S/O to - Visiting Montreal with kids

[Anonymous]

I’m thinking of visiting my kids to Montreal this summer. Kids are 10 and 12. Pretty good travelers, they like to walk, and we enjoy touristy areas but also like exploring non touristy neighborhoods. Safety is a priority for me as a solo parent and woman.

Would appreciate recommendations of what part of the city to stay in, any sites that you particularly enjoyed, especially if you have kids my kids’ ages, and any other recommendations like restaurants, etc.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

You want to be as close to the Port/Old Montreal as you can - there’s a ton of hotels.

Are you driving? How much time do you have? It may be worth a few nights in Mt Tremblant if you have the time!

[Anonymous]

We always liked Spring Hill Suites with our kids. It’s in the Old Port. Needed a reno the last time we were there though, but that was pre-Covid so maybe they have done it by now. Chinatown is always fun. There is a hand-pulled noodle shop that is great. They make the noodles in the front window.

[Anonymous]

Biodome is great. Like an indoor zoo and aquarium. We always drive to that though. Not sure how easy it is to get to in public transport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Biodome is great. Like an indoor zoo and aquarium. We always drive to that though. Not sure how easy it is to get to in public transport.

There is a metro stop specifically for the biodôme. Very easy on public transit.

[Anonymous]

also recommend staying in old town. Lots to do there along the riverfront. You can buy a museum pass to get 48-hour access to all the museums. Great city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want to be as close to the Port/Old Montreal as you can - there’s a ton of hotels.

Are you driving? How much time do you have? It may be worth a few nights in Mt Tremblant if you have the time!

+1 stay around there bc driving sucks but there is a lot to do in that area.

Great museums. Giant maze! Riverboat cruise. Indoor market and cute streets.

It does feel like a big city, not super clean or nice IMO. Didn't love the feel though we enjoyed a lot of the specific activities we did.

Recommend QC if you have a few extra days.

[Anonymous]

We actually stayed in an Airbnb in the Little Italy neighborhood and loved it. Was right next to a playground, great food, and close to other fun neighborhoods. Walked to bus/metro which took us to wherever we wanted to go. Old Port is nice but then you miss so much of the rest of the city.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! Appreciate the fantastic recommendations and advice.

-OP

[Anonymous]

I used to live in Montreal and have posted responses before if you’d like to search.

There are a lot of fun festivals in the summer in Montreal so you could try to time your trip accordingly if you wanted.
Jazz fest - free outdoor music, multiple stages. Fun musical park set up for kids.
Juste pour rire/just for laughs festival
Nuits d’Afrique
International fireworks on the weekend.

https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/montreal-summer-festival-guide

LaRonde amusement park - to see fireworks and go on rides

Mont Royal - the “mountain” - it’s in the middle of the city, can “hike” to the top for nice views.
Then walk down towards the Plateau for Fairmont or St Viateur bagels.
On Sundays there will be tam tams (drumming) and people dancing etc on the parks along Ave du Parc

I always make a stop at Schwartz’s deli on St Laurent for a smoked meat sandwich when I visit.
The hand pulled noodle place is also on St Laurent, in Chinatown and I usually make a stop there.

In old Montreal, around the old port, there will a lot of street performers which is fun.

For something different, seeing the cube housing Habitat 67 is kind of neat.
I’ve never been inside but you can book a tour:
https://www.habitat67.com/en/habitat-67-guided-tours/

I think kids will like the biodome.

Have fun! I love Montreal in the summer.

[Anonymous]

We stayed at a homewood suites near Chinatown it was amazing g they had a separate room and we ate cheap ramen and dumplings. Close to everything

[Anonymous]

Insectarium

Cirque du Soleil -- the show "Luzia" is playing in early summer. It's great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anIIJ6JumZI

(Note: it will also be in DC in September & October.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m thinking of visiting my kids to Montreal this summer. Kids are 10 and 12. Pretty good travelers, they like to walk, and we enjoy touristy areas but also like exploring non touristy neighborhoods. Safety is a priority for me as a solo parent and woman.

Would appreciate recommendations of what part of the city to stay in, any sites that you particularly enjoyed, especially if you have kids my kids’ ages, and any other recommendations like restaurants, etc.

Thank you!

You want to roam the suburbs? Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I used to live in Montreal and have posted responses before if you’d like to search.

There are a lot of fun festivals in the summer in Montreal so you could try to time your trip accordingly if you wanted.
Jazz fest - free outdoor music, multiple stages. Fun musical park set up for kids.
Juste pour rire/just for laughs festival
Nuits d’Afrique
International fireworks on the weekend.

https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/montreal-summer-festival-guide

LaRonde amusement park - to see fireworks and go on rides

Mont Royal - the “mountain” - it’s in the middle of the city, can “hike” to the top for nice views.
Then walk down towards the Plateau for Fairmont or St Viateur bagels.
On Sundays there will be tam tams (drumming) and people dancing etc on the parks along Ave du Parc

I always make a stop at Schwartz’s deli on St Laurent for a smoked meat sandwich when I visit.
The hand pulled noodle place is also on St Laurent, in Chinatown and I usually make a stop there.

In old Montreal, around the old port, there will a lot of street performers which is fun.

For something different, seeing the cube housing Habitat 67 is kind of neat.
I’ve never been inside but you can book a tour:
https://www.habitat67.com/en/habitat-67-guided-tours/

I think kids will like the biodome.

Have fun! I love Montreal in the summer.

Wonderful recommendations, thank you!

-OP

[Anonymous]

I’ve stayed at the Sonder properties a few times (now part of Marriott) which is great because you get a separate living area, kitchen, and WD along with the bedrooms.

Biodome was cool, my kids liked the botanical garden better. They are next to each other and we just drove from the Old Port area.