Canada, North America
Montreal in November
The bleakest stretch of the year. Museums and restaurants carry the trip; nothing outdoors shines.
The straight answer
November is a month to think twice about visiting Montreal. The bleakest stretch of the year. Museums and restaurants carry the trip; nothing outdoors shines.
- Weather
- Cold and gray, highs near 42F (6C)
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What November is like in Montreal
November is the bleakest stretch of Montreal's year. Highs sit near 42F (6C), skies are gray, the leaves are gone and snow has not really arrived. Terraces are closed and nothing outdoors shines. On the plus side, crowds are at their lowest and hotels are cheap.
Honestly, most travelers should pick another month. This one works only if you want a budget trip built around museums, restaurants and the indoor city. For a better visit, choose September or early October, or December for snow and holiday markets. Even then, pack for cold rain.
Make the most of November
What is especially good about Montreal this month.
Low prices
Hotels hit some of their lowest rates of the year, and good restaurants are easy to book.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Five pavilions of art on Sherbrooke Street can easily fill a gray day.
Biodome and Insectarium
Indoor ecosystems and bugs keep kids busy while the weather is dull.
What to pack for November
- A warm, waterproof coat
- Waterproof boots
- A hat, gloves and scarf
- An umbrella
Our timing tip
Base yourself near a metro station so you can hop between museums and restaurants without long cold walks.
Book Montreal for November.
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- Hotels for November
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in MontrealOpens a hotel search for Montreal in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in MontrealWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in MontrealTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Montreal for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Montreal
Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica
Cobblestones, the Old Port, and the basilica's blue and gold interior. The evening AURA light show inside is worth a booking.
Mount Royal
Walk up to the Kondiaronk lookout for the city view. Sunday afternoon tam-tams by the George-Etienne Cartier monument in summer are a local ritual.
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
One of Canada's leading art museums, spread over five pavilions on Sherbrooke Street.
Jean-Talon Market
One of North America's largest open-air markets, open year-round. Visit in late summer for the Quebec harvest.
Space for Life: Botanical Garden, Biodome, and Insectarium
Big, family-friendly, and great in any season. The Gardens of Light lanterns run in fall.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
The island park of Expo 67 and the Grand Prix circuit, with the Biosphere, a beach, and summer festivals.
Beat the crowds
- Visit Old Montreal early in the morning or on weekday evenings; weekend afternoons and cruise days fill Place Jacques-Cartier.
- Check the festival calendar before booking: the Grand Prix weekend and the Jazz Festival push hotel rates sharply higher, while the weeks around them are much cheaper.
- Go in September for summer weather at shoulder-season prices once the festival rush has ended.
- For winter trips, use the indoor city and the metro to move between neighborhoods and save the outdoor time for the festival nights.
Know before you go
- July 1 is Canada Day and also Quebec's traditional moving day, when leases turn over. Streets fill with moving trucks, and some businesses close.
- June 24, the Fete nationale, is a public holiday in Quebec with some closures and big free concerts.
- Terraces, the Old Port attractions, and many seasonal activities run roughly May to October. In winter, the Old Port turns to skating, and the indoor city keeps shopping running.
- Sugar shacks outside the city are seasonal, mostly March and April, and popular ones need reservations.
Montreal in November, quick answers
Is November a good time to visit Montreal?
November is a month to think twice about visiting Montreal. The bleakest stretch of the year. Museums and restaurants carry the trip; nothing outdoors shines.
What is the weather like in Montreal in November?
Cold and gray, highs near 42F (6C).
Is Montreal crowded in November?
November is one of the quieter months in Montreal; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Montreal.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in November
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
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