Outdoor Activities in Montreal

If you'd like to see the sights and prefer some more rugged activities, go ahead and seek out some of the city's outdoor activities. Some can be found outside of the city's limits, while others are located conveniently in the city. If you'd like to try something a little different, get outside and enjoy some of the many exciting outdoor activities in Montreal.

The Botanical Gardens

If you'd like to interact with nature while taking just a few hours out of your scheduled day of sightseeing in the city, head to the Botanical Gardens. It features 31 specialized gardens with themes and plant species that represent locales found all over the world. When open, the accompanying Insectarium offers exhibits on bugs that kids are sure to love. And for an even bigger adventure, call ahead if you're visiting in November or December, as this is the time when the Insectarium likes to offer insect tasting visits.

Lafontaine Park

Wintertime also presents a great opportunity to ice skate on the lake at Lafontaine Park, located downtown. You'll also find beautiful winding walking paths, great places for picnics, and many lush trees. If you were thinking about having an inexpensive date during your stay in Montreal, this is the perfect place to go.

Mont Royal

Head to nearby Mont Royal, a 774-foot peak, for a real outdoor experience. Locals simply call this "the mountain," and its their first choice for a hike through the forest. There are dozens of well-groomed trails for hikers of all expertise levels. And if you're around on the weekend, make sure to stop by Mont Royal on a Sunday afternoon when locals gather for what they call a Tam Tam Jam. People come to play music, relax, and enjoy the natural beauty of their great city.

Ile-de-la-Visitation Nature Park

Just a mile walk from the Bourassa subway stop is the Ile-de-la-Visitation Nature Park. The area in general is fantastic with historic buildings, the oldest church in Montreal, and a glistening river. The park is famous for its bird watching, which is a relaxing activity for anyone to take part in. If you feel up to it, you can take a raft down the river's rapids, but make sure you pack an extra pair of clothes to wear afterwards. When you're finished on the river, there are great restaurants to enjoy a tasty dinner and take in a view of the beautiful sunset.

Montreal has dozens of great outdoor activities to satisfy the adventure seeker in you. So get out and venture outside of the city's paved streets to explore the natural scenery and things to do.

Check out Montreal golf courses for more outdoor activities.