Things to Do Montreal in June

written by Patty Oliver

I love Montreal.  I was born here.  I’ve been to many cities and have loved them all but there is something about my home town that just makes me feel good.  Every season there is something fun and exciting to do.  When I was younger downtown was the place to be in the summertime.

Sitting on an open terrace, after work, carefree, no where to go and not stressed about the next appointment.  It was bliss.  Now being a mom to four amazing kids is also bliss, just a different kind.  Still there are lots of things to do in and around Montreal with kids.  It’s interesting for me to see it from a mom’s point of view and getting to know Montreal in a different way than when I was younger is challenging but I believe still possible.

Now there are a lot of things on my list to do with the kids and this summer I plan on crossing a few of those off.  June is a beautiful month here and really kicks off with a bang.  So here are a few of my favorites to do in the month of June.

1.  Grand Prix

Grand Prix kicks off this weekend June 8th-10th.  It’s great for families with older kids.  It’s loud so be prepared for the noise. Make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat, as there is not much shade.  On their website you can find everything you need for the weekend from hotels to restaurants.

The circuit which is located on Ile-Notre Dame at Parc Jean Drapeau is also one of the nicest places to walk, take a bike ride, and have a family picnic.  Of course you want to do these things when it’s not Grande Prix weekend.  The city is just buzzing on this weekend and you are sure to see some celebrities who come in for the weekend.

In the early 1980’s in Baie-Saint-Paul a little village east of Quebec City a phenomenal idea took shape.  In the theatre troupe called The Stiltwalkers of Baie-Saint-Paul, was a gentleman by the name of Gille Ste Croix.  If you aren’t familiar with this man you are familiar with what he founded.

2.   The Cirque Du Soleil. 

In April a new production called Amaluna opened.  In the delightful Old Port of Montreal you can take in this show until July 15th. There are so many things to do in this quaint part of Montreal. You can stroll, shop in the various boutiques, find all kinds of gems, or take in something to eat. Something for every taste and budget can be found in Old Montreal.  Cirque du Soleil is one of the must do things on my list with the kids.

3.  The International Fireworks Festival

One of the other things I have done and it really is a lot of fun is The International Fireworks Festival which begins at the end of the month on June 30th and runs until August 3rd. I haven’t taken my kids but I have been to see them and each country is truly spectacular. I do however have a favorite of course, it’s Canada.  These shows are amazing, featuring two types of fireworks. Traditional shows which are the usual or more classical type of fireworks.  The second type is Pyromusical which feature fireworks carefully synchronized to a musical score.  The amount of people who come to see these fireworks is astounding.

4.  La Ronde

You can pay to see them at La Ronde-Montreal’s best amusement park, make a whole day of it with the family. There are also places you can see them for free, but you want to get there early as it gets really crowded.  Hence the reason I have not brought my kids yet.  This summer I believe they are all old enough so again, another fun activity to cross off my list.

If you happen to join us Montrealers in June, no matter what you do you are sure to have a great time, get a nice full belly, and have some amazing experiences that may just keep you coming back for more.