Anne-Charlotte PasseraOther than ducks, pigeons and squirrels, there aren’t a whole lot of animals to see in Montreal. After all, Montreal is a city so it kind of is obvious. But is it?
Last year, we had a whale that swam down the Saint-Lawrence river all the way down to the Old Port of Montreal. It was pretty cool to see. Sadly, she was stuck there, couldn’t be rescued for some reason, and passed away.
It’s always amazing to see how French people who have just arrived to Montreal whether as tourists or expats react when they see their first squirrel. In full honesty, my kids and I were the same, we just forgot.
I guess squirrels aren’t so big of a thing in tiny France, especially in cities. In Montreal, they are crawling everywhere. Don’t leave anything out in a stroller as a squirrel might steal it away. Good luck retrieving it up there in the tree.
Nonetheless, it is possible to see wildlife in and around Montreal in a zoo or in its natural habitat. Here are some of the places worth checking out with the kids and your in-laws from another country to see animals in and around Montreal.
Technoparc (visit: 1h) – FREE
I discovered the Technoparc thanks to the Pandemic. It is located close to Montreal’s airport and is FREE to access and to park.
The wetlands of the Technoparc are home to a vast biodiversity including a large number of bird species. Two threatened species, the Least Bittern and the Wood Thrush are among the many animals that raise their young there according to Westmount Mag.
Enjoy in silence watching the various bird species and wild turkeys feed and go about their day. As to not disturb their daily lives, you have to be really quiet while there. No dogs are allowed on site.
It’s definitely something different to do even if you are not a bird fanatic, especially if you are looking for some peace. I used my time there to meditate.
Simply park and follow the signs for the bird feeder (mangeoires). You’ll have to walk beyond the sign: authorized persons only and then hop on the trail as indicated by the signs.
Location: Avenue Marie Curie, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, H4S
Park Michel Chartrand – Longueuil (visit 1h30) – FREE
The park Michel Chartrand is located in Longueuil and is FREE to access. However, dogs are not allowed there because of the animals you might come across.
In this park which stretches over a surface of 1,850,000 m2 you can spot for the thousandth time squirrels but also birds, raccoons and Deers! In fact, you can observe more than 200 species of birds, 17 species of mammals such as the red fox, the white-tailed rabbit and the marmot.
Location: 1895, rue Adoncour Longueuil, QC J4J 5G8
Biodôme (visit 1h30)
The Biodome is finally open again for business after it’s long face-lift and the Pandemic shutdown.
You have to book your ticket online and reserve your time slot.
We went there on a Thursday at 4:30 pm. It was great as there was hardly anybody. However, even the animals seemed to be hiding.
Obviously, to make your visit a little more exciting, come in the morning when it is feeding time.
The visit is nicely done as you can now decide which space you want to visit first instead of being imposed your path. However, they took away all the information.
You can download their FREE app for your visit but who wants to be on a screen to visit? I think we’ve had plenty of screen time in the last year, don’t you think? They do offer a $2 guide map, but for the cost of the visit, it should be included.
The Biodôme lets you explore the diverse fauna and flora from 5 different ecosystems which can be found across the Americas.
These ecosystems are:
- Tropical forest (my favorite)
- Laurentian Forest
- Gulf of St. Lawrence
- Labrador Coast
- Sub-artic Islands
Penguins
While we visited the penguins, a guide was there. I think it was the highlight of our visit. He came over to us and started explaining things about the penguins and the different types.
Although in English we say penguins, there are two distinctive types of penguins. The ones who can fly (auks or razorbills) and the ones who can’t (in French we call it Manchot).
It can get quite confusing and it’s easier to generalize them by just calling them penguins.
However, if you look closely, you’ll notice that there are a few distinctions between them. The ones that stand out from the lot is the Puffin as it is smaller and has a red nose.
Then, you have the little penguin. There are actually only 3 at the Biodôme and their distinction is their white stripe on one of their wings.
Penguins are fed in the morning and come May, little houses are set up for them to mate and bring little penguins into the world.
Wear a light jacket or sweater in this part of the Biodôme because it is freezing!
Tropical forest
The tropical forest has always been my favorite part of the Biodôme to visit. It can get quite humid in there which I personally don’t mind.
The decor is super well done with waterfalls and high (fake) tropical trees made from concrete. Go up to the viewpoint to try to spot one of the sleepy sloths.
More information to plan your visit HERE.
The cost: 16.50$ adult, free for kids under the age of 5.
Location: 4777 Avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin, Montreal, QC H1V 1B3 or subway station Viau.
Iles de Boucherville (visit: 2 hours +)
The Park of the Iles de Boucherville is always my go to park when I want to be in nature but not too far from Montreal. It’s a great place to see animals such as deers, beavers and foxes in Montreal, even if it’s not technically inside the city.
There is a park fee entrance which you have to presently pay online unless you have the annual pass in which case you can go as you please.
The best part is that on the main island you can walk your dog.
In the winter you can snowshoe or cross-country ski throughout the park amidst deers. When the snow has finally melted away, you can ride bikes, camp, canoe and kayak.
WARNING: Although there are quite a few deers throughout the park, it is not guaranteed to see some on each visit.
The cost: 8,90$ per adult, free for kids under the age of 17.
Location: 55 Ile Sainte Marguerite, Boucherville, QC J4B 5J6
Omega Park (minimum half a day)
The Omega park is by far my favorite animal park to recommend. Oddly enough, before the Pandemic, not that many local families had heard about it yet alone set foot in it.
If you want to see real Canadian fauna, this is the place to go, less than 2 hours away from Montreal.
Omega Park is not really a zoo, it’s more of a natural museum. Wild animals live in their natural habitat and some get to interact with humans in a civilized way. It’s a magical experience for both adults and kids alike.
Part of your experience will be done by car on a 15km stretch of a road. On the road it will be stop and go while a caribou or elk walks up to your car to say hello or ask for a carrot. BRING CARROTS.
At the end of the road, there is a parking lot and a playground. From there, you can walk or ride the carriage (FREE) all the way to the animal farm and vegetable garden. Don’t be surprised if a deer shows up to lead the way.
Practical information
Omega Park can be visited all year long, but I have only been there during the Summer.
The entrance fee is quite hefty for a family of 4, so plan to make a whole day out of it and bring your own picnic.
Arrive early before the crowds and check their website beforehand to find out about the special events that they have throughout the day such as the feeding of the wolves or the raptor display.
If you want to extend your experience and have the money to do so, you can sleep there and wake up with a wolf on the other side of your window!
However, the entrance to the park is included when you sleep in the wolf cabin. For the price, I surely hope so! More information HERE.
The cost: 30,44$ per adult, 21,74$ (kids 6-15) and 12,18$ (kids 2-5)
Location: 399 QC-323, Montebello, QC J0V 1L0
Alpacas (visit: 1 hour)
Take an alpaca for a walk in Mont Saint-Hilaire or at Verger Champêtre.
We have only experienced the first one at Alpagas du Domaine Poissant which you can read about in our article on 5 Things to do in Mont-Saint-Hilaire.
Alpacas are easier to walk than dogs. All you have to do to keep them moving is to give them food and to let go of them if one of their buddies decides to cut loose.
It’s a great experience to do as a family which you can combine with another activity in the area.
Dogs are not allowed on site as they are considered as predators for the alpacas and a source of stress.
The cost: 37,50$ for 1 alpaca that can be shared between 3 people.
Location: 1235, chemin de la montagne, Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC J3G 4S6
Wood Bisons (visit: 1 hour)
We discovered Kanatha-Aki while we were spending a week-end near Mont-Tremblant.
Since skiing doesn’t come cheap, especially for a family of 4, we only skied down the slopes the Saturday.
There is plenty to do near Mont-Tremblant all year long from skiing, hiking, relaxing in a spa, ice climbing, canoeing. At Kanatha-Aki you can go dog sledding in the Winter and visit their herd of wood bisons all year long.
It’s a family-friendly activity. A little walking is required but nothing too difficult. Bring a baby carrier if you are visiting with a young child as the path is not stroller-friendly.
This wood bison reserve is unique to Quebec and it’s goal is to protect them from extinction.
Wood bisons are not buffalos
Bisons have large humps at their shoulders, large heads, beards and thick dark brown coats which they shed during Spring and at the beginning of Summer. To tell the difference between a bison and a buffalo you just have to look at its horns. Buffalo horns look like a handlebar and are thick whereas Bison horns are sharp and shorter.
It’s estimated that 30 to 100 million bison roamed the Great Plains before 1800. But by the 1980s, fewer than 1,000 remained. Many were slaughtered by the U.S. government in an organized effort to destroy the livelihood of Plain Indians.
nationalzoo.si.edu
Wood bisons are actually the largest land animal that can be found in Canada. They have a tendency to live in boreal and aspen forests and can be found in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Northwest Territories.
The cost: 15$ per adult and 10$ for children (4-12)
Location: 11 chemin du Lac de l’Orignal, Val-des-Lacs, QC J0T 2P0
Ecomuseum Zoo (visit: 1h30)
Located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue lies the Ecomuseum Zoo. As I have said before, I am not a huge fan of zoos. However, this one is a little different.
Many of the animals arrived at this zoo due to a wound or abandonment and could have gone back into the wild but lacked the physical capacity to survive alone in nature again. The ecomuseum gives them a second home and life. These animals have become ambassadors of their species and play an active role in the zoo’s mission which is to educate and create environmental awareness.
Along the path which is easy to walk on and stroller-friendly, you’ll be admiring the most popular representatives of Quebec’s wildlife. It’s a very enjoyable walk amidst foxes, deers, wolves, lynx, and all kinds of birds.
Also, it’s fun to explore with young kids as the site isn’t super huge which makes it a bite-size walk for them. You don’t particularly need a stroller there if your children can walk.
Unsolicited advice: Try not to let your children scream around the animals as it really disturbs them and they then go into hiding.
The cost: 18,50$ per adult and 10,75$ for children (3-15). It’s a little cheaper during the winter to visit.
Location: 21125 chemin Ste-Marie, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3Y7
Ostrich farm (visit: 2h)
Last Summer, I visited the ostrich farm of Nid’Otruche, less than an hour away from Montreal.
The boutique is open all year long and I recommend trying an Ostrich tartare with their meat sold there.
From May to September (approximately), the farm is open to the public. There you’ll see from babies to adult Ostrichs and learn all about this animal. It’s actually pretty wild and you can read all about my visit there HERE.
Have you heard of any other places where to see and visit animals near Montreal? Drop a comment below.
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