Fall 2024: family fun in Montréal

The gigantic, graceful Grande Roue de Montréal is a definite must-see Not only will kids enjoy spectacular views, but they can try naming the city’s different monuments when they reach the top.     

Thrill seekers big and small can unleash their inner superhero when they go flying down the MTL Zipline or play pirate as they weave their way through ropes and platforms connecting the two majestic ships of Voiles en Voiles family aerial obstacle course. Budding young detectives will relish the chance to crack the case SOS Labyrinthe. In nice weather, boat tours and quadricycle rentals are excellent ways to take advantage of Montréal. With this many activities, the Old Port keeps everyone entertained.  

Looking for some exhibitions? The Château Ramezay, a historic site and museum in Old Montréal, presents Life at the Château: Splendour and misery in New France, which takes visitors time travelling back to life in Montréal during the 18th century. Budding swashbucklers 5 years and older will love the Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers? exhibition at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, swordfights (of the foam variety) and adventure guaranteed. Young scientists will love the Montréal Science Centre offering fun, enriching  permanent and temporary exhibitions for kids of all ages. Little history and archaeology buffs, will love the Marguerite Bourgeoys historic site, on the banks of the St. Lawrence River: an outstanding heritage site that offers sweeping vistas from its tower.  

Downtown shopping malls are teeming with treasures for your back-to-school bounty. Young fashionistas will love looking for a new outfit, school supplies or a brand-new backpack along Sainte-Catherine Street, in Place Ville-Marie or at the Complexe Desjardins, Centre Eaton, Place Montréal Trust, Cours Mont-Royal and Alexis Nihon.

Thanks to Les aventures du cœur de l’île, downtown and the Quartier des spectacles have been transformed into a giant playground for the whole family—check out the weekly programming here.  

On the stage, La Maison Théâtre, young Montréal theatregoers’ place of predilection features magical programming of close to 15 shows for one-year-olds and older. After the show, grab a snack at Café Sfouf on Ontario Street an eatery designed with families in mind that offers an excellent menu of Lebanese specialties.

Place des Arts also has over twenty shows each year designed for children aged 2 to 12 including "Sons et brioches" mornings where muffins, croissants, juices and coffees are served in the entrance hall when the theatre opens, 45 minutes before the start of the performance. 

At the Museum of Fine Arts on Saturdays,  all visitors with a general admission ticket can join in various creative family workshops in line with current exhibitions. Remember:  first come, first served! 

The giant Espace pour la vie museum complex will wow kids both young and young at heart. The freshly revamped Biodôme invites children to observe lynxes, monkeys, exotic birds and a raft of penguins in their brand-new homes. At the also recently renovated Insectarium, children will have the opportunity to discover thousands of naturalized or living insects. Bring your older kids to immerse yourselves in the ultra-high-definition experience at the Planetarium. Grab you picnic basket and set out for a stroll among the gorgeous colours of the immense Botanical Garden. Fall evenings glow at the Gardens of Light, while KOWAI! Des histoires à faire peur... will introduce them to kamishibai, a Japanese paper theatre full of scary characters: ogres, witches, spirits and demons. Event offered in French only. 

Then head to the grounds of the Parc olympique where children can have fun in the bouncy castles and playground of Îlots76. Right next door is Parc Maisonneuve’s 63 hectares of greenspace: an ideal spot to commune with nature and have some fun with the whole family. 

A definite must-see is Mont Royal, our giant green lung of the city, is perfect for hanging out, walking, biking or jogging. Keep up to date on activities for children here. And gorgeous fall walks at Parc Jarry, Parc Laurier or Parc La Fontaine are best enjoyed with coffee, hot chocolate and churros. 

Get a fresh new look at the lively Plateau Mont-Royal with Les Fouines du Plateau, an outdoor activity that links nine can’t-miss neighbourhood attractions between Saint-Denis Street and Coloniale Street. Indulge in public art, architecture, gourmet and educational stop-offs as you roam the Plateau’s pretty streets and back alleys at your own leisure. There’s lots for kids to discover along n Mont-Royal Avenue; likewise on Saint-Denis Street where hands-on fun awaits at the Céramic Café, a ceramic painting studio for both young and young-at-heart creative types.   

Pop Montréal International Music Festival is back from September 25 to 29 and offers various family activities as part of Kids Pop, including a free concert for families by none other than Patrick Watson. Don’t miss it! 

A little further north in Little Italy, roll up your sleeves for a special kid/parent pottery workshop  or a Halloween-themed ceramic workshop for children at the charming Les Faiseurs café. A little further east, in Petite-Patrie, step into Café des Habitudes, an environmentally-friendly and vegetarian café designed for today’s family. On stage, the Illusion Théâtre de marionettes puppet theatre recently renovated its space in the Petite-Patrie and offers a sublimely poetic programme for the entire family.

In Villeray, TOHU is back on the scene with highly anticipated and appreciated shows that will wow old and young alike. You can also stroll through the huge Parc Frédéric-Back, an ambitious environmental rehabilitation project in Montréal with a truly unique atmosphere.  

In Outremont, the Casteliers theatre company, which is dedicated to marionette arts, showcases highlight productions from here and around the world. The Théâtre Outremont also offers a great youth program this fall. Over in Westmount, Geordie Theatre  offers theatre classes for kids. 

In family-friendly Verdun, enjoy a vegetarian break at Café Chato, surrounded by cats and kittens. The kids will love it!  Next, go for a stroll Promenade Wellington, (voted the world's coolest street in 2022, according to a survey by Time Out magazine) which is dotted with great restaurants, and have a seat at one, like the popular Janine Café.

You’ve still got time to rent a pedal boat or a small electric boat and go on a mini cruise with the whole family along the Lachine Canal. Later on, stock up on delicious foods from Notre-Dame Street West: L’Avenue St-Henri, Barley – cereal bar, Arthurs, Maman Montréal, Resto-Café Quoi de N'Oeuf or Spanel Crêpes & Gourmets. 

With easy métro access and just minutes from downtown, Parc Jean-Drapeau offers a variety of activities in a picturesque setting. Go on a discovery ride aboard an electric vehicle as you learn about the park’s history and islands, get an eyeful of public art that showcases talented local and international artists, or go hiking or biking for a full day of fun. At La Biosphère, every weekend, children from 3 to 5 years old are invited to l'Heure du conte to listen to stories about ature and the environment on the upper floor of the museum with a breathtaking panoramic view!

An amusement park paradise for kids, La Ronde is finally welcoming back thrill-seeking families.

The launch of the cultural season is the perfect time to introduce your toddlers, teenagers and every age in-between to culture. Explore an array of cultural activities to discover, specially designed for 0-17 year olds.

Guided tours are a great excuse to explore with your children. Haunted Montréal, bike rides, culinary tours, special open-air mural museums, video and light projections at dark: there is so much to choose from and some tours are adapted to all ages and are even free for children under 12.

No matter the weather, Montréal offers a host of indoor activities, be they physical, playful or educational. Plan for your great day out here and here.  

Of course, there is still time to enjoy the best seasonal outdoor spaces that the city offers for picnicking, strolling, shopping or gardening.  

What to do on a chilly day? Swap ice cream for delicious hot chocolate. The 12^th  edition of MTLàTABLE will be held from October 31 to November 17 to explore Montréal's culinary scene with your family. Finally, take a look at our guide to family-friendly restaurants and our selection of the best bakeries and pastry shops to fill up on delicacies! 

For a green getaway just a few kilometres from the city centre,  the Îles de Boucherville National Park is lush oasis that offers walking trails, fishing, water activities and campgrounds. Bring your whole family on this Montréal-adjacent adventure! With its miles and miles of walking trails and ecological farm, the Parc-nature du Cap–Saint-Jacques is also worth the detour. You can also see the fauna of Québec in a natural setting at the Ecomuseum Zoo, about 30 minutes from downtown.