McGill University’s downtown Montréal campus sits at the foot of Mount Royal, between Sherbrooke Street and Doctor Penfield Avenue. It’s open to visitors who want a walk among historic stone buildings, green lawns and student gathering spots. Look for the Arts Building, whose cupola frames the mountain from the main entrance, and make time for the Redpath Museum, opened in 1880. The mix of older architecture, newer buildings and outdoor space gives you a change of pace from the surrounding city streets.
A campus between downtown and Mount Royal
McGill University occupies the eastern slopes of Mount Royal, close to Montréal’s downtown buildings. Its central campus stretches between Sherbrooke Street and Doctor Penfield Avenue, with green lawns and trees among the city streets. McGill Metro station is nearby, making the campus straightforward to reach by public transport.
The university was founded in 1828 with land donated by James McGill, a Scottish-born merchant and fur trader. Its buildings include 19th-century structures as well as more recent additions. A walk around the grounds gives you a sense of that architectural mix without leaving the centre of the city.
Find the Arts Building from the main gates
From the main entrance, the Arts Building’s cupola appears against Mount Royal. The building, originally called the McGill College Building, is the oldest surviving structure on campus. Its position makes it a useful landmark as you explore the grounds.
The surrounding campus includes stone buildings, lawns, trees and outdoor seating. Students use the open spaces to meet, eat and play games, including chess, badminton and volleyball. The grounds can feel lively in the sunshine, with quieter places to sit among the footpaths.
Inside the Redpath Museum
The Redpath Museum opened in 1880 as Canada’s first natural history museum. Its Victorian-era character sets it apart from the newer campus buildings. Collections include taxidermy, Egyptian mummies and geological specimens gathered by explorers. A handwritten letter by Charles Darwin is among its notable objects.
The museum is on the campus, so you can combine a visit with a walk around the historic buildings and lawns. Two smaller collections on campus add a different view of McGill’s scientific past: the Rutherford Collection contains research instruments associated with physicist Ernest Rutherford, who taught at the university from 1898 to 1907. The neighbouring McPherson Collection presents unusual objects gathered by Anna McPherson during her time at McGill from 1940 to 1979.
FAQ
Where is McGill University?
The downtown campus is at 845 Sherbrooke Street West in Montréal, at the foot of Mount Royal. McGill Metro station is nearby.
Can visitors walk around McGill’s campus?
Yes. The campus grounds are a place to walk, see historic buildings and spend time on the lawns and outdoor seating areas.
What can you see at the Redpath Museum?
The museum’s natural history collections include taxidermy, Egyptian mummies, geological specimens and a handwritten letter by Charles Darwin.
When did the Redpath Museum open?
It opened in 1880 as Canada’s first natural history museum.
