10 Things to Do in Montreal with Kids

On the west bank of the St Lawrence River, in the Old Port, Montreal Science Centre hosts interactive exhibitions, an IMAX 3D theatre and permanent displays on science and technology. Fabrik, Human, Science 26, the Zone for Curious Minds, the Windmills of the Imagination and Water in the Universe are the main sections of this captivating museum. Your kids can experiment, play and learn at the same time. A gift shop and a food court are available on site.

Jean Drapeau Park stretches across St Helen’s and Notre-Dame Islands, in the centre of the St Lawrence River, a few minutes by metro or boat shuttle east of Downtown Montreal. It’s home to a great range of attractions and activities that include a large children’s playground, the Biosphere Environmental Museum, an aquatic park, a beach and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, to mention just a few. The park is also just a very pleasant green area to stroll around. A choice of restaurants and snack stands are at hand throughout the park.

Known in French as La Grande Roue de Montréal, the Montreal Ferris wheel offers breathtaking views of the Old Town, St Lawrence River and the city skyline. Positioned on the shore of the river, between the Montreal Science Centre and the Old Port, the climate-controlled gondolas reach a height of 60 metres. Prices range between C$20 and C$25. Bistros and coffee shops can be found at the foot of the Ferris wheel.

Part of Montreal Space for Life Museum Complex, Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium features 2 movie theatres and several displays on astronomy, space and science. Many stations are interactive and the shows on the Northern Lights and the Milky Way, among many others, are really captivating. Several snack bars and restaurants as well as gift shops are available throughout the complex.

One of the largest amusement parks in Canada, La Ronde sits on St Helen’s Island, in the middle of the St Lawrence River, just east of the city centre. Home to over 40 rides, shows and attractions, La Ronde can please children from toddler to teenager. Rides are classified as Kid’s, Family and Thrill and access to each ride depends on your child’s height. The park also features restaurants that serve a great variety of cuisines, from Mexican to Italian to classic North American.

Just a short stroll west of Downtown Montreal, Redpath Museum is a natural history museum that belongs to McGill University. Featuring a charming Night at the Museum type of design and layout, it has departments dedicated to palaeontology, ethnology, biology and geology. Children especially enjoy the dinosaur fossils and skeletons, including a full-size T-Rex. The museum is not too large and offers a pleasant stroll through the history of our planet in a quaint, vintage setting. The entrance of Redpath Museum is free.

Maple syrup is one of the Quebec’s most popular dishes, but the season is short, usually from late-February to early-May. Sugaring off in a sugar shack – cabane à sucre in French – is a cultural tradition; a kind of rite-of-passage in Montreal. You’ll find urban sugar shacks outside select metro stations, in Jean Drapeau Park and at Jean Talon Market. Many local restaurants also serve maple syrup-based specialities. Maple taffy on snow, maple sugar pie and Pouding Chômeur (French for ‘unemployed man’s pudding’) are just a few of the sweet treats available during maple syrup season.

Named after its address, the 1000 de La Gauchetière is one of the tallest buildings in Montreal. Mainly an office building and a conference centre, this skyscraper is famous for housing a large indoor ice-skating rink, which is open all year round. Bars and restaurants are available around the rink, so you can spend a pleasant time here. Connected to the Underground City, it’s fairly easy to get there.

The quays of the Old Port of Montreal host a great range of family-friendly attractions and activities. Lose yourself in a maze at SOS Labyrinthe, take a tour on a quadricycle, run an obstacle course onboard a replica 18th-century galleon or thrill yourself at MTL Zipline & Quick Jump – these are just a few of the exciting things to do in the Old Port of Montreal. This historical district is also home to museums and a lively scene of bars and restaurants. During winter, there’s a large outdoor ice-skating rink. It’s a place that you can enjoy all year round.

As one of the largest permanent exhibits of Barbie dolls in the world, Barbie Expo is an impressive place to visit. You can see Barbie dressed by renowned designers such as Ralph Laurent and Christian Louboutin, Barbie dressed like world-famous singers or actors like Marilyn Monroe and Beyonce, and Barbie dressed as characters from movies including Cleopatra and Titanic. Entrance is free, and this beautiful expo is as pleasant for little girls as it is for their mum.