It’s getting warmer and that means you can spend more time outside in beautiful Montreal parks. If you’re looking for an instant mood booster, try heading to one of the many public or private gardens around the city.
There's nothing like heading out solo or with a group of friends to admire the floral displays. Here are some of the places in Montreal where you can revel in spring colours and enjoy a day outdoors:
Visit the Montreal Botanical Garden
Where: 4101, rue Sherbrooke Est
Cost: $20.75/adult
Reason to go: The largest and grandest flower displays can be found at the Montreal Botanical Garden. With over 16 different areas to explore, you can see plants from around the world! The grounds have an exquisite Chinese garden with beautiful architecture and a pond. You can take a tour through the poisonous plants garden or even walk through stunning misty greenhouses to view tropical plant varieties. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the grounds and there are also activities for children to engage with if you are heading out for the day with the whole family.
Jardins Des Floralies
Where: 1, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Reason to go: This small garden is off the beaten path and a hidden gem on Île Notre-Dame. In the area where Expo 67 took place, there are well-maintained gardens surrounding the pavilions. Visitors often note what a beautiful bike ride it is to get the gardens. Guests can get there by bike or foot (after taking public transit to Île Sainte-Hélène) and feels far from the city, which makes it perfect for relaxing. There are a variety of colourful flowers as well as natural wildlife, including gofers, birds, snakes, and turtles. One plus to this garden is that there's a nearby beach that hosts water activities all summer.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau Rose Garden
Where: 142, boul. Laird, Mount Royal, QC
Reason to go: In the centre of the Mount Royal neighbourhood lies this small oasis with vibrant flora. Tables and benches are artfully dotted throughout the well-maintained paths. It's so enchanting that it can feel like somewhere out of a fairytale. There are roses of every colour from bright pink to a golden yellow and you can tell the plants are pruned frequently. You'll find swings for children in one area, as well as tennis courts. The closest public transit stop to this garden is the Gare Mont-Royal bus stop. The space may be difficult to access if you are trying to get there by metro.
Parc Jean-Drapeau
Where: Saint Helen's Island, Montreal QC
Reason to go: The largest park on this list is definitely Parc Jean-Drapeau. Located on St.Helen’s island, this park is home to the Biosphere, La Ronde amusement park, and also hosts a variety of music festivals, drawing in thousands of visitors every year. The park is easily accessible by the metro yellow line and has tons of bike paths to travel around the vast grounds. You can find tulips and daffodils planted along the trails as well as in garden areas spread out across the park. This spring you will also find cherry blossoms in bloom. Jean-Drapeau Park features numerous areas to sit, walk by the water, see wildlife, and feel like you’re miles away from the city. Check out the beautiful pink trees and walk along the floral-lined paths on cool spring days.
Parc Outremont
Where: St. Viateur, Av. Outremont, Montreal, QC
Reason to go: This green space is the epitome of a perfect neighbourhood park. In the center of the picturesque Outremont neighbourhood is a large greenspace filled with families and dogs with a large roaring fountain and pond in the middle. In the spring and summer, flower beds will begin popping up, drawing your eye to the beautiful colourful displays. There are a variety of cafes nearby where you can pick up a hot beverage and wander through the beautiful grounds. There are restrooms accessible to the public as well as seating areas. This is a well-loved park in the city so expect to see families and children playing when you arrive.
Tulip Fields in Laval
Where: 1055, rue Principale, Laval, QC
Cost: Varies
Reason to go: Tulips are one of the greatest signs of spring and they'll give you an instant mood boost either freshly picked in your home, or still on the stem in a giant field. One farm, just outside of Montreal, hosts an annual tulip picking event with over 600,000 tulips. Visitors are given a bucket to head out into the rows and pick their own bouquet with no set time limit. One thing to note is that water is not provided for the flowers so you may want to bring some with you for the car ride home.
- 7 Montreal Spots To Visit If You Dream Of Living In A Studio Ghibli Film ›
- Montreal cherry blossoms and magnolias will soon bloom and this map can help you find them ›
- 5 Montreal parks you need to check off your spring bucket list ›
- 7 Montreal parks that are seriously underrated and totally worth visiting - MTL Blog ›
"Grand Vivarium" of the Montreal Insectarium.
"Grand Vivarium" of the Montreal Insectarium.
Labyrinth of the Montreal Insectarium.
Alcoves in the Labyrinth of the Montreal Insectarium.
Display in an alcove in the Labyrinth of the Montreal Insectarium.
Activity in an alcove in the Labyrinth of the Montreal Insectarium.
