As we have been strolling alongside the huge, clear avenues of Montreal in late summer season, watching the work crews arrange for yet one more metropolis competition — this one involving some loopy soapbox racers — Hannah proclaimed that if she was going to maneuver to a metropolis, she would need it to be Montreal.
Montreal simply has that impact on folks, no less than in the summertime. In the summer season, town is alive with meals, music, and week after week of festivals. Visitors can get their style of Europe with out the transatlantic flight and soak within the French-Canadian tradition with out placing an excessive amount of stress on their language expertise. Plus, there’s a lot to do in Montreal with children!
Our go to over Labor Day Weekend (or Labour Day Weekend for Montreal), was our second journey to Montreal lately so we’ve had time to essentially uncover what Montreal has to supply households. Currently, the Canadian greenback could be very weak towards the U.S. greenback, making it a good time for Americans to plan a summer season journey (sorry to my Canadian associates!)
To assist together with your planning, I’ve put collectively an inventory of nice actions to do in Montreal with children. If you’re additionally visiting Quebec City, you’ll want to learn our strategies on issues to do in Quebec City with children. Also, you’ll want to learn these important ideas for visiting Montreal.
Things to do in Montreal with Kids
Note: Our most up-to-date journey, together with our lodging and admission to the Zipline, Voiles en Voiles, Aquazilla, and bicycle leases, was hosted by Tourism Montreal. As all the time, all opinions are 100% my very own. This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee.
Zipline over town
The Old Port part of Montreal is zipping with motion and there’s a lot to do with children. One of the latest points of interest is the Montreal Zipline, permitting you to get a hen’s eye view of Montreal with Canada’s first city zip line.
I’ve now ziplined by way of rainforests, down mountains, close to seashores, and throughout cities. This one-zip attraction is nice for a fast thrill — not too quick and never too scary. I’d recommend ready till the road isn’t too lengthy, because the trip itself is sort of fast. Hannah and I gave this one two thumbs up whereas Glenn was our self-appointed photographer.
The Montreal Zipline is positioned within the Old Port of Montreal at Hangar 16, close to Clock tower Pier. Ziplining is accessible for people aged seven and up weighing from 50 to 250 kilos. Please verify the web site for present data.
Climb aboard a pirate journey
Voiles en Voiles gives an aerial ropes course on pirate ships positioned in Montreal’s Old Port. This attraction is a lot enjoyable and really one thing for all ages as they provide inflatables for the little ones, a ropes course simply barely off the bottom for these in-between phases, and three ranges of aerial ropes programs between the pirate and “royal” ships for these extra adventurous.
If you’ve been studying for some time, will probably be no shock that our little adventurer simply HAD to go on all three ranges. I barely made it by way of the primary, however I later realized that what it’s essential do is simply lean into the harness, belief that it’ll maintain you (they use one of many most secure harness techniques round), and never fear a lot about sustaining your stability.
One HUGE thumbs up for this one and two shaky thumbs from the hen mother and father. Oh, and if you are at it, take a look at the climbing partitions on the again of the pirate ship too. If you’re adventurous, plan on spending no less than 4 hours right here. The park is open from April by way of October after which they’re open through the vacation season with a winter journey park.
Voiles en Voiles is positioned at Place des Vestiges (Quai de l’Horloge), Vieux-Port de Montréal. Check the web site for charges and opening dates.
Visit the Old Port
There is absolutely a lot to do within the Old Port of Montreal that you need to plan on spending a day simply on this space. In addition to the Zipline and Voiles en Voiles, there is a superb Science Centre, there’s Clock Tower Beach, you’ll be able to hire pedal boats or quadricycles, or simply spend time strolling alongside the waterfront and exploring a number of the small outlets and cubicles with distinctive presents.
There can be an enormous maze you’ll be able to combat your approach out of at SOS Labyrinthe. Plus, in case you are fortunate there will likely be a competition happening with meals and music, just like the enjoyable YUL EAT Festival that was on the town once we have been there, that includes a group of Quebec’s greatest meals vans.
Bike alongside the Lachine Canal
Biking within the Old Port is usually a problem as a result of it’s so crowded. However, an effective way to get a bit additional out of city and benefit from the outdoor is to bike alongside the Lachine Canal. It is a straightforward metro trip out to the Ma Bicyclette rental store close to Marché Atwater (which makes a pleasant lunch break after your trip!)
Once you get outfitted together with your alternative of motorcycle, you’ll be able to both head again in the direction of the Old Port, or the less complicated trip alongside the canal to town outskirts. We biked a bit over 9 miles alongside the quiet and flat bike path.
Ma Bicyclette is positioned at 2985 Saint Patrick Street, Montreal, QC H3K 1B9 (514) 317-6306.
Get moist at Aquazilla
When we have been in Montreal for Labor Day Weekend it was HOT (90+ levels Fahrenheit!) After our bike trip, we actually wanted to chill off. So we did what the locals do and headed out to Parc Jean-Drapeau for a swim.
Getting there from downtown is pretty easy as you’ll be able to take the Metro to the Jean-Drapeau station after which the trick is discovering the precise shuttle bus (Bus 767) to carry you over to the seashore. Once you arrive, head over to the Aquazilla ticket sales space to safe your reservation as solely so many individuals are allowed on the inflatables on the identical time and your ticket is nice for a one-hour window (extra admission to the Jean-Doré seashore is required.)
Aquazilla is an inflatable water park positioned out on the lake. You’ll must swim out to the inflatables to start out the enjoyable. And let me inform you, it’s MUCH more durable than it seems. Keeping your stability is difficult, particularly with children and adults working and sliding by. You additionally want an excellent quantity of higher physique power to drag your self up and out of the water onto the inflatables. And you’ll go underwater while you fall or slide off.
Aquazilla is a collection of interconnected inflatables set on the water. If your children love American Ninja, they are going to love this. There are a collection of obstacles involving stability, power, and willpower. I’d solely advocate it for youths 8 and up.
Aquazilla is positioned in Parc Jean Drapeau.
Get your thrills at La Ronde
Families looking for just a few extra thrills also can head to Parc Jean Drapeau for a go to to the Six Flags La Ronde amusement park. La Ronde is the biggest theme park in Eastern Canada, providing over 40 rides and points of interest together with Goliath — one of many tallest and quickest curler coasters in North America, in addition to a colourful household part.
La Ronde is positioned on Île Sainte-Hélène at Parc Jean-Drapeau, close to downtown Montreal.
Go again in time at Pointe-à-Callière
Summer in Montreal might be a number of enjoyable, however it’s all the time good to construct a bit studying into each journey, and the Pointe-à-Callière, Montreal Museum of Archeology and History is the right alternative. Located proper in Old Montreal, simply steps from the Old Port, this museum is sitting on centuries of historical past — actually.
It is ready on a web site bearing proof of over 1,000 years of human actions and on the very birthplace of Montreal. The museum opened in 1992 and showcases main archaeological discoveries made on this web site beginning within the Nineteen Eighties. It is greatest for those who begin off watching a brief movie in regards to the historical past of Montreal earlier than exploring the remainder of the museum. In addition to the fascinating archeology digs, we cherished the non permanent Aztec exhibit that was on show final 12 months.
The Pointe-à-Callière is positioned at 350 Place Royale, Corner of de la Commune, Old Montréal (Québec) H2Y 3Y5.
See the animals on the Biodome
Different from the Biosphère, the Biodôme de Montréal, positioned outdoors of the downtown space, is an indoor zoo/aquarium that provides an introduction to the biospheres of the Americas. Here you will discover the plush rainforest, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the subplot areas of the Americas and the Labrador Coast. Our favorites on our go to have been the child lynxes and watching the penguins frolic.
The Biodome is positioned at 4777, avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montréal Quebec H1V 1B3.
Stop and scent the flowers on the Botanical Gardens
Our go to to the Jardin Botanique was reduce quick by rain however was one in all our favourite stops in Montreal. Located simply throughout the road from the Biodome, visits to those two points of interest make for a full day.
The Montreal Botanical Gardens are acknowledged as one of many world’s biggest botanical gardens, with a assortment of twenty-two,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, and greater than 20 thematic gardens unfold out over 75 hectares. The Rose Garden and Japanese Gardens have been amongst our favorites. We additionally made a fast cease on the Insectarium, which I feel Hannah has by no means forgiven me for.
The Botanical Gardens are positioned at 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est, Montréal Quebec H1X 2B2.
Visit Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal
We go to the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal on our first go to to Montreal. The church was constructed within the 1820’s and later redesigned within the late 1800s within the model of St. Chappelle in Paris. The Basilica is gorgeous all by itself, however we loved going for the AURA immersive expertise, which includes a multimedia show of sunshine on the inside and orchestral music.
The Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal is positioned at 110, Notre Dame Street West, Montreal, Quebec.
Museum of Fine Arts
My daughter additionally actually loved a go to to the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal. The museum has over 1,400 works of latest artwork and effective artwork together with work, sculptures, portraits, drawings, and prints, together with masterpieces by El Greco, Rembrandt, and Veronese.
The Museum of Fine Arts is positioned at 1380 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1J5.
Climb Mont Royal
One factor we nonetheless haven’t performed in Montreal, however it’s on our checklist for our subsequent go to is to climb Mont Royal, a small mountain within the metropolis of Montreal. It is a good place to take a stroll, have a picnic, or simply benefit from the lookout over town.
Mont-Royal might be accessed from the East, by way of Camillien-Houde Parkway and from West, by way of Remembrance Road, Montréal, Québec.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
