Imagine a group of children playing on the playground, faces beaming with joy as they swing, flip, and defy gravity. Similarly, on our stage, we transport our audience to a world of fantasy and adventure, where anything is possible.
When looking for fun things to do in Montreal, these parks are excellent options for the whole family. Each park offers a unique experience that includes letting your children run wild and free and finding a peaceful retreat for meditation or solitude.
Plateau-Mont-Royal
The parks in Plateau-Mont-Royal offer a year-round sensory experience. These stunning options offer everything from summer playgrounds and swim spots to ice-skating rinks in the winter.
Parc La Fontaine
Parc La Fontaine offers nearly 100 acres of green space. It's been a local hub since 1845 and is a favorite among locals who want to escape the city for the day.
Stroll along ponds that transform into ice-skating rinks when the seasons change, or settle down for a quiet picnic in the sun. If outdoor sports are your style, pack some tennis balls and rackets or bring a bike to explore the verdant trees.
Families and couples looking for peace and quiet flock here, especially in the summer when Théâtre de Verdure arrives to put on evening shows for the general public.
Parc Jeanne-Mance
Parc Jeanne-Mance has children and adults jumping for joy for different reasons.
Children adore the massive playground within sprawling sandboxes.There is so much to do here. They can play, with vertical xylophones and other musical structures amid the slides and climbing structures.
Adults find beauty in the serene trails and entertainment in the sports opportunities. It’s a central hub for people wanting to play baseball or beach volleyball and those looking for shaded, dog-friendly trails.
As winter rolls around, two ice rinks open, one for skating and the other for hockey. Glide across the ice as gracefully as possible, and when you need to warm up, pop into the nearby heated trailer.
Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier
At Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, both the summer and winter are a blast. The free swimming and wading pools on the park's south side steal the show in the summer. The soccer and baseball fields are a close second. In the winter, skating reigns supreme.
If you need to borrow equipment for the fields or a pair of skates, head over to the Welcome Centre for rentals. The calendar includes activities for all ages, such as workshops and storytime.
Within the park, you’ll come across an iconic statue of Queen Isabella of Castille, gifted to Montreal by the consul general of Spain in October 1959 to commemorate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas.
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Downtown
Downtown may be full of vast expanses of streets, but you can also find strategic green spaces and parks where you can soak up the sun.
Place du Canada
Escape the city’s skyscrapers and heritage buildings with a touch of natural serenity. Once known as Dominion Square, Place du Canada sits just south of Dorchester Square.
Although this urban park lacks a playground and places for sports, it’s a favorite lunch spot for workers in surrounding offices during warm weather seasons. During the summer months, it’s not uncommon to see food trucks lined up along the road.
Old Montreal
The parks in Old Montreal blend the historical with the modern. Here, nature and urban living don’t clash — they synergize.
Le Champ-de-Mars
Le Champ-de-Mars has some of Montreal's most stunning sights. The vast green space and the city’s distinctive skyline create a picturesque view.
And two lines of stone along the green grass whisper tales of history long gone but not forgotten. These are among the last remaining signs of a time when Montreal was a fortified town. Centuries ago, those stone lines were the edge of the city.
Parc linéaire du Réseau-Vert
Parc linéaire du Réseau-Vert offers a little strip of nature among the city streets. It’s not suitable for children, but adults looking for a collision of urban art and natural beauty love it.
Explore walls of street art and sculptures along a little garden next to the train tracks. Or,r head over to the outdoor exercise equipment to make it a part of your daily routine.
Saint-Henri
Saint-Henri is all about good food, great sights, and local history. Combine them by picking up takeout from a local restaurant and checking out this park for lunch.
Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier
Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier is a beautiful park with a serene green space where visitors can enjoy the outdoors while admiring the stunning fountain. Installed in 1912, this fountain rests at the heart of the park and is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Although it’s not currently running, the sculpture still stands. It features two cherubs fighting over a flute amid delicate bird and plant motifs. It’s definitely something worth seeing.
Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
If you’re familiar with this big city, it should come as no surprise that Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, or HoMa as we affectionately call it, offers some of the biggest and best parks in Montreal.
Parc Morgan
Parc Morgan is a true haven for families with children in Montreal. Endless adventures await them. Watch your little ones' imaginations come alive as they brave the castle-themed playground equipment and jungle gym area.
As the weather heats up, the splash pad sprays all who run through it, offering a cool reprieve from the summer sun. The gentle slopes on the land make for prime sledding in the winter months, drawing a lot of attention from nearby families. No matter the season, it’s a fun place to get outdoors for some air.
Parc Lalancette
The whimsy and cheer at Parc Lalancette is contagious. Smiling faces and shrieks of joy and laughter abound as children frolic among the playground equipment. Ample green space fills the park with sports fields and walking places.
The whole park has a lovely nature theme, and your children will feel like they’ve shrunk to bug size as they run through the splash pad in the summer. It’s hard not to feel that way when the spray equipment is designed like blades of grass with butterflies and other insects decorating it.
Parc Louis-Riel
At Parc Louis-Riel, children practically jump for joy as soon as they see the massive play structures. The park has opportunities to climb, run, skip, and slide to their hearts’ content in the center of a vast green space.
Older teens and adults often use the sports complex near the playgrounds. Soccer and tennis fields are popular here, as is biking. As a plus, it has an on-site public bike repair stand with all the tools you need for simple fixes.
Parc Maisonneuve
Right along the Botanical Gardens, Parc Maisonneuve features all sorts of things to do in Montreal.
If you’re not a local, you might be surprised to see roaming sheep wandering along the green space — but don’t be alarmed. They’re there to keep the grass short and manageable. They’re kept in a pen in the northwest part of the park when they're not grazing.
Near the sheep pen, you’ll find a garden and a henhouse, all part of a plan to educate visitors about biodiversity. From bird-watching opportunities to inline skating in the summer, activities abound at Parc Maisonneuve.
These sprawling green spaces are dotted with native trees and winding walking trails, which offer the perfect opportunity to move outdoors, especially with pets or kids in tow.
Not even snowy winters can rain on this lovely park’s parade. As snow and ice cover the ground, people make the best of it and seize the opportunity for snowshoeing and ice skating.
Botanical Garden
Montreal’s Botanical Garden is a part of “Space for Life,” with thousands of plant species across ten greenhouses and around 30 different gardens. It’s easy to get lost in the tranquillity and forget you’re standing in one of Canada’s biggest cities when you’re here, but that’s the whole point.
The main exhibition houses seasonal plants alongside a big indoor waterfall, making it a phenomenal way to get in your nature time, even when it’s cold outside. You can also delve into stunning cultural gardens and learn about the Chinese, Japanese, and First Nations through their traditional plants and gardening techniques.
While you're here, take some of the best-guided walking tours in Montreal.
Ahuntsic
Ahuntsic is a hidden gem in the northern part of Montreal, but it’s one you don’t want to miss. It features one of the city’s inclusive parks alongside many seasonal activities.
Parc Ahuntsic
At Parc Ahuntsic, children of all ages and abilities can join the action. This inclusive playground offers supportive swings, a wheelchair-accessible play gym, and a roundabout. Various slides built right into the hillside encourage children to get active and climb up the slope again—with the help of the ropes, of course.
The wading pool and play fountains are big hits in the summer, while winter promises amazing sledding opportunities. A skateboard park and stadium appeal to the older audience, as does an authorized graffiti wall, where budding artists can leave their mark in a public place for all to see.
Sault-au-Récollet
Montreal’s oldest part is also one of the best areas to explore when park hopping. Sault-au-Récolletis home to one of the finest nature parks in Montreal and is ripe with history.
Parc-nature de l'Île-de-la-Visitation
At Parc-nature de l'Île-de-la-Visitation, you can escape the bustle of the city at a beautiful park in Montreal. It's filled with seasonal activities, and it's right in the heart of the city.
Visitation Island Nature Park, as it is translated into English, is located on l'Île-de-la-Visitation and the mainland, giving it just enough distance from the city to make it an outdoor excursion.
Discover the historic windmill on-site between outdoor activities, such as fishing and bird-watching. Explore the old apple press, where villagers would pick apples in Montreal and make cider.
Hiking and biking trails are everywhere you look here. In the winter, it’s one of the best places in the city to go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or riding on a toboggan.
Hop on a miniature streetcar for a guided tour of everything this park offers. Of course, all this adventuring may work up an appetite. On-site, Le Bistro Des Moulins offers light refreshments on a terrace next to a stream.
Little Italy
Little Italy’s liveliness exudes as you walk its streets. If you’re tired, this park may be the reprieve you want.
Parc de la Petite-Italie
Parc de la Petite-Italie fits the bill for a snippet of nature after exploring Little Italy. It’s not much compared to the vast expanses of some larger parks in the city, but it’s a peaceful place to indulge in some of the area’s delicious foods and picnic style.
Sometimes, live events and performances occur in the gazebo in the park's center.
Chinatown
The historic Chinatown neighborhood has stood in Montreal since the 1800s and has grown better with age. This vibrant area is loaded with good food and a unique park.
Place Sun-Yat-Sen
Place Sun-Yat-Sen brings a snippet of China to Montreal. It’s a different kind of park, and while you won’t find grass fields, you'll get a taste of history and culture.
It first opened in 1988 but was later redesigned by eight craftsmen from Shanghai, bringing their traditional architecture, methods, and materials with them. During the day, it buzzes with artists and street musicians, especially during Chinese festivals.
LaSalle
LaSalle has roots in agriculture, but it's now known for its rich community, including a park that allows everyone to get out in nature.
Parc LaSalle
Parc LaSalle offers something for everyone, regardless of age. From skate parks and sports fields for teens and young adults to a designated graffiti wall for artists, it’s a breath of fresh air in the city.
Children love traversing the toddler and big-kid playgrounds or playing in the pool and splash pad. A series of drums encourage musical exploration, and climbing equipment keeps them moving.
The landscaping here adds extra appeal, especially for adults looking for a scenic place to get outdoors. You can walk along a pond surrounded by mature trees or hike one of its numerous trails.
Embracing Nature’s Splendor in Montreal’s Majestic Parks
The parks in Montreal are a testament to the city’s resilience and adaptability. The way they transform from summer havens to winter wonderlands is awe-inspiring and showcases you can find the good in any situation.
Montreal has something for everyone, whether you want to wander through trails, swim, play sports, or find a playground for your kids.
Our performances will take you on a journey beyond Montreal. We bring thought-provoking tales to life, leaving you pondering the meaning long after you’ve left. Don’t believe us? Come to one of our shows in Montreal and see for yourself.