A fun-filled afternoon
Montréal’s Quays of the Old Port is the perfect place for the whole family to spend the afternoon together. Whether on bicycle, quadricycle, in-line skates, Segway—that fascinating little two-wheeled vehicle—or on foot, its 2.5 car-free kilometres is a fun place to explore. There are several pleasant stops along the way for taking a break, taking in some history or eating great food. Artists, entertainers, robots and clowns wander here and there among vendors selling ice cream from their tricycles. To learn a little more about Montréal, hop aboard the Ballade train for a guided tour of the port’s history.
The start of a stellar evening
Afterward, meet at the Jacques-Cartier Pier to take the ferry across the river to Parc Jean-Drapeau. And if you’re in the mood for an evening of thrills and fun, La Ronde is right there! Soar above Île Sainte-Hélène, drive a locomotive, defy gravity and slide down a 15-metre long waterfall in a tree trunk! Try your hand at a game of skill, or have some cotton candy, a beaver tail or any number of tasty snacks offered by the park’s food counters. And to crown it all off, take a leisurely whirl above the city in the Grande Roue Ferris wheel, a classic enjoyed by young and old.
Let the fireworks begin!
Once night falls on Montréal, the best pyrotechnic artists from the world’s five continents splash the night sky with dazzling colour bursts. The International des Feux Loto-Québec, a stunning fireworks competition that takes place from the end of June to the beginning of August, starts working its magic on Montreal skies at 10 p.m. These powerhouse sparklers are launched from La Ronde where thousands of spectators watch, with more on the Jacques-Cartier Bridge—closed to traffic for the occasion—and from hotel and restaurant terraces around Old Montréal. Nine teams show off their expertise with the goal of bringing home the prestigious gold Jupiter. You be the judge, giving marks for the competition’s main criteria, such as originality in staging synchronization with the music, and enjoy yourself. Thirty minutes of pure happiness.
