by S.A.Robb

Created on: September 28, 2009

Did you know that Montreal is technically an island? So in order to take a day trip you must decide if you want to stay on the island or venture off of it.

For those of you who decide to stay on the island you have several choices for day trips. One of the most popular is going to Mount Royal and biking or having a nice picnic or both. Other options are dragon boating on the Lachine Canal or canoing in it. Some people go to the Botanical Gardens for the day along with a trip to the Bio-Dome which is amazing. The Bio-Dome has all major climates and animals that live within them. It is just as fun for kids as it is for adults. After that many people go the the Insectarium to learn about and see bugs from all over the world. Not to mention that they have special days such as when all the butterflies are out and you can go inside and be surrounded by thousands of them.

Other trips can be going to any one of the museums, the archaeology museum Point a Calier being one of my favorites. Just last month they turned all of the museum and old Montreal into the 17th century and had special sodas and pancakes for those who went. Chinatown is another popular place to go for a day. Also Old Montreal has a lot to offer such as the IMAX theater and the Science Museum which no matter your age is fun.

If you would rather go off the island there are many many choices for you. A short trip to another island can take you to La Ronde if you have kids. It is a theme park and fun to go to. There is also the Osheaga music festival in the fall that takes place over a Saturday and Sunday. Not to mention the Casino which many people like to go to at least one time.

If however you want to do something a little more interesting or active you have many options. In the summer you can go up North and go fishing in one of the many lakes and rivers that run through Quebec.There is also the Safari zoo that you drive through and can see many fun things with your kids. You can also combine that with water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, hanging out at the beach or surfing. In the winter you can up North to Mont Tremblant to go skiing or snow boarding. It is about a 2 hour drive but many people go up there for a day just to enjoy the scenery and have a nice meal then shop.

There is also Isle Charon off the East end of the island. Here you have the option to go kayaking, canoing, or to have a picnic and swim. There is also an archaeological site that people can go and look at as well as bike trails. In the winter just a few miles from this area in Longeuil there are one of many amazing Christmas displays that people love to participate in and look at all the decorations as well as go ice skating, eat roasted chestnuts, and listen to carols. There are also many stands with unique hand made goods that make fun presents or souvenirs.

In the fall you can go to many many orchards to pick apples, plums, pumpkins, or squash. There are also hay rides, small animal zoos for kids, and of course fresh apple cider and a must have in apple doughnuts. There are also places you can go in the summer to pick strawberries, rasberries, and blueberries.

Overall depending on what you like and if you have kids there are a number of activities that can keep you busy for many many days. Each one of them fun and interesting, even educational and healthy in their own right.

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