Spring Break is almost here! Are you ready to make the most out of Spring Break with your kids near Montreal?
And don’t worry you don’t have to travel too far – I’ve made a list of exciting things to do that are all within a 3-hour drive from the city. I’ve organized the list from closest to Montreal to farthest away, so it’s easy to plan your adventures. Your kids (and you!) will definitely have fun at these places because some of them are among our favorite spots!
These activities, ranging from outdoor adventures to indoor activities, are not only fun but also provide opportunities for your kids to learn new things. So let’s dive in and start planning for an unforgettable Spring Break with the kids!
1 . Explore the Montreal Science Centre
Located in the Old Port of Montreal, this science center is packed with fun and educational exhibits. This is a place where kids can have a lot of fun while learning cool things about science! There are many different exhibitions to explore, where they can discover all kinds of interesting stuff about space, technology, nature, and more. They can even do fun experiments and interactive activities that will make them feel like a real scientist! It’s a great place to visit with your family and friends, and they’ll leave feeling smarter and inspired by all the amazing things they’ve learned.
My daughter and I really enjoy going to the Montreal Science Centre. We like it so much that we bought an annual pass last year for about 122 $CAD. My daughter can’t get enough of it! One of the best things about having the annual pass is that we can also visit science centers in other cities around the world. We’ve used it to visit places like the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto and the 3 museums run by Ingenium in Ottawa. It’s a fantastic way to spend time together, have fun, and even learn new skills along the way. And hey, it’s also perfect for a fun road trip adventure!
If you’re interested in more educational activities to do with your kids in Montreal, be sure to check out this post “TOP 10 EDUCATIONAL PLACES FOR KIDS IN MONTREAL.” In this post, I’ve made a list of the best places in the city where your kids can have fun while learning new things. From interactive museums to hands-on science centers, there’s something for every curious mind to explore.
2. Ice Skating at The Esplanade Tranquille
Photo by Quartier des Spectacles de Montreal
At the Esplanade Tranquille in Montreal, kids can have a great time with lots of free cultural activities and outdoor fun. They can skate for free on the big ice rink, which is a must-do activity during the winter in Quebec. It’s right in the middle of downtown Montreal, so kids can easily enjoy some winter fun with friends and family!
3. Visit 5 attractions at Espace pour la Vie
Espace pour la Vie is a really fun place to visit in Montreal! It’s like a big science and nature playground with 5 different attractions to explore.
First up, there’s the Montreal Botanical Garden. It’s partially open during the winter months, though the outdoor gardens may be closed or have limited access due to snow and cold temperatures. However, some indoor spaces, like the greenhouses, remain open for visitors to enjoy. Inside these greenhouses, kids can explore a variety of plants from different climates around the world in a warm and tropical environment. Additionally, the Botanical Garden may host special winter events or activities during this time.
Then, there’s the Biodome, which is kind of like a giant indoor zoo. Inside, kids can walk through different habitats, like a tropical rainforest and an icy polar world, and see animals living in their natural environments.
Next, there’s the Insectarium, where kids can check out all kinds of bugs and learn why they’re so important.
And don’t forget about the Planetarium, where kids can learn all about space and stars through cool exhibits and shows.
Last, there’s the Biosphere, located away from the other four attractions, a museum dedicated to the environment. It’s housed in a big dome on an island in the Saint Lawrence River and teaches kids about ways they can help protect our planet.
We also enjoy going to Espace pour la Vie – in fact, we purchased an annual pass last year, and my daughter loves it, especially the Biodome and Planetarium. She always asks to come back again this year, and it’s definitely a place we enjoy visiting as a family. In the summer, I love going to the Botanical Garden, especially the Japanese Garden, where we can have a picnic. With their annual pass, you can do all of this throughout the year.
Last year, they offered a 25% discount on annual passes until March 8, 2024. It’s a great time to visit, but there’s no guarantee they’ll have the same deal this year.
If you’re interested in learning more about these amazing places near Montreal, be sure to check out this post “FAVORITE SPOTS YOU MUST SEE IN MONTREAL.”
4. Skydiving at iFly
Photo by iFLY Indoor Skydiving
iFLY Indoor Skydiving is a fun and thrilling activity where the whole family can experience the sensation of skydiving without having to jump out of an airplane. Instead, you’ll float on a cushion of air in a vertical wind tunnel, with the help of a trained instructor. It’s safe, exhilarating, and suitable for people of all ages, including kids as young as 4 years old.
iFLY Indoor Skydiving is located in Laval, which is just a short drive from Montreal. It’s conveniently accessible by car and offers free parking.
5. Watch Disney On Ice
Photo by Disney on Ice
Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance! is coming to Centre Bell in Montreal from March 6 to 9, 2025! From the moment the show begins, the magic of Disney fills the air. Mickey and his friends bring the party to the ice, and the energy is contagious! If you’ve been a Disney fan forever, or if you’re discovering Disney characters with your child, this show is sure to be a hit!
This show features a fantastic cast of beloved Disney characters, bringing the fun to the ice with Mickey and his friends at the DJ table! From fan-favorites like Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Ariel, Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Moana, and Maui to special guest DJ Stitch, there’s a character for every child to enjoy.
6. Visit Parc oméga
Parc Oméga is a really fun place where you can get up close with lots of animals! It’s like a big outdoor zoo where the animals roam around freely. You can drive through the park in your car and see animals like deer, elk, bison, and even bears! They might even come right up to your car! And the best part is, you can feed some of the animals too! Just bring along some carrots and have fun feeding them. This part, where you can feed animals with carrots from your car, is our favorite part. It’s so much fun, especially for the kids! Parc Oméga is definitely a great place to spend the whole day with your family surrounded by nature.
7. Visit Centre de la Nature
Centre de la Nature in Laval is a perfect place for families who want to have fun in the winter without traveling far. It’s just a short drive from Montreal, and there are lots of activities for both kids and adults to enjoy.
In winter, you can skate on the outdoor rink, which is a great way to enjoy the cold weather. We absolutely love the tubing hill, where kids can ride down the slopes on tubes. If you like cross-country skiing, the park has trails that let you ski through the peaceful nature. For something slower and relaxing, you can try snowshoeing on the marked trails that go through the park.
The best part is that Centre de la Nature is affordable. If you have your own equipment, activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are free. For tubing and ice skating, rentals are available at good prices. It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors in the winter, and since it’s so close to Montreal, it’s a perfect spot for a fun family day out.
8. Discover Exporail
Photo by Exporail
Have you ever heard of Exporail? It’s a really cool place where kids can learn all about trains! At Exporail, they can see lots of different kinds of trains, like old steam trains and shiny new ones. Kids can even go inside some of them and imagine what it would be like to ride on a train a long time ago!
Exporail is like a big museum all about trains. They can explore inside and see how trains have changed over the years. There are also fun activities and games to play, so they can have a great time while they learn.
9. Slide Aux Glissades du Domaine des Pays d’en Haut
Photo by Glissade.ca
Les Glissades du Domaine des Pays d’en Haut is a really fun place to go during the winter! It’s located in the Laurentian Mountains, not too far from Montreal. Here, you can do all sorts of cool stuff like zooming down giant slides on inner tubes. It’s like sledding, but even more exciting! There are different slopes for all ages, so even little kids can join in on the fun. Plus, there’s a heated chalet where you can warm up and grab a snack. It’s the perfect way to spend a chilly winter day with your family!
10. Sleeping With Lions at Hotel de la Cité Perdue
Photo by Complexe Atlantide
Experience the thrill of sleeping with lions at Hotel de la Cité perdue, located in Familizoo! This unique opportunity allows you to stay overnight in a cozy room right next to the lions. They have special family rooms where you can watch the lions from your room! It’s like having a mini safari adventure while you relax at the hotel. Plus, there’s lots more to enjoy, like a bar, a pool, a restaurant, and even an arcade room. It’s a one-of-a-kind adventure that’s just right for a fun Spring Break trip!
11. Explore Nature and Adventure at Upla by Abraska
Upla park in Mont Saint-Grégoire is a perfect spot for families and it’s a little less than an hour’s drive from Montreal.
The park features both the largest North American outdoor trampoline, and a beautiful tree-top village designed to keep kids active while connecting them with nature. It’s perfect for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. Since the park remains open throughout the entire year, you can still enjoy many activities even during March.
12. Plan a Family Getaway at Jay Peak Resort
Located in northern Vermont, just a short drive away, about a 2-hour drive from Montreal. Jay Peak is the perfect destination for families looking for fun and relaxation.
One of the highlights of Jay Peak Resort is its amazing indoor waterpark. No matter the weather outside, kids can splash and play in the Pump House Indoor Waterpark, which features slides, a lazy river, and even a surfing wave. It’s the perfect way to beat the winter blues and have fun with the whole family.
Plus, Jay Peak Resort offers a variety of other activities and amenities, including skiing and snowboarding in the winter, hiking and mountain biking in the spring and summer, and a variety of dining options to satisfy any craving.
If you’re interested in learning more about our time at Jay Peak Resort, be sure to check out this post “THE PERFECT FAMILY GETAWAY NEAR MONTREAL: JAY PEAK RESORT.” There, you’ll find all the details about our experience and why we think it’s the ideal destination for a family getaway!
13. Visit Ingenium in Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada’s capital, has lots of cool museums that families can explore together. At these museums, kids can learn all sorts of interesting stuff and even try out some hands-on activities!
One museum you won’t want to miss is the Canada Science and Technology Museum located on 1867 St Laurent Blvd. Here, they can discover how things like cars, trains, and computers work through fun and interactive exhibits.
If your kids are into airplanes and outer space, check out the Canada Aviation and Space Museum located on 11 Aviation Parkway. They can see all kinds of cool aircraft and learn about the history of flight and space exploration.
And if your kids are curious about where food comes from, head to the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum located on 901 Prince of Wales Drive. Here, they can learn about farming and even meet some friendly farm animals!
14. Explore Aquarium du Québec
Photo by Sépaq
The Aquarium du Québec is a really cool place to visit during Spring Break! It’s like stepping into an underwater world full of amazing creatures. You can see all sorts of fish, sharks, sea turtles, and even playful seals. Plus, they have special exhibits and interactive displays that make learning about marine life super fun. It’s a great way to spend the day with your family, especially if you’re looking for something indoors.
15. Enjoy Rides at Méga Parc Indoor Amusement Park
This indoor amusement park Méga Parc des Galeries de la Capitale is located in Quebec City and it takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Montreal there. We spent an entire day at that place because there are many things to do there. It’s the perfect spot for young kids, teens, and even adults to have fun. There are many of rides, games, and even an indoor ice skating rink. Just keep in mind that the rides and ice skating have separate pricing, even though they’re in the same area.
Since the park is inside a shopping mall, there’s plenty more to do. The store where kids and adults can ride the Stuffy Riders became one of my daughter’s favorite parts of the visit! When hunger strikes you can visit the food court which includes popular spots such as McDonald’s and Mikes as well as Ashton. If you’re looking for a full day of fun, this place is definitely worth the trip!l
When planning your spring break trip, it’s important to consider your kids’ interests and the variety of activities available at each destination. Whether your family loves outdoor adventures, educational experiences, or thrilling attractions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy within a 3-hour drive from Montreal.
To make the most of your trip, be sure to book accommodations in advance, especially during the bustling spring break season. This will help ensure a stress-free and enjoyable vacation for the whole family.
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