Getting Real With Shadra Bruce
Traveling to Montreal is something we do two to three times each year. While we enjoy quiet couples getaways to the romantic heart of the Old Port, sampling delicious foods and fine wines or taking romantic walks along the port, Montreal is a family friendly destination with plenty to do with kids of all ages.
Top 5 Spots to Take the Kids in & around Old Montreal
1. No trip to Montreal would be complete without a stop at the Centre de Science. This science museum has it all, from permanent and rotating exhibits to an IMAX that shows films in either French or English. On our most recent trip, Indiana Jones was the feature exhibit. This hands-on exhibit had the kids and their parents actively engaging in archaeological adventures as they searched for clues, watched interactive video clips, and learned about the making of the movies. Previous exhibits we’ve enjoyed have included a water conservation experience and a 3-D ocean adventure in the IMAX theater.
2. The Montréal Biodôme is “an oasis in the heart of the city.” The Biodôme offers an educational and fascinating tour through the most beautiful ecosystems of the Americas: the Tropical Rainforest, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Subpolar Regions of the Americas: Labrador Coast and Sub-Antarctic Islands. More than a zoo, families will thoroughly enjoy being able to enter these worlds and learn about the animals that live there.
3. Also located in the same Olympic Park area as the Biodôme is the Botanical Garden and Insectarium. Chinese and Japanese gardens and greenhouses offer a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. In the Spring, butterflies are freely roaming inside one of the larger greenhouse; in the Fall, the Chinese garden makes a delightful evening experience, with thousands of lanterns aglow. In the winter, the Botanical garden features choral concerts. Inside the Botanical Garden is the Insectarium, and is included in your entrance to the Botanical Gardens.
4. The Biosphere is located inside the geodesic dome on Île Sainte-Hélène. The Biosphere offers interactive educational experiences about water conservation and ecosystems. Have a picnic on the island while you’re there and enjoy the beautiful view of Montreal from across the river.
5. The Montreal Amphi-Bus Tour offers a guided tour through Old Montreal then dives into the St. Lawrence River and shares a beautiful view of the waterfront at the Old Port. The Amphi-Bus Tour offers group and family rates, and the tour runs several times throughout the day.
Tip: The science center and most other locations offer discounts for AAA/CAA members.
