Looking for Kid-Centric fun in Montreal

August 16, 2011 1:11 PM

We're visiting Montreal next week. Looking for kid/family friendly events and destinations.

The wife and I will be in Montreal the second half of next week with the kids (4 and 7) in tow. I've already gotten some great ideas for good restaurants and some walking destinations from earlier askme threads. Would love to hear any recommendations for family and / or kid friendly destinations or activities. We're staying at the Westin on ‪Saint-Antoine Ouest‬ and love mass transit but will have our car as well.

posted by jalexei to travel & transportation around Montreal, QC (8 answers total)

The Montreal Biodome!
posted by Specklet at 1:14 PM on August 16, 2011

Right by the biodome is the insectarium & botanical gardens. I took our 7&5 year old girls there during a 6 hour montreal layover and they loved it.
posted by dripped at 1:35 PM on August 16, 2011

Walk around on the mountain. The Montreal Science Centre. As mentioned above, the Biodome/Insectarium/Gardens. I used to love seeing the Montgolfiers in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which is going on for a bit longer I think.
posted by jeather at 1:38 PM on August 16, 2011

Give yourself sometime while you visit the Old Port to go to the Labyrinth, it's a lot of fun with kids. The Science Centre is great too. If it rains too much, you can always do some sort of active exploration of the underground city, which may occupy you for a while!
posted by ddaavviidd at 1:56 PM on August 16, 2011

There's La Ronde amusement park on Ile Ste Helene, which also hosts the Expo 67 site, the Formula One circuit, and some gnarly rapids where you can often watch some hot-dogging kayakers.
posted by Flashman at 2:44 PM on August 16, 2011

There is always Notre-Dame in the old port and Saint Joseph's Oratory on the north west side of the mountain if you're into the old church thing.

Also, the Musée d'art contemporain is free on Wednesday evenings! I saw live peacocks in there one time as part of an art 'piece'.. That was interesting.
posted by mbatch at 4:26 PM on August 16, 2011

i just came back from Montreal earlier this month and while I'm not a child, i love child friendly stuff. To that end, I'd second the above suggestions of the Biodome, insectarium and Botanic Gardens (of which the insectarium is part). Near those three is the Olympic Tower which has great views over the city. Access is via cable car so no need to worry about tiring legs.

There's a great Indiana jones exhibit at the Science Center right now. So much fun. If you're going to check out a number of these, look into the Montreal Museums Pass which can be a good deal. It was for us. Some options also include Metro access. You can buy these in the hotel, at museums or at the info center on St sulpice/Rue Notre Dame.

I'm not 100% familiar with kids and preferences so I'll throw these two out there as options: light show at the Notre Dame Cathedral, Centre d'histoire - great pictures and video, cruise on the lachine canal.

I stayed at the Westin as well. Beautiful property. The pool is glass bottom over the entry way which is pretty cool. The restaurant, the Gazette, has a great buffet breakfast and is often included in the room rate. make sure to double check your bill on check out, however. I didn't get credit for a package I'd booked but they remedied.
posted by TravellingCari at 5:34 PM on August 16, 2011

I do a page of kids' activities which includes most of the things mentioned here and some others. Also it's archaeology month here. And if you're here till the 27th or 28th, the 18th-century public market is kind of fun.
posted by zadcat at 6:41 PM on August 16, 2011