may not be able to join the tour.
Tour ends in the vicinity of Waverly and Saint-Viateur Street.
This tour has an age minimum of 12 years old. Please check out our private tour option to include guests under 12.
Not wheelchair accessible and not suitable for guests with mobility restrictions or serious health issues. Please inquire about the possibility of booking a private tour.
Guests must like to walk – a lot! This tour involves plenty of walking at a decent pace (up to approx. 6km /4 miles). Be ready to be on your feet and moving for close to the entire 3-hour duration.
Places to sit and rest are very limited.
All MTL Detours guides are trained, certified, and licensed with the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec and the Association professionnelle des guides touristiques, as required by the City of Montreal.
Check out our About Us for more info on each of our amazing guides!
Our walking tours are offered in English by default. If you’re looking for a tour in French, please contact us or check our private tours option to make arrangements. Merci beaucoup!
The minimum age to attend is 12 years old. Please contact us or check our private tours option to schedule a tour with younger kids.
This tour runs in all weather – rain, shine, or snow! However, we occasionally have to cancel a tour in the event of extreme or violent weather (severe thunderstorms, freezing rain, high winds, or major snowstorm, for example). Should this occur, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Please monitor your messages/email if inclement weather is expected.
Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions! These tours are entirely outdoors.
Our tours are 100% refundable up to 24 hours before the tour start time. Please be mindful that the later you wait to cancel, the harder it is for us to fill your spots. If you cancel less than 24 hours ahead of time or do not show up for the date and time that you booked, unfortunately, any sums paid will be 100% non-refundable. No-shows, bookings for incorrect dates/times and late arrivals are not eligible for refunds. We can try to fit you onto another tour, pending availability, but cannot guarantee this option. If you can’t make it, please contact us in advance to notify of your absence. For PRIVATE tours, the cancellation policy is 72 hours.
