Last updated: January 2026.
Reflecting back on an incredible east coast road trip, and I have to admit our stop in Montreal with our 7-month-old was a complete surprise! Coming after our time in Boston and Vermont’s scenic beauty, we honestly weren’t sure what to expect from Montreal (in part due to an unusual lack of research on my part). What we discovered was a city that felt remarkably different from anywhere we’d been in the US – incredibly arty, and not quite French European, but definitely far more French than we anticipated.
We based ourselves in the Mont Royal neighborhood and loved its quirky character – a blend of residential charm and urban energy. The area buzzes with creativity, from street murals to independent boutiques, and we were thrilled to discover the abundance of excellent takeout options that made our evenings so easy once R was tucked up in bed.
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I think our surprise was in part because Montreal felt like we’d crossed an ocean rather than just a border. The cobblestone streets of Old Montreal and the joie de vivre atmosphere made this vibrant Canadian city a perfect stop to our North American road trip adventure.
Montreal travel guide: essential overview
- 🎯 Perfect For: First-time visitors, culture lovers, food enthusiasts, families with young children
- ⏰ Duration: 3-4 days ideal (we did 3 nights which felt about right with a 7-month-old)
- 🚇 Transport: Decent metro system, pram-friendly for the most part, plus walkable neighborhoods
- 🌡️ Best time: May-September for best weather, though winter has its own charm I’m told. We went in August and it was hot
Why Montreal is brilliant for family travellers
Here’s why we found Montreal a great destination on our east coast road trip:
- Compact and walkable: Old Montreal and Plateau Mont-Royal are beautifully pedestrian-friendly, with wide pavements perfect for exploring. Unlike sprawling North American cities, Montreal feels European in scale.
- Incredible food scene: From world-famous bagels and smoked meat to bistros and fine dining, Montreal takes food seriously while remaining accessible for all travellers.
- Cultural richness without stuffiness: Museums, architecture, and art are woven into daily life rather than feeling like formal tourist attractions.
- Bilingual ease: While French is predominant, English is widely spoken, making navigation stress-free for visitors.
- Value for money: Compared to other major North American cities, Montreal offered us good value, especially with the favourable exchange rate.
And more than anything, it just felt really different to Boston, Vermont and Cape Cod – which is what you want on a road trip!
Our 3-day Montreal itinerary
Day 1: exploring Old Montreal
We walked from our apartment in Mont Royal and started our morning adventure in Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal), where cobblestone streets and 17th-century architecture create a magical backdrop for photos. We walked to Montreal City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), with its impressive architecture, before grabbing an ice cream at Place Jacques-Cartier, the bustling heart of the old city where street performers entertain visitors and the atmosphere buzzes with energy.
From there we popped to the Old Port (Vieux-Port), which was equally bustling and really quite lovely along the waterfront. Had R been older we’d have definitely gone on the ferris wheel! I hadn’t realised that Cirque du Soleil was from Montreal, and there was a tent down by the port with a summer show that we sadly couldn’t attend.
We then turned back and walked down Rue Saint-Paul, with lovely shops, before checking out the Notre-Dame Basilica, which it was a little underwhelming (we’re spoiled in Europe!). We stopped nearby for a takeout coffee at Crew Collective & Cafe – a former bank with stunning architecture (although Jack had to wait outside with the pram).
Lunch tip: No Montreal visit is complete without smoked meat, and Dunn’s Famous Delicatessen delivers the authentic experience. Their smoked meat sandwiches are legendary, and the portions are generous – plus there’s one not far from the old town!
Day 2: Plateau Mont-Royal and Mont Royal Park
We started your day in the trendy Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, nearby to our apartment, with breakfast at another Montreal institution: St-Viateur Bagel & Cafe. These aren’t New York bagels – Montreal bagels are smaller, denser, and hand-rolled with a unique wood-fired flavour.
We walked through the Plateau’s colourful streets, admiring the iconic outdoor staircases and murals. Boulevard Saint-Laurent and Avenue du Mont-Royal are the main roads to walk, but the whole neighbourhood has a real arty, bohemian vibe while being very accessible, with wide pavements that worked for our pram (although we often chose to take R out in our LittleLife backpack carrier as it’s so comfy!).
From there we descended Mont Royal Park – a gorgeous park with great views over the city (check out the Kondiaronk Belvedere viewpoint). There were numerous paths to choose from and we found one that was a more gradual incline for the way up, taking a shorter but steeper (with steps) route on the way back. We had lunch at the cafe at Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castors), but there are plenty of benches and grassy areas for picnics.
Day 3: Biodôme and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
On our final morning, we visited the Montreal Biodôme – an indoor nature experience featuring replicas of four ecosystems from the Americas. It wasn’t huge, so actually perfect for a shorter wake window or little legs, but it did take a little bit of time to get there on the subway. There were some food vans outside to grab a bite to eat, and while there you can see the Olympic park in all its glory.
We had also planned to visit the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (F1 track) on our way home, but our plans changed so we skipped it. The 4.3km track is open to pedestrians and cyclists year-round (except during Grand Prix weekend), and it’s completely accessible.
Other Montreal family-friendly activities if you have more time
While our 3 days were packed with amazing experiences, Montreal has so much more to offer. Here are some activities that were on our list but we simply ran out of time:
- Montreal Science Centre: Located in the Old Port, this is an interactive science museum.
- La Ronde Amusement Park: While better suited for older children, this Six Flags theme park on Île Sainte-Hélène has gentler rides and a beautiful island location.
- Jean-Talon market: One of Montreal’s famous public markets – perfect for sampling local foods and soaking up the multicultural atmosphere.
- Montreal Botanical Garden: Part of the Space for Life complex with the Biodôme, featuring themed gardens from around the world.
- Lachine Canal: A scenic waterway perfect for stroller walks or bike rides, with locks, boats, and waterside cafés along the route.
Best time to visit Montreal
- Late Spring/Early Summer is supposed to be perfect for exploring at 15-25°C. Everything is open, but there’s fewer crowds, although prepare for occasional rain.
- July and August is warm (I can tell you from personal experience!), but it was manageable. Summer season certainly felt lively and it was busy, but it felt busy with locals and never chaotic. Accommodation pricing will be higher but we felt it was reasonable.
- September and October is another good time if you’re ok with crisper weather that could range from a cool 10°C to a comfortable 20°C. Enjoy beautiful autumn colors, fewer tourists, and easy walking weather.
- Montreal’s winters are cold, with December-March ranging from -10 to -5°C. I love a wintery wonderland but I think it would be too cold for little ones, even with appropriate clothing. Montreal offers so much to enjoy outside, it would be a shame to limit your trip.
Best areas to stay in Montreal with kids
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- Old Montreal – walking distance to major attractions, in a beautiful historic setting but touristy and limited grocery options.
- Plateau Mont-Royal (where we stayed) – a creative vibe and local neighbourhood feel, with great food options and plenty of bars (although where we stayed was perfectly quiet).
- Downtown – central with convenient transport connections and plenty of major chain hotels, but a little less character.
- Westmount – a quieter residential area, good for longer stays at better value.
Getting around Montreal
Driving into the city was straightforward, and we had parking at our apartment, so I can’t comment on ease of parking in the city but we saw car parks at attractions like the Biodôme.
Montreal travel FAQs
We walked a lot and found it very pram-friendly, with some cobblestones and gentle hills but nothing frustrating.
We found the metro system to be clean and modern, although Google wasn’t right on multiple occasions about the step-free access (sometimes it had it when it said not, and other times no lift when expecting one). Payment wasn’t contactless like in Boston and it felt a little bit faffy having to buy a ticket. However you can apparently buy an OPUS card which may be easier. We only used it a couple of times so it was fine buying a ticket.
We didn’t use taxis but saw them, and we used Uber for food delivery so expect plenty of cabs available too.
Extremely! Montreal has excellent facilities, accessible transport, and a culture that welcomes visitors. Most attractions are well-equipped and accommodating.
Plateau Mont-Royal is the best area to stay in Montreal with kids. It offers wide sidewalks perfect for prams, excellent local cafes and takeout, a quieter residential feel with tons of character, and easy access to Mount Royal Park. Old Montreal is beautiful but touristy with fewer amenities. Downtown is convenient but generic. We stayed in Plateau with our 7-month-old and found it ideal.
While French is the primary language, English is widely spoken in tourist areas and most establishments. Many locals are bilingual and happy to switch to English.
Very walkable! Most areas have wide sidewalks and gradual inclines. Old Montreal has some cobblestones but is manageable. The metro system is accessible with elevators.
Montreal has incredible dining from casual to upscale. Most restaurants are welcoming and accommodating. Don’t miss the bagels and smoked meat!
Moderate to affordable compared to other major North American cities. The favorable exchange rate helps UK visitors, and many attractions offer reasonable pricing.
Montreal has excellent indoor alternatives: the Biodôme, Underground City shopping network, museums, and countless cafés and restaurants for comfortable shelter. You can also enjoy a break over winter with proper preparation!
Our Montreal verdict
Using our travel scoring system, Montreal scores exceptionally well:
1. Getting there: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Direct flights from UK available, and Montreal offers a strong twin-destination paired with trips to Boston, Toronto and Quebec
- Excellent airport to city transport
- Easy navigation upon arrival
2. Pramability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Wide sidewalks and accessible areas
- Excellent public transport
- Most attractions easily reachable, although the metro could be clearer on were has step-free access
3. Adult fun factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Incredible food scene that rivals European cities
- Rich culture and architecture
- Vibrant neighborhoods perfect for exploration
- Unique blend of Canadian and European influences
4. Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Reasonable prices compared to other major cities
- Good value dining and more for your money when it comes to accommodation
- Many free activities and beautiful neighborhoods to explore
Montreal proved to be an absolute gem – offering the sophistication of a European city with Canadian accessibility. The combination of tasty food, walkable neighbourhoods, and interesting culture makes it a destination we’d really recommend visiting.
Have you visited Montreal? I’d love to hear about your experiences – what did we miss? Drop us a comment or message on Instagram @LittleBritsAbroad.
Keep embracing the adventure!
Allie, Jack and R x
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