Things To Do In Montreal With Kids

I still vividly remember my first trip to Montréal. It was our first family vacation when we moved to Canada and will be forever etched in my memory… The glorious day at La Ronde, my first Montréal-style bagel, a jaw-dropping Cirque Du Soleil performance and the climb up to Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal. Le sigh, the city felt like an entirely different universe at the time. Fast forward a couple decades and there I stood watching my son’s eyes twinkle with excitement as we introduced him to the Montréal gems I loved as a kid…

While this was technically his second time on the island (yes, Montréal is an island), I knew this visit would be different. He would actually remember this trip. And, if the past few weeks are any indication, I was right! Luka has not stopped talking about our family vacay so I thought I’d share the highlights here for those of you who are also planning a trip with kids.

Where To Stay In Montreal With Kids

The location, friendly staff and spacious rooms at Hôtel Place d’Armes make it the perfect spot for a family stay. Housed in four historic buildings that date back to the 19th century, the hotel is steps away from all the restaurants, attractions and shops dotting Old Montréal.

The rooms and bathrooms are HUGE (so you’ll have ample space for your family), the staff are attentive and the hotel also has two restaurants and a terrace. I recommend adding breakfast to your package because Brasserie 701 is stunning and the buffet has fresh baked goods, fresh fruit and warm breaky items so you can fuel up before heading out to explore.

Where To Eat In Montreal With Kids

Le Central

This gourmet food hall is perfect for families. With a wide range of culinary offerings — from Basque tapas to Neapolitan pizzas — there’s something for every palate. I recommend hitting up Restaurant Le Petit Vibe (a Filipino-American snack bar) or EMILIA (a Portuguese Canteen) .

Jacapo

We loved having dinner on this patio. Jacapo is perched on a pedestrian-only street dotted with buskers so kiddos can wander off while the meal is being prepped or if you want to stick around for a few extra drinks post-meal. They also have cocktail specials (hello $7 spritz), delish pastas and great service (the best we experience in Montréal this time around).

Buvette Pastek

Is this a kid-friendly spot per se? Nope. But it’s the kind of restaurant you’ll always find our family at. That’s because we go for the food, drinks and ambiance — not for the crayons 🙂 The staff are super friendly and accommodating and if your kiddo eats everything like Luka does, Buvette Pastek is a must. We loved their Burrata, Grilled Asparagus, Zucchini Salad and Shrimp!

Crew Collective & Café

Mama needs her coffee so we inevitably end up at a handful of cafés every time we’re in the city. My list of faves is endless, but there’s one spot I ALWAYS visit when I’m in town: Crew Collective Café. I just can’t get over this breathtaking historical building (it was once the Royal Bank of Canada). Their coffee and bagel sandwiches are fab too so make sure to pop by!

Pizzeria Geppetto

This pizza joint is known for their wood oven pizzas and comes highly recommended by locals. We had dinner at their Little Burgundy location and thought the food and patio vibes were perfect for families. You can see Luka was a fan…

Restaurant Mélisse

This was my second time at Restaurant Mélisse and certainly not the last. It’s an unpretentious resto in the Old Port that serves up elevated dishes. The menu items are full of flavour, feature fresh ingredients and are plated beautifully. Regardless of whether you grab a table on the sun-soaked terrace or in the inviting dining room, it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to linger at…

What To Do In Montreal With Kids

Insectarium De Montréal

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much when I saw the Insectarium on our itinerary… But man, was I wrong! There’s a reason this attraction often sells out: it’s incredible. There’s a multi-sensory circuit that immerses kids (and adults) in the insect world, The Great Vivarium with free-flying butterflies and other insects, underground galleries inspired by insect habitats and a spectacular Dome with cathedral ceilings where you can admire over 3000 butterflies. Your kids will LOVE this experience, but make sure to snag tickets online well in advance!

Montréal Botanical Garden

I’ve been visiting these gardens for YEARS and with every trip I discover a section I hadn’t explored before. It was my first time checking out the Chinese Garden and WOW. The 2.5-hectare space is one of the largest classical gardens outside of China. It was built entirely in Shanghai and reassembled in Montreal in the 90s. I can’t believe I missed this gem all these years, but was thrilled to share the experience with my family. Next time we’ll head to the Japanese and First Nations gardens.

La Ronde

I almost cried when we walked through the gates at La Ronde. It was one of those full-circle moments in life. I remember sprinting toward the rides when I was a kid and it felt surreal watching Luka do the same. He went on his first rollercoaster, we hopped on bumper cars together and played a ton of games. Needless to say, it was an experience we’ll never forget! Oh and if you’re looking for a good spot to eat at the amusement park, we highly recommend Sabra.

H20 Adventures

Swan pedal boats anyone? The answer should be yes. Always yes. But if you prefer another mode of transportation, H2O Adventures has SUPs, eboats and canoes too! This is such a great way to experience the historic Lachine Canal and can be paired with a visit to Atwater Market (more on that below).

Atwater Market

A trip to Montréal isn’t complete without a visit to a market. Both Jean-Talon and Atwater hold a special place in my heart so pick one and take the kiddos around to chat with locals, taste seasonal ingredients and shop for a picnic! There are plenty of parks around the city to enjoy the treats or you can perch along the Lachine Canal.

Festivals

Regardless of the season, you’re bound to be in Montréal during a festival or two. The last time we were in town we had a chance to experience Eurêka! (which draws more than 1 million visitors who are interested in science and technology). This time around we attended 3GIANTS at the Montréal Complètement Cirque Festival. The free and very entertaining circus arts performances were definitely a hit with all the families in the audience.

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Lastly, for the best views in the city, head straight to La Grande Roue de Montréal. Kids love this ferris wheel and it’s a great way to get an aerial perspective of the Old Port. I recommend going around sunset if you can — it’s pure magic!

These are just some of the many highlights of our trip. As you can see, Montréal is MADE for family travel so don’t hesitate when booking your vacay. With plenty of festivals, parks, family-friendly activities and a diverse food scene, you’ll have an abundance of options to keep everyone entertained. Forever memories await!

A huge merci to Bonjour Quebec for hosting us and sponsoring this post so we could share our experience with you. As always, opinions are my very own.