Atwater Market

Atwater Market is Montreal's other beloved public market, and while it is smaller than Jean-Talon, many families actually prefer it for that very reason. Located in an iconic Art Deco building in the Saint-Henri neighborhood, right beside the Lachine Canal, Atwater offers a more intimate market experience that works beautifully with young kids.

The market has operated since 1933 and is home to some of Montreal's finest food purveyors. Inside the main building, you will find award-winning bakeries (Première Moisson is a local legend for pastries and bread), specialty butchers, cheese shops, and prepared food vendors. The outdoor section, open from spring through fall, features flower vendors and fresh produce from Quebec farms — the spring flower displays are stunning, and summer brings berries, corn, and heirloom tomatoes.

What sets Atwater apart for families is its location on the Lachine Canal. The canal's flat, paved multiuse path starts right outside the market entrance, making it incredibly easy to combine a market visit with a family walk or bike ride. The path stretches for kilometres in both directions, passing through parks, past historic locks, and alongside the water.

For families with young cyclists or kids in strollers, it is one of the best flat paths in Montreal.

The market experience is also very kid-friendly. The aisles are wider than Jean-Talon's, making stroller navigation easier. The food vendors are generous with samples, and kids love watching the butchers work and pointing at the enormous wheels of cheese in the fromagerie displays.

Assembling a market picnic — baguette, cheese, fruit, and pastries — and eating it on a bench along the canal is a quintessential Montreal family experience.

Seasonal highlights include the sugar season in early April when vendors feature maple syrup treats and sugar shack dishes, and the Montreal Christmas Village in late November through December with eco-friendly crafts and free family activities.

Getting there is easy — Lionel-Groulx metro station is a short walk. There is paid parking on site with the first 15 minutes free. The market is fully accessible and stroller-friendly throughout.