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Nature Centers

Montreal also offers centers for those interste in plants, animals, rocks... in short, those interested in nature. Visit the Botanical Garden, the Insectarium or the Biodome, which are places kids usually love.

Montreal also offers centers for those interste in plants, animals, rocks... in short, those interested in nature. Visit the Botanical Garden, the Insectarium or the Biodome, which are places kids usually love.

Botanical Garden

The Jardin Botanique de Montréal happily resides in one of the most lush areas of North America. It was founded in 1936 by one of Canada's premier botanists, Frère Marie-Victorin and houses over 100,000 specimens representing 20,000 species. Second in size only to Kew Gardens in London, it is easily a rival for New York's famed institutions.

There are nine public greenhouses and over 20 others that house research and maintenance plants from the world over. There are here some of the rarest medicinal herbs in the world, lovingly cared for by the Jardin's gardeners. Associated with The Botanical Institute of the University of Montreal, it has the expertise and interest that has helped create one of the world's finest botanical treasures.

Those specimens sit contentedly in a rock garden, a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden and many other attractions. There is a collection of alpine plants, orchids and a large variety of other flowers. Few botanical gardens can boast such a wide assortment of species from so many climate zones.

The Chinese Garden is one of the site's proudest displays. It is reported to be the largest outside of Asia and holds hundreds of native species of that continent, such as the well-known penjing. Its winding paths and artificial mountain are the epitome of the Chinese style.

Nearby is the Japanese Garden with its renowned bonsai collection. Here you can see miniaturized, but not dwarf, species of all kinds. Bonsai are not genetically modified, but trimmed, pruned and groomed to retain their small size. Miniature plum, pine and windswept species of many types are here. Visit the tearoom when you've finished and enjoy a Japanese Tea Ceremony.

The Jardin also has an area

Botanical Garden

The Jardin Botanique de Montréal happily resides in one of the most lush areas of North America. It was founded in 1936 by one of Canada's premier botanists, Frère Marie-Victorin and houses over 100,000 specimens representing 20,000 species. Second in size only to Kew Gardens in London, it is easily a rival for New York's famed institutions.

There are nine public greenhouses and over 20 others that house research and maintenance plants from the world over. There are here some of the rarest medicinal herbs in the world, lovingly cared for by the Jardin's gardeners. Associated with The Botanical Institute of the University of Montreal, it has the expertise and interest that has helped create one of the world's finest botanical treasures.

Those specimens sit contentedly in a rock garden, a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden and many other attractions. There is a collection of alpine plants, orchids and a large variety of other flowers. Few botanical gardens can boast such a wide assortment of species from so many climate zones.

The Chinese Garden is one of the site's proudest displays. It is reported to be the largest outside of Asia and holds hundreds of native species of that continent, such as the well-known penjing. Its winding paths and artificial mountain are the epitome of the Chinese style.

Nearby is the Japanese Garden with its renowned bonsai collection. Here you can see miniaturized, but not dwarf, species of all kinds. Bonsai are not genetically modified, but trimmed, pruned and groomed to retain their small size. Miniature plum, pine and windswept species of many types are here. Visit the tearoom when you've finished and enjoy a Japanese Tea Ceremony.

The Jardin also has an area that holds plants of a kind that might be found in the Sonoran desert. Cacti and succulents even bloom here, despite the variable cold and hot weather for which Quebec is famous.

At the west end of the city, the Jardin offers a relaxing arboretum, featuring willows and chestnuts, along with dozens of other tree species. Not far away is the famed Medicinal Plant Garden where species that have supplied cures since the Middle Ages can be seen.

Emulating a garden that might easily have been found in a monastery, you can hear about the most modern science used to care for them. Ask one of the friendly tour guides all about which of the herbs can help.

Along with the delightful plants there are waterfalls that mist the air, which will be appreciated on one of those typical hot Montreal summer days. One of the best times to visit is mid-August when many of the plants are at their most active. Visitors can sit and enjoy the smell of the orchids while they relax before continuing.

Located at 4101 Sherbrooke Street East, the Jardin Botanique is easy to reach via the Metro (Montreal's subway). Just exit at the Pie-IX station.

Insectarium

The Insectarium de Montréal, is one of the foremost collections of insects in the world. Possibly the largest in North America, there may be some larger, such as that in New York. But there are none finer. Opened in February, 1990 over 400,000 visitors per year come to be amazed at the collections.

There are six separate geographically themed areas, but any of them offers astounding sights.

Whether you see the Afrotropical's Goliath Beetle or Tailess Whip Scorpion, or the Oriental Zone's Ornamental Black and White Tarantula, there's a crawling creature to amuse and astound.

Don't miss out on the Neotropical Zone where they keep the Jamaican Walking Stick, the Brazilian Tarantula and the Hercules and Elephant beetles, either. There's even a Fishing Spider in the Aquarium, not far from the Toe Biter.

The Insectarium has a more-or-less standard mounted collection. Standard, but not ordinary. Filled with thousands of species of wasp, beetle, butterfly and species with only Latin names, it will enchant visitors for hours. There are butterflies of all description and giant walking sticks, iridescent beetles and dozens of furry spiders.

Even more amazing is the outstanding moving exhibition, filled with live species. There's a transparent beehive that allows viewers to see the busy creatures at work. Not to be outdone, the nearby anthill shows the bees what construction is all about.

Among the many exhibits, visitors can find out how to avoid getting stung by wasps and bees as they learn about the animals lifestyles.

Come watch the Monarch butterflies get tagged at the beginning of their migration to Mexico. Find out how insects survive forest fires and what they do to restore the forest. Come check out the Egyptian scarabs of the type that ate people in the film The Mummy. Come in winter and sign up for the Insect Tasting (Croque-Insectes) event.

There are regular tours in English and French, but most will simply want to wander among the many mounted exhibitions and vivariums. Here they'll find over a hundred huge live arthropods and dead tiny exoskeletal wonders. Whether amateur entomologist or professional tourist, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Located at 4581 Sherbrooke Street East, not far from the Pie-IX metro station (Montreal's subway), you can exit at Viau as well.

The Biodome

The Montreal Biodome is one of the most unusual tourist attractions in the world. Originally built in 1976 to house Olympic Games events, it has evolved into a showcase of ecosystems as they might be. The Biodome holds four such areas, representing different ecosystems of the Americas.

The Tropical Forest

In the tropical forest section visitors can walk through a replica of a South American rainforest. Here one can find hundreds of plant species as they exist in those dense jungles. Macaws and marmosets play among the trees, as you sweat out the high humidity. Tamarins laugh at you while you feel as if you're in the real thing.

The Laurentian Forest

A replica of a North American wilderness, this section holds dozens of trees, brush and other flora from the area. Here you can see how the changes in Fall affect the more than 200 species of animals amid 4,000 trees and plants. Come see the changing colors in Autumn, then visit in the Spring to observe all the new growth and activity.

The Saint Lawrence Marine Ecosystem

Modeled on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, walking through this area provides an encapsulated view of the terrain of which Montreal itself is a part. The cool breeze is just what you would expect when looking out over the river, and the plants are all authentic and appropriate.

Polar Areas

Representing both the north Arctic and the south Antarctic areas, the Polar ecosystem shows lifelike displays of the conditions at those extreme points of the planet. Polar World contains puffins and penguins gathered from zoos all over the world.

All the sections are maintained at the proper temperature and humidity to suit the individual ecosystem they model. Since the exhibits feature living species, they are ever-changing. Come back two years later and you'll see quite a different view.

In every case, the tours are self-guided but there are lots of sources of information to add to the visitor's enjoyment. An inexpensive audio guide is available that will fill you in on all the nooks and crannies that form each of the unique systems. Discussions of flora and fauna (plants and animals) really bring the place to life.

There are knowledgeable staff throughout the facility who can answer any questions the sights or guide might bring to mind. At the Info-Ecosphere desk, friendly staff are pleased to hand out literature, provide information about the ecosystems within and chat about what you've seen. Staff are easily recognizable by the pith helmets they wear.

Supplies and gifts are available at the shop. After the visit, enjoy the restaurant or cafeteria while the kids play in the Naturalia game room.

that holds plants of a kind that might be found in the Sonoran desert. Cacti and succulents even bloom here, despite the variable cold and hot weather for which Quebec is famous.

At the west end of the city, the Jardin offers a relaxing arboretum, featuring willows and chestnuts, along with dozens of other tree species. Not far away is the famed Medicinal Plant Garden where species that have supplied cures since the Middle Ages can be seen.

Emulating a garden that might easily have been found in a monastery, you can hear about the most modern science used to care for them. Ask one of the friendly tour guides all about which of the herbs can help.

Along with the delightful plants there are waterfalls that mist the air, which will be appreciated on one of those typical hot Montreal summer days. One of the best times to visit is mid-August when many of the plants are at their most active. Visitors can sit and enjoy the smell of the orchids while they relax before continuing.

Located at 4101 Sherbrooke Street East, the Jardin Botanique is easy to reach via the Metro (Montreal's subway). Just exit at the Pie-IX station.

Go on reading or get back to the top of the page.

Insectarium

The Insectarium de Montréal, is one of the foremost collections of insects in the world. Possibly the largest in North America, there may be some larger, such as that in New York. But there are none finer. Opened in February, 1990 over 400,000 visitors per year come to be amazed at the collections.

There are six separate geographically themed areas, but any of them offers astounding sights.

Whether you see the Afrotropical's Goliath Beetle or Tailess Whip Scorpion, or the Oriental Zone's Ornamental Black and White Tarantula, there's a crawling creature to amuse and astound.

Don't miss out on the Neotropical Zone where they keep the Jamaican Walking Stick, the Brazilian Tarantula and the Hercules and Elephant beetles, either. There's even a Fishing Spider in the Aquarium, not far from the Toe Biter.

The Insectarium has a more-or-less standard mounted collection. Standard, but not ordinary. Filled with thousands of species of wasp, beetle, butterfly and species with only Latin names, it will enchant visitors for hours. There are butterflies of all description and giant walking sticks, iridescent beetles and dozens of furry spiders.

Even more amazing is the outstanding moving exhibition, filled with live species. There's a transparent beehive that allows viewers to see the busy creatures at work. Not to be outdone, the nearby anthill shows the bees what construction is all about.

Among the many exhibits, visitors can find out how to avoid getting stung by wasps and bees as they learn about the animals lifestyles.

Come watch the Monarch butterflies get tagged at the beginning of their migration to Mexico. Find out how insects survive forest fires and what they do to restore the forest. Come check out the Egyptian scarabs of the type that ate people in the film The Mummy. Come in winter and sign up for the Insect Tasting (Croque-Insectes) event.

There are regular tours in English and French, but most will simply want to wander among the many mounted exhibitions and vivariums. Here they'll find over a hundred huge live arthropods and dead tiny exoskeletal wonders. Whether amateur entomologist or professional tourist, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Located at 4581 Sherbrooke Street East, not far from the Pie-IX metro station (Montreal's subway), you can exit at Viau as well.

Go on reading or get back to the top of the page.

The Biodome

The Montreal Biodome is one of the most unusual tourist attractions in the world. Originally built in 1976 to house Olympic Games events, it has evolved into a showcase of ecosystems as they might be. The Biodome holds four such areas, representing different ecosystems of the Americas.

The Tropical Forest

In the tropical forest section visitors can walk through a replica of a South American rainforest. Here one can find hundreds of plant species as they exist in those dense jungles. Macaws and marmosets play among the trees, as you sweat out the high humidity. Tamarins laugh at you while you feel as if you're in the real thing.

The Laurentian Forest

A replica of a North American wilderness, this section holds dozens of trees, brush and other flora from the area. Here you can see how the changes in Fall affect the more than 200 species of animals amid 4,000 trees and plants. Come see the changing colors in Autumn, then visit in the Spring to observe all the new growth and activity.

The Saint Lawrence Marine Ecosystem

Modeled on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, walking through this area provides an encapsulated view of the terrain of which Montreal itself is a part. The cool breeze is just what you would expect when looking out over the river, and the plants are all authentic and appropriate.

Polar Areas

Representing both the north Arctic and the south Antarctic areas, the Polar ecosystem shows lifelike displays of the conditions at those extreme points of the planet. Polar World contains puffins and penguins gathered from zoos all over the world.

All the sections are maintained at the proper temperature and humidity to suit the individual ecosystem they model. Since the exhibits feature living species, they are ever-changing. Come back two years later and you'll see quite a different view.

In every case, the tours are self-guided but there are lots of sources of information to add to the visitor's enjoyment. An inexpensive audio guide is available that will fill you in on all the nooks and crannies that form each of the unique systems. Discussions of flora and fauna (plants and animals) really bring the place to life.

There are knowledgeable staff throughout the facility who can answer any questions the sights or guide might bring to mind. At the Info-Ecosphere desk, friendly staff are pleased to hand out literature, provide information about the ecosystems within and chat about what you've seen. Staff are easily recognizable by the pith helmets they wear.

Supplies and gifts are available at the shop. After the visit, enjoy the restaurant or cafeteria while the kids play in the Naturalia game room.