Montreal Between Nature, Water and History

Expansive natural areas and viewpoints are as much a part of Montreal as waterways with locks and historic sites. The options range from walks and bike rides to archaeological sites and sculptures. You can tailor your trip to whether you want to spend time outdoors or learn more about Montreal’s cultural history.

Parks, Views and Wildlife Watching

Parc du Mont-Royal combines expansive natural areas with spectacular views and significant cultural and historical value. The park offers opportunities for walking, running and cycling. It appeals to travelers who want to combine outdoor activity with scenery and the site’s historic character.

At Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse, forest walks take you through an environment with observation stations and rare, centuries-old trees, including black maples. Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies offers a different natural setting: in summer, it features an 8.4-kilometer hike, as well as opportunities for cycling and spotting rare birds and mammals. White-tailed deer are among the animals you may see there. The hiking distance and wildlife watching are separate reasons to include this nature park in your travel plans.

At Parc René-Lévesque, trails for walking, cycling and cross-country skiing are available depending on the season. There are also 22 monumental contemporary sculptures along various loops. Seasonal activities and outdoor art come together in one place; which matters most to you will also depend on the time of year you travel.

Exploring by Water

The Lachine Canal is a 13.5-kilometer waterway in southwest Montreal. It runs between the Old Port and Lac Saint-Louis, with a range of activities along its banks. Visitors can travel along the waterway and pass through its five locks. Navigation conditions and lock schedules vary by season. If you’re planning a trip on the canal, check the lock schedule for your visit.

Montreal also has a 1,083-kilometer cycling network connecting streets, parks and waterfront areas. Its scope and infrastructure may change. Along with the cycling opportunities in the parks, the network offers another perspective on the city: cycling is part of the experience both in parkland and across a range of urban areas.

At Plage Jean-Doré, the swimming area varies in size and can cover up to 15,000 square meters. Access to swimming and water conditions are seasonal. Stand-up paddleboarding is also possible on calm water, and this activity is likewise available seasonally. If you’re planning your stay around the water, take seasonal conditions for swimming and paddling into account.

Cultural Sites and Historical Perspectives

Vieux-Montréal was designated a heritage site in 2012 and is considered an important tourist attraction. Pointe-à-Callière is located at the founding site of Montreal and was built over authentic archaeological remains. These document the area’s development, from Indigenous settlement and Fort Ville-Marie to the present day. Its historical perspective spans several distinct periods in the site’s history.

Jardin botanique de Montréal offers another focus for a visit: it covers 75 hectares and includes around twenty outdoor gardens and ten exhibition greenhouses. At the Biodôme, you can immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful ecosystems in the Americas. The two destinations offer different experiences: the botanical garden combines outdoor spaces and exhibition greenhouses, while the Biodôme puts ecosystems at the center.

Musée de Lachine includes the Le Ber-Le Moyne heritage site, a classified archaeological collection and buildings dating from the 17th century. The grounds also feature a sculpture garden with around fifteen works. The museum buildings are closed to the public due to construction; at the same time, a cultural and educational program for the general public and groups is offered off-site. Check the closure status before visiting. This will help you understand the museum site’s different aspects—the buildings, sculpture garden and off-site program—without overlooking the current restriction on access to the buildings.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Baie-D'Urfe, Pointe-Claire, Hampstead, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Le Haut-Saint-Maurice, Les Laurentides, Le Val-Saint-François, Communauté-Urbaine-De-Montréal

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