Family Adventure to Montreal

Shop the Montreal Underground City, where there are plenty of shops for everyone to find something. Next, have lunch in Time Out Market! Choose from many food kiosks, such as Le Blossom or Le Taj.

Speaking of food, for easy Italian in Old Montreal, I recommend Jacopo, which over looks the center of the town. And if you have room for something sweet, Mlle Catherine has delicious ice cream, in particular their Salted Caramel flavor!

Post food, walk around the waterfront and if you have time take a night cruise along the Saint Lawrence River, that is a must!

If you are staying at The Fairmont, breakfast at Rosélys is pretty great. If not, head to Fairmount Bagel and wait in the line to grab your very own Montreal bagel! Be sure to check out Chez Pinkita across the street, your kids will thank you! Everything is pink and you can take a picture inside of a pink dryer. They love dogs too!

Next, drive down through Chinatown, check out street art along your way, shop Old Montreal and stop in at cafe La Petite Dep or if you can ignore the wall decor and want something more funky, try Franklin’s Subs and Suds. 

After lunch, head down to Old Port on the water and let your kids pick out some goodies at the many little kiosks. You can also have fun at the family-friendly pirate themed ropes course, Voiles en Voiles, or take a quick zipline over Bonsecours Basin (ages 2 and up).

For a more on-the-ground experience, jump in a pedal boat and bring your pup as you pedal along the basin. Don't forget to take a picture with the J’aime Montreal sign – its a must! You can also take a ride on Le Grande Roue de Montreal, a giant ferris wheel overlooking the waterfront. Cirque Du Soleil is also here if you are interested book in advance.

After you've worked up an appetite after all the activity, have dinner at Holder, a Montreal hotspot for years that is great for loud kids and large groups.

For a fun breakfast spot (with a few locations), try breakfast at Eggspectation. After, walk or hike Mount Royal to get a view of the whole city. Stop by McGill University to admire the campus' beautiful architecture. If their Redpath Museum is open, I highly recommend going there as well.

SoLIT Café is a great lunch spot that is very insta-worthy, plus your kids will love the donut grilled cheese in addition to the homemade soups and hummus. The music is also great!

Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping on St. Catherine where there are so many stores. If you want high-end, check out Holt Renfrew that houses coveted designers like Chanel and Fendi. Or if your kids don’t like shopping, try the Barbie Expo, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Botanical Garden or Science Centre.

Dinner at the Marcus Restaurant + Lounge at The Four Seasons is worth the splurge. Their food, design and service is impeccable.

To start your day, go to Beauty's which has old school diner vibes. Heads up, there is always a line because it is friendly and fun. For something sweet to follow, try the delicious sorbet or ice cream at Le DiPerie.

Spend some time exploring a new area (there are so many) or sitting in one of the many beautiful parks in Montreal. For lunch, Dandy Restaurant (or LOV, if you prefer vegan) for proper breakfast and brunch food while immersed within very cool design.

If you are looking for more action, Six Flags has an amusement park called La Ronde. It’s a perfect end to your stay in Montreal.

For an optional day or overnight trip, I highly recommend journeying to Quebec City.