Montreal
Parks
Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont Royal) - This is of the largest green spaces in Montreal, on the top of Mount Royal. It's great for walks and sunset views in the summer, the fall is gorgeous with the changing leaves. Keep your eyes peeled for Canadian Mounties on horseback, wearing their red coats and broad-brimmed brown hats (you can pet the horses).
Climb up to the Belvedere - Kids can stretch their legs with a stroll up to a lookout, with panoramic views of the city and harbor. Start at rue Peel or rue Drummond, and walk up the "serpentine" stairs to the Belvedere Kondiaronk. Chateau Mont-Royal has snacks and cold drinks.Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castor) - In summer, there's pedal boating on the lake. On the west side of the lake is a large playground with climbing structures, bouncy things, and swings. In winter, rent skates at the Beaver Lake Pavilion, and go ice skating outdoors.The park comes alive in winter with sleigh rides, inner tubing and sledding. In summer, take a horse carriage ride. La Fontaine Park (Parc Lafontaine) - One of Montreal's prettiest parks with two playgrounds, one for toddlers, a second for bigger kids, with colorful climbing structures, slides, swings and a mini-fort. On the weekends, the playgrounds are filled with locals families. In winter, go ice skating on the small lake (there's a pavilion to rent skates).
Cap-Saint-Jacques Nature Park (Pierrefonds) - This large outdoor park is fun year round. In summer, visit the demonstration farm and pet the animals. Winter is the time for sleigh rides and sledding. In March and April, when the sap is running in the maple forests, watch the production of maple syrup at the "sugar shack." (All of these activities are located at the organic farm (la ferme ecologique). The park also has miles of hiking trails, picnic tables, and a sandy beach in summer. This is a great place to spend the day.
