How to Spend a Family-Friendly Day in Montreal

Have a delicious breakfast

To get your full day of exploring off to a good start, the whole family can enjoy a delicious breakfast or brunch at one of Montreal’s favorite chocolate shops and crêperies, Juliette et Chocolat. There are multiple locations, but their Laurier Avenue restaurant offers a kid’s menu that includes three small crêpes with a choice of melted chocolate, caramel, or maple syrup, scrambled eggs, fruit, and unsweetened yogurt with a homemade seasonal fruit compote and gourmet chocolate granola. The meal comes with a glass of juice or milk, and even a chocolate egg with a surprise in it.

Juliette et Chocolat, 377 Avenue Laurier O, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 510 5651

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Enjoy some kids’ theatre

After this hearty meal, head over to the Saturday Morning Children’s Series at Centaur Theatre Company, which presents English-language plays and puppet shows for kids on select Saturday mornings throughout the season. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for children. Upcoming shows include the MTL Acting Spring Showcase (May 5, 2018) and Tong (May 26, 2018).

Centaur Theatre Company, 453 St Francois Xavier St, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 288 3161

Explore nature at Espace pour la vie

Espace pour la vie (or “Space for Life”) is an educational and experiential hub for biodiversity in Montreal. It consists of four main sections: the Biôdome, the Insectarium, the Planetarium, and the Botanical Gardens. These natural museums have been described as being the largest natural sciences complex in Canada, and people of all ages can enjoy learning about natural and cultural heritage, environmentally responsible practices, and all things nature while getting hands-on with bugs, plants, and starry skies.

Espace pour la vie, 4101 Sherbrooke St E, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 868 3000

Go to an amusement park

Another joyous, family-friendly afternoon activity in Montreal is La Ronde, the largest amusement park in Quebec (and the second-largest in Canada). The park is in operation from mid-May to late October, and there are more than 40 rides and attractions—including 10 different roller coasters. Located on Île Sainte-Hélène, the park also hosts the annual L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, an international fireworks competition that in 2018 will be in its 34th year.

La Ronde, 22 Chemin Macdonald, Montréal, QC, Canada, +1 514 397 2000

Enjoy some artisanal ice cream

No matter what fun activity you choose to fill the afternoon with, be sure to take an ice cream break. Stop in for a treat at one of the city’s popular ice cream parlors, including Le Glacier Bilboquet, La Diperie, or Kem CoBa. There are artisanal possibilities galore, lactose-free options, sorbets, soft-serve, and unique flavors for the whole family to enjoy. You’ll find that the lines for all three ice cream companies reach halfway to the next block, with people of all ages waiting for some delicious crème glacée.

Le Glacier Bilboquet, 4864 Sherbrooke St W, Westmount, QC, Canada, +1 514 369 1118

La Diperie, 4600 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 379 1442

Kem CoBa, 60 Avenue Fairmount O, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 419 1699

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Go to a Harry Potter-themed resto-bar

While it’s popularly known as a bar with magical cocktails, Lockhart on Saint-Denis in the Plateau neighborhood offers “potions and elixirs” for kids too. If you head over before 8:00 pm, children are allowed to enjoy non-alcoholic versions of magical drinks like Big Bad Wolf and Tinworth Iced Tea, and you can partake in the dinner and dessert menu—the latter including Graveyard Cheesecake and House-Made Chocolate Frogs. You can also choose to have brunch there, with options such as Horntail & Waffles, and Bread Pudding French Toast.

Lockhart Montréal, 3979 St Denis St, Montreal, QC, Canada, +1 514 379 1208

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Explore the city’s dark side

As darkness gathers across the city, take the family for a Ghost Walk tour of Old Montreal. Explore the hidden streets of the city’s historic district, guided by a professional who conveys the haunted histories of Montreal. Kids and adults alike can be entertained by this 1.5-hour tour of mysterious stories of criminals, witchcraft, and grim events that haunt the city streets.