While I only made my first trip abroad when I was in my twenties, my own kids have been fortunate to be able to travel to some amazing destinations around the world at a young age. After some bigger and budget-busting travel earlier this year and last, for our summer vacation we wanted to stay closer to home yet still have a unique cultural experience. We decided on Montreal as our destination. Montreal is a Canadian city with a French soul–French is the primary language spoken there.
Montreal is a great city to visit as a family or with other adults. We were lucky to experience the city from both perspectives. Because we were traveling with another family with older children, we had a built-in babysitter for the younger kids (thanks Gracie!) so the adults had a chance to get out and explore on their own. Thankfully our hotel was located just around the corner from St. Catherine’s street and Montreal’s vast underground mall so we could step out our door and experience some of the best shopping and dining in Montreal. Rue Crescent had restaurant offerings from just about every cuisine imaginable. I definitely recommend checking out this area when you are in town.
Montreal has a lot to offer for families as well. On our first day, we took a hike up Mont Royal to get great views of the city. There’s a piano at the top and generally great people watching as you relax and soak up the view. From there we decided to check out the tam tams at the base of Mont Royal. The tam tams, I’m told, are unique to Montreal. It’s basically a drum circle that takes place on Avenue de Parc every Sunday morning.
The Montreal skyline from the top of Mont Royal
Tourists take turns playing on the piano at the top of Mont Royal
The Old City is not to be missed. This is where you truly experience the European vibe of the city. The old city is overflowing with charming cafes and some of the oldest architecture in North America. It’s a great place to kick up your feet and have a drink while the kids are entertained by the street performers in the pedestrian walkway.
The Old Port is a short walk away and is teeming with food trucks and craft and artisan shops. As you make your way around the port there’s a ferris wheel, a zip line, and an aerial course at Voiles en Voiles. You can purchase a ticket for two or four hours. Our kids did the zip line and aerial course while the parents had a chance to take in the ambiance of the city over cocktails.
Attactions at the Old Port
The Old Port is a great place to check out local crafts and food unique to the region. The Poutine is a local specialty
The next day we visited the biodome and the Olympic park, the site of the 1976 Olympic Games. The biodome is located in the site of the former Olympic velodrome. It is a re-creation of the five ecosystems on the planet.
Our group of kids, ranging in age fro 6 to 17, enjoyed exploring the ecosystems inside the biodome
The Olympic park is next door and is now used as a training facility. Check ahead because the Montreal Impact, a major league soccer team, plays at Saputo Stadium right next door. Our timing didn’t work out but I always love checking out a sporting event in a foreign city to really get a feel for the people and the culture.
If you’ve been thinking about a visit to Montreal I would highly recommend it. You will experience a city with a European vibe without the expensive airfare and lengthy travel.
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