Pointe-à-Callière - Museum of Archaeology and History — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"What's the story here? Pointe-à-Callière, in Old Montreal, is the largest and most frequently visited history museum in the city, and the largest archaeology museum in Canada. Tell us about the space. This is a site museum, meaning that it has been built on the historic site where Montreal was founded in 1642. For repeat customers, or those looking to go a little deeper, are there any special exhibits on offer? In addition to the permanent exhibitions showcasing Montreal’s history and archaeology, Pointe-à-Callière also presents three to four temporary exhibitions a year, often focused on topics far from Montreal, like Easter Island or the Royal Queens of Ancient Egypt. Anything we should know about their tours? The hour-long guided tours, held daily in French and English, cover the archaeological ruins and are included in the price of admission. No reservations needed. If it's the most frequently visited history museum, is there any way to avoid the crowds? Interestingly this museum doesn't get too crowded, although the popular temporary exhibitions can get very busy. So who is it best for? Pointe-à-Callière is a must-see destination for history and archaeology buffs. Should we drop in on the gift shop? Totally fine to skip. We've done a tour, we've perused the exhibits—now we're hungry. What are our options? Up on the roof, the glass-walled L’Arrivage Bistro has a lunch menu and spectacular views of the Old Port. What's the minimum amount of time we need? You'll need a good 90 minutes to explore Pointe-à-Callière's permanent "Where Montréal Was Born" exhibition." - Richard Burnett