We checked out Art of the Brick during its stop in Montreal, and it was honestly a fun surprise. Everything inside is made from LEGO bricks, and seeing everyday pieces turned into huge sculptures and colorful art was pretty cool. Our kids immediately connected with the animal displays and anything bright and playful, while we found ourselves staring at the details and thinking, how is this even possible with LEGO?
If you are trying to decide whether it is worth the visit, here is what the exhibit is all about and what to expect as a family.
1. What Is Art of the Brick?
Art of the Brick is a touring LEGO® art exhibition created by American artist Nathan Sawaya, who builds sculptures and full installations using nothing but LEGO bricks. The show has travelled to more than 20 countries and has been featured in major museums and galleries around the world.
About the artist: Nathan Sawaya actually started out as a lawyer before switching careers to become a full-time LEGO artist. His work often explores human emotions, personal stories and the idea that creativity can come from the simplest materials. Today he is one of the most famous LEGO artists, and many of his pieces have become modern pop culture favourites.
The cool part of this exhibit is how much emotion and movement he creates with tiny plastic bricks. You will find famous artworks re-made with LEGO, original sculptures you probably have seen on social media and fun pieces that kids will understand right away.
If you like creative art, building things or just want a different type of family activity in Montreal, this exhibit is a refreshing and inspiring stop.
2. Location, How to Get There and Ticket Prices
Art of the Brick Montreal is located at 312 Rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, QC H2X 2A1, right in the Quartier des Spectacles. It is easy to reach whether you are driving or taking the metro.
If you are driving, you will find several paid parking lots nearby. For public transit, the closest metro stations are:
- Saint-Laurent or Place-des-Arts on the Green Line
- Place-d’Armes on the Orange Line
The exhibit is fully indoors and stroller friendly, with wide pathways that make it easy for families to move around.
Ticket prices vary depending on age and whether you choose regular or VIP tickets. Here is a quick breakdown based on current pricing:
- Adult (18+): 24.90 CAD
- Child (4 to 12): 17.90 CAD
- Senior (65+), Student (18 to 25), Junior (13 to 17): 21.90 CAD
- VIP Adult: 34.90 CAD
- VIP Child (4 to 12): 27.90 CAD
- VIP Senior or Student: 31.90 CAD
A small reservation fee is added to each ticket. VIP tickets mainly offer skip-the-line access and a souvenir, but regular tickets work perfectly fine for most visitors.
3. What You Will See Inside
Once you walk in, the first thing you notice is how bright and colorful everything is. Every piece in the exhibit is made entirely from LEGO bricks, and some of them use thousands of pieces that you would never guess came from a simple toy. You will find a mix of well known works and original creations. One of the most famous pieces is the bright yellow sculpture of a figure opening its chest. It is probably the one you have seen online. There are also LEGO versions of classic paintings like the Mona Lisa and The Scream, which are fun to see up close because you can spot all the tiny brick patterns.
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Families will appreciate the animal section. Our kids immediately connected with the animals and anything large and colorful. These are the pieces that feel the most lively and easy for younger children to understand. There are also interactive or photo friendly spots where you can take pictures with some of the larger sculptures. The lighting is well done and the rooms are spacious, so you never feel rushed or crowded.
Overall, the exhibit is a mix of creativity, color and impressive techniques. Even if you have seen photos before, seeing the pieces in person gives you a much better sense of the detail and the time that went into each one.
4. Our Experience as a Family
We went in without huge expectations, and we ended up enjoying it more than we thought. The first rooms are calm and feel a bit like a regular art gallery, but once you move further in, the sculptures get bigger, brighter and more playful. That is when our kids really got excited.
They liked anything they could recognize right away, especially the animals and the colorful human figures. Some of the more artistic pieces were less interesting for them, but that is normal. The adults in our group spent more time looking at the details, while the kids moved quicker from one piece to the next.
Crowds were manageable during our visit, and there was enough space to walk around without feeling stuck. The layout is open and easy to follow, which helps when you have young kids. We stayed for a little under two hours, which felt like the right amount of time for a family visit.
Overall, it was a relaxed experience. Not overwhelming, not too long and visually interesting for both adults and kids. It felt like a good balance between a fun outing and something a bit cultural for the children.
5. Tips for Visiting Art of the Brick Expo Montreal
Here are a few things that will make your visit smoother and more enjoyable, especially if you are going with kids.
- Arrive a few minutes before your time slot: Tickets are sold by time slot, and the staff lets people in gradually. Arriving a little early keeps everything relaxed and gives you time to get organized before entering.
- Plan for about one to two hours: Most families spend around this amount of time inside. You can move at your own pace, and there is no rush once you are in.
- Strollers are allowed: The paths are wide and flat, so it is easy to navigate with a stroller. This is helpful if you have young children who might get tired of walking.
- Backpacks may need to be checked: Large bags or bulky backpacks are usually not allowed in the exhibit space. If you can, travel light.
- Food and drinks are not permitted inside: There are no snacks or drinks allowed in the exhibit, so eat beforehand or plan to stop at a café nearby after your visit.
- Photography is allowed: You can take photos inside, including with the sculptures. Just avoid flash if the staff asks, and be mindful of other visitors.
- Re-entry is not permitted: Once you leave the exhibit area, you cannot go back in, so make sure everyone uses the washroom beforehand.
- Weekday visits are quieter: If you want fewer people around, weekdays and earlier time slots tend to be calmer.
6. Is It Worth It? Our Honest Verdict
We enjoyed the visit and the kids had fun, but we felt the overall experience was a bit overpriced for a family of four. The ticket price alone already adds up quickly, and once you include parking, food and small extras, the total cost can easily go over two hundred dollars for a simple outing.
The exhibit itself is interesting and visually impressive, but it is not very long. Most families will spend between one and two hours inside, and while the sculptures are beautiful, the experience did not feel like a full half day activity. For the price, we expected something a little more immersive or interactive.
At the end of the visit, the kids can play in a LEGO area, which they enjoyed. You also have the option to buy the creations they build, but the price is around thirty dollars per pound. Many of the bricks were visibly worn or a bit dirty, so paying that much felt hard to justify.
Overall, it was a nice family activity and we are glad we went, but the value depends on your expectations. If you love LEGO or want a colourful, creative outing in the city, you will appreciate it. If you are looking for a full afternoon activity or something more budget friendly, this may feel expensive for what you get.
For more information, and to purchase your timed tickets, visit: https://theartofthebrickexpo.com/montreal/
Beaver Curious
If there’s a quirky museum, a hidden alley, or a local legend, you’ll find me nose-deep in the details. Every destination is a treasure map, and I’m here to discover every secret, snack, and story. Curiosity isn’t just a trait, it’s my travel compass!
