La Grande Roue de Montréal — Attraction Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Tell me: What’s this place all about? Aside from those with a fear of heights, who doesn’t love a ferris wheel? Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River just steps from Old Montreal , the largest observation wheel in Canada, brings guests nearly 200 feet into the sky, offering panoramic views over the city, tee river, and Mount Royal. What’s it like being there? It’s touristy, but it’s worth it for those of us who love seeing cities from above. Is there a guide involved? There isn’t much by way of narration or “look in this direction to see this” in the individual gondolas, which is actually quite nice. That way you can soak in the sights and let the cityscape do the talking. Who comes here? The wheel is expectedly big with the tourist crowd. Did it meet expectations? The old “start your trip from the highest point to get your bearings” travel trope couldn’t be more true here, because it’s very easy to otherwise forget that Montreal is in fact an island, in a large river, with a literal mountain rising up in the middle of downtown. Bringing you high above Old Montréal, each ride is long enough for you to appreciate the sights and start to understand the city’s topography, but not so long that you’re wishing it would be over. For added thrills, upgrade to the “VIP Package” aboard gondola number 42. It’s the only one on the wheel that has a see-through glass floor and extra-comfy Italian leather seats. So then what, or who, do you think it’s best for? The whole thing is a twenty-minute affair, so it’s an easy thing to add on to your itinerary if you’re in the Old Montréal area. Just note that tickets are about $20-25 CAD each, so it can get a little pricy if you’re traveling with several little ones in tow, although there are some modestly discounted family ticket bundles available." - Todd Plummer