Pointe-à-Callière Museum

Pointe-à-Callière is not your typical history museum, and that is exactly why families love it. Built directly on top of the archaeological remains of Montreal's founding site, this museum lets visitors walk through underground ruins, explore centuries-old foundations, and experience the city's origin story in a way that feels more like an adventure than a lesson.

The museum occupies several connected buildings in Old Montreal, linked by underground tunnels that pass through actual archaeological sites. The experience begins with a multimedia show projected onto the ruins themselves — a clever presentation that brings the story of Montreal's 1642 founding to life. From there, visitors descend into the underground galleries, where they walk among original stone foundations, ancient sewer systems, and artifacts that have been carefully preserved in place.

For kids, the underground sections are the highlight. The tunnels are atmospheric and slightly mysterious, with dramatic lighting that makes the old stones feel alive with history. Kids love the sense of discovery — feeling like they are exploring a hidden world beneath the modern city streets.

The Archaeo-Adventure workshop takes the experience to another level and is strongly recommended for families. In this hands-on program, kids participate in a simulated archaeological dig using real excavation tools and techniques. They uncover buried objects, then move to a recreated archaeologist's tent and laboratory to analyze their finds.

It is structured enough to be educational but open-ended enough to feel like play. Kids come away with a genuine understanding of what archaeologists do and why it matters.

The museum's rotating exhibitions are consistently excellent, often focusing on the history of Montreal and the great civilizations of the world. Past exhibitions have covered everything from ancient Egypt to the history of the St. Lawrence River, always with an emphasis on making the content accessible and engaging for younger visitors.

Practically, Pointe-à-Callière is ideally located in Old Montreal, steps from the Old Port, Place Jacques-Cartier, and Notre-Dame Basilica. The Place-d'Armes metro station is a 5-minute walk. The museum has a restaurant with river views, a gift shop, and is fully accessible. Budget about 2-3 hours for a thorough visit, more if you do the workshop.