Montreal is one very family-friendly vacation destination. Here’s where to have fun when the whole family is in town.
The Lemurs Return to the Biodome
The Montreal Biodome offers four re-created ecosystems — a tropical forest, a Laurentian Forest, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, a polar world — and the return of the lemurs.
A new temporary ecosystem, called VIP Visitors from Madagascar, marks the return of 16 indigenous species of animals from the island nation, which is located off the southeastern coast of Africa. On hand are geckos, frogs, fish, and primates called lemur catta.
- The Biodome is at 4777 Pierre De Coubertin Ave.
- Admission costs $16 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, $8 for children 5 to 17, and $2.50 for children 2 to 4.
- VIP Visitors from Madagascar continues through Nov. 15, 2009.
- Call (514) 868-3000.
BuzzGround Debuts at the Montreal Insectarium
The Insectarium at the Montreal Botanical Garden inaugurates a new space for kids called BuzzGround. The site features a discovery zone, a butterfly house of native Quebec butterflies and moths, a pond full of aquatic wildlife, an agora for outdoor presentations, interpretation modules about Quebec insects, two playgrounds, a picnic area and a patio restaurant.
- The Insectarium is at 4101 Sherbrooke St. E.
- High-season admission for non-Quebec residents costs $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $8 for youths 5 to 17, and $2.50 for children 2 to 4.
- Quebec resident rates slightly lower.
- Admission includes access to the Botanical Garden.
- Municipal parking costs $10 for the day.
- Call (514) 872-1400.
The Redpath Museum is an economical adventure of natural history with displays that include minerals, gems, and Sara, a triceratops dinosaur skeleton that lived in Saskatchewan some 65 million years ago. The museum also offers Sunday workshops for children fall through spring.
- The Redpath Museum is on the campus of McGill University downtown at 859 Sherbrooke St.
- Museum admission is free; workshops cost about $6.
- The museum is closed Saturdays.
Cirque du Soleil presents Aqua
The Montreal Science Centre offers high-tech fun and games, low-tech lessons that explore the basics of science, and a new 25-minute multimedia installation called Aqua, which presents an eye-opening new way of looking at the world of water. The Aqua 360-degree panoramic interactive projection screen lets visitors wave a hand to make an ocean wave splash or swipe clean a fogged-up window — it’s quite clever.
Aqua was created by the One Drop Foundation, an initiative of Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte. The water theme continues with a new IMAX feature called Under the Sea 3D, a film that explores the pristine biodiversity of the waters off the Australian coast known as the Coral Triangle.
- At the King Edward Quay in the Old Port.
- Single Admission (exhibitions or IMAX) costs $12 for adults, $11 for teens and seniors, $9 for children 4 to 12, and $38 for a family of four.
- Combo rate costs $20 for adults, $18 for teens and seniors, and $15 for children 4 to 12.
- Aqua and Under the Sea continue through summer 2009.
- Call (514) 496-4629 or (800) 349-4629.
The Montreal Planetarium Tributes the International Year of Astronomy
Just in time to celebrate 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy, the Montreal Planetarium presents a new multimedia show called Telescope: Passport to the Stars, recommended for stargazers age 9 and up. It continues through December.
Other multimedia programs include The Quest for Galactium for youngsters age 7 and up during weekends through Oct. 4, 2009; and Our Galaxy: The Milky Way evenings through Sept. 7, 2009 (makes a great date night!).
- The Montreal Planetarium is at 100 St. Jacques St. W.
- English show times vary.
- Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, $4 for youths 5 to 17.
- Call (514) 872-4530.
The Montreal Biosphere Offers Free Admission to Children 17 and Under
The Montreal Biosphere offers an interactive look at the world of water and the preservation of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem. Best of all, admission is free for youngsters 17 and under.
Exhibitions include Planet Bucky, which explores the life of architect Buckminster Fuller who designed the dome, Moving Giant, which explores the Great Lakes ecosystem, and Water Worlds, a play zone where you can actually “walk” on water.
The Biosphere visit outdoors includes the Ecoological House, (yes, cool), an eco-friendly solar house of the future, and GeoTour 67, a 2.5-mile walking tour to 25 points of interest on Ste. Helene and Notre Dame Islands using a personal pre-programmed GPS device (rentals cost $5).
- The Biosphere is on Ile Ste. Helene of Jean Drapeau Park.
- Admission costs $12 for adults, $8 for seniors.
- Call (514) 283-5000.
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