gay montreal travel guide

A Complete LGBTQ Travel Guide to Montreal

Montreal is well-known as an extraordinarily LGBTQ-friendly destination. With a population of almost 2 million, Quebec's biggest city (and the second largest in Canada) represents a delightful mash-up of cultures, with a proudly Quebecois identity of its own and rich LGBTQ history.

Reportedly, North America's first LGBT publication, "Les Mouches Fantastiques" (The Fantastic Files) was founded here in 1918; by the early 1970s a queer bohemian scene was flourishing (1974 indie film "Montreal Main" offered a glimpse); the first Montreal Pride march took place in 1979 (commemorating the 10th anniversary of NYC's Stonewall riots), and Montreal's famed "gay village" came to be in the 1980s, as gay bars, clubs, and residents overtook a formerly impoverished, decrepit section of the city's Centre-Sud district along Sainte-Catherine Street East.

Refreshingly, Montreal's gay village (which is closed to cars during warmer months) remains a lively and concentrated hub that's even more literally colorful and easy to spot thanks to its overhead, 1 kilometer long "18 Shades Of Gay" - comprised of 180,000 colored recycled plastic resin balls suspended overhead. Tourism Montreal's official website even dedicates a page to this now iconic installation , plus much more LGBT-related information and resources, and be sure to check out Quebec's LGBTQ magazine and website, Fugues , for what's ons and scene skinny.

The Best Things To Do

The gay-owned Spade & Palacio offers "non-touristy tours" by bike and by foot, which are perfect for both newcomers and those who know the city but would like a deeper dive. Book the four-hour, lunch-inclusive Beyond The Bike Lanes tour that covers both residential and popular tourist zones including the Gay Village, or consider the two-hour Beyond The Village one that spotlights the gayborhoood and its history and landmark sites.

Get your selfies on in the Gay Village during daylight while taking in its art installations and community spaces, including the Park of Hope (Parc L'espoir) and AIDS Memorial. Check out its LGBT businesses as well, notably the sexy apparel, leather, and accessories shop, Chez Priape .

Montreal-based graphic novel publisher Drawn & Quarterly has a fantastic store, Librarie Drawn & Quarterly , in the buzzy Mile End district, a favorite stomping ground of local, acclaimed gay filmmaker and actor, Xavier Dolan. It hosts book launches by queer creators (Diane Obomsawin's "On Loving Women" is a delightful must!), events, and a book club for discussing LGBTQ+ work.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts presented the first retrospective exhibition dedicated to outrageous, visionary queer French fashion designer Thierry Mugler in Spring 2019 and includes work by LGBTQ artists in its permanent collections. Known as DHC/ART until 2019, Old Montreal's privately owned, non-profit Foundation Phi showcases cutting edge, contemporary work.

Bota Bota Spa , situated on a multi-level ship in the Old Port, is a friendly spot to unwind and get pampered (with kid-friendly hours), though some males might prefer one of Montreal's adults only gay saunas, which include the 24-hour Sauna Oasis and four-floor Sauna G.I. Joe .

Events & Festivals

Held in August, Montreal Pride (aka Fierté MTL) climaxes with a parade along René-Lévesque Boulevard headed up by a diverse selection of Grand Marshalls. The event in 2019 included Transgender Pride Flag creator Monica Helms, First Nations Two-Spirit activist and author Ma-Nee Chacaby, Montreal fetish historian Danny Godbout, local entrepreneur and athlete Val Desjardins, Wilson Cruz of "Star Trek: Discovery," and trailblazing Laotian LGBTQ activist Anan Bouapha). Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is also a regular fixture in the parade.

Image+Nation is Canada's oldest—and still very much thriving—LGBT film festival.

And if you're a dancing queen, the fall's annual Black & Blue entails a week's worth of unabashedly queer yet straight-friendly dances and parties, from circuit-style blowouts with benefits going to HIV/AIDS organizations.

The Best LGBTQ Bars and Clubs

You'll find most of Montreal's LGBTQ nightlife conveniently concentrated in its gay village along Ste. Catherine Street East. One of Canada's largest nightlife venues, Complexe Sky entails three floors of drinking, dancing, dining, and entertainment spaces (including a drag cabaret), plus a rooftop terrace, pool, and spa.

Also multi-level, Club Unity features two main dance and drinking spaces (each with different music), a VIP lounge, and spacious rooftop terrace. Admission is free on Thursdays, while Unity also hosts drag shows and performances by visiting "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars like Detox.

An enduring Montreal institution, beloved local drag queen Mado Lamotte (a.k.a. Luc Provost) — who's so well known that her wax likeness graces the city's Grevin Wax Museum along with Celine Dion and Katy Perry—opened another enduring institution in the village almost 20 years ago, Cabaret Mado . This is the place go get a diverse dose of Montreal's queens and kings, plus celebrity tributes and hipster drag (though do note that most shows are in French).

Another enduring village institution, Bar Aigle Noir (Black Eagle), has plenty of space for drinking, dancing, and socializing inside, while summertime allows lounging around an outdoor patio. Celebrating its 25th year in 2020, the unpretentious Le Stud is another bear and leather crowd favorite, with dancing, drinking, and pool tables.

A new kid on the block, opened in 2018, Renard offers an upscale craft cocktail and beer bar atmosphere, with tasty pub grub including cheddar cheeseburgers. If karaoke is your bag, or microphone, Le Date Karaoke is a must, as is the nearly 30-year-old Taverne Normandie , which also boasts a fantastic courtyard terrace and very mixed clientele.

Male strippers can go the full monty in Montreal, so if feeling frisky check out Stock Bar and Campus .

Outside the village, meanwhile, the Rosemont neighborhood's Bar Notre Dame Des Quilles is a jubilant, fabulously LGBTQ+ spot especially popular with hipster queers and lesbians: sing out during Sunday's Okie Dokie Karaoke, while the diverse events line-up includes speed dating, Drag Race viewing parties, and tarot readings.

Where to Eat

Straddling Little Italy and hipster Mile-Ex district, lesbian-owned micro-brewpub Brasserie Harricana keeps a fantastic selection of beer, cider, and kombucha on tap (both its own and from other regional producers), including unique, lip-smacking varieties finished in liquor barrels (e.g. a stout aged six months in Grand Marnier barrels). Culinary offerings range from Quebecois pub snacks (beef tartare, escargots, and cheese) to substantial plates (filet mignon, deluxe salads, and house-made sausages).

A game-changer thanks to its farm-to-table ethos and gorgeous (and photogenic) innovation, 27-year-old fine dining institution Toqué! launched many chefs and restaurateurs’ careers in its kitchen, including local superstars David McMillan and Frederic Morin of Joe Beef , and Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson of Montreal Plaza .

While the Gay Village's dining scene hasn't exactly proven as foodie-centric as other parts of Montreal (locals might feel that's putting it diplomatically), there has been some improvement in the past few years. A few blocks north, Antonin Mousseau-Rivard presents cutting-edge, modern Quebecois creations at the prix fixe-only Le Mousso and casual, a la carte younger sibling Le Petit Mousso. If vegan or vegetarian, good news: 2019 opening Tendresse (sibling to craft cocktail and beer spot Renard) specializes in tasty, meat-free eating.

Where to Stay

Downtown's iconic, 62-year-old Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth , where John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged their famed "bed-in" during 1969, received a stunningly fresh, modern update in 2017. Its 950 guest rooms now amalgamate crisp contemporary design schemes with a nod to the 1960s, while the lobby and public spaces were transformed with an incredible food hall, Marché Artisans .

A few blocks away, the chic 152-room gay-fave W Montreal  is posited just across from the Square-Victoria-OACI metro station (look for its art nouveau Paris-style entrance portico, a 1967 gift from the City of Lights) and received its own comprehensive, multimillion update in 2015. Decor is sophisticated and clubby, some rooms overlook Victoria Square Park, and the hotel's BARTIZEN cocktail lounge emphasizes Quebec-produced gins and botanical libations in a dramatically designed, 1940s-inspired cinematic setting.

Opened in 2016, the 121-room upscale boutique Hotel William Gray  is situated smack dab in Old Town along its lively and oft-Instagramed Place Jacques Cartier. A pair of historic buildings and eight-story glass tower fused and transformed with utterly modern decor and design. Each room is different, thanks to the repurposing of existing space. and the lobby's a buzzy hive of excellent shopping and dining, including locavore restaurant Maggie Oakes and an outpost of Montreal's European-style cafe and Italian coffee connoisseurs, Cafe Olimpico.

If you're keen to be based in the Gay Village in a gay-owned property, make reservations at the five-room Sir Montcalm Gite B&B. Hosts André and Yvon provide breakfast in this contemporary yet homey and distinctly Quebecois building, which also boasts a private terrace garden.

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Things in Montreal

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When is gay pride in Montreal?

Fabulous news, darling! Montréal Pride is usually celebrated in mid-August, so mark your calendar and get ready to sparkle 🌈!

Are there any other annual or recurring gay events in Montreal?

Absolutely, sweetie! Montréal not only has Pride, but it also hosts the Image+Nation Film Festival in November, which showcases stellar LGBTQ+ films. And don't forget the Black & Blue Festival held in October, a dazzling electronic music event.

Is there a gay sauna in Montreal?

Oh, honey, Montréal has quite the selection! Some of the 🔥 saunas include G.I. Joe , Oasis , and Sauna Centre-Ville . Make sure to check them all out here .

Where are the gay bars in Montreal?

You'll find most of the gay bars in Montréal's fabulous Gay Village. Try out Cabaret Mado for phenomenal drag shows, and don't miss Complexe Sky for an amazing multi-floor experience. Explore more of Montréal's gay bars here .

Is there a gay district or area in Montreal?

Yes, darling! Montréal has a lively gay district known as the Gay Village (or Le Village). It is absolutely fabulous and packed with bars, clubs, cafés, boutiques, and art galleries catering to the LGBTQ+ community.

How do I get to the city from the airport when traveling to Montreal?

After landing at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, you can take the 747 Express Bus, which connects the airport to downtown Montréal. Other options include taxis, ride-hailing apps, or even renting a car. Choose whatever luxuriously suits your style, darling!

How do I best get around in Montreal?

Montréal offers a variety of convenient options, such as public transport (metro, bus), taxis, ride-hailing apps, and BIXI bikes. Public transit is affordable and can take you almost anywhere in the city, dear.

Is there a gay fetish community in Montreal?

Oh, absolutely, honey! Montréal has a variety of establishments catering to different tastes and interests. For example, you can find cruising bars like Bar Taboo and Stock Bar . Just be yourself and explore the fabulous variety Montréal has to offer!

Is there a gay or gay-friendly hotel in Montreal?

You bet, sweetie! Montréal has a plethora of gay-friendly accommodations to choose from. Dive into the magnificent options available here to make your stay extra fabulous.

What are the top attractions to see in Montreal?

Mont Royal: A beautiful and iconic park with a fantastic panoramic view of the city.

Old Montréal: Stroll through charming, cobblestone streets and admire historic architecture.

Museum of Fine Arts: Revel in a fabulous collection of art from various eras and cultures.

Can you suggest some LGBTQ+-themed landmarks or historical sites to visit in Montreal?

Aires Libres: A gorgeous pedestrian area in the heart of the Gay Village. Make a stop at the famous rainbow-coloured balls installation!

Monument to LGBT Rights: Pay your respects at Place Emilie-Gamelin, home to this important monument symbolizing the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

What is the best time of year to visit Montreal for gay travelers?

Montréal is fabulous year-round, my dear! However, for the best weather and top LGBTQ+ events, visit between May and September. During this time, you can enjoy Montréal Pride, outdoor festivals, and exciting nightlife.

Are there any LGBTQ+ meetups or social groups that we can join during our stay?

Definitely! Montréal is a multicultural hub with various LGBTQ+ social and support groups. Check local listings and Facebook groups to find fabulous events and activities during your visit.

Are there popular dating apps or websites used more commonly by the LGBTQ+ community in Montreal?

Absolutely, darling! Aside from mainstream dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, you can find LGBTQ+-focused apps like Grindr, Scruff, HER, and OkCupid to connect with the community and make fabulous new friends!

Are there any LGBTQ+ friendly language courses or conversation groups in Montreal?

Yes, sweetheart! Montréal is an incredibly diverse city, so you can find LGBTQ+ friendly language institutes and conversation groups. Check local listings or inquire at LGBTQ+-friendly cafés to find a course or group to practice your language skills!

What are the laws and regulations regarding public displays of affection for LGBTQ+ couples in Montreal?

Canada is known for its progressive LGBTQ+ rights, so holding hands, kissing, and other PDA are perfectly legal and widely accepted in Montréal. Relax and enjoy your time with your loved one, sweetheart! 💖

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Montreal Gay City Guide: A City of Fun, Festivals, and Friendly Neighbors

Located where the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers meet, Montreal is the largest city in Canada’s Quebec province. It is a dynamic, welcoming city with a hip, eclectic vibe. It's a city that's overflowing with culture, festivals, wonderful food, and plenty of outdoor activities, not to mention endless opportunity and a wide variety of warm and welcoming neighborhoods that will eagerly embrace anyone who wants to call it home.

A Bit of Montreal History

The French explorer Jacques Cartier initially reached the island of Montreal in 1635, followed by a group of French settlers in 1642. The settlement flourished as part of the fur trading industry and continued to grow. Various industries and businesses ventured into the city as it continued to grow, and along with that came a rich diversity that has always been a hallmark of life in Montreal. It eventually became the second biggest city in Canada and the principal city in Quebec. Today, Montreal is a city that celebrates its rich French history while also constantly looking forward toward the future. It is widely considered to be one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan cities in North America and is known for its great charm energy and vibrant spirit.

• Montreal is one of the five largest cities in the world where people speak French. Paris, of course, is the first.
• Montreal has the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada and the second-highest number per capita in North America after New York City.
• No building in Montreal can be taller than the cross located on the Mount Royal Mountain.

Find more fun facts about Montreal here .

Montreal’s LGBTQ Community

Montreal has a rich, diverse, and thriving LGBTQ community that is well-supported by resources and community centers across the city, some of which include:

Centre Communautaire LGBTQ+

The Centre Communautaire is a popular community resource center offering a wide variety of educational programs, resources, legal, health, and support services, and opportunities for networking and engaging with other members of the LGBTQ community and the city at large.

West Island LGBTQ2 Centre

The West Island LGBTQ2 Centre is a community dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community and questioning individuals to feel welcomed with open arms. It is the only LGBTQ community center in the West Island area of Montreal and serves youth, seniors, and everyone in between.

Montreal Weather

Montreal has what’s known as a semi-continental climate. This means that it has warm, humid summers, and very cold winters while offering visitors and residents alike a pleasant spring and fall, one with beautiful blooms, and the other the colors of changing leaves. Winters can be quite snowy – on average, snow depths of greater than 1 cm are seen on about 109 days of the year. On the other side of the coin, there are also plenty of sunny days, and in summer the highs can reach up to around 90 °F. Truly, Montreal is a city of all seasons.

Can’t Miss Montreal Events

Fierte Montreal Pride

Montreal's annual gay pride festival is truly something that you won’t want to miss. The festival includes 10 amazing days of parties and events and culminates with a huge parade on the final day, that engulfs the entire city. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, usually leads the parade. It’s an amazing celebration of all that the LGBTQ community adds to Montreal.

The Black and Blue Gay Festival

The Black and Blue Gay Festival is a highly popular 5-day event that takes place annually during the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend in October. Featuring electronica and techno music, the festival attracts around 70,000 people each year. In addition to being an amazing event, it’s also for a good cause – proceeds are donated to HIV/AIDS charities each year.  

A Look at the Best Montreal Neighborhoods

Some cities have gayborhoods – but Montreal has a village. Yes, it’s true – an entire gay village (one of the largest in North America!) that has an upbeat vibe, a fun, and lively club scene, and the main drag, the Rue Sainte-Catherine, which is a pedestrian-only avenue that is frequently strung with decorations and lights, and on which numerous bars, eateries, and cafes are located for all to enjoy. Its Rue Amherst street is known for its eclectic mix of boutique and antique shops, and the entire village is very walkable, warm, and welcoming. The village also includes the beautiful neoclassical Saint-Pierre-Apôtre Church, with its well-known Chapel of Hope, dedicated to AIDS victims. For those considering purchasing a home in Le Village Gai , there are a variety of housing options and price ranges available.

For those who are considering moving to Montreal, it is worth noting that bringing your own vehicle is not essential, and may not even be advised. Because of the density of the city, many businesses are within walking distance from the city’s metro stations throughout the city, and many residents choose to walk or bike.

Arts and Entertainment

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is the largest art museum in Canada by gallery space and is spread across five pavilions, showcasing a world-class collection of art from all eras and of all selection of art from all eras and of all styles for visitors to enjoy.

Place des Arts

The Place des Arts is Montreal’s major performing arts center and is the largest cultural and artistic complex in Canada. Whatever you enjoy – opera, Broadway, drama, musicals, stand-up, and more, you’re sure to find it here.

Parks and Recreation

Montreal Botanical Garden

The Montreal Botanical Garden is a stunning display of nature’s wonder that you don’t want to miss. The garden includes 75 hectares of thematic gardens and greenhouses and is widely considered one of the most important botanical gardens in the world due to the extent of its collections and facilities.

Olympic Park

Olympic Park is the district of the city that was home to many of the venues from the 1976 Summer Olympics, which were held in Montreal. Today, the Montreal Olympic Park Esplanade features outdoor events and activities year-round, as well as the Olympic Stadium which hosts sporting events and shows, along with Montreal Tower, a planetarium, and more. There is more than enough here for several days of activities, and something for everyone to enjoy.

Montreal Nightlife

Complexe Sky

Complexe Sky is the largest gay club in Canada and is one of the most popular gay bars in Montreal. It is a large building with a restaurant on the ground floor called Le Branche, and it has four floors each with different styles of music, including a rooftop terrace with a pool and a hot tub. There are regularly held drag shows, good drinks, and a great crowd. You won’t want to miss an evening out at this iconic Montreal spot.  

Although Le Stud is officially a bear bar, all are welcome. Le Stud has a really friendly atmosphere that includes an outdoor drinking area as well as a large dancing area inside. The bar is known for having fun themed nights and events like “Polar Bear Week” and “Full Moon” parties. It also has a connected restaurant - L'Antre BBQ + Grill which offers a fantastic selection of pub food.

Bar Le Cocktail

Bar Le Cocktail is Montreal’s most popular gay karaoke bar. Every evening a live DJ hosts the karaoke, and Happy Hour is every Friday before 10:30 pm. The bar has two levels and a beautiful terrace for enjoying summer evenings.

Contact a Montreal Realtor Today

If you are ready to find your next perfect home in a Montreal neighborhood that’s a great fit for your interests and lifestyle needs, today is the perfect day to get started. Contact a Montreal gay realtor for a free, no-obligation consultation today!

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Montreal LGBT Travel Guide

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Why you should go to Montreal! On an island in the St. Lawrence River, Montreal is a rich center of culture and a cosmopolitan city of design steeped in European heritage. Today, it considered one of the world's most gay-positive cities. The French colonists arrived in 1642, led by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, who founded Ville-Marie, today's Old Montreal. According to the Quebec Gay Archives, there was even a gay military drummer among the first settlers convicted of committing "crimes of the worst kind," whose life was spared upon agreeing to become the colony's first executioner. Some of the earliest buildings remain including the Sulpician Seminary next to the Notre Dame Basilica and Chateau Ramezay, but the French influence can still be found throughout modern Montreal's distinct culture, mixed with the influences of subsequent arrivals from Ireland, Italy, Haiti, Greece, Lebanon and China, to name just a few. The variety of cultures is perhaps most apparent in the city's wide culinary offer, but also reflected in the overwhelmingly welcoming spirit on the island. Gay and lesbian culture also got an early start although clandestine at first. Gay men cruised Old Montréal's military Champs de Mars, today the area behind Montréal City Hall. The first known LGBTQ-themed magazine in North America, Les Mouches Fantastiques, was published in 1918, and an established gay scene began to flourish in the 1950s, subject to raids up until 1990 when the police raided the Sex Garage loft party, regarded as Montreal's Stonewall, sparking the LGBT movement. Not long after, the Black and Blue festival was born, with activism and pride paving the way for legal victories like same-sex marriage and the emergence of the Gay Village in Saint Catherine Street East, filled with magical pink lanterns and gay businesses. The Marche de Fierté gay pride in August is only one of over a hundred festivals including the world renown International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs comedy festival. been there wishlist

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At a glance

Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal)

Montreal Botanical Gardens

Notre Dame Des Quilles

Place des Arts

Jean-Talon Market

Vieux Port (Old Port)

Mount Royal

Bar Le Stud

Notre-Dame Basilica

Cabaret Mado

Café Cléopatra

Taverne Normandie

Abri du Voyageur

Accueil Chez Francois

Alexandraplatz Bar

ALT Montreal Griffintown

Anne Ma Soeur Anne

ApartHotelMontreal

Au Pied de Cochon

Auberge Bishop

Auberge Bonaparte

Auberge De Jeunesse Alexandrie Hostel

Auberge le Jardin d'Antoine

Auberge Les Bons Matins

Auberge Royal Versailles

Bouillon Bilk

Brit and Chips

Cafe Replika

Canadian Center of Architecture

Carré Saint-Louis

Circus Afterhours

Complexe Sky

Epicerie HAO

Fairmount Bagel

Hotel Gault

Hotel Nelligan

Le Belmont Sur Boulevard

M Montreal Hostel

Montreal Roller Derby

Pang Pang Karaoke Bar

Parisian Laundry

Play Montreal

Quebec gay archives.

Rue Sherbrooke

Saint Joseph Oratory

Salmigondis

Silent Disco Squad

Spa Scandinave Montréal

The Wiggle Room

Théâtre Sainte-Catherine

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Montreal is my favorite city to visit in Canada. It still has a bit of grit to it and is easy to navigate by foot or bike. I highly recommend taking a bicycle tour if you visit in good weather. My favorite time to visit is during Jazzfest which takes place in early July each year.

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Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers in Montreal

The province of Québec is a destination for international gay travelers. Gay life here is generally open and accepted (gay marriage is legal throughout the province), and gay travelers are heavily marketed to. Travelers will find the rainbow flag prominently displayed on the doors and websites of many hotels and restaurants in all the city's neighborhoods.

The Tourisme Montréal website, www.tourisme-montreal.org, has a "Gay and Lesbian" link under "Tourist" that lists gay-friendly accommodations, events, websites for queer meet-ups, and more. Of several local queer publications, the most thorough is Fugues (www.fugues.com), which lists events, as well as gay-friendly lodgings, clubs, saunas, and other resources. Free copies are available at tourist offices and in racks around the city. Gay Line (tel. 888/505-1010 or 514/866-5090; www.gayline.qc.ca) is a help line offering advice on over 550 accommodations, events, and services. In Montréal, many gay and lesbian travelers head straight to the Village (also known as "the Gay Village"), a neighborhood east of downtown located primarily along rue Ste-Catherine est between rue St-Hubert and rue Papineau. Here, there are antiques shops, bars, B&Bs, and clubs, clubs, clubs. The Beaudry Métro station is at the heart of the neighborhood and is marked by the rainbow flag. As the Tourisme Montréal website says, "Rainbow columns on a subway station entrance? I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!" The Village is action central on any night, but it especially picks up during the weeklong celebration of sexual diversity known as Divers/Cité (www.diverscite.org) in late July and early August and the Black & Blue Festival (www.bbcm.org), an October event that's one of the world's largest circuit parties, with a week of entertainment and club dancing. In 2006, Montréal added a pink feather to its cap by hosting the first World Outgames, attracting more than 16,000 athletes. When you're visiting the neighborhood, stop in at the Village Tourism Information Centre at 1307 rue Ste-Catherine est (tel. 888/595-8110 or 514/522-1885), open June to August from noon to 6pm (days vary; call in advance). There's information about everything from wine bars to yoga classes. It's operated by the Québec Gay Chamber of Commerce (www.ccgq.ca).

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Discover Montreal's Gay Village

Exploring the gay heart of montreal., book a travel gay approved hotel.

Montreal boasts one of the biggest gay villages in the world. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, the historic part of the city. Montreal’s gay district was once a poor, nondescript part of the city. The buzzing gay nightlife rather livened things up and kicked off the inevitable gentrification process.

The gay village is right at the heart of the city, like London’s Soho. Montreal is very much a city of districts, each with its own character. Many of Montreal’s best gay venues and events aren’t even in the gay village. That being said, many are! The gay village is also a great place to stay, and it’s more affordable than Old Montreal.

You’ll know you're in the gay village when you see the colourful balls up above. (Take your mind out the gutter, it’s art!). The balls were designed by Claude Comier - they’ve become the most iconic symbol of the gay village. You’ll also see an abundance of rainbow flags. The main street is Rue Sainte-Catherine.

In the summer months, the village gets very busy - as does the historic district up the road. This is the Francophone capital of Canada, therefore you’ll find plenty of patios. It’s pedestrian-only, so the bars and restaurants spill directly onto the street. The French defined cafe culture. Montreal’s gay village is a prime spot for people watching. You’ll find no shortage of eye candy.

Cabaret Mado

One of the most iconic gay bars in Montreal, Cabaret Mado is something of an institution. You can’t miss it - the garish design above the entrance is quite distinctive: a papier-mache drag queen. You’ll see some of Montreal’s finest drag talent here, from established queens to up and coming acts. The proceedings tend to take place in French, but if there are enough tourists in the house the queens may switch to English.

Bar Le Cocktail

This bar is located in the heart of the gay village. Happy hour takes place between 5-8pm. It’s a good place to have an early evening drink and chat. As the night progresses, things get more lively and noisy. You’ll find drag queens, karaoke and DJs - the party goes on until the early hours.

The largest gay bar and club in Montreal, this is where you’ll end up on a big night out in the gay village. It’s best to end your night here after a bit of bar hopping. If you show up too late there may be queues. The drinks aren’t too expensive here. You’ll find some of the finest specimens of the Quebecois night here.

You need to fix that hangover, what to do? Head to Le Saloon and order a burger. You’ll find other hangover-busting meals and healthy options too. Happy hour starts at 4pm here, so you’ll be able to have a well timed hair of the dog.

Food And Drink

Montreal is well-established as a major culinary destination. The celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was a fan of Montreal’s food scene, and he helped bring it to wider attention on his TV show. Some of Bourdain's top Montreal eateries include Au Pied de Cochon for fine dining, Wilensky’s Light Lunch for something informal, and Joe Beef for meat and seafood. If it’s good enough for Bourdain it’s good enough for you.

If you want to eat in the gay village itself, we’d reccommend Le Red Tiger for Vietnamese, Rotisserie St-Hubert for classic French informal dining, and Crux Comptoir if you’re feeling very healthy and organic.

One of the best things you can do in Montreal is walk. The French invented the concept of the flaneur in the 19th-century. The flaneur explores that city with no destination in mind, both day and night, looking for sensory stimulation. Montreal is a great place to try your hand at flânerie .

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Pink Bubble Ornaments in Montreal's Gay Village District

Colorful pink bubble ornaments create a canopy along Sainte-Catherine Street in Montreal's Gay Village district.

Photo by: George Rose, Getty Images

George Rose, Getty Images

Few cities in the world embrace their LGBT communities with as much gusto as Montreal . Home to one of North America's most famous gay neighborhoods -- simply known as the Gay Village, or Le Village Gai to the city's predominantly francophone population -- Montreal even marks it as such on its official tourism maps. Canada's second biggest city also hosts a slew of gay-popular annual events and festivals, and was the site of the first-ever World Outgames (a preeminent global LGBT sporting event) in 2006. Montreal's long gay history dates all the way back to 1869, when one Moise Tellier ran a shop on what's now Saint Antoine Street selling apples and cakes -- but more legendarily was a place for gay gentlemen to rendezvous. A century later in the Stonewall era, most of Montreal's gay life was clustered at the city center along Saint Laurent Boulevard. The 1970s and '80s saw LGBT establishments move eastward en masse, creating today's Gay Village in the mile-or-so stretch of Saint Catherine Street (or Rue Sainte-Catherine) between Berri and Papineau Streets. Here, scores of bars, clubs, shops and restaurants catering to the city's large and diverse LGBT community have been thriving for decades. While it's active year-round, summertime brings the Village to full life. During the neighborhood's Aires Libres art event from May to September, a 12-block stretch of Saint Catherine between Saint Hubert and Papineau is closed to traffic and transformed into a pedestrian-only zone. Just to ensure ultimate gaiety, some 200,000 little pink balls are strung directly above the street, creating an ever-present pink explosion overhead. The Village prides itself on offering venues for every shade of the gay rainbow. At the top of Saint Catherine Street is Le Stud , perennially popular with the city's leather/Levi and bear (read: generally hairier and less image-conscious) crowds. At the bottom end of the Village are Circus and Stereo , both mixed gay/straight after-hours dance dens that rank on DJ Magazine's list of the Top 100 clubs in the world. Located along Saint Catherine Street are longtime Village favorites like Cabaret Mado , helmed by beloved local drag entertainer Mado; Sky , a sprawling 3-level complex that overflows on weekends, and during summer months sports its own rooftop terrace, pool and spa; and Stock Bar , one of Montreal's many popular male strip clubs, where -- as per the city's rather relaxed guidelines on such matters -- the performers disrobe completely.

Montreal Gay Village District

"Pink Balls" in Montreal Gay Village on Sainte-Catherine Street with a rainbow flag in the background

Photo by: Marc Bruxelle, Getty Images

Marc Bruxelle, Getty Images

Like any neighborhood, the Village is constantly evolving -- but the recent sudden closures of 2 longtime Village mainstays (lesbian club Drugstore and gay megastore Priape) still stunned the local LGBT community. "It's unfortunate to see these closures, but I remain confident that the Village will continue strong," says Tanya Churchmuch, Montreal's assistant director of tourism. "The opening of Appollon nightclub in the former Station C complex is an excellent and popular addition to the neighborhood, and newer restaurants like Steak Frites and De Farine et d’Eau Fraîche are also doing very well." Meanwhile, Montreal's spectrum of gay life continues to expand beyond the cozy confines of the Village, especially westward to the up-and-coming Mile End and adjacent Mile-Ex neighborhoods -- the latter formerly a desolate industrial area between Mile End and the Parc Extension district. Here a more alternative and self-identified "queer" scene has mingled with the area's already-established creative class. The blend makes for socializing that's anything but dull, at quirky establishments like Notre-Dame des Quilles , a dive bar with its own half-size bowling lanes; and Alexandraplatz , a hip German-like beer garden set in a working brewery complex. Mile End is also home to the always lively Royal Phoenix , now the city's main lesbian hangout -- which also attracts a wide variety of modern gays, and a fair number of straight folks, too.

Decorative pink balls and rainbow flags adorn Montreal's Gay Village district

Photo by: Pinkcandy, Shutterstock.com

Pinkcandy, Shutterstock.com

With such an active gay scene citywide, it's no surprise that Montreal's LGBT community plays a big part in its famed annual festival line-up. The city hosts not 1 but 2 major week-long gay-specific events: the Divers/Cité arts and music festival at the end of July, and the massive Montreal Pride (Fierté Montréal) just a few weeks later in mid-August. In late August comes the naughtier Montreal Fetish Weekend , while October brings the world famous Black & Blue party, and the Image+Nation LGBT film festival happens at the end of November. Many of the city's most popular mainstream events and festivals also have strong gay presences, including the dance- and theater-focused Festival TransAmériques in May and June, the Piknic Electronik summer Sunday daytime dance parties at Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Just for Laughs comedy festival in July, and the Osheaga music festival in early August. For the latest info on gay Montreal, check out the website of the long-running LGBT monthly magazine Fugues (in French only), and the dedicated LGBT section of Montreal's official tourism portal.

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Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Montreal Canada (2024 Updated)

Montréal is the largest city in Canada’s Québec province. It’s set on an island in the Saint Lawrence River and named after Mt. Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its heart. Its boroughs, many of which were once independent cities, include neighbourhoods ranging from cobblestoned, French colonial Vieux-Montréal – with the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica at its centre – to bohemian Plateau.

 Top attractions to visit in Montreal

Table of Contents

• Mount Royal Park
• Old Montreal
• Notre-Dame Basilica
• Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal
• Montreal Botanical Garden

Day Trips in Montreal

• Quebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Trip from Montreal
• Mont Tremblant Private Day Tour from Montreal
• Private day tour to wildlife Parc Omega and Montebello lodge from Montreal
• Sugar Shack Maple Syrup Private Day Tour with lunch from Montreal
• Ottawa Private Day Tour from Montreal

See all Day Trips in Montreal on GetYourGuide.

1. Hotel Chateau Versailles 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal

The Chateau Versailles combines historic charm with modern amenities. This cosy hotel boasts marvellous architectural features and unique accommodation and on-site facilities. It is situated in the heart of downtown Montreal.

Guests can can take advantage of the hotel’s free yoga and jogging equipment. You can also admire the hotel’s many antique works and fireplaces, or stay in shape in the 24-hour fitness centre.

This hotel is a walk-up, all stairs, no elevators on 4 floors. You can explore the popular “Golden Mile” with its galleries, museums and much more. The antique shops of Sherbrooke Street and the scenic Mont Royal Park are also around the corner

If you’re looking for a romantic hotel in Montreal, look no further than Chateau Versailles.

Nearby landmarks such as AURA Basilique (1.4 mi) and Chinatown (1.4 mi) make Chateau Versailles Montreal a great place to stay when visiting Montreal.

Rooms at Chateau Versailles provide a flat screen TV, and guests can stay connected with free wifi.

In addition, while staying at Chateau Versailles Hotel guests have access to a concierge. You can also enjoy free breakfast.

During your visit, be sure to check out one of Montreal’s popular crab restaurants such as Au Pied de Cochon, Le Bremner, and Garde Manger, all a short distance from Chateau Versailles Montreal.

Should time allow, Mount Royal Park, Underground City, and Rue Ste.-Catherine are some popular attractions that are within walking distance.

The staff at Chateau Versailles looks forward to serving you during your upcoming visit.

Visited  Montreal and stayed in Chateau Versailles. Friends had recommended this hotel as they have stay here many, many times. Very reasonable rates for such a good hotel. Very good service, very clean rooms and great breakfast included. It is a beautiful, historic hotel. Would recommend staying here. We will be back.

The best of Montreal is but five minutes walk to the metro, a bus outside your door or, as one guest did, a quick hail of a taxi just has he stepped to the sidewalk.

The room we had was a queen and had a closet to put our bags away, making it much larger than needed. The bathroom was spotless and all white marble. The water gave hot a new meaning. The complimentary breakfast is worth it for the great coffee and chocolate croissants.

Chateau Versailles is a comfortable and well-furnished hotel housed in a pair of former mansions. The hotel is full of interesting art, sculpture, and antiques.

The location is excellent, just a few blocks from the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, McGill University, Concordia University’s downtown campus, and the Rue Sainte-Catherine shopping artery in Centre-Ville. The closest Metro Station, two blocks distant, is Guy-Concordia.

The best quality of Hotel Chateau Versailles, however, is its friendly and attentive staff. My first trip to Montreal would not have been the unqualified success that it was — it was a father-and-daughter weekend in a city neither of us had seen before — without the extensive advice offered freely by several members of the reception desk staff.

I will give Chateau Versailles top consideration for my next visit to Montreal. I’d be glad to return to this lovely lodging.

Let’s get one thing out of the way, however: It’s not for people with weak knees. The hotel is on several floors of the former mansions and there are no elevators. There is only a network of staircases, both broad and narrow. If you cannot handle that, this is not the hotel for you. Even the lobby is reached by walking up a set out tall outside stairs.

But if stairs charm you, then Chateau Versailles is an excellent choice.

It offers lovely rooms. The rooms with two queen beds are in the back of the hotel, in a more modern addition. But I compared the furnishings to one of the front rooms; the overall quality was identical. The front rooms just have more Victorian architectural features. Our room featured two lovely reading chairs — we used those chairs for, yes, reading, but also for talking, listening to music, watching a little TV. The pair of queen beds were luxurious to sleep in, and there was plenty of space around the beds. A nice desk and a bureau completed the furnishings, along with a table between the two chairs. The TV has all the ports in back for your streaming media box or gaming box, if you travel with those items.

The ensuite bathroom in our room (#303) was a bit small, but not tiny. It had an excellent full-length shelf for toiletries. I was annoyed that the towel rack was in the nicely tiled shower, as I had to remove the towels before taking a shower. Hot water was plentiful and water pressure was excellent.

The room also had a good-sized closet and plenty of clothes hangers. Two windows offered good ventilation. With the heat on in the winter, the room grew just a bit stuffy. Opening the windows on the opposite walls cleared the air and we quickly closed them.

The continental breakfast featured fruit, yoghurt, raisins, apricots, bagels, croissants, other pastries, cheeses, and an assortment of cereals, juices, tea, and coffee. The breakfast room is quite comfortable and did not have the blaring television many hotels have instituted.

How much does a room costs at Chateau Versailles Montreal  ?

Prices start 7 8 $/night for Standard Double Room . The Deluxe King Room with Fireplace is  104 $/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room features custom-made furniture, a bathroom with a bath and shower and Canadian-made Crabtree & Evelyn spa products.

Where to book online – Chateau Versailles – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal   – you can find the best hotels deals in Montreal during Montréal Pride Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Montreal on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotels.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

2. Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal Canada

Connected to Montreal’s underground city, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth offers access to more than 32.2 km of underground pedestrian walkways, shopping centres, entertainment venues and attractions. A wellness centre with an indoor pool is featured at the hotel.

The famous John Lennon and Yoko Ono suite, site of the 1969 “bed-in for peace” has been revamped and features a virtual reality experience.

The hotel boasts a lounge area, a business campus with an outdoor terrace, a mixology bar, a cosy coffee lounge, a lively bistro and a unique urban market. Innovative event lounges provide the latest technology. An art collection featuring work by established and emerging artists add a sense of community and flair to the property.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth features a health club with a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests can relax with a massage at the hotel’s full-service spa .

Under the watchful eye of the Mont Royal expands romantic and cosmopolitan Montreal, where English and French cultures meet in harmony. With stellar restaurant options and activities aplenty, you are sure to never go hungry or bored in our wonderful city. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth has a fascinating history that unravels through a “for Montrealers, by Montrealers” concept featuring a restaurant, a bar, an urban market and a coffee shop where local products and talents take the center stage.

As you will definitely want to stay longer, our hotel offers accommodations perfectly elaborated to fit your stay. From couples’ retreats to action-packed family vacations, your stay with us means making memories that you will forever cherish.

The building is so unassuming, but wait until you get inside. We arrived with a lot of luggage and the doormen quickly helped us get inside out of the cold. The check-in process was quick and the agent convinced us to upgrade to a Gold room on the basis that it was $100 extra per night, while paying for breakfast would be $70. I suspect this works with a lot of guests.

There are very few benefits for Accor Platinum guests – while drink vouchers were given and there was water in the room, that’s where it ends. I really wish Accor would fix their programme and standardise the loyalty benefits across all of their properties and regions.

The room itself was wonderful – a decent size and I appreciated the recent renovations and modern design. The bed was big and pillow comfortable. The bathroom was great and included a big bath and separate shower. The LeLabo bath products are ace.

Being in a Gold room gave as access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge on the 21st floor which serves breakfast and then light snacks in the evening. We were frequent visitors! The staff were great and knew our names by the second visit.

We had a dinner at Roselys which was fantastic. Food and service were both excellent.

The gym and pool are worth a special mention – one of the best hotel gyms I’ve ever used. An inviting space with plenty of equipment and friendly staff.

The hotel is attached to the Montreal Central train station by lift. Even with a mountain of luggage it was easy getting to the train.

Room: We had a junior suite. Good sized living area with a couch, chair, a desk, and a large cabinet housing a minibar and a coffee set up. Bedroom had a king size mattress which was really comfortable. Also had a smallish full bath adjacent to the bedroom and a half bath off the living area. Room was very clean and well maintained. We had a large screen TV in each room.

Location: Superb location in downtown Montreal. There was direct access to the underground and there was a nice, upscale food court (several notches above the usual mall food court) right next to the hotel entrance. We also walked to the Bell Centre to watch the Canadien’s play, and we were similarly within walking distance to the main shopping areas and lots of restaurants.

Food : Ate a few times in the restaurant. Outstanding breakfast buffet with cooked to order omelettes, and decent French pastries (better than the usual buffet pastries). Dinner menu offered was what I might call, higher end bar food. Overall quality and service was very good and up to Fairmont standards. There is also a bar that opens after 5 – we went a few times before going to bed and it was buzzing and lively. Lobby also had a terrific coffee bar and a marketplace with lots of food options.

Amenities: outstanding 24 hour gym with an indoor pool, all kinds of free weights and machines, and lots of cardio equipment. They had a big room full of cycles, looks like they offered regular classes. On Valentines day (not sure if this is done regularly), there was a DJ playing music all afternoon in the lobby which created a festive vibe.

Service: outstanding and courteous, consistent with what I would expect from a Fairmont.

How much does a room costs at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth  ?

Prices start 211  $/night for Fairmont King Room . The John Lennon/Yoko Ono Suite is  2376 $/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite is located on the 17th floor and features virtual reality technology. It has a living room with Bed-in memorabilia and history. Also provides a dining room for 6 people, a kitchenette and two over-sized bathrooms, 1 of them with a freestanding bath.

Where to book online – Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal   – you can find the best hotels deals in Montreal during Montréal Pride Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Montreal on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

3. BBV Bed and Breakfast du Village 3* – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal

Located in the heart of Montreal’s gay village, Bed and Breakfast du Village – BBV is within 5 minutes’ walk of restaurants, shops and public transportation.

A flat-screen TV and air conditioning are featured in each room. Select rooms offer a sink or a sofa. Free WiFi is available.

A terrace and breakfast area are among shared facilities at B&B du Village. Private parking is available with surcharge.

BBV is 4 minutes’ drive from the Notre-Dame Basilica and 5 minutes’ drive from the Old Port of Montreal. The Latin Quarter is 13 minutes’ walk away.

The BBV, situated in the heart of Montreal, in the Village, sets itself apart by its warm and welcoming atmosphere. Boasting its clean and comfortable rooms, covered parking, onsite laundry and a nice kitchen, you will feel right at home.

Proud of over 22 years experience in the hospitality, we know that our spacious and clean accommodations add to the quality of your stay. Please note that the prices listed are based on double occupancy and include continental breakfast for two, television, cable, wireless Internet and new central air conditioning. We look forward to acting as your hosts! Comfort and Warmth: our Bed and Breakfast. Philippe and Nicolas.

Great room (mine had it’s own bathroom)…wonderful location (easy to walk to  Gay Village and Old Montreal)…fabulous breakfast (bacon & eggs, fresh fruit, homemade yogurt, a really tasty breakfast sandwich, juices and coffee!)…but best of all …amazing owners, as they are caring, helpful and a joy to talk to.

The B&B is easy to find and right next to  gay  village. Superb breakfast provided. Rooms are comfortable although not large – but no complaints from us. We liked Montreal but the  gay village is a bit seedy and not really a great place to find good restaurants.

Philippe & Nicolas are amazing hosts and I hope that Ron and I will return again. Let me tell you the breakfast every morning was spectacular. These boys know how to cook! Check in was an absolute breeze. Philippe spent the time Giving us various ideas on what to do around Montreal. He gave us a map and a tour guide book.

The bed-and-breakfast is in the perfect location steps away from The gay village downtown Montreal. Please don’t think that you have to be gay to stay here! We met other couples around the breakfast table that were straight. This is the most suitable environment for anybody who really wants the Montreal experience. Beaudry Metro station Is literally steps away and very easy to get to you.

I highly recommend that you stay here than any other bed-and-breakfast in town because it certainly the best in my opinion.

The location was ideal too just off the main street running through the  gay village with many bars and restaurants but also close enough to a subway station for easy connections downtown.

The location is within the Gay Village and only a couple of blocks away from the Beaudry metro station, so it’s commutable from the airport and is accessible to other points in Montreal.

We had a room with a private bathroom, which we loved. It was on the first floor by the kitchen, which wasn’t bad since there was still privacy to the daily breakfast. There was a small bureau in the room and a collapsible table. The restroom was small, but it wasn’t shared. The rooms on the second floor share a bathroom, as well as a common area.

The setting is updated and pleasant, and the rooms are comparable to other more expensive hotels. Rooms with either private or shared bathrooms are available. There are two bathrooms available for those three rooms, where the bathrooms are shared, so the bathrooms are clean and there is usually no waiting in one or the other of the two bathrooms.

Three rooms have private bathrooms. Each room has its own contemporary air conditioner/heater which is electronically climate controlled to the needs of the guest. The hosts are friendly, and they serve a most outstanding breakfast, which is included in the reasonable price of the stay.

Sharing breakfast with other friendly guests from Europe, the US, and Canada is always an interesting experience! Outside terraces add to the comfortable ambiance. Free wifi and even a computer to use is available. Assistance is offered by the host in giving directions to get around Montreal and in giving suggestions for sightseeing. The B & B is only one short block from a subway station, and subways are a fast, efficient way of getting around Montreal.

The B & B is located in the heart of the gay village, which is very friendly and inclusive for all travelers. Travelers by car will be pleased to see that secured, inside parking is available for only $10 per night within the site of the B & B. The B & B is only a half block away from Ste Catherine’s, a major commercial street converted to a pedestrian mall with even restaurant patios stretching out into the edge of the street. Ste Catherine’s is pedestrian for the entire summer. What else could you want in comfort and convenience in a city as beautiful and interesting as Montreal? Book your rooms early, as this is the number one rated B & B in Montreal.

How much does a room costs at BBV Bed and Breakfast du Village  ?

Prices start 94 $/night for Queen Room . The One-Bedroom Suite is  110 $/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite has a seating area, bathrobe and air conditioning.

Where to book online – BBV Bed and Breakfast du Village – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal   – you can find the best hotels deals in Montreal during Montréal Pride Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Montreal on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

4. Maison Des Jardins B&B 4* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Montréal

Located in the Gay Village of Montreal, Maison Des Jardins B & B is 7 minutes’ walk from Beaudry Metro Station. It offers air-conditioned rooms.

A flat-screen TV is included in each room. Some rooms have a seating area to relax in after a busy day. A garden-terrace and outdoor hot tub are available for guests. Rooms are fitted with a private or shared bathroom.

You will find a shared kitchen at the property.

Latin Quarter is 900 m from Maison Des Jardins B & B, while University of Quebec in Montreal UQAM is 900 m away. Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport is 17 km from the property.

The building appears to be a small apartment building that has been converted into a guest house . Typical Montreal construction with outside stairs.

They have parking for one vehicle – staff were very helpful in getting my rather large vehicle into and out of the garage. There are gates at the street so parking was fully secure.

The room was pleasant, if a touch small. Kitchenette and seating area and a private bath. Spotlessly clean and easy to access without disturbing the other guests. I was able to see some of the other rooms while there and all were quite suitable.

Breakfast is beside the kitchen. There’s an assortment of pastries and nibbles, and the main course is cooked to order. A nice way to start the day – good food and the pleasant company of the owners and other lodgers.

The resident dog is bonus – a total sweetheart.

We loved our stay at this small but lovely b&b. Would have no hesitation in recommending this place. We received a lovely warm welcome from Robert , Luc & their 2 dogs, and of course the amiable Stephane. This b&b is not in old Montreal but that is fine as everything is walking distance, and the b&b is situated in a very nice part of town.

Room was clean and tidy and small but had everything we needed. We had to share a bathroom it was along the corridor and near the kitchen. If privacy is an issue for you, then this might be a problem. Make sure you book an ensuite room. Although they are so nice it’s like home from home. Also if you don’t like animals or dogs this might not be your kind of place. For our part we were very happy to pet the dogs and have them around they were kind and friendly.

Parking is on the street and available in the parking at the back. We managed to find a parking spot on the street with the help of Robert. Breakfast was delicious both mornings and Stephane was always happy to make different things . Plenty of choice and big portions.

Stephane is very helpful with advice on local off the beaten path restaurants, bars, coffee places. He advised us on a great urban walk which took in a number of lovely places. Definitely made our visit interesting.

Would recommend a stay here and we would love to come back and stay if we go to Montreal again.

How much does a room costs at Bed and breakfast Maison Des Jardins BB ?

Prices start 122 $/night for Standard King Room with Private Bathroom . The Standard Queen Room With Private bathroom is  130 $/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This double room has a kitchenware, bathrobe and DVD player.

Where to book online – Bed and breakfast Maison Des Jardins B & B  – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal   – you can find the best hotels deals in Montreal during Montréal Pride Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Montreal on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com  and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

5. Loft Hotel Montreal 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal

Located in downtown Montreal, Loft Hotel Montreal is one of the city’s last remaining Art Deco landmarks. The boutique hotel features fully furnished loft suites.

Each suite at The Loft Hotel features spacious layouts with hardwood floors and high ceilings. All lofts have a living area with modern furniture and a fully equipped kitchen. Media entertainment includes free WiFi and a 40-inch flat-screen TV.

More than a Hotel- Better than a Hotel ! LUXURY FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE. A stunning Montreal landmark, Le Loft Hotel combines fascinating architectural history with modern design and stylish amenities in the heart of downtown Montreal.

Located near the famous Latin Quarter on beautiful Terrace St-Denis Street, guests of Le Loft Hotel will enjoy world-class service , luxurious rooms and some of the best panoramic vistas of Montreal the city has to offer. Well-appointed and fully equipped lofts, Le Loft Hotel offers the ideal solution for both short and long-term accommodation in Montreal.

I thoroughly enjoyed this hotel, especially for the price. I think this is a converted industrial building, and the rooms are immense and have a great industrial meets luxury loft feel. Stayed in two of then as I went through town and both were unique. The wonderful wood floors do transmit footfalls, so given other reviews, I think the best thing is to plan to be in socks or slippers or barefoot. Having said that, the place was impeccably clean so that made it a joy to go barefoot on the hardwood. If you are a really light sleeper I could see being annoyed about footfalls above, but honestly, I only heard them once.

There were also some very minor maintenance issue such as a chip on the vanity in the bathroom, and a sagging black out curtain, but nothing that bothered me.

Finally, this hotel is in the Latin Quarter and on St Denis, an incredible street with probably hundreds of restaurants within walking distance, and also one block away from the Metro, and close to the gay Village. Great location.

The apartments at the loft hotel are really huge and luxurious. The location is great for restaurants and nightlife and is a short walk (10mins) to the  gay village. The parking is extra $20 a day but it’s on site and that’s cheap for Montreal. I’d highly recommend it.

The location is fantastic for exploring the Montréal food scene in particular. The rooms are enormous, truly loft like – bright, spacious and with funky decor. The bed was extremely comfortable and we slept very well. The rooms are quiet, with little noise from inside or the street. The  full   kitchen  was a surprise and there is plenty of room to store your things.

The shower has good pressure and the toiletries are nice. We loved that you could open the window and get some fresh air. The staff are friendly and helpful too. While we did not take advantage of it, the hotel also offers a free continental breakfast which looked pretty good.

Positives: 1) The staff are both friendly and helpful. 2) The location is incredibly convenient as the hotel is just off St Denis street which has a highly active bar / nightlife scene 3) The rooms are INCREDIBLE. They are huge and immaculately maintained. 4) There is a full service kitchen in the room 5) There is a kitchenette downstairs which has access to tea and coffee.

It was extremely spacious, with a full kitchen and six person dining table. There was a spacious entrance, a full closet, a large bathroom (with a huge shower), living area, and sleeping area.

The location of the hotel is perfect! It was about a 5 minute walk from Rue St. Catherine, and a 10-15 minute walk to ‘Old Montreal’ and the Port.

The breakfast was tasty (hard boiled eggs, pastries, yogurt, juices, cereals, etc.). We really enjoyed our stay.

The only slight downside to the room was that the air conditioning unit was a little loud over the bed….but some might enjoy the white noise:)

How much does a room costs at Loft Hotel Montreal ?

Prices start 98 $/night for Standard Suite . The Loft Suite is  99 $/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This suite has a fully equipped kitchen, cable TV, living area with a sofa and free WiFi.

Where to book online – Loft Hotel Montreal  – Gay Friendly Hotels Montreal   – you can find the best hotels deals in Montreal during Montréal Pride Festival  which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Montreal on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com   and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.

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9 gay(ish) things to do in Montréal

Thom Seivewright - Guest blogger

Thom enjoys fulfilling Montréal stereotypes such as being obsessed with Leonard Cohen, being perfectly fluent in Frenglish and being addicted to maple syrup. He loves pretending to be a tourist in his own city yet when he travels he loves pretending to not be a tourist at all.

This article was updated on April 20, 2023.

Montréal has a massive LGBTQ+ village that is at the centre of its community. That being said, this city is so gay that some of the best LGBTQ+ haunts are nowhere near the LGBTQ+ Village. Here’s a short list of some gay (and some not necessarily gay) things that will interest anyone looking to show pride outside of the borders of the Village.

The french verb flâner means to loiter, or rather just to hang out. A great spot to do just this sort of thing is the kitschy (or retro, depending on your persuasion) Notre Dame des Quilles . With half sized bowling lanes to boot, add this unique establishment to the places that make Montréal the awesome city that it is. And let’s be honest, if you want to find a place worthy of your time for some quality flânage, don’t you want old school bowling lanes nearby?  Yes, yes you do.

Bar Notre Dame des Quilles: 32 Beaubien E.

Treat the city streets as an open-air museum

Montréal is obsessed with art. The citizens love it so much that they want it everywhere, not just in galleries and museums. Take a stroll and check out sculptures, monuments, photographs and larger-than-life murals. You could easily set out for a walk and be completely astonished by the quality (not to mention the sheer quantity) of art. Or you can pre-determine a path that will allow you to take in some of the most impressive works of  public art  that you’re ever likely to see. From massive murals to intricate sculptures, projections and photographs, the city streets have become as important to the city’s art scene as any of the established museums . 

Time travel to a different kind of of gay venue

Café Cléopâtre , open since 1976, is one of the last fixtures of Montréal’s famed red-light district. A straight clientele packs the ground floor to catch female strip shows while a queer clientele walks one floor up to attend all sorts of fascinating events including drag shows. This is the type of place where you might catch a band as part of a music festival like  Pop Montréal , and then come back the next night to see a live fetish show. Or, if you’re lucky (or unlucky, you decide), you’ll fall upon Bareoke , a karaoke night where the brave singers bare much more than just their emotions. There is something eerily beautiful about this place. It mixes sexual freedom with the seedy history of underground countercultures. Not to mention that the owner refused offer after offer to relocate so that a massive commercial project could be built in its place. In refusing, Cafe Cléopatre has become a sort of hero of Montréal’s underbelly. 

Café Cléopâtre: 1230 Boul. St-Laurent

Dance your ass off at the biggest gay dance party outside of the Village

Mec Plus Ultra , or MPU for those in the know, is a monthly dance party of electro/indie/pop music where all the gays and their allies let loose. MPU started out as an option for gays that simply couldn’t find anything that appealed to them in Montréal’s LGBTQ+ Village. Whether it was the music, the crowds or the venues themselves, a significant number of people felt unrepresented in the very part of town that was meant to represent them. So was born Mec Plus Ultra, a play on words mixing  nec plus ultra — a Latin phrase meaning “nothing further beyond,” which has come to mean top notch, the best, as good as it gets — and the word “mec”, which is a French slang term for “guy”.

Go to the middle of town to feel like you’ve left the city

In the heart of Montréal lies  Mount Royal , a massive park on a little mountain with forested areas and picturesque views to get you lots of likes on Instagram. Where else can you stand in the middle of a region of over 4 million people and feel completely secluded?  The mountain , as locals refer to it, has been a protected park since 1876 and was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, perhaps the greatest landscape architect who ever lived, to whom we owe many of North America’s most beautiful green spaces, including New York’s Central Park. No matter the season, this is one of the locals’ favourite spots for outdoor activities. Summer is for bike riding, running or even hiking. Winter is for skating on Beaver Lake, tubing down the hills, enjoying the cross-country ski trails or strapping on a pair of snow shoes and getting lost in the vast whiteness of the snow. All the equipment needed can be rented at the  chalet on the mountain  or at nearby shops.

Weave through the fabric of the city

Montréal is a city of neighbourhoods . As you travel around town, every few blocks, you’ll feel the change. You’ll see the change. The architecture, the people, the cultures. To really understand Montréal, you should visit a few different ‘hoods. For a firsthand feeling of the diverse architecture, people and cultures, you could start near McGill University, in the neighbourhood known as the McGill Ghetto (don’t worry, it’s sarcastic!) and make your way through the Quartier des Spectacles (entertainment district), Chinatown and finally Old Montréal. Watch everything change within a span of about 10 blocks. Victorian homes become expressionist theatres and Art Deco office towers give way to 17th century religious buildings. Meanwhile the people will go from an array of international students and artists to locals of Vietnamese descent and finally a group of bankers and techies. A big part of the diversity that makes this city so special is precisely what you’ll encounter if you simply take a walk through its streets. 

Be a festival-goer

Here’s a challenge: try to find a day with no festival going on in Montréal. You probably can’t. In this town, any excuse is a good excuse to celebrate. And over the last few decades Montréal has managed to position itself as a contender for the title of World Capital of Festivals . Although some massive festivals do take place in the heart of the summer season, by no means are festivals here a seasonal thing! Winter temperatures do not stand in the way of this city’s love of having a good time! Take Igloofest , an eccentric nod to winter, electronic music and digital arts: it attracts tens of thousands of people, dancing under the stars on the banks of the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River. Or if you’re into experiencing different cultures, check out festivals such as Carifiesta ,   the Kahnawake Pow Wow , or ItalfestMTL . As for gay festivals, there are a number of them, from the huge Montréal Pride celebrations, to more intimate events such as image+nation , a film fest specializing in LGBTQ+ cinema.

Get rolling — or just enjoy watching

Montréal’s roller derby scene is hot stuff, and a guaranteed good time to watch from the sidelines. It’s a LGBTQ+ friendly sport that pits the best, wiliest and fastest (not to mention those with the sharpest elbows!) against each other — so expect violence, but all in good fun. The tickets are affordable, the sideshows are a blast, and you’ll probably lose your voice from cheering.

Dive into the world of burlesque

Montréal is a hotbed of the performing arts. With renowned circus troupes calling the city home, it also has the reputation of a circus arts capital. Add that to its reputation as a ‘sin city’ and you’ve got the perfect recipe for burlesque  Just check out the Wiggle Room to see what it’s all about. A throwback to vaudeville, an important component in Montréal’s entertainment history, the Wiggle Room mixes old school classic cocktails with live burlesque shows. Drop in and feel the Wiggle Room vibe that gets its inspiration from the very street that it is located on: Saint-Laurent, a storied boulevard where Montréal’s naughty has long mixed with the nice in exactly these types of places. 

Wiggle Room: 3874 Boul. Saint-Laurent

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In summer, adventurous locals in gay Montreal run shirtless along the St. Lawrence River, paddleboard and kayak nearby lakes, and explore the hikes and mountain bike rides outside the city. Winter brings frigid temps, plenty of snow, and skiing (the closest resort being Bromont.) However, for visitors just looking to get in a quick pump and check out the local bros, Montreal has a few gay-friendly gyms in the gay village. The...

In summer, adventurous locals in gay Montreal run shirtless along the St. Lawrence River, paddleboard and kayak nearby lakes, and explore the hikes and mountain bike rides outside the city. Winter brings frigid temps, plenty of snow, and skiing (the closest resort being Bromont.) However, for visitors just looking to get in a quick pump and check out the local bros, Montreal has a few gay-friendly gyms in the gay village. The athletic locals love getting swole using the state of the art fitness equipment at Pro Gym which some locals boast is the best-equipped gym in Canada. This massive space has modern machine amenities as well as classic powerlifting equipment. Right in the heart of the Village on rue Saint Andre, Nautilus Plus also has a great assortment of machines, as well as a locker room sauna for post-pump sweats.

Best men’s spas in Montreal

At D-Tox Homme, pamper yourself at one of Montreal’s best men’s spas. Relax at the hands of male masseurs or book an assortment of treatments in an afternoon package. Physotech in the gay village is your one-stop spa. It has attentive barbers for your vacation haircut, a combination packages like tanning and hair removal, as well as full massage therapy.

Looking for gay local tips? Connect with our gay local community in Montreal with

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Weere is misterb&b’s newest feature connecting the global LGBTQ+ community. Search LGBTQ+ locals & visitors, and connect to explore together. Find a companion from across the street or across the world with whom to share the adventure. Join & get the option to publish your trip to a community of 1 million. Sign up for free or login with your misterb&b account .

With misterb&b, experience a more welcoming world. From private rooms and apartments to LGBTQ-friendly hotels, you have the option to stay in the heart of gay districts as well as other neighborhoods in the places you visit. A loft in Soho , a shared room in Barcelona or in the Castro , a gay-friendly hotel in Le Marais or in Chelsea , experience misterb&b in all gay travel destinations ! Activate the connection option on your profile and connect with other misterb&b travelers at your destination city or hotel! Problems with misterb&b ? Please refer to our Help Center. misterb&b is not affiliated, endorsed, or otherwise associated with Airbnb .

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Montreal Travel Guide

It may be more than a century older than the country it calls home, but these days, Montreal crackles with new energy. It's no wonder that the city of less than two million saw more than 11 million visitors last year: In addition to its burgeoning culinary scene, the Québecois city seemingly has it all—cobblestoned colonial neighborhoods, hundreds of historic churches, one of the world's best jazz scenes, and even a small mountain in its city center. And don't even get us started on the piles of poutine and smoked meat. 

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Your last-minute guide to Monday's total solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday , offering millions a rare opportunity to see afternoon skies temporarily darken as the moon blocks the face of the sun.

Tune into NBC News NOW as Lester Holt hosts a two-hour special at 2 p.m. ET Monday from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The eclipse's path fortuitously cuts across Mexico, 15 U.S. states and a small part of eastern Canada. In all other states in the continental U.S., viewers will be treated to a partial solar eclipse, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun and obscuring part of its light.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rare celestial event.

What is a solar eclipse?

Solar eclipses occur when the sun, moon and Earth align. The moon passes between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light and casting a shadow on Earth.

A total solar eclipse is when the moon fully obscures the sun, whereas a partial solar eclipse means it blocks just a portion of the sun’s face.

Solar eclipses occur only with the new moon. Because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted, the three bodies don’t always line up in a way that creates an eclipse.

“Imagine if the moon’s orbit were in the plane of Earth’s orbit around the sun — if that were the case, then every new moon, you’d have a total solar eclipse and every full moon, you’d have a lunar eclipse,” Neil DeGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, told NBC News. “So, because things don’t always align, it lends to the rarity of the event and the specialness of the event.”

Where and when will the eclipse be visible?

This year’s eclipse will follow a slightly wider path over more populated areas of the continental U.S. than other total solar eclipses have in the recent past.

NASA estimates that 31.6 million people live within what’s known as the path of totality, where the total solar eclipse will be visible. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path, according to the agency.

The path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

After the eclipse crosses into Canada, it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

Those outside the path of totality can still take part in the astronomical event by viewing a partial solar eclipse — visible throughout all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. — or a NASA livestream.

The timing, including how long totality lasts, depends on the location, but some spots will see the moon fully cover the sun for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

Below is a list of timings for some cities along the path of totality, as  provided by NASA . A number of other resources, including NationalEclipse.com  and  TimeandDate.com , can also help people plan.

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.

How to safely view a solar eclipse

It is never safe to gaze directly at the sun, even when it is partly or mostly covered by the moon. Special eclipse glasses or  pinhole projectors  are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent eye damage. Failing to take the proper precautions can result in severe eye injury,  according to NASA .

Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses and specially made to enable wearers to look at the sun during these kinds of celestial events.

Sky-watchers should also never view any part of the sun through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses unless they have specific solar filters attached. Eclipse glasses should not be used with these devices, as they will not provide adequate protection.

However, during the few minutes of totality, when the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to look with the naked eye.

Beware of fake eclipse glasses. On legitimate pairs, the lenses should have a silver appearance on the front and be black on the inside. The manufacturer’s name and address should be clearly labeled, and they should not be torn or punctured. Check, as well, for the ISO logo and the code “IS 12312-2” printed on the inside.

If you don’t have eclipse glasses, you can make a homemade pinhole projector, which lets sunlight in through a small hole, focuses it and projects it onto a piece of paper, wall or other surface to create an image of the sun that is safe to look at. 

All you need is two pieces of white cardboard or plain white paper, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack. Cut a 1- to 2-inch square or rectangle out of the center of a piece of white paper or cardboard. Tape aluminum foil over that cut-out shape, then use a pin or thumbtack to poke a tiny hole in the foil.

During the eclipse, place a second piece of white paper or cardboard on the ground as a screen and hold the projector with the foil facing up and your back to the sun. Adjusting how far you hold the projector from the second piece of paper will alter the size of the image on the makeshift screen.

What to look for while viewing the total solar eclipse

For people along the path of totality, there are some fun milestones to keep track of as the total solar eclipse unfolds.

As the eclipse progresses and the sun gets thinner in the sky, it will start to get eerily dark, according to Tyson.

When the last beams of sunlight are about to become obscured, look out for the “diamond ring effect”: The sun’s atmosphere will appear as an illuminated halo, and the last light still visible will look like the diamond of a giant ring.

As the sunlight decreases even further, an effect known as Baily’s beads will be created by the moon’s rugged terrain. Tiny “beads” of light will be visible for only a few seconds around the dark moon, as the last bits of sunlight peer through the moon’s mountains and valleys.

When the moon is fully blocking the sun, it is safe to remove eclipse glasses and look at the total solar eclipse with the naked eye.

Some lucky sky-watchers may even catch a glimpse of a comet .

Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks — nicknamed the “ devil comet ” because an eruption last year left it with two distinct trails of gas and ice in the shape of devil horns — is currently visible from the Northern Hemisphere as it swings through the inner solar system.

The comet can be seen in the early evenings by gazing toward the west-northwest horizon. During the eclipse, when skies darken during totality, it may be possible to see the comet near Jupiter, but its visibility will depend on whether it’s in the middle of an outburst and thus brighter than normal.

Most likely, all eyes will be on the alignment of the moon and sun.

“Most people won’t even notice,” Tyson said. “But if you know to look, it’s there.”

When is the next solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse will be in 2026, but it will mostly pass over the Arctic Ocean, with some visibility in Greenland, Iceland, Portugal and northern Spain. In 2027, a total solar eclipse will be visible in Spain and a swath of northern Africa.

The next total solar eclipse visible from North America will be in 2033, but only over Alaska. Then in 2044, a total solar eclipse will cross Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, parts of Canada and Greenland.

The next total solar eclipse to cross the continental U.S. coast-to-coast in will occur in 2045. The path of totality for that eclipse will cut through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Lucas Thompson is a content producer for the NBC News Climate Unit.

When is the 2024 total solar eclipse? Your guide to glasses, forecast, where to watch.

Editor's note: An updated cloud forecast for the April 2024 total solar eclipse is in. Read the latest eclipse forecast and news as of Wednesday, April 3 .

We're less than two weeks away from the astronomical event of the decade: A total eclipse of the sun , which will grace the nation's skies from Texas to Maine on the afternoon of Monday, April 8 .

Millions of people are expected to travel to see the spectacle, which will also attract scientists from across the country to study its unique effects on the Earth and its atmosphere . (Meanwhile, brands such as Burger King, Pizza Hut, Applebee's and Sonic are getting in on the eclipse excitement too.)

The full total solar eclipse experience will plunge people along a narrow path into darkness midday, but people outside the path of totality could still use eclipse glasses to see the moon pass in front of the sun. It's an awesome and confusing sight on the ground and in the sky.

It should go without saying: Don't drive while wearing eclipse glasses

One task to do now is to get yourself a pair of special eclipse glasses (and luckily there's still time to score a free pair of eclipse glasses ). They're important eyewear during an eclipse because they will block out the sun's harmful rays, which could damage your eyes when you're looking at the sun — even if it's partially blocked.

Solar eclipse glasses are still readily available from plenty of vendors across the internet as of Thursday, March 28. But be wary of counterfeit or fake glasses , experts warned.

The other big factor everyone's anxiously awaiting is the weather forecast, which most experts say is still a bit far away for a specific forecast. But more detailed, realistic forecasts will start to roll in over the next few days.

Of particular interest will be the cloud forecast , as a deck of thick, low clouds would likely ruin the entire event. But if the clouds are higher up in the atmosphere, such as thin, wispy cirrus , they'd act to diffuse but not ruin the eclipse.

USA TODAY 10Best: 10 solar eclipse fun facts to share with your friends

There's plenty to know before the big day, which won't happen again for about two decades . Read on for answers for all your eclipse questions, including how to watch the eclipse , understand the eclipse and use eclipse glasses to stay safe .

WATCHING THE APRIL 2024 ECLIPSE

How do i watch the 2024 solar eclipse.

There are a few ways of watching the eclipse:

• Get the full experience in person : If you're in a narrow band of U.S. land that spans from Texas to Maine, you could see the moon block the sun and its shadow cast a night-like darkness over Earth for a few minutes. You'll briefly be able to look up without eye protection and see the moon block the sun.
• Watch from outside the path of totality : Much of the U.S. is set to get a partial view of the eclipse that isn't nearly as impressive as being in the path of totality. Earth won't be plunged into complete darkness and you'll have to wear protective eyewear to see the moon partially block the sun.
• Watch a livestream : Check back on April 8 for a video feed from the path of totality. It's not the same as being there in person, but hey, at least you won't have to sit in traffic .

Totality explained: The real April 2024 total solar eclipse happens inside the path of totality

What time is the solar eclipse on April 8?

The eclipse will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CDT and end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. EDT, but the exact time of the eclipse varies by where you are in its path.

You can search by zip code to find the exact time for your location.

Where will the April eclipse be visible?

All of the lower 48 U.S. states will see the moon at least clip the sun, but that sight is a trifle compared to being in the path of totality.

Because the narrow path includes or is near some of the nation's largest cities, expect millions of people to crowd into a band of land a little over 100 miles wide that spans from the Texas/Mexico border to the Maine/Canada border.

Here are the major cities in each state where you can expect to experience totality (note that the included times do not account for when the partial eclipse begins and ends):

• Dallas, Texas: 1:40-1:44 p.m. CDT
• Idabel, Oklahoma: 1:45-1:49 p.m. CDT
• Little Rock, Arkansas: 1:51-1:54 p.m. CDT
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: 1:56-2:00 p.m. CDT
• Paducah, Kentucky: 2-2:02 p.m. CDT
• Carbondale, Illinois: 1:59-2:03 p.m. CDT
• Evansville, Indiana: 2:02-2:05 p.m. CDT
• Cleveland, Ohio: 3:13-3:17 p.m. EDT
• Erie, Pennsylvania: 3:16-3:20 p.m. EDT
• Buffalo, New York: 3:18-3:22 p.m. EDT
• Burlington, Vermont: 3:26-3:29 p.m. EDT
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: 3:27-3:30 p.m. EDT
• Caribou, Maine: 3:32-3:34 p.m. EDT

Will clouds block the April 2024 eclipse?

It's too soon to say for sure, but history offers some clues.

Chances of cloudy skies are pretty high along much of the eclipse's northern path, and some areas such as Buffalo have about a 1-in-3 chance of clear skies in early April.

Skies are usually more clear to the south. Right along the Texas/Mexico border, chances of a clear sky can be nearly 75%.

However, early forecasts tell a different story — although forecaster caution it's too early for truly accurate forecasts.

Keep in mind that clouds don't always ruin an eclipse . High, wispy clouds won't spoil the show in the same way that low thick clouds would. In that case, you wouldn't be able to see the moon pass in front of the sun, but you would still notice a sudden darkness in the path of totality.

What dangers are associated with the eclipse?

The  eclipse , as exciting and fun as it promises to be, comes with a growing number of safety warnings — both for what will happen in the sky and what will happen on the ground.

In addition to the dangers of looking at the eclipse without proper eyewear, we've heard warnings about potentially dangerous  fake eclipse glasses , the possibility for increased  car  c rashes  around the time of the eclipse — and possible  air travel headaches  due to delayed or cancelled flights.

Where is the best place to watch the eclipse?

In the weeks leading up to the eclipse, Texas was considered the best state for eclipse viewing . Historically, there's a good chance the skies will be clear and its location along the southern path of the eclipse means totality will last a little longer. That could change as the forecast evolves .

A few lucky travelers will also have a front-row seat with unobstructed views — from a plane .

Will traffic be bad?

Most likely, yes — especially after the eclipse ends . Millions of people will crowd into the narrow path of totality, then many will attempt to leave all at once as soon as the eclipse is over.

When a total solar eclipse passed over the U.S. in 2017, reports say some traffic jams didn't fully clear for more than 12 hours. Even worse, a recent study reported that the 2017 eclipse "was associated with increased risks of a fatal traffic crash" – potentially as much as a 31% increase, the study said .

Also worth noting: The eclipse is expected to have impacts for air travel as well.

Cities across the eclipse's path of totality are also bracing for an influx of visitors who are already booking up hotels and short-term vacation rentals , officials have told USA TODAY. "Hotels are almost sold out," said Shalissa Perry, the chief marketing officer for Downtown Dallas.

Why are schools closing for the eclipse?

Primarily out of a concern for students' safety, schools across the country have given students  the day of the eclipse, April 8,  as a day off, a half day or a chance for e-learning. In Tennessee, for example, officials also say it gives students a chance  to experience the eclipse with their family and friends .

What's it like to watch a solar eclipse from space?

Ever wondered what it is like see the  solar eclipse  from space? NASA scientist and veteran astronaut Terry Virts has witnessed the spectacle in space .

"When I was in space in 2015, we saw an eclipse over the North Atlantic," Virts told USA TODAY this week. "It was an eclipse that very few humans saw I think, but it was a really unique experience to look down and just see this big black circle kind of moving across the planet."

"It was unlike anything I've ever seen," Virts adds. "I joke I'm glad they told us there was an eclipse because it would have been unsettling to look down at Earth and see this black spot moving across. It was really cool."

Virts, who is the face of  Sonic's eclipse-themed Blackout Slush Float , said that though he's seen one eclipse from space and many from Earth, he is super excited about the upcoming one on April 8.

UNDERSTANDING THE 2024 ECLIPSE

What is a solar eclipse definition explained..

A total solar eclipse happens when three celestial spheres — the sun, moon and Earth — line up in a specific way in space.

According to NASA, a solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. That alignment casts a moving shadow on Earth that either fully or partially blocks the sun's light in some areas. This leads to a period of partial or full darkness on a narrow stretch of Earth. 

The path is so narrow because of the huge distance and size of the sun — as well as the moon's distance from Earth. That focuses the moon's shadow on an area of land much smaller than the moon itself. The movement of the shadow across the land happens as the Earth's rotation interacts with the orbit of the moon.

A total eclipse only happens occasionally because the moon doesn't orbit in the exact same plane as the sun and Earth do. In addition, a solar eclipse can only happen during a new moon.

What's special about a total solar eclipse?

The total solar eclipse on April 8  is causing such a stir because the rare event is an astronomical experience like no other that will be unusually accessible to millions of people.

April's total solar eclipse will fall over more places in the U.S. than the total eclipse before and after it. And the broad length of the path of totality – where Americans have the best shot of getting a clear view – is "much wider"  than it was for the eclipse in 2017 , according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

A total solar eclipse is also far more impressive  than a lunar or an annular solar eclipse. During an annular eclipse, the moon covers the Sun but leaves an outside ring some call a "ring of fire" — it darkens the sky instead of plunging Earth into a night-like darkness, which is what happens during a total solar eclipse. And a lunar eclipse – the appearance of a red moon – happens when the moon passes into the Earth's shadow, according to NASA.

Total solar eclipses can have spiritual significance, too . Ancient cultures viewed as a sign of the gods' anger or impending departure. Some religions today are hosting eclipse viewings and services.

Historically, eclipses have left major marks on religious and spiritual civilizations. In Christianity, an eclipse has been associated with the darkness that accompanied Jesus' crucifixion and in Islam, the passing of the Prophet Muhammad's son Ibrahim.

When was the last solar eclipse?

The USA's most recent total solar eclipse was on August 21, 2017, and stretched from Oregon to South Carolina.

When will the next solar eclipse happen?

The  next visible total solar eclipse  to cross over the U.S. after April will come in more than two decades on Aug. 23, 2044, according to NASA.

And that eclipse won't be as accessible as the 2024 one: The path of totality in 2044 will only touch the states of Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society, a nonprofit involved in research, public outreach and political space advocacy. Another total eclipse  will pass over the U.S. in 2045  that will be more accessible to Americans, including for people who live in California, Florida and Nevada.

ECLIPSE GLASSES AND SAFETY

What are eclipse glasses and why are they needed for the eclipse.

Gazing at the bright rays from the eclipse without  protective eyewear  can seriously damage your eye, so wearing a pair of protective glasses is important.

There's a technical standard for eclipse glasses, which are designed to block out most light and let you safely see the moon pass in front of the sun: It's called ISO 12312-2 after the International Organization of Standardization.

While there's concerns that not all glasses marketed as eclipse glasses live up to that standard, experts say in the past, the shortcomings haven't been significant .

But as the 2024 eclipse approaches, the American Astronomical Society  has warned that there are some counterfeit and fake eclipse glasses being sold from unverified vendors that would be unsafe to use during the eclipse. They recommend buying from a vetted vendor and testing the glasses before the eclipse.

How do I get solar eclipse glasses?

You should buy from a reputable source who can ship the glasses to you in time for April 8. A guide to last-minute eclipse glasses explains more.

Heads up: The online marketplace is flooded with retailers selling solar eclipse glasses they claim have the NASA seal of approval . Consider that a red flag to look elsewhere.

How can you test eclipse glasses?

NASA shared an easy method to check eclipse glasses at home.

Buyers should put on their glasses and look at a bright light, like a flashlight. If the light is "extremely dim," or doesn't appear at all, the glasses are safe, Susannah Darling, of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said in an instructional video. Viewers should be able to see the filament of the lightbulb, not the glow surrounding the bulb.

Can you really go blind watching a solar eclipse?

You could severely damage your eyes . Directly staring at the sun before and after the total eclipse, or watching a partial eclipse outside the path of totality without proper eye protection, can result in permanent damage including blurred and altered vision.

While rare, eye damage from watching a partial eclipse happens in part because a person's natural response to squint when looking at sunlight does not get triggered. In the lead-up to the  April 8 solar eclipse ,  doctors and a rare set of eclipse watchers are warning about  watching this planetary event without adequate eclipse glasses or with the naked eye.

It’s hard for experts to know or even estimate how many people experience eye damage from solar eclipses. Since looking at an eclipse does not cause complete blindness, people with permanent damage may not know they have it or report it to a doctor. The 2017 eclipse , which passed from Oregon to South Carolina, is thought to have caused about 100 cases, according to the  American Astronomical Society .

How can I watch the eclipse without glasses?

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses do not use regular sunglasses — You need a more creative solution for safe viewing, like a pinhole projector .

Welding glasses are not recommended for eclipse viewing .

Should I take dogs or cats to see the eclipse? Is it safe for pets?

An eclipse itself isn't dangerous for domestic animals such as dogs and cats, but experts say it's probably best to not bring pets .

Experts' biggest concern is not what’s happening in the sky but on the ground as crowds of excited and anxious people gather, said Dr. Rena Carlson, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“Rather than the effects of the eclipse, I would be more worried about the excitement and all of the people,” she said.

Another fun way to experience the eclipse: disco balls

Don't just reach for the solar glasses; a disco ball might be a fun and safe way to enhance the total solar eclipse experience .

Inspired by a research paper from European scientists, the Round Rock Public Library in Round Rock, Texas, near Austin, used disco balls during the annular eclipse in October and recommends people do the same for the April 8 eclipse. Officials said the use of a disco ball creates a "party-like atmosphere" to make a solar eclipse event more fun.

The mirrored ball can be placed outside where it can catch the sunlight and reflect it on a shaded wall at least several feet away, or it can be inside near a window to cast reflections of the sun around the room. Youth Services Librarian Andrea Warkentin recommends people get disco balls that have smaller mirrors on them as they will create bigger and better images.

"It's a way to make it really memorable and fun for little kids who may not really understand what's going on in the sky," Warkentin said.

-Fernanda Figueroa, Austin American-Statesman

Contributing: Ramon Padilla, Karina Zaiets and Janet Loehrke