Summer in Montreal is the perfect time to explore the city with the kids. The weather is nice, it’s warm, the city is green and exciting, and it smells like sunscreen.
Parks, music, swimming in the lakes, and special exhibits for kids —we’ve got a few ideas for spending the summer with the kids in Montreal.
Head to the beach for a swim in the lake—45 minutes from downtown Montreal
Over the past few days, the weather in Montreal has been swinging back and forth between hot and cold; we’ve got a tickle in the back of our throats, and we’re putting on and taking off jackets and sweaters fifteen times a day . Spring, which arrived a little late, is going to last a bit longer than usual.
Summer, back when we were kids, meant vacation, sand between our toes, and building sandcastles by the lake. But since we no longer have the three-month summer break we had in elementary school (except for teachers, who probably deserve it more than we do), we can’t afford to take a week off every time we feel like dipping our toes in the water.
To spend the day by a lake just like when we were kids and to take the kids to the beach close to Montreal, it’s only a 45-minute drive from downtown.
July 5: La Rave des Minis at ROYALMOUNT
Because it’s right next to Décarie, because it’s modern, and because it has the metallic lines of a spaceship landed on the planet of major international luxury brands, ROYALMOUNT doesn’t immediately come to mind as a “sun” destination.
But this summer, we’ll be able to dance, do yoga and Pilates, sip cocktails under a beach umbrella, and play with the kids in the sun.
Since kids love to dance too, you can take them to a “rave” at ROYALMOUNT on Saturday, July 5—with activities, music, and lots of colors for a big summer party just for kids.
Travel back millions of years with Dinos Alive in Montreal, an immersive exhibition where more than 40 life-size animatronic dinosaurs await you. Explore a unique virtual aquarium and an interactive children’s area for an educational and spectacular adventure. A VR option enhances this journey into the heart of the Jurassic period, and you can even combine your visit with Bubble Planet.
Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience
15 July 2026 10:00 + more dates
A pedal boat ride on the Lachine Canal
for 1 hour
Since Montreal also has its own canal where you can float and sunbathe this summer, we’re taking the kids to ride a swan-shaped pedal boat. It’s nostalgic, very charming, and it’s all about creating sweet summer memories.
Hot dogs, music, neighborhood festivals, and plenty of cultural diversity for Quebec’s national holiday— all our plans for Saint-Jean are here!
Sleeping in a tent
Montreal is great in the summer, but even if you’re not going on a long vacation to a cottage, you still want to take a trip to the forest—why not go camping with the kids?
For destinations that are fairly easy to reach if you’re only going for a weekend (or three days), we have a few recommendations;
- To sleep under the stars, we’regoingcampingatMont Mégantic, becauseits observatory (the most advanced in the country) makes the mountain aNational Dark Sky Reservewhereyou can see the stars without light pollution.
- To spend the night among the berry fieldswhere you can pick your ownberries, we’re going camping inFrelighsburgatCamping Écologique
- For lodging in the mountains, along the river, and for those who want to rent a micro-cabin to camp in comfort,head to Baie-Saint-Paul.
- To camp on a natural beach, head toOka Nature Park
Immerse yourself in ancient Greece through 400 artifacts related to the Trojan War and the gods.
Exhibition at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum featuring 400 artifacts from ancient Greece (from the Mycenaean period to the Iron Age) that place the Iliad, cosmogony, and Homeric heroes in their historical context.
This year, for the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the 48 participating countries will play their matches in three countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Unfortunately, Montreal isn’t hosting any matches this year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be following FIFA and the Canadian national team’s matches very closely.
The full schedule of matches is hereThe World Cup runs from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, July 19, 2026—here are our favorite spots to watch FIFA matches this summer in Montreal.
Winter was looooong and frooooooid, and we’ve hibernated long enough. This summer, amid Montreal’s signature summer vibe—construction in full swing, scorching concrete, century-old trees swaying in the breeze, children screaming (with joy), music blaring from invisible speakers on every street corner—we’re going to need to indulge in as much ice cream as possible…
We conducted a very thorough survey to compile a list of Montrealers’ favorite ice cream shops, and we have the results here to help you plan all your ice cream stops thissummer…Our guide to Montrealers’ favorite ice cream shops
