Before children, Montreal was a place where we poked around galleries and artists’ studios, wandered through the Old City and Chinatown and ate French food at our leisure.
After children, it’s where we go to get the wiggles out. Hear me out:
Just outside of Montreal is Quartier Dix 30, Canada’s premier “lifestyle center.” What does this mean?
There’s an indoor surfing center where kids as young as 4 can learn to surf. There’s a dog café. An indoor skatepark. A rooftop Nordic spa with hot tubs and waterfalls. And the ultra-stylish and affordable ALT Hotel by the Canadian Germain Groupe.
This is a place where you can stay and play when you’ve done all the edifying things the city has to offer and you’re looking for good, cheap eats, novelty and fun. There are over 300 stores and restaurants in and around Quartier Dix 30, but these are a few favorites:
An Indoor Trampoline Park
There are trampoline parks and there are trampoline meccas. At 35,000 square feet, iSaut is the latter.
In addition to a separate area for the littles, there are foam pits, family-friendly exercise classes and nighttime jumping sessions with music, black lights and lasers.
isaute.ca/en/brossard
Indoor surfing for all levels
The only indoor surfing center in Canada, Oasis Surf offers the chance to surf on waves from 2 to 6 feet using real boards with fins and welcomes children 4 and up.
quartierdix30.com/en/business/oasis-surf-4/
A kid-friendly, vegan-friendly and paleo-friendly Lebanese joint
Is there such thing as fast food from a scratch kitchen? Apparently so. A local Lebanese chain, Amir, specializes in salads (fresh mango, tabouli, fattoush, beets with chopped herbs), spreads (hummus, whipped garlic paste), and grilled meats making it that rare find that pleases everyone.
restoamir.com
High design on a budget
It’s as glamorous as any 5-star, for a fraction of the cost. The lobby, with its fireplace, books and boardgames, is an excellent place to unwind. And guests here can get a 24-hour pass to the adjacent spa.
althotels.com
An indoor-outdoor
rooftop spa
Canadians have better spas than we do; there’s just no other way to say it. In addition to the giant al fresco hot tubs and cold plunge pool, there are indoor saunas, relaxation rooms, a bistro where you can drink champagne in your bathroom and adirondack chairs for lounging.
SKYSPA.CA
A restaurant for
people and dogs
This dog-friendly spot serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and also offers dog daycare, an indoor dog park and grooming services.
hotdogetcie.com
A free-flying
butterfly experience
Beyond the butterflies themselves — hundreds of them in a dreamy atmosphere made for children — Bfly has a mirror maze, climbing walls and the only indoor treetop course in North America.
bfly.ca/en
On the way up, stop into The Mad Taco in Montpelier, Vermont (themadtaco.com) for smoked pork tacos with kimchi and cilantro — not to mention a variety of homemade salsas from mild to blistering.
One the way home, hit Trail Break in White River Junction for amazing nachos with charred salsa and grilled serrano guacamole. There’s a room in back where kids like to sprawl on sofas and play an impossible but absorbing ring game.