City: Montreal
Top Things to do in Montreal
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Montreal, Canada
Montreal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, and is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the cobblestone streets and grand buildings of Vieux-Montréal will give you a taste of European flavor. The Basilique Notre-Dame is a confection of stained glass, and the Plateau Mont-Royal district will delight you with its quaint boutiques and cafés. Dig in to a massive plate of poutine to fuel up for a tour of the epic Olympic Park.
Restaurants in Montreal
1. Japanese Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 359 reviews
Part of Montreal's huge Botantical Garden, this specialized 15-acre section includes a tearoom, an art gallery and a Zen Garden.
Reviewed By DeirdreO288
This is a lovely part of the Botanical Gardens but the most interesting part about the Japenese Gardens are the bonsai trees, they range in age from 25 years to 300 years old and are a sight to behold, it gives you the background behind growing / training them also.
2. La Fontaine Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
This downtown park has a mixture of French and English design as well as a lake used for ice-skating during the winter.
Reviewed By jenniferbmtl - Montreal, Canada
Designed by the same guy who did New Yorks Central Park, this park is full of well-planed zones, the perfect ratio of grass to mature trees for shade, water features and sports fields. As soon as the first bud emerges on the trees, the park begins to swell with jugglers, musicians, picnickers, joggers, cyclists, families, friends, hammock-nappers, slack-liners, circus performers, yoga groups, birthday parties, bbq's meetups and more. It's a fantastic place to pause and enjoy the day, people watch, feed the ducks, maybe smoke a joint or share a bottle of wine with friends, whatever you do to enjoy summer this is the place to do it. No matter how many people are there, there always seems to be a free place to sit and soak in some sun or rest in the shade - it's so great to see a public space taken advantage of so well. Plus there seems to be a great symbiosis of people who collect bottles and cans for the deposit $ so the park is pretty immaculate too. There is a good level of respect for the park, and everyone seems to enjoy doing activities in their appropriate zone ( theres a more athletic section for baseball, tennis, basketball etc and a more loungey / picnic/ hippie area , and lots of big open spaces for kids to run around safely, there's also a designated dog park area if you want to let your pup off the leash without getting into other peoples lunches - though plenty of people have pets at their picnics, just depends on your dog and what you are there for).
3. Ile-de-la-Visitation Nature Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
This nature preserve is popular among birdwatchers.
Reviewed By Cannuckk - Langley, Canada
We were looking for an easy place to walk our dog in a scenic and peaceful environment close to our vacation rental in North Montreal. The river side location is ideal; the party seemed clean and well maintained ( watch out for poison ivy at the edges of the walking paths though). There were ruins of some 200 year olds industrial works to look at, and a pleasant cafe in the park to enjoy a drink. There was pay parking available, but when we went there was free street parking easily obtainable nearby. Highly recommended.
4. Bois-de-Liesse Nature Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
This nature preserve offers visitors a peaceful look at local plants and wildlife.
Reviewed By G9653VTdanielz
If you are looking for a short drive out of the city to a country trail, this is definately the place to go. Beautiful trails in a forest that is surrounded by a city. It's very peaceful and you feel like you are deep in the forest. There is a water stream and a wooden bridge that crooses over. I went on a very hot day but the temperature was quite nice at it is mostly in the shade with trails tunneling through the forest. Some of it goes through some open areas as you aproach the river to the north. Very pleasant except there are parts that are under construction for repair.
5. Mount Royal Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,495 reviews
Inaugurated in 1876, the Mount Royal Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the highly skilled designer behind New York's Central Park. It is an ideal site for admiring a wide variety of plants and birds or for enjoying outdoor activities. Les amis de la montagne offer a variety of services and activities that provide wonderful opportunities to discover the beauty and wealth of resources that the park has to offer, including the new permanent exhibition at the Maison Smith and interactive terminals and map.
Reviewed By M1386KBmikes - Montreal, Canada
As a Montreal Native, it is my 'Go to' place to Hike, Bike, Snowshoe and just be active and be a part of this great city Approach it my car or walk up via staircase or Bridal path to the top for great city views And if you would like a personal guide... please contact me to see if I'm available [email protected]
6. Parc de la Promenade Bellerive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
This park serves as the departure point for many boating activities on the St. Lawrence, and is an ideal spot for a variety of outdoor activities.
7. Old Port of Montreal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,803 reviews
The Old Port of Montreal is one of the most popular tourist attraction in the country with more than 50 activities and 6 millions visitors every year!
Reviewed By NadaSBA - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
You can enjoy a long, nice walk at the old port in summer; sharing the experience with the crowd, bikes, kids..etc You can also have a seat and get a bite, while enjoying the scene. In winter it is a must visit on new year evening and watch the fire works
8. Montreal Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,406 reviews
Along with the Biodome (closed for renovations until spring 2020) , the Insectarium and the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, the Botanical Garden is part of the Montreal Space for Life, Canada's largest natural museum science complex and Montreal's top must see attraction.The Montreal Botanical Garden, one of the city's jewels, is recognized as one of the world's greatest botanical gardens. It offers a colourful program of events, exhibitions and activities all year long.With its collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, Frederic Back Tree House, and more than 20 thematic gardens spread out over 75 hectares, it's also a perfect place to enjoy fresh air and natural beauty. Located just minutes from downtown Montreal, right near the Biodome and Olympic Park, the Montreal Botanical Garden is a living museum of plants from all over the world. You can also enjoy the Insectarium which is on the Garden's site. Have a great visit!
Reviewed By 391mireillek - Montreal, Canada
When in Montreal, do not miss the botanical garden. It is magnificent year round and very special in the month of October with the chinese lantern festivsl in the chinese garden and the light show in the japanese garden. Reserve online!
9. Parc de Dieppe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
10. Lieu Historique National du Canal-de-Lachine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 630 reviews
No longer used as a means of transportation, this canal now serves as a recreation area with hiking and biking trails.
Reviewed By 993dagmarg - Shelburne, United States
A wonderful place to run, cycle, walk or even picnic. Water levels rise in the summer to allow for boating and kayaking/canoeing. Can be quite busy summer weekends. See my pictures from different times of the year.
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