Whether you’re looking for a pop-up festival or an urban escape, Montreal’s glorious green spaces have you covered. With so many incredible free things to do in Montreal, exploring the city’s many urban hiking trails, beaches, and secret gardens is at the top of the list. These are the places where Montrealers gather year-round, but they truly come alive during the hot summer months. From Montreal festivals and events to finding the best spots to tan before hitting the best bars and rooftops, or picking up a picnic for a casual bite to eat, here are the best parks in and around Montreal.

Best Parks in Montreal

1. Parc Jean-DrapeauParc Jean-Drapeau sets the standard for parks in Montreal. Vast and surrounded by the St. Lawrence River, this park was the site of the 1976 Olympics, making it a landmark bonanza. It’s where many of the coolest festivals and events happen, from Osheaga to Piknic Électronik to the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The park is also a greenscape crisscrossed with walking, cycling, and skiing paths. Whether you’re going for the greenery or spending a day at the Six Flags amusement park, La Ronde, entertainment is guaranteed.
2. Mount Royal 

   

   Mount Royal, made up of three summits—de la Croix, Westmount Summit, and Tiohtià Otsira’kéhne—is the city’s namesake centerpiece, full of countless activities all year long. In winter, slopes once dedicated to cross-country skiing are now adrenaline-inducing tobogganing grounds. In warmer months, it’s ideal for hiking and taking in views of the city. Beaver Lake offers a great area to barbecue and relax, but the northern side is where you’ll want to be in summer for the Tam-Tams, a giant drum circle where many Montrealers can be found on Sundays.

3. Lachine Canal

European settlers named this canal with the original purpose of reaching China for shipping. Today, it’s a Montreal landmark offering stunning views of the city and plenty of activities year-round: think boat rentals, annual dragon boat races, camping, ice skating, and more. Part of the canal runs alongside the Atwater Market, making it the perfect spot for a picnic. Don’t miss Otentik, a luxury camping experience where you can rent a cabin along the water.

1. Champ des Possibles

This small park starts at Bernard and St-Dominique Streets in Mile End, a few blocks from one of the newest, biggest beer gardens in the city, and runs eastward along the train tracks. It’s special for its use as a cultural headquarters in a neighborhood famous for its creative scene. From Pop Montreal musical performances to the Marché des Possibles craft fair, and rallyes, it’s the place to watch for community happenings throughout the warm months.

Parc Howard

Located in the Parc Ex neighborhood, just a few blocks from Jarry Park, this popular park is a daily hub for local families with its two play parks and very popular splash pad. It comes alive a couple of times a year when the soccer field turns into a stage for both the India Day and the Pakistan Day parades every summer. Each occasion features performances, games, and crowd-gathering food kiosks that keep the celebrations going into the night.

These parks are just a glimpse into the vibrant, green life of Montreal, offering both locals and visitors endless opportunities to enjoy the city’s natural beauty and cultural events.