Montreal is the perfect city for a quick family getaway! The Canadian city offers a little taste of Europe at a fraction of the cost and has plenty of activities for kids of all ages. Here’s how to spend a long weekend in Montreal.Best family things to do in Montreal, Canada.This is a kid-friendly itinerary for those who want to visit Montreal with kids.
3 Day Itinerary for Visiting Montreal With Kids
Day 1:
Any trip to Montreal needs a stop in Old Montreal and the Old Port. The area is popular with tourists and locals alike, thanks to its European-style cobblestone streets, a plethora of restaurants and bars, and a great view of the water. Old Port rests on the St. Lawrence River and offers skating in the winter. In the summer, there is zip lining over the water.
The Old Port has lots of activities for families, including a life-sized replica of a pirate ship with obstacle courses and climbing walls. There’s also the famous SOS Labyrinthe, a maze in a nearby hangar. You can also get a breathtaking view of the city by riding the 60-meter Ferris wheel.
Old Montreal is also home to plenty of historic sites: Montreal is one of the oldest cities in Canada, with buildings dating back to the 1600s. You can take a guided walking tour, or explore the area on your own.
Notre-Dame Basilica, located in Old Montreal, is one of the city’s most popular destinations. While young kids might find a tour of a cathedral a bit dry, older kids might enjoy the guided tours that allow you to take a seat at the grand pipe organ!
Another spot in the area worth checking out is the Montreal Science Centre! Kids can enjoy interactive demos, hands-on learning, and IMAX films. You could easily spend a whole day here!
And if you’re worried about the meals during this outing, there are many food stalls located along the Old Port. But you’re probably better off taking the kids to a nearby restaurant like the quirky and fun Jardin Nelson.
Day 2:
Mont-Royal is another must-see spot for anyone visiting the city. The 764-foot mountain is directly in the center of the city and is the perfect place to hike, ride bikes and just enjoy the great outdoors. The climb to the top doesn’t take long, but little ones might tire out quickly. Best to let them sit in the stroller and let mom and dad do all the heavy work!
Beaver Lake is the main attraction on Mont-Royal! You can rent paddle boats and head out on the lake, or enjoy the park and playgrounds nearby. It’s also the perfect spot for a picnic lunch! You can even stop by the nearby St-Viateur Bagels for some of the best bagels in the city, and bring them up Mont-Royal as your meal.
Your next stop should be the Bell Centre! If you’re visiting Montreal during hockey season, make sure to check out a Montreal Canadiens game (Pro tip: fans call them the Habs). Aside from the Habs, Montreal also has a football team that plays at the Percival Molson Memorial Stadium — a decent backup option if you’re visiting outside the NHL season.
Day 3:
Day three ventures further from the downtown core, so it might be wise to rent a car. There are some more widespread rental companies, but renting from a local service like GlobeCar, which is headquartered in Montreal, gives you an added bonus. You can ask them about driving conditions and laws you mustn’t break, as well as general driving tips and getting around more easily.
The neighborhood of Maisonneuve is where the 1976 Summer Olympics were held, and the large domed stadium is still open to check out! The Olympic Stadium also has the Tour de Montreal, a 574-foot tower that holds the title of the tallest leaning tower in the world. The observation deck at the top has some amazing views: depending on the weather, you might even be able to see the Laurentian Mountains!
Right near the stadium is the Montreal Biodome, which has plants, animals, and birds in four distinct ecosystems. You can visit the monkeys of the rainforest, the beavers of the Laurentian forest, the underwater fish of the St. Lawrence and the penguins of the Arctic, all right in one spot!
A free shuttle will take you from the Biodome to the Botanic Garden, which has thirty outdoor gardens and ten greenhouses. There are special exhibits as well as permanent installations, like a Japanese garden, a toxic plant garden and more. There’s an outdoor snack bar where you can eat in view of the beautiful gardens!
Another stop that proves popular with the kids is the Insectarium! This is all about — you guessed it — bugs. Butterflies, spiders, bees, and beetles from all around the world are here for an informational and possibly icky afternoon. The museum does offer insect-tasting – that is, if you’re really brave!
If bugs aren’t your thing, head straight to dinner at La Banquise! Poutine is required in Montreal, and this place has the best. You can opt for a classic poutine dish (fries, gravy and cheese curds) or get fancy and add jalapeños, sliced hot dogs or pulled pork. The kids’ menu also offers things like hot dogs and spaghetti, in case the kids aren’t feeling as adventurous.
So pack your bags and head straight to the cultural capital of Canada while making sure that this will be a fun and adventurous trip for all family members, especially the little ones!
