Montreal, Quebec, Canada
By Golda Turner
Curl up on the couch and let your imagination roam as you join me once again to plan a wonderful family trip to places both near and far away.
Today we are heading up the thruway to our nation’s next door neighbor, the Province of Quebec, Canada.
In contrast to the rest of the nation, this area was originally settled by French colonists. In Quebec, the dominant language is definitely French, giving the area a distinctly foreign taste. On the highways, you will go “nord” (north), “sud” (south) “est” (east) and “oust” (west), and stop signs will proclaim “arret”.
When I was a child, we spent a summer in the Laurentian Mountains in a suberb of Montreal. In the local grocery, all of the products were shelved with the French side of the label facing forward. This made for an interesting shopping experience, as the staff, pretending not to understand our English, would not help us find the items we needed. My resourceful father, with his sense of humor, pulled a gold foiled bubble gum coin out of his pocket and told the cashier “I am a Russian spy. I will pay you in gold if you revel to me the secret of where the salt is.” She was shocked---and then started laughing. She soon revealed that salt is “sel”, sugar is “sucre”, cheese is “fromage” and pineapple is “ananas”. As you can imagine, we soon became quite popular in town…
Years later, we crossed the border and took our own children sightseeing in Montreal on one of our northern RV trips. They were enchanted by the difference in experience just a few miles can make.
Today Montreal is one of the biggest cities in Canada. It is an interesting mix of the old and the new. It is also a “double city” with an underground city called Reso, which spreads over 20 miles beneath the city streets, full of stores, offices, hotels, museums, and more.
Let’s explore a little of what Montreal has to offer.
Espace Pour La Vie is a unique museum district which encompasses the following five fascinating natural museums. Signage is in both English and French.
Biodome de Montreal (https://.espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome) takes you on a fascinating walk through four unique ecosystems, each with their own flora and native animals. Visit the lush, humid Tropical Forest, feel the changing seasons of the Laurentian Maple Forest, see the Gulf of St. Lawrence or experience the frigid conditions of the subpolar Labrador Coast and the Sub-Antarctic Islands.
Wheelchair accessible.
Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium (https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/planetarium) This Planetarium boasts two immersive theaters and many interactive exhibits dedicated to space and astronomy. Wheelchair accessible.
Montreal Insectarium (https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/insectarium) You can say “yech” or “wow”, but the insectarium with its 95 species of both naturalized and living insects from all around the world is pretty fascinating. Wheelchair accessible.
Botanical Garden (https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/botanical-garden) I love flowers, and this botanical garden is the perfect place for people like me. With 20 outdoor gardens including floral sculptures and 10 exhibition greenhouses, you will wish you had more hours in your day.
The Biosphere Environmental Museum (https://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/en/biosphere-environment-museum-montreal) Located in Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Biosphere is an interactive environmental museum focusing on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence ecosystems. It is housed in the geometric done built for the 1967 World Fair, and offers stunning views from the top. The nightly light show transforms the sphere into a glowing orb.
Montreal Science Center (https://www.montrealsciencecentre.com/) Located in the Old Port area of Montreal is an interactive science and technology museum for all ages covering everything from human development to mechanics. Their 7-story Imax Telus theater will completely immerse you in the world of science and nature. Wheelchair accessible.
Looking for some family fun and excitement? Check out some of these entertainment venues.
La Ronde Amusement Park (www.sixflags.com/larondeen) is the local branch of the famed Six Flags group. With over 40 rides and many shows and special events, this amusement park is sure to keep your kids happy. The park and some rides are wheelchair accessible. Attraction accessibility certificate available with medical documentation.
Younger children may enjoy Zoo Ecomuseum (https://zooecomuseum.ca/en/) which highlights local wildlife, or nearby Zoo De Granby (www.zoodegranby.com/en/) with its animals from around the world and children’s rides. Both are mostly wheelchair accessible.
La Grande Roue De Montreal (www.lagranderouedemontreal.com) See panoramic views of Montreal from 200’ up on the largest Ferris wheel in Canada. Wheelchair accessible.
The Montreal Zipline (www.en.mtlzipline.com) flies you high over the Bonsecours Lagoon past the La Grande Rou, giving a thrilling birds eye view of Montreal.
Are your kid bundles of energy? They will certainly enjoy trampoline jumping to their heart’ content at iSaute (www.saute.ca/en), an indoor trampoline park featuring jumping courses, ninja warrior courses, dodgeball, basketball, arcade games and much more. For real excitement, drive a little further out to Upla Outdoor Trampoline Park (www.upla.ca/en/experiences) where you can jump, slide, and climb 20’ high on platforms and nets among the trees. At night, the nets light up with a dazzling display of neon twinkling lights.
Cruise the Saint Lawrence River on a guided tour with Croisiers (https://www.croisieresaml.com/en/our-cruises/montreal/montreal-guided-sightseeing-river-cruis). Some boats are wheelchair accessible.
Or just spend a relaxing day at one of the beautiful area parks such a Mount Royal Park, the Lachine Canal, or the Old Port of Montreal.
And last but not least, visit the Barbie Expo (www.expobarbie.ca). This amazing exhibit of over 1,000 unique and fascinating Barbie dolls will bring you back to your childhood dreams. Many of the dolls have been dressed by designers such as Christian Dior, Armani, Vera Wang, Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta and other fashion designers.
So escape the hot days of summer by heading up north where it is nice and cool, to treat your family to all that Montreal has to offer.