The Ultimate Family Activity Checklist for Montreal

The Montreal Family Bucket List

Whether you're a lifelong Montrealer or new to the city, this comprehensive checklist covers the essential experiences every family should have. Print it, stick it on the fridge, and work through it together. How many can you check off?

Outdoor Adventures

• Hike to the top of Mount Royal and enjoy the view from the Kondiaronk Belvedere
• Swim at one of Montreal's outdoor public pools (Jean-Drapeau's aquatic complex is the best)
• Rent a paddleboard or kayak on the Lachine Canal
• Visit the Botanical Garden in every season
• Ride bikes along the Lachine Canal path from Old Montreal to Lachine
• Go cross-country skiing in Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques
• Explore the Jean-Drapeau beach in summer
• Sled down the hill at Parc Jeanne-Mance after a fresh snowfall
• Pick apples at an orchard in the Montérégie region in autumn
• Watch the Lachine Rapids from the Verdun riverfront promenade
• Run through a splash pad on the hottest day of summer
• Skate on the Old Port outdoor rink in winter
• Plant something in a community garden and watch it grow
• Visit Gatineau Park for a family hike

Cultural Experiences

• Spend a day at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (free for under-12s!)
• See a show at Maison Théâtre — Montreal's premier children's theatre
• Visit the Biosphère on Île Sainte-Hélène
• Attend the Jazz Festival and dance to free outdoor concerts
• Explore Old Montreal — cobblestones, Notre-Dame Basilica, and street performers
• Watch the International Fireworks Competition at La Ronde
• Visit a sugar shack during maple season
• See the Holiday window displays downtown in December
• Attend Montréal en Lumière and slide down the giant ice slide
• Take a Bateau-Mouche river cruise

Food Adventures

• Eat a Montreal-style bagel fresh from the oven at St-Viateur or Fairmount
• Try classic poutine from a local institution
• Explore Jean-Talon Market and buy something new to taste
• Have dim sum in Chinatown
• Eat a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's
• Get gelato in Little Italy
• Try bubble tea together
• Have a family crêpe outing at a Breton creperie
• Visit a chocolate shop and do a tasting
• Eat sushi as a family

Active Fun

• Bounce at a trampoline park — iSaute, SkyTag, or Elevation
• Climb at an indoor rock climbing gym
• Try archery at a local club
• Swim laps or play at a public indoor pool
• Take a skating lesson or just skate at an outdoor rink
• Bowl a game at a family bowling alley
• Try laser tag or a VR experience
• Do an escape room designed for families

Learning and Discovery

• Build robots at a coding workshop
• Visit the Centre des Sciences on the Old Port
• Take a cooking class designed for families
• Attend a workshop at the Botanical Garden
• Join a library reading program in both French and English
• Visit the Planétarium for a dome show
• Explore the Biodôme and its four ecosystems
• Take a music lesson together

Creative Pursuits

• Take a pottery class as a family
• Paint at a ceramic studio
• See a puppet show
• Take dance lessons together
• Attend a children's choir rehearsal or concert
• Do a photography walk around the city

Hidden Gems

• Visit the Insectarium — the butterfly room is magical
• Explore Parc-nature de l'Île-de-la-Visitation — a hidden urban nature reserve
• Discover the Maison Saint-Gabriel — 350 years of history
• Ride the metro just for fun — each station has unique art
• Visit the Jean-Drapeau carousel in summer
• Watch planes land at Parc Bois-de-Liesse — kids love it

The Challenge

We estimate a dedicated family could check off this entire list in about two years of active exploring. But honestly, the joy is in the journey. Each item leads to discoveries, memories, and moments of connection that define your family's Montreal story.

Start exploring today. Browse all family activities in Montreal on FamiliQC, and begin checking off your list.