20 Red Zone-friendly things to do in Montreal this week: March 12 to 14

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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As we enter the midpoint of March, Quebec has received good news as the resuming of sports and opening of gyms is set to take effect at the end of the month.

While we’re still a couple of weeks away from being able to play sports and hit the gym, here are a handful of things to do in Montreal this weekend.

If you plan on hitting the town, or plan on keeping busy indoors, here are 20 things to do in Montreal until Sunday night.

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Montréal en Lumière

Place des Festivals is offering a slew of COVID-19-friendly, physically-distanced outdoor exhibitions for this year’s Montréal en Lumière.

Check out the site’s Splinter, Chimes, Passage, Heat Island, and the timeless Grand Roue.

Check out every lot in Montreal (virtually)

Ever wish you could visit every single building in Montreal?

We haven’t either, but just in case, this Twitter account allows you to do just that.

Started in August 2020, @everylotmtl is a bot that shows a Google Streetview picture of, well, every single lot in Montreal, along with details like the year it was built, the number of units, and the size in square metres.

Check out some art galleries

Montreal is (finally) waking up from its winter slumber and we couldn’t be happier about going outside for the first time in months — so what better way to spend the weekend than checking out some local art galleries?

Though many museums like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the McCord Museum now require reserving a spot in advance, some of the city’s smaller galleries allow spontaneous visitors to stop by as well.

Check out Never Apart, La Guilde, OBORO, and so many others.

Tyrolienne MTL Zipline

Take a zip across Old Montreal.

The MTL Zipline is working on reduced hours due to COVID, conveniently on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 12 pm to 6 pm.

For a smooth $19.99, zip across the Old Port and take in seriously breathtaking views of the Montreal skyline.

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 two weeks ago. 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.

The OASIS Immersion Gallery

The OASIS Immersion Gallery in Montreal opened last week, and the pictures of it look just as cool as we thought they would.

If you don’t already know what it is, OASIS is a new permanent immersive art centre at the Palais des Congrès. With 119 surround-sound speakers, 105 laser projectors, and a whole LED lighting system, Montrealers are in for a breathtaking experience.

Take a ghost walk

With its paved streets and centuries-old buildings, it’s not hard to believe that Old Montreal is a haunted neighbourhood.

Well, you can find that out for yourself at one of Montreal’s Ghost Walks, which have resumed right on time for spring break.

In tours of up to eight people, you can learn about some of the city’s most harrowing tales. You’ll be guided by professional actors and street theatre performers who will take you through a 90-minute deep exploration of the oldest area of Montreal.

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 takeout across a bunch of food delivery apps.

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.”

Go thrift shopping

 

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If there’s one thing Montreal and Macklemore have in common, it’s their love of thrift shopping.

Truly, there’s nothing like diving into a colourful rack of secondhand clothes and finding the sweatshirt you’ve been trying to find for months, or a skirt that fits like a glove and matches with everything you own.

As post-lockdown makeovers begin, it can be difficult to revamp your style in a way that is sustainable, ethical, and won’t make your wallet cry. Despite the vast big brand thrift stores like Value Village and the Salvation Army, finding something decent often takes many hours and hundreds of failed trips to the fitting rooms.

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.

Time travel back to Montreal

If you’re in the mood for a little bit of time travelling, why not check out some photos of what Montreal used to look in the 1940s, 1950s, and 60s?

The photos, courtesy of Archives de la Ville de Montréal, feature rue Ste. Catherine, The Plateau, St-Henri, and more from over eight decades ago.

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.

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.