Spring break in Montréal: Getting out and about as a family

Stroll the length of Sainte-Catherine Street and browse the city’s main shopping centres: Complexe Desjardins, Centre Eaton, Place Montréal Trust, Les Cours Mont-Royal and Alexis Nihon, all great stops for a little retail therapy and a sweet treat. Venture south to Place Ville Marie for more shopping, a coffee break, and a chance to see unique exhibitions at the Musée d’art contemporain (MAC), temporarily housed there.

Don’t miss the luminous wonders of LUMINO in the Quartier des spectacles: until March 8, 2026, this outdoor and indoor celebration features dozens of interactive light installations and a vibrant lineup of free activities throughout the week. See what’s on here.

Make the most of winter fun—skate on the refrigerated Esplanade Tranquille rink, visit the playful MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE outdoor playground (Feb 27–March 7), or hit the Glissades Gamelin for tobogganing fun (until March 9).

When hunger strikes, head to Chinatown for steaming dumplings at Sammi & Soupe Dumpling, Qing Hua or Mai Xiang Yuan. For a unique and cozy experience, try Japanese hotpot at Shabu Shabu Kagayaki—a guaranteed family hit as you cook together around a bubbling broth.

Ready for a culture break? Introduce the kids to the magic of theatre, dance, music or puppetry with tickets to Maison Théâtre or Place des Arts Junior. From March 4 to 7 (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.), Place des Arts will transform into a giant play zone for free family activities.

Don’t skip the exhibitions at the McCord Stewart Museum, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, or the MAC, all free for children and featuring creative workshops alongside major shows.

For immersive fun, check out OASIS immersion at Palais des congrès, or the tech-driven entertainment of SAT (recommended for teens). Dive into The Man Who Planted Trees: An Immersive Tale at the 7 Fingers Building (until March 8) and step into a magical art- and technology-powered forest.

If you have young explorers, don’t miss the immersive Pointe-à-Callière Museum:

• Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers? allows kids to play and discover the world of pirates.
• Budding archaeologists can enjoy Archaeo-Adventure, a hands-on simulated dig through the site, the archaeologist’s tent, and the lab.

From Feb 28 to March 6, 2026, the museum’s plaza turns into a detective’s playground as part of the family-friendly free activities inspired by the Sherlock Holmes exhibit—solve a science-and-history mystery together, then enjoy indoor films, storytelling and board games.

The Montréal Science Centre is a must for mini-scientists, offering permanent interactive exhibitions for all ages.

Want to see Montréal from above? Take in the river ice and city rooftops from a gondola on La Grande Roue de Montréal. Back on land, challenge the kids to spot bridges and landmarks, then head to the King Edward Pier for L’Horizon de Khéops, a virtual reality exploration of Ancient Egypt for ages 8+ (until April 30).

Recharge with a marshmallow hot chocolate or sweet treat at Le Petit Dep.

At Château Ramezay, discover Montréal’s history via a multimedia tour. Their family rate makes this an affordable historic visit.

For a meal or snack, try hearty paninis and pastries at Olive + Gourmando—always a hit with families.

Nature lovers will want to meet the lynx, monkeys, tropical birds and penguins at the Biodôme. The Jardin botanique is open for free in winter—cross-country ski on marked trails (bring your own gear; snowshoes not allowed).

Parc Maisonneuve offers an ice rink and groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Warm up with hot chocolate at Arhoma on Place Simon-Valois or Canard Café; third-wave coffee fans can head to Café Hélico.

For a hidden gem, skate at Parc Lalancette’s small rink near Joliette metro. Looking for a unique adventure? The Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville (off-island) lets you explore by fat bike, snowshoe or ski—buy passes and reserve rentals in advance.

Skate on the refrigerated rink at Beaver Lake on Mount Royal—equipment rentals (ice skates, skis, snowshoes, tubes) are available. On your way down, swing by the Musée des Hospitalières for special activities.

Montréal has hundreds of rinks in city parks, including Parc Jarry and Parc La Fontaine, with sledding hills. For hot chocolate, explore indie cafés or treat yourself at État de choc. For a post-skating meal, try a comforting Italian dish or pizza at local spots.

Don’t miss La TOHU where free shows, interactive storytelling, circus and dance workshops, and eco-friendly crafts await. Outdoors in Frédéric-Back Park, enjoy snowshoe, ski, kite, and sled rentals, or join a skating carnival with Patin Libre. See the full schedule here.

For film lovers, the Montréal International Children's Film Festival (FIFEM) runs Feb 28 to March 8, 2026 at Cinema Beaubien, featuring a fresh selection of local and international films, animations and documentaries. Afterward, stop at the eco-friendly, vegetarian Café des Habitudes—perfect for families.

Bundle up for a brisk hike along 25 km of trails on Parc Jean-Drapeau. Pick up speed on the free slope near Espace 67 with your own sled, skate the 500 m Skaters’ Trail, or practice cross-country skiing on easy (Île Sainte-Hélène) and intermediate (Île Notre-Dame) trails. Try out the park’s fat bikes for an exciting winter cycling adventure.

West Island wildlife

See Québec’s wildlife up close at the Ecomuseum Zoo, home to otters, wolves, foxes, lynx and owls—just 30 minutes from downtown in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Take the train from Vendôme station and budget for a quick taxi at the end. Be sure to buy tickets in advance.