Want to explore an old-world European city with your kids without the lengthy flight abroad? Consider Montreal.
The French influence on Quebec will make you feel worlds away. Take a tour of Old Montreal aboard a horse-drawn carriage. A tour of the historic quarter is 30- to 60-minutes long and is available in English or French. The diverse city is rich with culture, kid-friendly attractions, and sports like professional hockey (Canadiens), major league soccer (Impact), and the Canadian football league (Alouettes).
The summer months are a great time to visit Montreal with festival season in full swing. Montreal is home to the world’s largest International Jazz Festival. This annual festival takes place June 26 through July 5, and this year’s will feature music from 30 different countries. Nearly 3,000 musicians and entertainers are expected to participate.
Each year, there are around 1,000 concerts and activities during the two-week festival. Best of all, most of the performances are outdoors and free of charge. To keep the event kid-friendly, there are play areas, a “Little School of Jazz” show, face painting, and other kid-oriented services. Feel free to stroll as the festival is in the heart of Montreal’s downtown, which is off-limits to cars.
Your family will feel like they’ve scored big if you plan your trip to coincide with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is happening this summer. The event will take place all around Canada and Montreal will serve as a host city. Women from 24 nations will compete in 52 matches to receive the sport’s most-coveted trophy. The top four teams will also qualify for the 2016 summer Olympics in Brazil, so there’s a lot at stake for the teams competing. It runs from June 6 through July 5, and individual tickets are still available, so consider taking your (little or big) soccer lover to a game at Olympic Park.
Not sure when you’ll make it to this beautiful city? There are many sights and attractions to visit all year round. Take the time to explore neighborhoods and sample the variety of ethnic cuisine available in Montreal. Explore local shops and work by artisans at Marché Atwater, one of the city’s oldest public markets. Or visit a “sugar shack” to see how maple syrup is made. Here’s my top 10 list of family-friendly places to visit in Montreal:
1. Biodome [4777 avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montreal, QC, (514) 868–3000, http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/access/biodome]
The Biodome — which means “house of life” — showcases ecosystems. The systemic approach represents natural environment with the use of rocks, climate, and lighting. The space illustrates how animals and plant life coexist.
2. Botanical Garden [4101 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, QC, (514) 872–1400, http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/access/botanical-garden]
With a collection of 22,000 plant species, the garden boasts 10 exhibition greenhouses, a pavilion, and more than 20 thematic gardens. The space itself covers 190 acres.
3. Contemporary Art Museum [185 Rue Ste-Catherine O, Montreal, QC, (514) 847–6226, http://www.macm.org/en/]
The museum offers various programs and educational activities for its patrons with scheduled presentations of both its permanent collection of contemporary art and temporary exhibitions. The displayed works are by Canadian as well as international artists. The museum’s permanent collection consists of more than 7,000 works of art.
4. Granby Zoo [1050 Boulevard David-Bouchard Nord, Granby, QC, (450) 372–9113, http://www.zoodegranby.com]
The Granby Zoo is just outside of Montreal and is home to more than 1,000 animals. Perfect for kids, there is a stingray touch tank and a petting farm with baby animals. You can also take a ride on a camel. During the summer months, there are amusement park rides, carnival games, and a waterpark for your enjoyment.
5. Insectarium [4581 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, QC, (514) 872–1400, http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/access/insectarium]
One of the largest insect museums in North America, the Insectarium houses 250,000 specimens of living and naturalized insects.
6. La Ronde [22 Chemin Macdonald Île Sainte-Hélène, Montreal, QC, (514) 397–2000, https://www.laronde.com/larondeen]
This Six Flags park has 10 roller coasters and more than 30 amusement rides, with a dozen rides suitable for younger children.
7. Olympic Park [4141 avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montreal, QC, (514) 252–4141 or 1 (877) 997–0919, http://parcolympique.qc.ca/en/]
This unique monument was the site of the 1976 Olympics and now hosts a number of athletic events. The Montreal Tower, a component of the design, is more than 540 feet high and leans at a 45-degree angle — the tallest inclined tower in the world. Visitors can admire scenic Montreal and the St. Lawrence River valley.
8. Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium [4801 avenue Pierre-De Coubertin, Montreal, QC, (514) 868–3000, http://espacepourlavie.ca/en/access/rio-tinto-alcan-planetarium]
The planetarium uses technology to create unique experiences for its visitors. There are science-focused shows and exhibitions on display.
9. Science Center [2 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, QC, (514) 496–4724, http://www.montrealsciencecentre.com]
This space is devoted to science and technology, offering exhibitions and interactive components to visitors. This attraction is educational and entertaining for children. Explore the space and its permanent and temporary exhibitions.
10. Velo Quebec Maison des cyclistes [1251 Rachel Street East, Montreal, QC, (514) 521–8356, http://www.velo.qc.ca/en/Home]
A non-profit organization, Velo Quebec encourages the use of bicycles. Take a tour on two wheels around the beautiful city and reduce your carbon footprint.
Additional Info:
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/questions-en
http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup
http://www.sucreriedelamontagne.com/
Shnieka Johnson is an education consultant and freelance writer. She is based in Manhattan where she resides with her husband and son. Contact her via her website, www.shnie
