Things to Do at Olympic Stadium

Complete Guide to Olympic Stadium in Montreal

About Olympic Stadium

Olympic Stadium tower tours cost CAD $25 ($19 USD) for adults, CAD $12.50 ($9.50 USD) for students with ID. The cable car lifts you 175 meters up the world's tallest inclined tower where winds whistle past the observation deck windows. Your stomach may lurch during the 95-second funicular ride that climbs at a 45-degree angle, but the 360-degree Montreal panorama stretches to the Laurentian Mountains on clear days. The concrete structure groans and settles audibly as temperature changes affect the building throughout the day. Sports Museum entry adds CAD $18 ($13.50 USD) to explore artifacts from the 1976 Olympics, including actual torches and medals behind glass cases. The retractable roof mechanism still fascinates engineering students though it stopped working properly in 1998. Visit weekday mornings when crowds thin out and the morning sun illuminates the city's eastern neighborhoods through the tower's floor-to-ceiling windows.

What to See & Do

Olympic Tower Observatory

Take the funicular up the inclined tower for 360-degree views of Montreal - on clear days you can see the Laurentian Mountains

Stadium Tours

Guided tours that take you through the venue's Olympic history, including areas normally off-limits to visitors

Montreal Biodome

Four distinct ecosystems under one roof, from tropical rainforest to Arctic conditions - surprisingly immersive

Sports Hall of Fame

Quebec's sports history museum with interactive exhibits and Olympic memorabilia

Architecture Appreciation

The building itself is the attraction - that dramatic concrete brutalist design is either fascinating or imposing, depending on your taste

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Generally open daily 9 AM to 5 PM, though hours vary by season and events. Tower closes during high winds or severe weather

Tickets & Pricing

Tower access around CAD $25 for adults, combo tickets with Biodome available for about CAD $45. Check online for current pricing and packages

Best Time to Visit

Clear days for tower visits, weekday mornings tend to be less crowded. Summer offers the best visibility from the observatory

Suggested Duration

2-3 hours if you're doing the tower and a quick stadium look, full day if you're including the Biodome

Getting There

The Metro drops you at Pie-IX station on the Green Line-walk straight to the stadium. Olympic Park has plenty of parking that fills fast during events. Downtown Montreal is 15 minutes away by Metro. The area connects well by transit. Bixi bike stations dot the neighborhood if you want to cycle. Fair warning-the stadium complex sprawls once you arrive.

Things to Do Nearby

Montreal Botanical Garden
One of the world's great botanical gardens, right next door with themed gardens and greenhouses

Insectarium
Fascinating bug museum that's currently being renovated - worth checking if it's reopened during your visit

Maisonneuve Park
Large urban park perfect for walking or picnicking, connects the Olympic Park to the botanical garden

Saputo Stadium
Home to Montreal's MLS team CF Montreal, interesting if you're into soccer or want to see a more intimate sports venue

Château Dufresne Museum
Beautiful early 20th-century mansion turned museum, gives you a completely different architectural perspective

Tips & Advice

Check the weather before planning your tower visit - they close it during storms and the views aren't worth much on foggy days

Combo tickets for multiple attractions in Olympic Park can save you money if you're planning to see more than just the stadium

The funicular to the tower can have lines during peak times, so arriving early or later in the day might save you waiting

If you're interested in architecture, the contrast between the Olympic Stadium and the nearby Botanical Garden buildings is pretty striking - worth noting both