It’s not hard to find fun family things to do in Montreal — which isn’t too surprising considering it’s home to the famous Cirque du Soleil! It has a fun vibe with plenty of festivals and activities that the whole family can enjoy year round. Here’s a list of the best Montreal attractions for families!
Here’s a list of the best Montreal attractions for families!
- For the science lovers:
- Montreal Science Center —Out of all the fun family things to do in Montreal, this is a must-see for your budding scientist. There’s typically 4 to 5 interactive exhibits that explore things like the human body, robotics, the science of light and more. There’s even a “mini mundo” that offers a fun play area for toddlers to roam.
- Located in the heart of Old Town
- Duration: You could easily spend 4 or more hours here!
- Tickets: $15 CAD for kids ages 2-12; $24 for adults. There’s also iMAX movies at an additional cost.
- Montreal Biodome — This interactive and educational biodome consists of replicas from the 5 different ecosystems found in the Americas. It’s kind of like visiting a zoo, natural history museum, and a botanical garden all in one, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the top Montreal attractions for families.
- Located at Olympic Park,
- Duration: You could easily spend 3 to 4 hours here.
- Tickets: You can get a family rate for $60.75 CAD.
- Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium — This massive space features two theaters that explore our universe in two very different ways — one from a more poetic and artistic perspective and the other from a strictly science perspective. You can learn all about space and walk through an interactive area that allows you to touch real pieces of moon rocks and meteorites. The standard shows are suitable for kids 7 and up, however, the planetarium also puts on special musical shows for babies and toddlers. It includes soothing music, tones, and visuals…for tired parents looking for a break, this is definitely one of the fun family things to do in Montreal that you won’t want to miss!
- Located at Olympic Park
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Tickets: You can get a family rate for $60.75 CAD.
- For the theater lovers:
- Geordie Theatre — this is a fun, interactive theater for young kids that you won’t want to miss! They put on various performances throughout the year that aim to nurture young kid’s imaginations, curiosity, and understanding of the world around them. It’s one of the more unique Montreal attractions for families.
- Located in Saint-Henri neighborhood
- Duration: Varies by performance
- Tickets: Varies
- Tohu Centre — If the Cirque du Soleil isn’t around, but you want a taste of the circus, head to Tohu Centre. Not only do they have many live performances of acrobatics and improv performances for kids (many of them free!), but there’s a museum, too. You’ll get to see some really interesting artifacts from the circus dating as far back as the 1760s! Hands down one of the best fun family things to do in Montreal!
- Located near Parc Frédéric-Back
- Duration: Varies by performance
- Tickets: There’s many free events, but you can also buy packages — the family package for $30 gets you 3 shows.
- For the adrenaline junkie:
- Inflatable games at the Olympic Park — from April through October, you can take your kids to Olympic Park and let them run around in a massive inflatable play area while you sip on coffee in an Adirondack chair.
- Located in Olympic Park
- Duration: pay per hour
- Tickets: $10.45 CAD / hour then $5 per additional hour
- Aquazilla — Head to this lakeside beach for a little relaxing, canoe and paddle boat rentals, and a huge inflatable water obstacle course for the kids! It has monkey bars, trampoline, a giant swing, and plenty more. Definitely one of the coolest fun family things to do in Montreal on a summer day!
- Located at Jean-Doré Beach
- Duration: pay per hour or per day
- Tickets: varies based on age and duration; $29 CAD/day for kids ages 6 to 13
- Voiles en Voiles — While this is one of the more touristy Montreal attractions for families, this mini theme park is still a great choice for families with kids that need to let out a little energy. There’s climbing walls, obstacle courses, inflatable games, a zip line, archery tag and more. There’s activities with varying levels of difficulty — so it’s a great option for young kids as well as teenagers.
- Located in Old Town
- Duration: You could spend about 4 hours here
- Tickets: Prices vary, but generally around $39 CAD for kids ages 3-5 and $59 for those 6 and up.
- La Ronde — This classic theme park is another one of the more touristy Montreal attractions for families — still, even the locals love it, too. It’s more suitable for pre-teens or younger: there’s roller coasters, a toddler zone, and other family-friendly rides. It’s accessible by metro and they even let you rent a stroller there so you don’t have to lug it around with you!
- Located on Saint Helen’s Island
- Duration: plan to spend the day
- Tickets: $37.99 CAD /day
- For the foodies:
- Academie Culinaire — If you have a budding chef in the family, definitely check out this gourmet institution in Old Port. There’s full day camps, 2 to 3 hour workshops, and even parent-child classes. This is a perfect opportunity for kids over 8 years of age with a genuine interest in cooking.
- Located in Old Port
- Duration: varies
- Tickets: starts at $60
- Lincoln apartment bakery — If you’ve a sweet tooth, check out this baking school that offers programs for kids ages 8 to 14. Drop your kids off and come back 2 hours later to delicious treats!
- Located in Saint-Henri neighborhood
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Tickets: starts at $45
- Candy labs — One of the sweetest Montreal attractions for families is this lab that teaches you how a lollipop and other artisanal hard candies are made. The class starts with an introduction to artisanal candy making — then the participants get to jump in and make their own!
- Located downtown
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Tickets: $45 CAD/person
- For the outdoor lover:
- Mont Royal — a favorite for both the locals and tourists, this huge arboreal oasis doesn’t disappoint. It’s more of a stroll than strenuous hike, but it offers a stunning view of the city. This is definitely one of the fun family things to do in Montreal that you won’t want to miss!
- Located downtown and metro accessible
- Duration: however long you want!
- Tickets: free
- Parc Jean-Drapeau — Another one of the great Montreal attractions for families is located near the home of Le Ronde amusement park, Formula 1 Grand Prix, and many popular festivals…but, when it’s not hosting a huge event, it’s actually a tranquil place to visit. There’s tons of nature paths and places to picnic! You’ll also find the Jean-Doré Beach here, which is a great place to paddle board or play volleyball.
- Located Parc Jean metro stop
- Duration: however long you want!
- Tickets: free
- Mont-Saint Bruno National Park — Explore more of the rugged Canadian wilderness just 30 minutes outside of the city. There’s tons of hiking trails around 5 lakes, and most trails are beginner friendly, with the exception of the more advanced Le Montérégien hike. There’s also a nearby winery.
- Located 30 minutes from Montreal
- Duration: however long you want!
- Tickets: entrance fee is $9.25 CAD for adults, free for kids
- Mont-Mégantic — While this is closer to an actual hike than a stroll, you’ll still find it family friendly; once at the top, the views are spectacular and, if you go at night, it is one of the best spots for stargazing. It’s known for its scientific observatory at the top which is mainly used by the University of Montreal.
- Located 1 hour from Montreal
- Duration: however long you want!
- Tickets: entrance fee is $9.25 CAD for adults, free for kids
- Mont Tremblant — There’s more to Mont Tremblant than just skiing! You’ll find 11 gorgeous hiking trails here suited for any level and the views never disappoint. Book a cottage and make it a fun weekend getaway!
- Located 2.5 hour from Montreal
- Duration: however long you want!
- Tickets: entrance fee is $9.25 CAD for adults, free for kids
- For the art lover:
- Museum of Fine Arts — While you may not consider a fine arts museum to be kid-friendly, this is really one of the most educational and fun family things to do in Montreal. They do a really good job of hosting interactive exhibitions for kids as well as various workshops throughout the week. And every weekend they host family workshops so parents and kids can explore new art together.
- Located in Golden Square Mile in downtown Montreal
- Duration: You could easily spend 3 to 4 hours here
- Tickets: entrance fee is $24 CAD for adults over 31, free for kids
- For the history lover:
- Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex — this is an incredibly fun and interactive museum, with activities like an archeological dig for kids. From the Vikings to the circus, this museum brings a wide range of history to life for kids of all ages.
- Located in Old Port
- Duration: You could easily spend 3 to 4 hours here
- Tickets: entrance fee is $17 CAD for those aged 13-30 and $25 for those 31 and up