A family day out downtown this summer

Are you short of family activities for the vacations, and looking for new ideas for getting out and about with your kids? Think downtown! The heart of the metropolis is the ideal place: easy to get to, pleasant, clean and friendly, the city is teeming with restaurants, lively places, fun activities and things to do with the whole family. Everything in the neighborhood has been designed to make your life easier, so you can make the most of your summer without breaking the bank.

So, between an afternoon at the beach and a trip to the zoo, make a date for a family day out downtown!

Getting downtown

Getting around downtown by car can be a source of stress: finding your way around, finding a parking space… Fortunately, Montreal’s grid layout already makes things a little easier: it’s not so easy to get lost! Above all, it’s time to set the record straight: there’s a downtown parking offer that’s still too little known!

When it comes to parking, the city offers a wide range of lots throughout the downtown area, many of which are open 24 hours a day – no need to run! You can drive as close as possible to your destination, and avoid having to walk too far. You won’t have to carry your picnic over long distances either. As for price, you’ll be pleased to know that daily rates are often very attractive.

For quick access to the heart of the district, we recommend Stationnement Indigo Place Montréal Trust and Stationnement Indigo Place Ville Marie, both of which open onto rue Sainte-Catherine for easy access to the shopping malls. Stationnement Supérieur (1255 boulevard Robert-Bourassa) and Stationnement ImPark Aylmer (1475 rue Aylmer) are close to the charming Phillips Square. Finally, Stationnement Indigo Peel and Stationnement Capital (1225 rue Metcalfe) are located on either side of the immense Dorchester Square. These are just a few examples: among the dozens of parking lots on offer, there’s always one not far from your destination!

Use our interactive map to easily find all available parking lots – and the information about them!

If you can get there by metro, the best option is to get off at one of the stations on the green line, which follows the route of rue Sainte-Catherine. It’s between Atwater and Place-des-Arts that the heart of the city beats!

The orange line runs parallel to the green line through downtown. From Square-Victoria to Georges-Vanier stations, it takes you closer to the river, under boulevard René-Lévesque; however, rue Sainte-Catherine isn’t far away on foot, and you’ll only need about ten minutes to get back to the heart of the district. Take advantage of this opportunity to try out some excellent restaurants, sometimes a little more out of the way, but well worth the detour!

Eating downtown

When it comes to downtown dining, there’s no shortage of options! Whether on the go, on a terrace or comfortably seated in an air-conditioned restaurant, your family is bound to find something to please them. Cuisines and cultures from all five continents are represented, in all price ranges. The hardest part is choosing! The only certainty? It’s all going to end over ice cream!

The easiest way to get everyone on the same wavelength is to eat at a food court: everyone can choose their favorite counter, before the whole tribe gathers around a table to enjoy the food. One of the best-known food fairs is the cozy Time Out Market in the Eaton Centre. This incredible gourmet space brings together a dozen Montreal restaurateurs. Burger or pizza, salad or sandwich, sushi or pasta: there’s something for every taste, and the dishes are always of the highest quality. Bonus? A collection of retro arcade machines awaits you! Pinball, table field hockey… kids (and adults) won’t want to leave!

If you prefer to eat outside, there’s no shortage of pretty parks in the downtown area – some of which have been specially equipped for summer! In Phillips Square, for example, you can enjoy the installation of street furniture, as well as free musical entertainment during lunchtime on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Dorchester Square is also ready to welcome you! A great way to rediscover these two beautiful, newly refurbished spaces. Colourful tables and chairs, set among flowers and fountains, invite you to enjoy an urban picnic with a change of scenery. And if you can’t bring your own lunch, no problem: there’s no shortage of restaurants and cafés in the area, where you can pick up a takeaway! Will you opt for a salad from Mandy’s, a poké from Koa Lua, or a pizza from Il Focolaio?

Perhaps you’ve also packed a picnic – in which case the parks mentioned above are an ideal stopping-off point. And there’s another highly original option: the McCord Stewart Museum’s Urban Forest! Until October 8, Victoria Street will be decked out in color and greenery, offering you a gentle break in the heart of the city. A charming space, completely cut off from noise and traffic, where toddlers can play in complete safety. Cultural programming is also on offer: music every Wednesday lunchtime, workshops, eco-lunches and even open-air fashion shows! Don’t hesitate to consult the calendar of activities to choose the one that will appeal most to the whole family.

Good to know: the P’tit Coin project!

Whether you’re an adult or a young child, there’s no choice – you have to answer nature’s call! This isn’t always easy when you’re in a city center, especially when you’re eating out. And we all know that with little ones, you sometimes have to find something… fast! That’s why downtown has created Project P’tit Coin: a simple way to find out where the nearest toilet is. P’tit Coin is a specially-created map on which you can easily locate the amenities around you: a network of 10 clean, accessible and free toilets, located between Saint-Mathieu and Saint-Urbain streets.

Family activities

Artistic performances in Phillips Square – Until August 25

Lunch at Phillips Square is all about music! At noon on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, you can enjoy a wide variety of free music. Classical music, jazz or popular songs: there’s something for everyone. Let yourself be charmed by Quebec’s multi-talented artists, and enjoy the music while your toddlers dance happily in this enchanting setting!

Le Géant show – Montréal Complètement Cirque – Until July 30

Our favorite giant is back, to the delight of young and old alike! Cirque Éloïze takes over this 50-foot-high structure to bring you a completely madcap show, all week long. In a prestigious setting in the heart of downtown, come and admire the troupe’s artists as they bring their work to life with music and breathtaking acrobatics.

It happens every day except Monday, at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., in front of the Anneau, Place Ville Marie; the whole thing is totally free, and you won’t want to miss it! Want to spoil yourself? Treat yourself to the Giant Experience and watch the show from the VIP boxes!

Putting Edge

Everyone’s played mini-putt before, but have you ever played mini-putt in the dark? This truly original experience is definitely one of the most fun activities to do with the whole family! In addition to this fluorescent mini-golf worthy of another planet, there’s a well-stocked and eclectic arcade, where you’ll find classics as well as the latest games. In short, the ideal place for a long afternoon of family fun and laughter!

1259 Rue Guy

Laser Game Évolution

Laser Game Évolution is the perfect place to play as a family: you have your own course, and groups don’t mix. So it’s only with your loved ones that you can move through one of the three incredible mazes, without the risk of being hit by other players. You can choose to play individually, or split up into teams – nothing is imposed, the main thing being to have fun. But above all, we love the company motto: less gun, more fun! Nothing violent here – it’s all about having fun. And be warned: a game of laser tag is a lot sportier than you might think! Some of us are going to get a good night’s sleep…

1226 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest

A trip to the museum

No, museums aren’t just for rainy days! Downtown Montreal boasts some very fine museums, sure to interest children and adults alike. The Redpath Museum, with its mummies and dinosaur skeletons, should particularly appeal to families! There’s even a treasure hunt to explore the collections in a fun way. The McCord Stewart Museum, in addition to its fine collections, offers special workshops for families.

Note that museums are always free for children – a welcome boost to the family budget.

OASIS immersion

OASIS immersion offers unique temporary exhibitions, immersive experiences in which you are invited to wander through immense projections. Three vast galleries offer three different adventures, two of which can be enjoyed by the whole family this summer. First, there’s VAN GOGH – Distortion, a plunge into the painter’s incredible world; playful and marvelous, the exhibition is a feast for the eyes and a great way to introduce your children to art. At the same time, the Sweet Folie exhibition, funny and colorful, was conceived as a waking dream and should offer your family a magical moment, completely unique in its kind.

301 Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest (in the Palais des congrès gallery)

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