January 18, 2013 ─ When Old Man Winter comes a-callin’, Montreal families just bundle up and head out to take advantage of all the fun he brings with him! Indoors and out, Montréal is a spectacular place to be come wintertime for residents and visitors alike. All it takes is warm clothing (layers are key!) and a thirst for adventure. Have a couple of days in mind? Here are a few ideas to set you on your way.
Day 1 – Old Montréal
A morning stroll along the cobblestone streets of Old Montréal is a wonderful way to soak up some history, admire some architecture and put some colour in your cheeks! When it’s time to come inside, head over to the Montréal Science Centre in the Old Port. A cutting-edge, interactive children’s museum, it offers permanent and temporary exhibitions designed for exploring, learning and understanding a range of topics related to science and technology. Adults get a kick out of it, too! What’s more, the IMAX® TELUS Montréal Science Centre theatre presents the latest and greatest IMAX® films in 3D – it’ll make for quite a day!
When you’re ready to venture outside again, whizzing about Old Montréal’s outdoor skating rink on the Clock Tower Quay is great fun. The rink’s artificial ice is always perfect, the setting picturesque, and the atmosphere abuzz with laughter, special lighting and music. Rental equipment is available onsite, including skates, helmets, and even socks to keep your tootsies toasty warm!
For supper, why not dine with pirates? The Cabaret du Roy is an award-winning theme restaurant that takes guests on a swashbuckling journey to New France, pirates and minstrels in tow! In addition to gourmet fare made from fresh, local products, the Cabaret du Roy serves up an authentic 18th-century New France experience, sure to be a hit with your little buccaneers.
Day 2 – Downtown
Start your day off on the right foot with a bountiful breakfast at Chez Cora: omelettes, pancakes, French toast with LOTS of fruit headline an extensive and varied breakfast menu. If you have a hockey fan in your group, make his/her day with a tour of the Bell Centre and the Montréal Canadiens Hall of Fame that showcases the history of a hockey club that has stirred crowds, warmed the hearts of the Quebec people throughout the wintertime and inspired generations of hockey enthusiasts.
Now jump back – way back – in time to check out fossils, minerals and zoological specimens at the Redpath Museum where you will also come across dinosaurs and mummies. When it’s time to return to the present, lunch and shopping are just a few short blocks away at the Eaton Centre.
When it’s time to stop for supper, you’ll find numerous family-friendly dining options downtown. Then, it’s off to the Montréal Forum, former home of the Canadiens de Montréal turned entertainment complex, with twenty-two movie theatres, restaurants, boutiques, pool tables and bowling alleys. You can even take in an exhibition of Forum history highlights, from exciting hockey games to concerts of mega-stars the likes of Céline Dion and the Beatles.
