This Notre Dame is has no relation to the one in Paris, it simply means “our lady”. One of the many things you will learn on the tour. This church is as stunning inside as it is out. It certainly is magical. My son commented upon entering “Whoa, Mom, doesn’t it remind you of the Magic Kingdom?”

I felt the twenty minute guided tour was worth the money ($5/adult, $4/kids CAD). The church was founded in 1642 and it's history is entwined with that of Montreal. So in learning about the Basilica and the Parish, we also learned a bit about Montreal. Our family found the organ the most fascinating with its 7000 pipes and 4 keyboards! We were lucky enough to hear it, as they were practicing for Easter Mass on the day we visited.

We have always been drawn to staying in Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal), however we tried a stay at the newly renovated Hotel Omni Mont-Royal Montreal. This property is perfectly situated on Sherbrooke Street West just two blocks from Mont-Royal Park, around the corner from shopping on Saint Catherine Street, and just short walk to Crescent Street home to many popular restaurants and pubs. Montrealers refer to this neighborhood as the Golden Square Mile, and now I know why.

The Omni has many accommodations to choose from. My husband and two children (ages 11 and 13) fit very comfortably in our deluxe room. We had two double beds, a nice sitting area with two contemporary chairs and one large credenza that served as the desk, dresser and hid the bar fridge and coffee maker. This left the room feeling clean, or as clean as it can be with a family of four sharing space. As a Mom, I appreciated the little touches like the lighting. Not only was there a lot of it, but all of the lamps were on dimmers. A nicety when you’ve got kids in the room. Plus there clock radio serves as a docking station. Our family can’t seem to have enough places to plug-in and recharge.

You might consider upgrading to an Executive Suite. This layout has ample space for a family that likes to spread out or if some in your party go to bed a bit earlier. At a little over 500 square feet, this suite offers parents two rooms that are separated by french doors. In the bedroom there is a king bed and in the living space there is a pullout couch. Plus, there are two full bathrooms!

Things to know about the Omni

- Kids receive milk and cookies delivered to their guest room on the first night! A nice treat as part of the Omni Sensational Kids Program.

- Wi-fi is only complimentary for Select Guest® loyalty program Members. However it is free to join and you get lots of other perks!

- The concierge service at this hotel is fantastic! They really know their stuff. They offer discounted tickets on lots of popular attractions like the Botanical Gardens and Skating at the Atrium. They are very knowledgeable about area restaurants as well. Be sure to stop by and ask for advice before you head out. Not only will you will save yourself time, but money as well.

- There is a heated outdoor pool. However it is operated seasonally from Mid May – Mid October.

I have been to the Biodôme now with my children several times. I have to say as they get older, I/they really appreciate it so much more. On one trip, I was there for the day with my daughter's second grade class for a field trip. There were so many "oohhs" and "ahhhs" as we went from each ecosystem to the next. It was wonderful to be able to see porcupines, monkeys, lynx, sloths, bats, and macaws up-close and personal. The signage explaining the animals and their habitats are great (if the kids will stop long enough for you to read it!). There are plenty of guides walking around too in case you have a question.

At the end of your trip through the Biodôme, in the Antarctic ecosystem, you will find four different species of Penguins. They are simply amazing and adorable. The display is half land, half water so kids can put their face right up to the glass and see them swimming under water which is really cool.

Some things to keep in mind. The climates go from warm (jungle like) to cool (like the antarctic) so you really need to dress in layers. You can easily push a stroller through the whole thing there are ramps everywhere. There is no food/snacks/drinks allowed inside the ecosytems, but there is a cafe and plenty of picnic tables outside should you bring your own lunch. Downstairs there is coat room where you can leave things you don't want to carry.

The Biodome is located outside of downtown/old town Montreal. It is an easy metro ride though or if you want to drive you will find plenty of parking.

This museum is actually built right on top of an archeological site! We started our visit with an 18 minute multimedia presentation of the complete history of Montreal from the birth of the city right up to present day. Don’t miss this. Not only does the theatre have a 270º screen, but the floor overlooks archeological remains that become part of the presentation.

After that you are free to walk through the museum on your own or, if you time it right, take a guided tour. My tweens found that spending just about 2 hours here was enough for them. I am not sure I would recommend this museum for anyone younger unless they are real history buffs as we didn't find any real hands-on activities. Although, check the "family" section of their web site before you go as they do offer events.

Located in the center of the city, and adjacent to Little Italy, you will find one of the best open air, public markets in North America. The beauty of the Jean Talon Market lies in the fact that not only does it offer one-stop shopping for the most beautiful fruits, vegetables, meats, syrups, oils, flowers, jams, and more, but the surrounding streets have so many more little boutiques shops that you could spend all day sampling and eating.

Treat yourself to breakfast at Premiere Moison with the most delicious croissants I have ever had. Then make sure to check out Marché Des Saveurs which stocks only products produced in Quebec. Take your kids. Let them try things and get a real taste for the city they are visiting.