Montreal Night Tour: Old Montreal Drive, La Grande Roue & Skyline Views

Summary

Evening lights, riverside towers and city stories in Montreal

You’ll ride through Old Montreal’s historic streets with a local guide, see city lights from Mont Royal Lookout and Port of Montreal Tower, and take a slow spin on La Grande Roue de Montréal. With hotel pickup included, you get to settle into Montreal’s nighttime rhythm — there’s something quietly electric about seeing it all glow.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the city to feel so alive at night. Our guide, Marc, picked us up right at our downtown hotel — he had that easy Quebecois warmth and a playlist of old French songs humming low in the van. We rolled through Old Montreal just as the street lamps flickered on, casting these long shadows across cobblestones. He pointed out the Notre-Dame Basilica — honestly, I’d seen photos but it glows differently in person. There was this smell of fresh bread drifting from somewhere (I never figured out where) and people laughing outside tiny cafés.

We stopped at the Port of Montreal Tower next. The elevator up was all glass — my stomach did a little flip but the view over the St. Lawrence River was worth it. Lights everywhere, boats moving like little toys below. Marc told us about the old trading days; you could almost picture it if you squinted through the reflections on the glass. Then came La Grande Roue de Montréal — Canada’s tallest ferris wheel apparently (I checked after). It moves slow enough that you forget you’re high above everything until you look down and see headlights winding along the river.

The air got cooler as we climbed up to Mont Royal Lookout. I wrapped my scarf tighter and leaned against the stone railing — everyone went quiet for a second, just looking out at all those city lights tangled with trees. Someone behind me whispered something in French I couldn’t catch but it felt right for that moment. On the way back, Marc swung by St. Joseph’s Oratory all lit up in wild colors — kind of surreal honestly. We got dropped off back at our hotel feeling like we’d been let in on some secret side of Montreal most people miss after dark.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening tour of Montreal highlights

• Pick up from downtown hotel
• Drive through historic Old Montreal
• Pass by Notre-Dame Basilica
• See Saint Joseph’s Oratory lit up
• Visit Port of Montreal Tower
• Ride La Grande Roue observation wheel
• View city from Mount Royal Lookout
• Return to downtown hotel

Top questions

How long does the Montreal night tour last?

The exact length varies depending on traffic and seasonality, but expect several hours including stops at each site.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, complimentary pickup and drop-off are provided for downtown Montreal hotels.

Does the tour include admission to La Grande Roue?

Yes, your ticket for La Grande Roue de Montréal is included in the tour price.

Is this night driving tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas visited are wheelchair accessible.

What landmarks will I see during this night tour?

You’ll visit Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica (from outside), Port of Montreal Tower, La Grande Roue de Montréal, Mont Royal Lookout, and St. Joseph’s Oratory (exterior).

Are infants or small children allowed?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are welcome.

How many people are on each tour?

This is a small group experience with a maximum of 7 guests per van.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Montreal, entry to both Port of Montreal Tower and La Grande Roue de Montréal, a narrated driving tour with a local guide through Old Montreal plus time at Mont Royal Lookout before returning to your hotel.