Neighbourhood guide

Olympic Park and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Space for Life, the Olympic Stadium and Maisonneuve's market

This part of the east end groups the Olympic Park and the Space for Life museums with Hochelaga-Maisonneuve's main street. The Stadium is the landmark, though it and the Montréal Tower are closed to visitors for now. The Botanical Garden is the strongest draw in October.

Space for Life runs the Biodôme, Planétarium, Insectarium, Botanical Garden and the Biosphère. The one-museum adult price is $25.50, and CMM residents pay $18.50. Hours change by week, and the Biodôme and its neighbours were closed Mondays on the schedules seen.

The Botanical Garden holds the Chinese, Japanese and First Nations gardens. In October its hours extend into the evening and Chinese lanterns are lit. South of the Olympic site, Rue Ontario Est holds the Maison de la culture and Marché Maisonneuve.

Getting there

Take the Green line to Pie-IX or Viau. Pie-IX is the closer stop for the Botanical Garden and Château Dufresne, while Viau is the closer stop for the Stadium, Biodôme and Planétarium. Marché Maisonneuve is served by both stations, and buses 125 and 139 stop near it.

17 places

Viau or Pie-IX (Green line) · Viau (Green line) stations

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What to see

Start at the Botanical Garden and its three cultural gardens. The Insectarium is next to it, and the Biodôme and Planétarium are a short walk toward the Stadium. Look at the Stadium from outside, since the building is closed while the tower is rebuilt for a spring 2027 reopening.

Château Dufresne is a short walk from Pie-IX station and the Maison de la culture is on Rue Ontario Est, so they pair well on a second day.

Where to eat and drink

Marché Maisonneuve has a bakery and food counters. Saturdays from May to October bring live music and a food area outside the market. Rue Ontario Est has other restaurants that set their own hours.

Good to know

Book timed tickets for the Biodôme and Insectarium, since reservations are recommended. Check the Space for Life hours calendar before you go, because hours change by week. Many places close on Mondays.

Nearby neighbourhoods

The Village Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, drag cabaret and a big public library 12 places · 4.2 km away

Plateau Mont-Royal Smoked meat, brick-paved streets and a big park behind the pond 21 places · 4.4 km away

Mile End Two bagel bakeries, vinyl shops and a handful of venues on the Main 17 places · 5.2 km away

Parc Jean-Drapeau Two islands in the St. Lawrence with a beach, a casino and a race track 9 places · 5.3 km away

The best of Olympic Park and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Best garden Montreal Botanical Garden Go in October for the evening hours and the lanterns.

Best market Marché Maisonneuve Open 9:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday. Parking at the back is free for 90 minutes.

Best history Château Dufresne Adults pay $14. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Best free culture Maison de la culture Maisonneuve Admission is free. Open Wednesday to Sunday 13:00 to 17:00.

Best park Parc Maisonneuve Open 6:00 to midnight every day.

Things to do in Olympic Park and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Olympic Stadium roof and leaning tower under blue sky, Montréal

Landmark Olympic Stadium The main venue of the 1976 Olympic Games, designed by architect Roger Taillibert and the largest indoor amphitheatre in Quebec. It has hosted sport, concerts and exhibitions since 1976.

Biodôme building with the Olympic Stadium tower rising behind it, Montréal

Museum Biodôme A Space for Life museum on Avenue Pierre-De Coubertin beside the Olympic Stadium.

Exterior of the Planetarium Rio Tinto Alcan with its two metal domes beside the entrance plaza

Museum Planétarium Rio Tinto Alcan A Space for Life planetarium with two theatres showing double features and an exhibition on the search for life in the universe. The ticket includes one double feature and the exhibition.

Entrance canopy of the Insectarium de Montréal seen from the path with trees around it

Museum Insectarium A Space for Life museum of insects beside the Botanical Garden. Visits are a one-way circuit through every gallery and take about 90 minutes.

Chinese Garden pavilion beyond a lily pond in the Montréal Botanical Garden

Park Montreal Botanical Garden A Space for Life garden with themed gardens, greenhouses and an arboretum, including cultural gardens built by Chinese, Japanese and First Nations designers. In October its hours extend into the evening and Chinese lanterns light up the Chinese garden.

Red pagoda tower rising above the jade-green pond of the Chinese Garden, Montréal

Park Chinese Garden A garden inside the Botanical Garden based on classical Chinese landscape design. Its pavilions were shipped from Shanghai and assembled in Montréal in 1990.

Koi pond and wooden bridge in the Japanese Garden of the Montréal Botanical Garden

Park Japanese Garden A 2.5-hectare garden inside the Botanical Garden where stone, water and plants form an idealised landscape. It has a stroll garden, a dry garden and a tea garden.

Park First Nations Garden A garden inside the Botanical Garden that opened in August 2001 and shows the links between Indigenous peoples and the plant world. It sits between the Arboretum and the Japanese Garden, north of the Chinese Garden.

Beaux-Arts facade of Maisonneuve Market with copper roofs and cupola in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montréal.

Market Marché Maisonneuve A public market at William David and Ontario with produce growers, a butcher, fishmonger, cheesemonger, florist and bakery. Saturdays from May to October add live music and a food area outside.

Park Parc Maisonneuve A large city park next to the Botanical Garden, known for open lawns, a multi-use track and the sheep that mow its lawns. In winter it has skating and cross-country ski trails.

Château Dufresne exterior and garden in Montréal's Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district.

Museum Château Dufresne A museum in the former Dufresne family home on Avenue Jeanne-d'Arc, with exhibitions listed on the museum's site, including one on Maisonneuve in 1976.

Landmark · Free Maison de la culture Maisonneuve A city cultural centre on Rue Ontario Est with a cabaret-style performance hall, an exhibition hall and a multi-purpose hall. It presents shows, exhibitions and films, and admission is free.

Neighbourhood · Free Rue Ontario Est (Hochelaga-Maisonneuve) The main street of Maisonneuve. The city's Maison de la culture is at 4200 and Marché Maisonneuve at 4445, so the two sit about a ten-minute walk apart.

Beaux-Arts facade of Bain Morgan public bath in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montréal

Landmark · Free Bain Morgan A public indoor pool on avenue Morgan in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve with free open-swim sessions, including adults-only periods.

Stone facade of Maisonneuve Library on Ontario Street East in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montréal

Landmark Maisonneuve Library A branch library in the building that was Maisonneuve's city hall from 1912 to 1918. The singer La Bolduc died here in 1941, when it housed a University of Montréal radium institute.

Park · Free Morgan Trail A walking path that links Olympic Park to Maisonneuve Park along the Morgan hill. It has views of the Tower and the Monteregian Hills and an outdoor fitness circuit.

Pavilion and winding path in Parc Morgan in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Montréal

Park Parc Morgan A neighbourhood park in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve with a children's play area and a hill used for sledding in winter.

What's on in Olympic Park and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

Maisonneuve Market Market
Every day. Next: Fri 13 Nov · Marché Maisonneuve
A public market in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve with free parking for 90 minutes behind the building.
Free entry · Mon to Sat 09:00 to 18:00, Sun 09:00 to 17:00 · Map · Source: Marchés publics de Montréal · Marché Maisonneuve
Irish Dream Concert
Fri 20 Nov · Cabaret de Curiosités
A rap show with MonMon and ocho green at Cabaret de Curiosités.
19:30 to 23:30 · Map · Source: Cabaret de Curiosités
Guided Tour in Italian: Klaus Scherübel Tours and walks
Sat 21 Nov · Fondation Guido Molinari
A guided tour in Italian of the Klaus Scherübel exhibition for the Week of the Italian Language.
Map · Source: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Montreal · Guided Tour in Italian of the Exhibition “Klaus Scherübel.
Organ concert: Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard Classical and opera
Sun 29 Nov · Église Très-Saint-Nom-de-Jésus
A free organ concert by Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard on the church's two interlinked organs, with 91 stops.
Free (voluntary contribution) · Map · Source: Société des orgues de Maisonneuve · Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrard
Organ concert: Christmas Magic (Féerie de Noël) Classical and opera
Sun 6 Dec · Église Très-Saint-Nom-de-Jésus
A free Christmas organ concert on the church's two interlinked organs, with 91 stops.
Free (voluntary contribution) · Map · Source: Société des orgues de Maisonneuve · Féerie de Noël

Show 4 events nearby, outside Olympic Park and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

Queer à lire - Asexualité, aromantisme et autres spectres invisibilisés Talks and readings
Tue 17 Nov · Bibliothèque Maisonneuve
Reading club created by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, on this occasion about asexuality, aromanticism and other spectrums.
Free, registration required · 17:00 to 18:45 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Des livres et des tasses Talks and readings
Wed 18 Nov · Bibliothèque Maisonneuve
Literary discussions over a cup of tea with a wide variety of books, at Bibliothèque Maisonneuve.
Free, registration required · 17:30 to 18:45 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Viens à la maison Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Bibliothèque Maisonneuve
Afternoon party for the 20th anniversary of Les Éditions Ta Mère, with readings by house authors, book displays and snacks.
Free · 13:00 to 16:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal
Apérilivres : des pages et des breuvages Talks and readings
Thu 26 Nov · Bibliothèque Maisonneuve
Monthly literary gatherings with the Liseur public and the bookshop Le Renard perché, with reading, drinks, snacks and discussion.
Free · 17:00 to 19:00 · Map · Source: Ville de Montréal

More local events around Montréal

From the blog

Downtown Montréal skyline and the Saint Lawrence River seen from Mount Royal

Things to Do in Montréal: Old Montréal, Mount Royal and Markets Read

Stay in Olympic Park and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve

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