Less than an hour from the upstate New York and Vermont border crossings, Montreal is one of Canada's most cosmopolitan cities. Set on an island, almost every view leads to water. The Old Montreal section of town, with cobblestone streets winding to small boutiques and cozy French restaurants is partially on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. But you'll also want to check out the other fun neighborhoods, like the Plateau, known for its eclectic mix of food, and Montreal’s east side, home to The Botanical Gardens and the Biodome.

Truth be told, Montreal is a wonderful city for families. It's not only a great walking town, but many sites are catered to kids. Take the Insectarium, for example, located in the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Kids get to see bees fly in and out of tubes as they collect pollen for their hive, understand how the architect Gaudi was inspired by termite hills to create his unique buildings in Barcelona, and see all kinds of creepy, crawlies like tarantulas, a praying mantis, and the far too large flying goliath beetle, which thankfully lives somewhere in Cameroon.

In that same Botanical Garden, there's a small area called The Courtyard of the Senses, where folks get to smell and taste many different plants. Across the street, the Biodome is, in actuality, a zoo. You walk in a circular fashion through four different temperate zones to see many of the animals that live in each particular climate. Old Montreal leads to the Labyrinthe, a whimsical maze inside a former warehouse. You can also rent bikes and ride along the Lachine Canal, stopping for a French lunch of baguette, cheeses, pates, and fruit at the Marche Atwater, a large farmer's market. There's even an amusement park, La Ronde, a member of Six Flags.

Stay in the center of the city, a short walk from Old Montreal, at Square Phillips Hotel & Suites. Housed in a historic building, the hotel features spacious rooms, complimentary breakfast every morning in a private lounge, and an indoor rooftop pool and sundeck with views of the city.

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