15 red-zone friendly things to do in Montreal this week: February 22 to 29

Montreal is currently in Red Zone, Level 4–Maximum Alert — the government’s strictest tier in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. Between 8 pm and 5 am, Quebecers must not leave their homes except in cases that justify travel. Travelling between regions is “not recommended,” per the government, and all COVID-19 protocols (indoor mask-wearing, two-metre physical distancing, and frequent sanitization, must be followed.

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Even though all of Montreal is under red-zone restrictions, there are still a handful of pandemic-friendly things to do.

Montreal’s COVID-19 protocols are strict. However, newly-eased measures have given citizens a little bit more freedom to do things, especially outdoors.

But even if you’re not comfortable with venturing out into the city to do things, there are plenty of fun things worth checking out from the comfort of your own home as well.

•  See also:
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  • A look inside: $12.5M majestic stone house in Montreal (PHOTOS)

With that said, here are a few things worth considering across Montreal as the final full week of February starts to take shape

Espace pour la vie

The newly renovated Biodôme de Montréal has reopened amid Quebec’s latest round of eased COVID-19 restrictions.

In fact, both of the Espace pour la vie venues have reopened as of last Monday. The Jardin Botanique is open to the public as well.

The Biodôme is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, and the Jardin Botanique is open daily from 7:30 am to 5 pm. Tickets cost a smooth $19 to enter each one.

In September, before the second wave of COVID-19 shut down venues and museums across the province, Espace pour la vie reopened after more than two years of construction and refurbishment work.

The iconic space’s renovations are highlighted by a new “multisensory and immersive experience,” as guests can make their way through five ecosystems of the Americas.

Order some local food

Montreal’s service industry has been completely decimated by the pandemic. If you’re not in the mood to cook, there’s a bevy of great options for take-out across a bunch of food delivery apps.

Tubing/tobogganing down Murray Hill

Murray Hill in Westmount is a great spot to tackle if you have a tube, toboggan, or magic carpet.

The City of Westmount has put up protective barriers, and the hill has piles of fake snow (as if it needs any this week) to really get you zooming down the slope.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) has reopened its doors for the first time in over four months.

The four exhibitions on display are “brimming with artistic discoveries and reflections on the major issues of our time.”

The MMFA is following all COVID-19 protocols and “ensures customer safety.”

Catch up on Netflix

Netflix has launched a slew of great content over the weekend, ranging from nature docs, animation, foreign films, and a series that takes place in the future after a global catastrophe — sound familiar?

Fire up the popcorn; your week-long date with Netflix starts right tonight.

Take a stroll through Old Montreal

Restaurants and bars don’t need to be fully open in the Old Port to appreciate the European-like beauty of Old Montreal.

Enjoy cobblestone steps, narrow streets covered in snow, the Notre-Dame Basilica, the glistening dome of the Bonsecours Market, or soak up a breathtaking nighttime view of the landscape of downtown Montreal.

La Grande Bibliothèque

If you’re sick of watching movies and shows, why not dive into a book?

La Grande Bibliothèque, the biggest library in the city, opened to the public last week.

It’s a gorgeous photo opp as well.

Time travel back to 1960s Montreal

If you’re in the mood for a little bit of time travelling, why not check out some photos of  Montreal in the 1960s?

Since the era of lava lamps, bell-bottoms, and Beatlemania, Montreal has gone through some obvious changes, yet stayed quite the same.

The photos, courtesy of Archives de la Ville de Montréal, feature building the city’s metro stations, Ste. Cat at night, winter atop the mountain, the Orange Julep, the Montreal Expos (sigh), and more.

Luminothérapie – Loop

Quartier des Spectacles is lit.

The Quartier des Spectacles’ public square is hosting the 11th edition of Luminothérapie with Loop, a series of luminous, music-playing, interactive art pieces.

Because if anything can lighten up the bleak start of the year, it’s Luminothérapie, Quebec’s largest temporary public art installation. Loop will be on display every day from noon to 7:30 pm until March 14.

Illumi

Illumi has been shining bright in Laval since the fall. It was initially set to close after the holidays but has been extended until March 7.

The drive-thru site offers 17 different scenes, 15 million LED lights, and over 3,000 structures.

This year’s exhibition offers visitors a “magical and safe experience” by car, on foot, or by mini train. The mini-train journey costs $19.50 for children and $28.50 for adults. A family package for groups of four is available, starting at $64.

Go house shopping

Now might actually be the best time to sit at home and peek into the luxurious lives of million-dollar homes around Montreal.

We scoured Sotheby’s International Realty and put together a list of the most expensive properties for sale in Montreal. Because sure, it’s a pandemic, but now might be the time to pour $25 million into a home.