Montreal a perfect getaway for whole family

MONTREAL — We were looking for a fun, short family vacation, close enough to home that we could drive there, and far enough away that we could savor a bit of a different culture.

We decided to head for Montreal. I had visited once before and always wanted to go back. Our two oldest sons (a sixth grader and high school freshman) both learning French in school made it an easy decision, and our kindergartener was onboard too. So we packed, grabbed passports and drove north from New York. In a matter of hours we saw the “Bienvenue” sign at the border. Immigration was easy and soon we were at our hotel downtown with four days to enjoy the city.

Visiting Canada is especially affordable right now for U.S. residents, with $1 Canadian worth just 73 cents U.S. With all the delicious food, though — poutine and maple everything — I only wish I could have applied the same math to the calories.

A few highlights of our trip:

• THE BOTANICAL GARDEN AND INSECTARIUM: With its Chinese, Japanese and First Nation gardens, arboretum and greenhouses, the Botanical Garden is a popular stop. Even on a rainy day, you can visit creatures — alive and dead — at the Insectarium. The kids were grossed out but loved it.

• CHAGALL: COLOUR AND MUSIC: This remarkable show through June 11 at the Museum of Fine Arts focuses on Marc Chagall’s connection to music in his life and work, through 340 works of art that include paintings, works on paper, sculptures, ceramics, stained glass and tapestries. We were particularly fascinated by his work for the stage, including over 100 costumes, masks and sets for “The Magic Flute” and the ballets “Aleko,” “The Firebird” and “Daphnis and Chloe.”

• THE SCIENCE CENTER: A highlight for the kids. From working together to solve a crime at the “CSI: The Experience” exhibit (through Sept. 4) to hands-on activities at the permanent exhibitions and 3-D IMAX movies, the Science Center is a fun and cool place. Go early to make the most of it and then take the rest of the day to shop, stroll and eat in Old Montreal.

• OLD MONTREAL: Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal) is the oldest part of the city, with some remnants dating back to New France. It’s charming and full of life, with restaurants, shops, cafes and art galleries along the Rue de la Commune and beyond. A few places to visit are Place Jacques Cartier, in front of the Montreal City Hall, and Place d’Armes, surrounded by buildings that include the Notre-Dame basilica. (Recent flooding in Quebec did not affect Old Montreal or most other areas around the city frequented by tourists.)

• DINNER AND LIVE JAZZ: We had a memorable dinner at Jardin Nelson , located at Place Jacques Cartier, where we sat in a beautiful courtyard surrounded by old stone buildings listening to live jazz. The highlight of our delicious meal was an amazing dessert, a traditional Quebecois treat with vanilla ice cream and maple syrup called pouding chomeur.