Lea GagnonThe 10 best free museums in Montreal you’ll actually want to visit
Last summer, after yet another weekend spent trying to stretch my budget, I decided to explore Montreal without spending a dime. Wandering through the city, I ducked into a small museum, half expecting to be turned away for not having a ticket.
To my surprise, admission was free. What started as a spontaneous detour turned into a fascinating afternoon. It made me realise just how many incredible (and totally free) cultural spots this city has to offer.
I didn’t spend all that time exploring to keep these spots for myself. Of course, I made a list––and now, it’s yours to enjoy.
So if you’re in the mood for something fun, inspiring, and completely free, these Montreal museums are a perfect place to start.
- 1. Redpath Museum
- 2. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)
- 3. Musée Romeo's
- 4. Bank of Montreal Museum (Musée de la Banque de Montréal)
- 5. La Guilde
- 6. Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)
- 7. Barbie Expo
- 8. Afromusée
- 9. Maude Abbott Medical Museum (Musée médical Maude Abbott)
- 10. Pompiers Auxiliaires de Montréal Museum
1. Redpath Museum
Media credits: redpathmuseum
Address: 859 Sherbrooke St W
Contact details: +1 514 398 4861
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Saturday: 9 AM – 2:30 PM
- Sunday: Closed
The entrance hall of Redpath Museum is gorgeous. It has high ceilings, vintage display cases, and a mysterious vibe.
The first thing that caught my eye was the massive dinosaur skeleton right at the entrance, which I think was a Gorgosaurus. It’s huge and makes a great first impression. There’s also a giant whale skeleton hanging overhead that you can’t miss.
In the lower floors, they’re packed with fossils, animals, and all kinds of natural history exhibits. But it was the mineral and gemstone collection upstairs that really surprised me. Everything sparkled under the lights.
Just a heads up, though, that there’s no elevator, so be ready for stairs. But the museum’s compact size makes it manageable even with a bit of climbing.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss the 12-foot Japanese spider crab since it’s one of the museum’s most bizarre and memorable creatures. It’s upstairs in the zoology section and easy to walk past. Look for a giant crab display near the centre of the second floor. |
2. Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal)
Media credits: mbamtl
Address: 1380 Sherbrooke St W
Contact details: +1 514 285 2000
Operating hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Wednesday: 10 AM – 9 PM
- Thursday to Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is massive. It has five pavilions in total, which are all interconnected but each with its own vibe and focus. You definitely want to give yourself a few hours, if not a full afternoon, to take it all in without rushing.
I started off in the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion and was instantly drawn to the European art section. Seeing Monet’s soft brushstrokes and Picasso’s bold lines in person was something else.
They also have a whole area with ancient artefacts, like African masks, Japanese lacquer boxes, and beautiful Chinese vases. I love that the museum doesn’t just focus on one region or style. You’re travelling the world through art without leaving Montreal.
| Pro tip: If you’re visiting during winter, don’t forget to take advantage of the free coat check. It’s free and convenient, so you don’t have to carry your coat around the museum. |
3. Musée Romeo’s
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Address: 5445 &, 5455 Av. de Gaspé
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
If you’re exploring the Mile End neighbourhood, visiting the Musée Romeo’s should be a non-negotiable. The museum is located inside two stairwells between buildings.
It’s a little unexpected and unconventional, but it totally works. The space is raw and industrial, and the colourful murals bring it to life.
There are 24 murals in total, all by different Montreal artists, and each one has its own style. Some are bold and abstract, others are more detailed and illustrative.
The museum is open 24/7 and free, which I really appreciate. It’s not a long visit–maybe 20 to 30 minutes–but it’s a fun and different way to experience local art. Plus, the whole setup encourages you to slow down and look carefully at each landing.
| Pro tip: Start on the top floor using the elevator, then walk down the stairs to see the murals. Going up 12 flights can be exhausting, especially if you’re not used to stairs. |
4. Bank of Montreal Museum (Musée de la Banque de Montréal)
Media credits: guiamontreal
Address: 129 Rue Saint-Jacques
Contact details: +1 514 877 6810
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 4 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Right when you walk into the building, the high dome ceiling, the marble columns, and the overall grandeur make you feel like you’ve stepped into a European palace and not a bank.
Finding the museum was a little tricky at first. It’s tucked away in a quiet passage between the original 1800s building and the more modern part of the headquarters.
It’s just one small room, but it’s thoughtfully laid out. Besides the mechanical piggy banks, I enjoyed looking at the old banknotes and photos, too.
There’s also a replica of a 19th-century teller’s window that helps you imagine what banking was like way back then. One wall shows how the banking system developed in cities across Canada, which I found genuinely interesting.
| Pro tip: Add your name to the guestbook. There’s a little diary at the exit where visitors can leave a message or just jot down their name and date. It’s a sweet way to mark your visit. |
5. La Guilde
Media credits: laguildemtl
Address: 1356 Sherbrooke St W
Contact details: +1 514 849 6091
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
La Guilde is just super close to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, so it’s easy to add to your day if you’re already exploring the area.
What makes it so special, though, is its focus on Indigenous art–Inuit, First Nations, and Métis. I saw all kinds of beautiful and unique pieces, like detailed soapstone carvings, colourful beadwork, and some really creative ceramics.
There was also a beautiful wall hanging made from beads and dyed porcupine quills, which I’d never seen anything like before. These pieces weren’t just pretty to look at… they tell stories, and you could feel the history and meaning behind them.
| Pro tip: Plan 45 minutes to an hour inside. It’s not huge, but you’ll want to take your time with the pieces, especially if you’re reading about the artists or watching a workshop in progress. The slower pace adds to the experience. |
6. Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)
Media credits: macmontreal
Address: Niveau Galerie, Pl. Ville-Marie Local 11220
Contact details: +1 514 847 6226
Operating hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 11 AM – 5:30 PM
MAC is currently at its temporary location in Place Ville Marie, yet I still saw some unforgettable pieces. It’s not a very large museum, but it’s one of those places where the size doesn’t matter because the creativity completely fills the space.
One of my favourite pieces was an immersive sound installation in a darkened room. At first, it felt a bit disorienting, but once I settled in, the layering of voices and tones made me feel like I was inside someone’s memory. It was haunting, in a good way.
There are free guided tours, which are offered in English and French on weekends. It really makes a difference when your guide explains the background behind certain pieces, especially works by Indigenous artists from Quebec and the North.
It’s also nice how accessible the museum is. There were elevators, wide pathways, and even wheelchairs at the front.
| Pro tip: Use your membership or museum cards. Admission is free or discounted with the Montéal Museums Card or other accepted passes. If you’re a local, go on the first Sunday of the month since it’s free for Quebec residents. |
7. Barbie Expo
Media credits: liltraveltales
Address: 1455 Peel St Level 3
Contact details: +1 514 842 7777
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 9 AM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday to Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Barbie Expo is inside this fancy mall downtown called Les Cours Mont-Royal. I thought it would be just a small area, but it’s huge and packed with over 1,000 Barbie dolls.
Some dolls are wearing outfits by real fashion designers like Dior, Vera Wang, and Armani. There was even this Barbie in a red Oscar de la Renta gown that looked like it belonged on an actual runway.
They also have Barbies dressed as celebrities like Beyoncé, Elvis, and even historical figures like Marie Antoinette. One section has a mini runway with Barbies that actually move. It’s super creative and really well done.
What I really loved was how diverse the dolls were. Different body types, skin tones, and styles. It felt very modern and inclusive, not just the “classic” blonde Barbie look.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss the life-size Barbie box photo op. It’s a little cheesy in the best way, but it makes the experience super fun and very Instagrammable. |
8. Afromusée
Media credits: afromusee
Address: 533 Ontario St E
Contact details: +1 438 375 3306
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday to Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Afromusée is not really a huge museum, but there’s so much packed into the space. One of the best parts for me was learning about Black Canadian history.
They had this exhibition featuring the work of Dorothy Williams, who has spent decades documenting stories that go way back, even to the 1500s. Seeing old photos, documents, and personal stories made it all feel real and powerful.
The art collection was also amazing. There were pieces from different African regions, and I was especially drawn to the Ethiopian collection. I loved how everything was laid out in a way that made it easy to follow, even if you’re not super into history or art.
| Pro tip: Afromusée often hosts special events like poetry nights, live music, and workshops, especially on Thursday. These events really bring the space to life, so check their website or social media to time your visit with something happening. |
9. Maude Abbott Medical Museum (Musée médical Maude Abbott)
Media credits: mcgill_mamm
Address: Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, 3640 Rue University Room 2/38E
Contact details: +1 514 398 2915
Operating hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 1 PM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
Maude Abbott Medical Museum may be small, but don’t let that fool you. Almost every corner has something jaw-dropping.
One of the first specimens I saw was the Holmes Heart, which dates all the way back to 1822. It’s wild to think you’re looking at a real human heart from over 200 years ago.
There are a lot of glass jars with what looks like cloudy grey blobs inside. At first, it’s hard to tell what you’re even looking at. But once you start reading the labels or scanning the QR codes, you begin to understand what diseases are being shown.
If you’re into science, medicine, or just curious about the human body, this place is a hidden gem. That said, some of the displays are really graphic, so it’s not for everyone, and definitely not for small kids.
| Pro tip:The museum isn’t always open to the public like a regular tourist attraction. It’s part of McGill University, so email them at [email protected] to ask about visiting hours or arrange a private or small group visit. |
10. Pompiers Auxiliaires de Montréal Museum
Media credits: pompiersauxiliairesmontreal
Address: 5100 St Laurent Blvd
Contact details: +1 514 872 3757
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: 1:30 PM – 4 PM
The Pompiers Auxilliaries de Montréal Museum’s building itself is worth the visit. It’s this historic old fire station that used to be the city hall and police station back in the day. The floors creaked a little, and you could really feel the history in the walls.
One of the first things that caught my eye during my visit was the row of vintage fire trucks. There’s a bright red 1953 Mack aerial ladder truck that looks like it came straight out of an old movie. It was wild to think how people used to fight fire with those.
The gift shop was small but had cool patches and shirts. If you have some money to spare, grab a patch for your backpack. It’s a little pricey, but the money goes to keeping everything running.
| Pro tip:After your visit, grab a coffee or snack from one of the nearby cafés. The neighbourhood around Boulevard St. Laurent is full of cute spots and great street art. |
