9 Fun Activities For a Fun Weekend in Montreal with Kids
Montreal, a vibrant Canadian city where old-world charm meets modern excitement, offers a treasure trove of family-friendly adventures. From exploring interactive museums to savoring delicious local treats, a weekend in Montreal with kids promises unforgettable experiences for both parents and children alike.
First Day in Montreal
Start your weekend in Montreal with kids with a breakfast at Fairmount Bagel, where you can watch bakers hand-roll and wood-fire the city’s famous bagels—it’s like seeing a bakery circus act! Next, head to the awe-inspiring Notre-Dame Basilica for a guided tour. It’s like stepping into a giant, colorful storybook of history and art.
For lunch, explore Jean-Talon Market, a food wonderland where you can sample local treats. Think of it as a tasty treasure hunt! In the afternoon, dive into the Biodome, where you’ll travel through five ecosystems without leaving the building—it’s like a nature-themed time machine!
End your day with a traditional Montreal dinner of poutine at La Banquise and a ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal in the Old Port. As you soar above the city lights, it’s like being in a giant, twinkling snow globe!
Montreal’s Original Bagel Shop
Fairmount Bagel is like a time machine that takes you back to the early days of Montreal’s bagel-making tradition. Imagine a tiny bakery where the smell of freshly baked bagels fills the air and bakers hand-roll dough just like they did over 100 years ago. Founded in 1919 by Isadore Shlafman, a Russian immigrant, this family-run business has been serving up Montreal-style bagels for generations.
These bagels are smaller and sweeter than their New York cousins, boiled in honey-sweetened water before being baked in wood-fired ovens. The bakery is open 24 hours a day, so you can satisfy your bagel craving at any time. Fairmount’s bagels are so beloved that they’ve even traveled to space with Canadian astronaut Greg Chamitoff. It’s no wonder that this little bakery has become a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists looking for a taste of Montreal’s food heritage.
Magnificent Gothic Church
Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal is like a giant, colorful storybook come to life. Imagine stepping into a magical castle where every inch tells a tale of history and art. The inside of the church is so beautiful it might make your jaw drop—it’s painted in deep blues with golden stars, making you feel like you’re standing under a starry night sky. Instead of regular church windows, the stained glass here shows scenes from Montreal’s past, like flipping through a picture book of the city’s story.
The church is home to a massive pipe organ with 7,000 pipes—that’s like having 7,000 flutes all playing at once! Millions of people visit every year, making it one of the most popular spots in all of North America. At night, the basilica transforms into a canvas for a spectacular light show called AURA, where music and lights dance together to create a truly magical experience.
Tasty Market Eats
Jean-Talon Market is like a giant food playground where your taste buds can go on an adventure. Imagine a bustling marketplace filled with colorful fruits, veggies, and delicious smells wafting from every direction. It’s not just a place to buy groceries; it’s a spot where you can eat your way through lunch, trying little bites from different stalls like a food treasure hunt. You might munch on a crispy Syrian kebab, slurp up some Vietnamese pho, or nibble on gooey Quebec cheese.
For dessert, cool off with a scoop of artisanal ice cream or a refreshing lemon granita (it’s like a fancy slushie). The market is so popular that it can get pretty crowded on summer weekends, but that’s all part of the fun—it’s like being at a big, friendly food festival right in the heart of Montreal, making it a must-visit during your weekend in Montreal with kids.
Exploring the Biodome Ecosystems
The Biodome in Montreal is like a magical time machine that lets you explore five different worlds without leaving the city. Imagine stepping into a building and suddenly finding yourself in a lush tropical rainforest, then walking a few steps to enter a chilly polar region. This incredible place houses over 2,500 animals from 200 different species and more than 800 types of plants, all living together in carefully recreated ecosystems. It’s as if you’re taking a mini-tour of the Americas, from the humid tropics to the icy sub-Antarctic islands, all under one roof.
The Biodôme isn’t just a zoo or a botanical garden; it’s a living, breathing snapshot of nature that shows how plants, animals, and their environments are all connected. This unique experience makes the Biodome a must-visit attraction for families looking to explore the wonders of nature during a weekend in Montreal with kids.
Poutine at La Banquise
La Banquise is like a poutine wonderland, where the classic Quebec dish becomes an adventure for your taste buds. Imagine a place that’s always open, day or night, serving up over 30 different kinds of poutine—it’s like a 24/7 poutine party! Since its humble beginnings as an ice cream parlor in 1968, the restaurant has developed into a beloved destination for both locals and visitors to Montreal. When you enter, a lively atmosphere and vibrant walls decorated with staff photos greet you.
The menu is a poutine playground, offering everything from the classic version (crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds, and savory gravy) to wild combinations like the “T-Rex” with ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, and hot dogs. It’s the perfect spot for families to dive into Montreal’s comfort food culture, with options to satisfy both adventurous eaters and those who prefer to stick to the classics, making it an essential stop during your weekend in Montreal with kids.
Giant Ferris Wheel Ride
Imagine soaring high above Montreal in a giant, slow-moving Ferris wheel—that’s La Grande Roue de Montréal! It’s like riding in a glass bubble that lifts you 60 meters into the sky, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the city. As you gently spin around, you can see for 28 kilometers on a clear day, spotting landmarks like Mount Royal and the St. Lawrence River. The 42 comfy gondolas are like little flying living rooms, with air conditioning to keep you cool in summer and heating for chilly winter rides.
Each ride lasts about 20 minutes, giving you plenty of time to play “I Spy” with the city below. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even ride in a special VIP cabin with a glass floor—it’s like floating on air! La Grande Roue is open all year round, so whether you’re watching fireworks in summer or twinkling city lights in winter, it’s always a perfect time for a sky-high adventure during your weekend in Montreal with kids.
Day Two Adventures
Start your second day in Montreal with a visit to the Montreal Science Centre, where kids can explore interactive exhibits that make learning feel like playtime. It’s like stepping into a giant science toy box!
For lunch, head to the Old Port area and grab some classic Montreal-style bagels—they’re like chewy, slightly sweet donuts that come fresh from wood-fired ovens. In the afternoon, unleash your inner pirate at Voiles en Voiles, an adventure park where you can climb, zip, and bounce on giant pirate ships. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a swashbuckling storybook!
End your day with a family-friendly Tam-Tam jam session at the base of Mount Royal Park. Imagine a big, musical picnic where drummers create infectious rhythms and families can relax on the grass or join in the fun. It’s a uniquely Montreal experience that captures the city’s free-spirited culture, perfect for a weekend in Montreal with kids.
Hands-On Science Fun
The Montreal Science Centre is like a giant playground for curious minds, where science comes to life through hands-on experiences. Imagine stepping into a world where you can touch, play with, and experiment with everything from air and water to light and sound. The centre offers interactive exhibitions that make learning feel like an adventure, with permanent exhibits like “Mini Mondo” for young explorers and “Fabrik” for budding inventors.
Kids can even venture into an outdoor “techno garden” to learn about urban agriculture. With its mix of fun and education, the Montreal Science Centre proves that science isn’t just about textbooks; it’s a thrilling journey of discovery that has attracted over 10 million visitors since 2000. The centre’s innovative approach has earned it numerous awards, including the Cascade Award for Best Exhibition in 2021, making it a must-visit attraction for families during a weekend in Montreal with kids.
Pirate Ship Adventure Park
Voiles en Voiles is like a pirate’s playground come to life, where families can embark on swashbuckling adventures without ever leaving Montreal’s Old Port. Imagine giant pirate ships and royal vessels from the 18th century, but instead of sailing the seas, they’re filled with exciting challenges for all ages. Kids can climb high ropes courses, scale the walls of a pirate ship, or zip through the air on aerial adventures, feeling like real buccaneers.
For the little ones, there are bouncy castles and inflatable games to conquer. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a storybook where families can play together, whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just looking for a fun day out. With its unique blend of history and adventure, Voiles en Voiles has become a treasure trove of excitement right in the heart of the city.
Mont Royal’s Tam-Tam Jams
Every Sunday during the warm months, the base of Mount Royal Park transforms into a vibrant, rhythmic celebration known as the Tam-Tams. Picture a giant outdoor music party where anyone can join in! Drummers gather around the George-Étienne Cartier Monument, creating a massive drum circle that pulses with energy from morning until sunset. It’s like a big, musical picnic where families can enjoy the beats, watch dancers twirl, or simply relax on the grass. The Tam-Tams have been a Montreal tradition since the 1960s, growing from a small group of drummers to a beloved weekly event that attracts thousands.
While parents tap their feet to the infectious rhythms, kids can explore the festival-like atmosphere, complete with colorful vendors, people on slacklines (like tightrope walkers), and even medieval-style sword fighters in costume
It’s a uniquely Montreal experience that offers families a chance to soak in the city’s free-spirited culture and enjoy nature right in the heart of the city.
Wrapping Up Your Weekend in Montreal with Kids
Montreal offers a treasure trove of family-friendly activities that blend education, adventure, and fun. From exploring ecosystems at the Biodome to climbing pirate ships at Voiles en Voiles, the city is like a giant playground for curious minds. Families can savor Montreal’s famous bagels, experience the vibrant Tam-Tam jams, and take in breathtaking views from La Grande Roue.
A weekend in Montreal with kids provides a mix of cultural experiences, interactive museums, and outdoor adventures, proving to be a destination where every family member can find something to enjoy, creating memories that will last long after the trip ends.
