Multigenerational activities in Montréal

Connect outdoors

Walking is not only a great form of exercise for the whole family, but it’s also tech-free and conducive to chatting. Beautiful Mount Royal is the city’s beating heart and excellent choice for relaxing discovery walks and soaking up the flora and fauna. At the top, you can snap a family photo from the scenic belvedere, then recharge with snacks in the chalet. In summer, energetic types can also rent a rowboat, while the little guys can man an electric sailboat under adult supervision at Beaver Lake. In winter, the mountain is a superb destination for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sliding and ice skating. Grandparents just want to watch the fun? They can do just that from the comfort of the Pavillon du Lac-aux-Castors while everyone cavorts. Another great outdoor spot for bigger crews is the Old Port of Montréal. Kids will love climbing on Voiles en Voiles pirate ship adventure park, while teens and older thrill seekers love the the MTL Zipline or the huge indoor maze of SOS Labyrinthe. For stunning views of the city and the river, head to the Grand Quay and visit the Montréal Montréal Tower for breathtaking panoramic views. Adrenaline rush not for everyone? Switch up the pace with a scenic stroll of the harbourfront, rent a quadricycle or pedal boat, or relax in the nearby cafés in this historic city quarter. Everyone can reconvene in a private gondola (or two, depending on your numbers) at the Grande Roue and enjoy epic city views all together.

Get in touch at Espace pour la vie

With its abundant assortment of flora and fauna, the huge one-stop hub called the Espace pour la vie is also a crowd-pleaser. Discover five ecosystems and their fascinating creatures at the Biodôme, explore the fascinating world of insects at the Insectarium, go for a stroll through the gorgeous Botanical Garden or get your green on in the hothouse gardens. Stomachs are rumbling? You can bring a picnic lunch to the Frédéric Back Tree Pavilion or grab a bite to eat at the restaurant in the Botanical Garden. If you’ll be here with the family in fall, the enchantment is extended into the night with the gorgeous silk lanterns of the Gardens of Light. And for stargazers young and old, the Planétarium’s out-of-this-world shows promises lots of cosmic enchantment.

Film, sports and arcade buffs unite

Who doesn’t love a fun movie night? Montréal’s dynamic downtown is home to major movie houses, including the Scotiabank Cinema, the Cineplex Forum and the Cineplex Odeon Quartier latin. With so many features available, you can even split up the group to suit everyone’s cinematic tastes. Are their arthouse lovers in your midst? Check out the city’s indie movie theatres; they may just be the thing for budding culture connoisseurs or full-blown indie film fans. If sports is your family’s common denominator, you might want to make it an afternoon or evening of cheering on the Montréal Alouettes football team, the Montréal Canadiens hockey team, the CF Montréal soccer team or the Montréal Alliance basketball team. Don your jerseys and show your team pride! Retro pastimes like arcade halls, mini golf and bowling alleys have made a resurgence and these throwback temples really get everyone on the same page. Bring the little guys to glow-in-the-dark fun of mini golf at Putting Edge, see who can throw strikes at Darling Bowling or Quilles G Plus or the more rambunctious can split into teams for a high-energy game of laser tag at BoulZeye.

Stroll and shop together

Shopping is another great way to tune into each other and new trends, and Montréal has literally something for every age group. Set out to explore Sainte-Catherine Street or duck into the Underground Pedestrian Network, which is not only home to hundreds of subterranean boutiques but connects to major complexes. Or how about hunting down great finds with your favourite aunt or uncle at department stores like Simons, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy and Hudson Bay? Take a break from shopping with a double-decker bus tour, and jump on that perfect family photo op at The Ring! In warmer weather, many of Montréal’s streets become open-air shopping and cultural hotspots when they close to traffic. Your whole crew can leisurely stroll the boutiques, thrift finds, eateries and cool pit stops of these pedestrian-only thoroughfares together.

For history, museum and art lovers

If you’re hanging with a bunch of history lovers, Old Montréal’s old stone buildings and cobblestone streets are a definite must. Take a trip back in time at the Château Ramezay, behold the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica for its inherent beauty and history plus its mind-blowing AURA immersive light experience. Have budding archaeologists in your crew? The Pointe-à-Callière Museum gives kids and adults alike the chance to go on an Archaeo-Adventure. At the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, some may want to soak up a major exhibition, while others will want to dabble in themed workshops or get their creative juices flowing at the Art Hive. You can also go deeper with the Musée d’art contemporain’s exhibitions by tailor-made workshops for kids and adults. For the art lovers among you, soak up Montréal’s plentiful art galleries, and check out the PHI Centre for the latest cutting-edge exhibitions. Dive into the extra-cool interactive fun of the Montréal Science Centre, a temple for budding scientists and the curious. In Mile-End, the Age of Union Centre is a gathering place that holds a variety of activities, inspiring people from all ages of life to learn, discover and take action to protect biodiversity. Everyone will love the out-there optics and mind-bending possibilities of the Montréal Museum of Illusions, a riot for any age.

What are we eating?

Finding places to eat that cater to larger groups and taste varieties isn’t easy, but with Montréal’s reputation as a foodie hotspot, your collective palates will be pampered. Get your day off to a great start with breakfast or brunch at Eggspectation Chez Cora, Allô mon Coco or L’Oeufrier; these breakfast chains can amply accommodate bigger groups and have varied menu choices to suit all cravings. Rosélys at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel offers a delicious buffet brunch menu week-long as well as special Sunday brunches. You can even elevate an afternoon tea party with their Barbie Tea Time (until September 2024). Even finicky palates can agree on pizza, and Enoteca Monza Pizzeria Moderna’s spacious setting can easily sit larger groups. Montréal’s food halls are fancier than average, have lots of sprawl room and are sure to please diverse palates. Café Boutique Les Malins lets kids slide, colour, climb ropes and more downstairs while upstairs the adults can sip a delicious latté, or you can grab a banquette at Beauty’s, an iconic luncheonette. For yummy vegetarian options, be sure to check out The Green Panther. You can all go on a bagel run together – will it be the delicious discs from St-Viateur Bagels or Fairmount Bagels? For dinner, the airy Byblos has a calming effect on everyone and its Middle Eastern menu is a must.  If you’re hanging around Old Montréal, consider Olive & Gourmando’s mouth-watering sandwiches or LOV for its sublime vegetarian fare. Make dinner plans that everyone will love at The Keg Steakhouse, which also has a special kids’ menu. Brit & Chips is another people-pleasing option, and so yummy.

Time to tuck in

Planning where to stay can be a biggie with features like cribs, kitchenettes, connecting rooms, roll-out beds and accessibility to consider. Ultimately, you will have to go with your own personal style and, of course, your budget. Read our articles on Montréal’s family-friendly hotels, hotels with pools, boutique hotels and luxury hotels (this family get-together may be a major splurge!). Decide on digs that will accommodate sleepy heads and early risers, pets, pool splashers, spa lovers, cook-at-home (away-from-home) types, plus allow the possibility of date nights, thanks to sitters.

Happy extended family times in Montréal!