Montréal with Kids: Bagels, Biodomes, and the Best City in Canada

Bonsecours Market

Housed in a gorgeous 19th-century silver-domed building, the Marché Bonsecours is a great stop for Quebec-made gifts, local art, and maple candy the kids will immediately demand. It is compact enough

Pointe-à-Callière Museum

This archaeology museum sits directly on top of Montréal's original settlement, letting kids walk through real excavated ruins beneath the city. The hands-on exhibits and multimedia shows hold attenti

Le Cartet

A beloved Old Montréal institution serving generous brunch and lunch plates in a bright, relaxed space that welcomes families without making a fuss. Grab a table early or expect a short wait on weeken

Old Port of Montréal Clock Tower Beach and Promenade

The Old Port waterfront gives kids room to run, with open lawns, a seasonal water play area, and views across the St. Lawrence River. In summer the beach area operates with paddle boats for rent and p

Parc du Mont-Royal

Frederick Law Olmsted designed this urban mountain park, and hiking or biking the trails to the Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout rewards families with a panoramic view of the entire city skyline. The path

Tam-Tams at Mont-Royal (Sundays) or Lafontaine Park

On Sunday afternoons from spring through fall, the base of Mont-Royal hosts the legendary Tam-Tams drum circle, a free and wonderfully chaotic gathering that kids find completely mesmerizing. On other

La Banquise

Open 24 hours and serving over 30 varieties of poutine, La Banquise on Rachel Street East is the definitive Montréal poutine experience and the perfect way to end a day on the Plateau. Let each family

Fairmount Bagel

No trip to Montréal is complete without a stop at Fairmount Bagel on Fairmount Avenue, one of two legendary rivals in the city's famous bagel war. The wood-fired ovens run 24 hours a day and the sesam

Rio Biodome Café

The on-site café inside the Biodome is convenient and solid enough for a family lunch without needing to pack out and find somewhere else mid-day. Grab a table by the windows and refuel before heading

Montreal Tower Observatory at Parc Olympique

The inclined Olympic Tower is the tallest in the world at that angle, and the glass-fronted funicular ride up to the observation deck is an experience kids talk about for days. The 360-degree view fro

Montréal Biodome

Built inside the velodrome from the 1976 Olympics, the Biodome recreates five distinct ecosystems under one roof, from a tropical rainforest to a sub-Antarctic habitat complete with penguins. Kids can

Montréal Insectarium

Right next to the Biodome in the botanical park complex, the Insectarium is freshly renovated and features immersive exhibits where kids can get close to live insects from around the world. The season