For families, few cities assure children will have as good a time as this one does. There are riverboat rides, summer fireworks at La Ronde Amusement Park (below), the Centre des Sciences de Montréal, and magical circus performances by the many troupes that come through this circus-centric city. When in doubt, head to Olympic Park and start at the Biodôme. Plenty of attractions throughout this chapter will appeal to the under-18 crowd, but below are additional venues and programs that cater to them primarily.

Atrium Le 1000  -- This medium-size indoor ice-skating rink in the heart of downtown offers skating year-round under a glass ceiling. Skate rentals are available, and a food court surrounds the rink. It attracts a full mix of patrons: groups of giggling teenage girls, middle-aged friends chatting and skating side by side, and young children teetering in helmets. Tiny Tots Time, typically Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 12:30pm, is reserved for children 12 and younger and their parents.

1000 rue de la Gauchetière ouest. www.le1000.com. tel 514/395-0555. Admission C$7.50 adults, with discounts for children and seniors. Skate rental C$7. Open daily; check website for schedules. Métro: Bonaventure.

IMAX Theater  -- Images and special effects are way larger than life and visually dazzling on this screen in the Centre des Sciences de Montréal. Recent films have highlighted the creatures of the Galapagos and the lemurs of Madagascar (both in 3-D). Running time is usually less than an hour. One or two screenings per day are in English, and tickets can be ordered online. Check the schedule online.

Quai King Edward, Vieux-Port. www.montrealsciencecentre.com. tel 877/496-4724 or 514/496-4724. Movie tickets C$11.50 adults, with discounts for children and seniors, and free for children 3 and under. Shows daily. Métro: Place d’Armes or Champ-de-Mars.

La Ronde Amusement Park  -- Part of the American-owned Six Flags theme-park empire, this park has rides categorized, like hot sauces, by “thrill rating”: mild, moderate, or max. Young children also have ample selection, including a carrousel, the Tchou Tchou Train and Air Papillon, which looks like a giant butterfly. Other attractions include a Ferris wheel, acrobatic shows, and front-row seats in an open-air theater to the huge fireworks competition that takes place over nine evenings. La Ronde is located on Parc Jean-Drapeau, which sits in the St. Lawrence River near Vieux-Port’s waterfront. The park is mostly car-free and accessible by Métro, bike, foot, or car.

22 chemin. Macdonald, Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Ste-Hélène. www.laronde.com. tel 514/397-2000. Admission C$59 adults, C$43 children 1.4m (54 in.) or shorter and seniors, free for children 2 and under. Parking C$20–C$27. Summer daily 11am–9pm (until 11:30pm on Sat); spring and fall Sat–Sun only (confirm hours). Métro: Papineau, then bus no. 769; Parc Jean-Drapeau, then bus no. 767.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.