Family things to enjoy over the New Years weekend Dec. 30 2011 to Jan 3 2012?

Answered by Gregory B. Gallagher , Montreal, Canada

Montreal has a rich bounty of family activities to enjoy during the New Year's school break. Top of the list is atop Mount Royal, where depending upon snow and weather conditions, all ages can enjoy ice skating, tobogganing, nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, caleche rides, and family walks to the splendor of the Kondiaronk Lookout over the city and surrounding area.

Equally enjoyable can be the bevy of things to do in Vieux-Montreal along the waterfront, where winter fun is manifest in a wide variety of special activities, such as ice sculpting, dogsled races, ice skating, live music concerts, fireworks, and you have access to the wonders at the Montreal Science Centre, Pointe-à-Calliéres Museum of History and Archeology, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, plus local artisan shops and shopping at Bonsecours Market.

There's also the maze of shops, eateries, and sights in the Underground City, which extends under the core of the city for many miles, and which can be a delightful way to cover everyone's tastes and desires, especially if the weather is inclement.