Montreal in the hot months feels like the reason the sun exists – the city shines like a mirage full or music festivals, lively parks and revelers everywhere you turn. You don’t have to ask us twice to stay out of doors, and with these great activities, even the kids will agree. No TV show in the world compares to the fun to be had in the great outdoors…

The gorgeous 245 hectare natural park that is the Morgan Arboretum kicks the party off on May 10 with a hopping evening: Frog Songs: The Symphony of Spring invites you and yours to break out your flashlights and discover the amazing nocturnal life of amphibians from 7 to 9 pm. Join Chris Cloutier as he takes you down to a local swamp in search of our cold-blooded friends. On Saturday, May 18, from 8 am to noon, the arboretum sings spring’s praises with The Birds of Spring, in honour of the peak of the spring migration. The trees are alive with birds all over this beautiful park, and this excursion will introduce you to dozens of species.

Speaking of birds, the Parc des Rapides is a gorgeous natural site at the foot of the Lachine rapids, on the St. Lawrence River, with a tremendously diverse ecological zone. Since 1937 it’s acted as a migratory bird refuge – what’s special is that now’s the time to spot the nests housing the next generation of birdies. The park is home to 225 species of birds, 66 species of fish and 250 types of plants! Plus it’s free to visit.

May 13 kicks off the season of water fun at H2O Adventures, where you can rent any of 50 watercraft, from kayaks to pedal boats to canoes or electric motorboats. Take the kids for a fast ride along the St. Lawrence, or go more mellow and teach them how to canoe like our ancestors did – it’s a good way to give them a history lesson without them even knowing it.

While you’re in that neck of the woods, bike or stroll along the Lachine Canal to the Musée Plein Air de Lachine, an amazing, monumental sculpture garden that’s among the largest open air museums in Canada. The 50 works on view include some by André Fournelle, Michel Goulet, David Moore and Bill Vazan – and for once, this is a museum where kids are allowed to touch the art!

Take the fam sky high with Air Saint-Laurent, Montreal’s own seaplane service from Île Sainte-Hélène, at the foot of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge. Explore the city by helicopter, or aboard their famous Beaver, a seaplane that will take you over the Olympic Stadium, downtown, green spaces and parks galore before landing you back down, amazed.

The Botanical Gardens is natural bliss incarnate, and during the 1000 Days for the Planet, kids get to learn about the planet’s biodiversity every week from Tuesday to Sunday in an exhibition that mashes together science and art. Make sure you keep time to stroll through the picturesque gardens – from the Chinese garden to the rose bushes, it’s all blooming beautiful right now.

And for the simplest, quickest, quintessentially Montreal-est free fun in the sun, go use the swings on President Kennedy and St-Urbain, right in the Quartier des Spectacles. They’ll sing to you.

THE DETAILS

Morgan Arboretum, 150 chemin des Pins, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, (514) 398-7811

Parc des Rapides, corner 6th Avenue and LaSalle Boulevard, (514) 367-6351

H2O Adventures, 2985B St-Patrick, (514) 842-1306

Musée Plein Air de Lachine, Parc René-Lévesque, Lachine, (514) 634-3478

Air Saint-Laurent, departure points depends on the adventure, (514) 447-7950

Botanical Gardens, 4101 Sherbrooke East, (514) 872-1400

The post Out and about with the family this spring and summer appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

From February 14 until April 28, the Montreal Botanical Garden will welcome thousands of beautiful butterflies and their equally attractive cousins, moths. The 16^th edition of Butterflies Go Free promises that 2000 butterflies will be fluttering about the green house at all times. You and your family can look forward to discovering over 75 different species of moths and butterflies hailing from Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Kenya, Malaysia and the Philippines…

This year the Butterflies Go Free‘ spotlight is on the majestic Monarch butterflies. These butterflies are featured not only for their exquisite good looks, but because they have the longest migration in North America. They travel from Mexico in the winter to Quebec where they are spotted around June (probably heading to the Jazz Fest) and until the end of the summer. It takes 4 generations of Monarch’s to complete the trip, which usually spans about one year. And you thought you didn’t like winter.

While you’re at the Botanical Gardens, visitors can recline in the swank Monarch Lounge. The Monarch Lounge’s seats are designed like eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises. The decor was dreamed up by Quebec designer Liz Vandal, an internationally renowned fashion/costume designer famous for creating the costumes for Cirque du Soleil’s insect inspired show, OVO. From the butterflies and moths to the decor, Butterflies Go Free is a lovely way to welcome Spring in an almost fairy tale like setting.

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THE DETAILS

Butterflies Go Free, February 14 to April 28, 2013
Montreal Botanical Gardens, 4101 Sherbrooke Street East, (514) 872-1400

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(fabulous food) Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a proper feast or three, so if on October 5 you’re  in the area of Olympic Park, wandering through the Botanical Gardens or visiting the Biodome at the Space for Life, stop in at the stadium’s outdoor grounds where their First Fridays event features gourmet food from some of Montreal’s fanciest food trucks: tacos at Grumman 78, burgers at Winneburger, sandwiches, poutine and more from Lucky’s Truck and La Mangeoire, ice cream and sundaes at Monsieur Crémeux, coffee at Café Dispatch, and more, starting at 4 p.m. On October 11, caterer and food enthusiast Nicolina Servello pairs cook books with delicious rustic food in an afternoon event at Indigo Place Montréal Trust, noon to 2 p.m.

(fall film) New feature films, fantastic shorts and experimental video work from around the world all come out to play at Montreal’s Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, October 10-21. Along with plenty of international fare, the fest features some of the best sort of Canadian content in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, based on Montreal author Yann Martel’s novel, opening films Simon Galiero’s La Mise à l’aveugle and Martin Villeneuve’s Mars et Avril, screenings of work by French singer Albin de la Simone, Sarah Polley’s new film Stories We Tell, Albert Nerenberg’s witty doc Boredom, and many more. As well, the popular Temps Ø program continues this year with off-the-beaten-track features, shorts and documentaries.

(dance party) The Black and Blue Festival is all about making this weekend into a three-day LBGT-and-friends party, culminating in a massive all-night, all-morning, three-room dance party a Palais des Congrès on October 7, with DJs Gareth Emery, Sander van Doorn, David Morales and more. On Saturday afternoon and evening at Palais  des Congrès, get lost in free live music and entertainment event, De-Light, with entertainment from Debbie Tebbs, The Easton Ellises, Donzelle and other great Montreal performers. Of course, there’s also the night-time party rituals of Leather Ball on October 5 and the HardBall on October 6 at Club Soda.

(world-class performance) Les Grands Ballet Canadiens pulls out all the stops October 11-27 with choreographer Jiří Kylián’s Kaguyahime, The Moon, a ballet based on a culturally influential 10th-century Japanese folk tale of beauty, violence and worlds colliding. On a different note, The Segal Centre presents big-time Tony-award winning musical Guys and Dolls, to October 28. At the Centaur Theatre, see family drama August, An Afternoon in the Country by award winning playwright Jean Marc Dalpé. And French circus troupe Akoreacro positively delights with their acrobatic, musical circus Pfffffff, while Montreal-based circus Cirque Éloize blends circus arts with hip hop and breakdance in all-ages show iD, featuring 14 high-energy performers, both at Montreal circus centre La Tohu to October 6.

(art & architecture) Two new exhibitions at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal are both real eye-openers: an amazing retrospective of the work of Montreal painter Pierre Dorion, and intriguing videos focused on far-off places and people by Brooklyn-based artist Janet Biggs – the MACM also holds its monthly Nocturnes music series on October 5, featuring Tanuki, 7 p.m. The Canadian Centre for Architecture opens its exhibition First, the Forests, looking at the relationship between forestry, planning and design. And definitely go to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts to see their outstanding Tom Wesselmann retrospective show, which closes this Sunday, as well as their expanded permanent collection. See the Montreal Buzz Fall Arts Guide for more ideas.

(comedy & cabaret) On the stranger side of entertainment – and Montreal’s got a lot of that – comedy show Let’s Do This!, a night of comedy and drinking games, headlined by DeAnne Smith, on October 11 at Mainline Theatre, 9 p.m. On Saturday, October 6, Quality Theatre hosts not only a sing-along to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but a full-on band, comedians and a bevy of sexy burlesque performers, also at Mainline Theatre, 8 p.m.

(jazz off) The Montreal International Jazz Festival may get most of the summer jazz hype in this town, but all that jazz and more goes on throughout the year: check out The OFF Jazz Festival, October 4-12, with shows (some of them free!) at several venues around town, featuring traditional and experimental jazz from local and out-of-town musicians and bands, including pianist Baptiste Trotignon, saxophonist Anna Webber, Ironico Orkestra, Jean Derome and many, many more.

(more music) A busy Friday night begins the music week with Swedish folk-pop musician Jens Lekman at Le National, while DJ Shadow plays what’s sure to be a sweet DJ set at SAT, arts and activism group Howl presents eclectic Montreal rock-tinged ensembles Léopard et Moi and Avec le Soleil Sortant de sa Bouche, at Sala Rossa, and How to Dress Well gets Club Lambi electro-hopping. Also on Friday, Montreal Symphony Orchestra conductor Kent Nagano teams up with DJ Champion, while on Sunday he conducts the orchestra through The Rites of Spring. More big tours make Montreal stops at rock venue Metropolis this week: on Saturday, October 6, see Irish indie-rockers Two Door Cinema Club, on October 7 it’s electronic party makers Crystal Castles with openers Health and more, followed on October 9 by ever-popular singer-songwriter Regina Spektor and captivating British singer Joss Stone on October 10, while French trip-hop DJ Wax Tailor (http://waxtailor.com/) spins cinematic electronic grooves at L’Astral that night.

The post THINGS TO DO IN MONTREAL: OCTOBER 5-11 appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

This year’s theme is “The First Emperor’s Procession” and over 900 lanterns have been used to pay tribute to China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi. From guard towers to chariots, bells to drums, you can follow the royal path to the capital of Xianyang. The lanterns are designed in Montreal, handcrafted in Shanghai, delicately shipped to Montreal and painstakingly arranged in the Botanical Gardens to create a truly unique experience. The Garden stays open every day until 9pm (early evening is an ideal time to visit), but there are a couple events worth circling on your calendar…

The Lanterns in Music: Tuesdays (drum and gong) and Saturdays (guzheng), September 9 to October 31, 5:15, 6, 6:45, 7:15 and 8 p.m.

Beijing Opera under the Lanterns: Excerpts from the Beijing Opera (song and dance), September 22 and 28, 6, 6:30, 7:15 and 8 p.m.

Guided Tours of the Lanterns: Learn all about the Garden and China’s First Emperor, September 9 to October 31, Daily at 2 and 6 p.m. (30 min)

Photography Workshops and Tips (Photo Lozeau): October 14-16, 6 to 9 p.m.

Light up our Lanterns: Transform yourself into a source of renewable energy and light up our lanterns, September 9 to October 31

THE DETAILS

The Magic of Lanterns, September 9 to October 31, 2011

Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Sherbrooke East, (514) 872-1400

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The Insectarium is home to thousands upon thousands of living and naturalized insects of every sort. From the mounted displays of some of the world’s most fascinating bugs, to bee hives, ant colonies and breeding labs, the Insectarium contains all you’d ever possibly need to know about “nature’s champions”. Of special note is their new exhitbit We Are the Insects, which presents a comprehensive look at vital these creepy crawlies are to our own survival.

But look, if you don’t like bugs, you don’t like bugs. Thankfully for you, the Insectarium is part of a group of family-friendly places like the Biodome and the Botanical Gardens that are sure to have something that everyone in the family can agree is awesome and not totally gross…

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THE DETAILS

Montreal Insectarium, 4581 Sherbrooke East, (514) 872-1400

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The Montreal Botanical Garden’s Butterflies Go Free show runs from February 17 to April 25 and features over 1,500 butterflies from around the world. It explores the complex behaviour they engage in when trying to attract a mate- from wing colours and markings to beautiful mid-air courtship ballets. The world of butterflies clearly becomes more fascinating the closer you look. But if you need a more kid-friendly description, how about: a room filled with tons of butterflies is really, really cool.

(TIP: Try to visit on the morning of a sunny day, when butterflies, like most Montrealers, are most active)

While you’re there, you can also check out Paper Work, an interactive exhibit and workshop that delves into all the amazing things one can do with paper. Or just visit their permanent collection of over 22,000 plant species, 10 exhibition greenhouses and dozens of thematic gardens.

Anyone with several children along for the ride (or maybe just one particularly difficult preteen) knows that an afternoon of butterflies might be a tough sell. Thankfully the Botanical Gardens are just one part of a Family-Friendly Complex packed to the rafters with easy-to-find and educational (you don’t have to tell them that part) activites. Bring everyone over to the always-popular (even with adults) Biodome, which is filled with all sorts of creatures- including their superstar penguins, who you can check right now via the Penguin webcam.

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THE DETAILS

Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-5pm

Montreal Botanical Gardens, 4101 Sherbrooke East, (514) 872-1400

Biodome, 4777 Pierre-De-Coubertin Avenue, (514) 868-3000

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Photo Credit: Darknturquoise

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Our photo offering of the week comes from Flickr starlet “glzwus” — who has a couple of stunning albums devoted to various Montreal neighborhoods and attractions. Check’em out.

Also, check out the Montreal Botanical Gardens in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

“With an outstanding collection that boasts more than 22,000 species and varieties of plants, the Montréal Botanical Garden is considered one of the world’s best gardens. Over 180 acres, it features 10 exhibition greenhouses and over 30 outdoor gardens. The Chinese and Japanese Gardens offer exotic landscapes, whereas the Tree House displays Québec’s abundant forest wealth.”

Thanks for the photo!

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Submit your Montréal pictures to our MONTRÉAL BUZZ FLICKR GROUP.

And see our previous PHOTOS OF THE WEEK.

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On August 5, in the Japanese section of Montreal’s Botanical Gardens, Mayor Gérald Tremblay and Hiroaki Isobe, Japan’s consul-general, rang the peace bell in commemoration of Hiroshima. At the same time a bell rang many, many miles away, in that city where the first atomic bomb was dropped. The peace bell was presented to the city of Montreal from the city of Hiroshima as a sign of ‘eternal friendship and peace’ to mark the twinning of the two cities in 1998.

The bell bears the coats of arms of the city of Montreal and the city of Hiroshima, as well as doves, traditional symbols of peace. In addition to the one in Montreal, there are five identical bells in the world. They are in Volograd, Russia; Hanover, Germany; Honolulu, USA; Chongquing, People’s Republic of China, and Taegu, South Korea. We all watched huddled under soggy umbrellas, sheltering from torrents of rain that stopped as quickly as it started. The Japanese Garden, even more beautiful sparkling with raindrops, was the perfect setting for the occasion. Strings were set up around the bell. We all attached notes of peace written on white paper. Waving in the rainy breeze, they looked like tiny doves.

The Japanese Garden is in front of the famed Olympic Stadium, so when you go, you get to see soaring concrete as well as the koi in the Garden’s fish pond. The Garden is full of waving grasses, beautifully set beside pines, which actually seemed to me to whisper in the wind. Instead of the stuffed-with-flowers mood of say, an English country garden, you will be immediately soothed by the sense of space in this calm place. Life seems to slow down. The Japanese Garden is part of Montreal’s renowned Botanical Gardens. Yes, it is a bit out of the way, but easy peasy if you take the metro. Worth the trip. The family will love it. You can take a picnic. But, no barbeques or folding chairs please. And no dogs.

Botanical Gardens 4101 Sherbrooke Street East 514-872-1400 Ticket prices vary. Check the website for details and group prices

www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin

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