Being an island gives Montreal an edge in the form of long promenades with the river on one side, and gardens, cafes, and a mix of old and new buildings on the other side.
Add the parks and squares where art displays and performances are a daily occurrence and you have a great backdrop for outdoor activities.
The icing on the cake? You’ll scream Holy cow, how did I end up in Europe? when you step on the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal.
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Here are the best things to do outside in Montreal.
Table of Contents
Visit the Montreal Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanique de Montréal)
10 football fields. That’s the approximate size of the gardens, located close to the facilities where the 1976 Olympics were held that catapulted Nadia Comaneci to fame. Plenty of space to spend an entire day outdoors, walking through manicured gardens and a large arboretum, or relaxing next to ponds many birds call home.
The greenhouse inside the main entrance building comprises a well-designed arrangement of orchids, bonsais, and exotic plants.
In the nearby Turkish Peace Garden (next to the restaurant), I fell in love with the Iznik tiles covering the pillars and partial walls, depicting floral motifs. Iznik tiles are produced in the Turkish city of the same name, following a centuries-old technique that was recently re-discovered.
If you visit in May, you’ll see the tulips bloom into an explosion of colour. Did you know that tulips originated in Turkey? My whole life I thought it was in the Netherlands.
May also brings the gift of the flowering crabapple bloom. We took a stroll through this wonderful collection, painting the landscape with shades of white, pink, and purple.
I had another Wow moment at the Japanese Garden. A serene space designed by a Japanese landscape architect, with paths looping around a pond. You’ll be delighted by the water features, trees, flower beds, and the pavilion hosting an exhibit and a collection of bonsai, some as old as 275 years.
You’ll discover other interesting displays including a Chinese garden, a planetarium, a huge insectarium full of creepy crawling creatures, and a Courtyard of the Senses where you are invited to smell and touch the plants.
Free guided tours are available at different daytimes.
Montreal Botanical Gardens
4101 Sherbrooke Street East ; The closest subway station is Pie-XI station
Open Tue. to Sun.: 9AM-5PM (planetarium hours vary); General admission: CAD$22 (gardens and insectarium, does not include the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium); Special discounts are available between February and April; Parking fee: CAD$12/day
Feel the European Flair in Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal)
You know you’ve arrived at this section of Montreal’s waterfront when the streets switch to cobblestone and you’re presented with an endless line up of art galleries, eateries, and bars. The architectural landscape will make you check your phone to make sure you didn’t accidentally cross an invisible portal only to have your atoms reassembled in Europe.
You’ll walk by quaint squares and parks where you’ll take part in cultural activities and feel the fun vibe and joie de vivre of Quebec.
This makes Old Montreal one of my top go-to places for exploring every nook and cranny, from Place Jacques Cartier to beyond Place d’Armes (where lies the impressive Notre-Dame Basilica), all the way down to the Parc Lineaire de la Commune, a green promenade following the St. Lawrence River, ideal for a scenic walk or a bicycle ride along the Old Port of Montreal.
The quays stretching into the water and Rue de la Commune, sitting parallel to the park, are home to museums, the Montreal Science Centre, boat excursions, cultural events, and a Cirque du Soleil big tent to see all their Can you believe they did that? acrobatics.
The closest subway stops are Place-d’Armes and Champ-de-Mars (Orange Line)
Walk along the Gardens of Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Mount Royal (Mont-Royal)
The Garden of the Way of the Cross is part of the St. Joseph oratory (Canada’s largest church), located at the top of Mount Royal (Mont-Royal).
Take the stairs next to the oratory to access the gardens where life-size statues, beautifully arranged among trees and flowers, depict passages of the Passion of the Christ. A walk along the winding path also unveils wonderful views of Montreal and the basilica exterior.
You may also want to visit the oratory and the on-site lookout, and see its imposing dome (higher than many famous churches around the world) or check the schedule of concerts.
3800 Chemin Queen-Mary, Montreal; The closest subway station is Cote-des-Neiges. For additional routes, visit www.stm.info/en
See Montreal from the Belvedere Camille-Houde Lookout
Driving down the mountain from St.Joseph oratory you can stop at this great vantage point to delight in an unobstructed view of Montreal and the St. Lawrence River. There’s an ample parking lot on-site, but it still may be hard to find a spot at popular times.
Explore the Trails at Mount-Royal Park (Parc Mont-Royal)
This is the Central Park of Montreal. Coincidentally, it was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect behind Central Park in New York City. It’s ideal for a long walk -or snowshoeing/cross-country-skiing-, with trails in flat and hilly areas, and a lake that becomes a skating rink during winter.
After a walk around Beaver Lake, I took it easy and watched Andre fly his kite. A good end of the day.
The closest subway stations are Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal.
Where to eat in Montreal
Jardin Nelson
The only downside about this place is that it’s closed during winter. Being semi-outdoors, you would freeze before April and beyond October. We found excellent food, live Jazz and a beautiful patio, right off Place Jacques Cartier (Old Montreal).
One of the best desserts I’ve ever had is their Pouding Chomeur, a Quebecois classic. I could write not only a poem about this dessert but an entire novel.
407 Place Jacques-Cartier
Maison Christian Faure
Not only your mouth will scream “Party!” when you try the scrumptious sweets, but your eyes too when you taste and see their artsy creations.
1225 Boulevard de Maisonneuve ouest (Downtown Montreal) and 355, Place Royale (Old Montreal)
Time to take a walk (or ride) to explore what Montreal has to offer? Choose any of the scenic walks you read about (or do them all) and surrender to the magic of Quebec’s largest city. While you’re here, plan a trip to the capital of Canada, only two hours away.
DON’T MISS THESE NEARBY DESTINATIONS
BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
