7 reasons to visit the Montreal Botanical Garden this summer

Jul 27 2016, 12:37 am

Perhaps you’re already a regular visitor or perhaps you’ve been living in Montreal for years and have never visited the Botanical Garden. Whatever the case, we’ve come up with a list of reasons why you absolutely have to visit the Montreal Botanical Garden this summer.

Sure, it’s beautiful with all of its flowers and plants, but there is so much more to it than that.

This summer features a myriad of events from intimate concerts to cocktail hours that you won’t want to miss!

Get serenaded at the Intimate Concert Series

The Montreal Botanical Garden is putting on free concerts all summer long. If you’ve purchased a ticket for admission into the Botanical Gardens, you are welcome to enjoy any of the scheduled intimate concert performances taking place every Sunday at 2:00pm. The series features up and coming French-Canadian musicians ranging from jazz artist, Patrick Norman to folk singer Ian Kelly.

Where: Just north of the Japanese Garden at the Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Until August 28, Sundays at 2 pm
Tickets: Free entry with a ticket to the Botanical Garden

Enjoy a classy evening with Cocktail Time at the Garden


Tired of your regular spot for 5 a 7? Why not check out Cocktail Time at the Garden? On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays this summer, the Montreal Botanical Garden is hosting a happy hour on their beautiful outdoor patio. Prepare to be mesmerized by pianist Pierre-Armand Tremblay and singer Anne Duchesne while sipping on a fruity cocktail.

Where: The Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 4 pm to 8 pm
Tickets: Free entry with a ticket to the Botanical Garden

Take your kids to become Heroes of the Forest

If you’re looking for a fun, educational, and outdoor family activity, then the Montreal Botanical Gardens has got you covered! This summer, the Garden has created a program that allows your children to become “heroes of the forest.” Free storytelling under the crabapple trees will take place every Friday and Saturday at 3:30pm. And after hearing a captivating tale, your kids can become part of the story by undertaking a quest through the Garden that involves role play, solving mysteries and completing fun challenges like crossing wood logs and building cabins.

Where: The Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Until August 28, guided activities Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm, and storytelling every Friday and Saturday at 3:30pm
Tickets: Free entry with a ticket to the Botanical Garden

Relax in the Japanese Garden


Are you in need of some peace and quiet? Head over to the Japanese Garden, the most serene of all the spaces in the Montreal Botanical Garden. At the Japanese Garden, you’ll find streams, waterfalls, perfectly manicured shrubs, and Koi carp swimming along the bottom of the pond. As the website says, “it’s a meditative place filled with symbolism.” So if you need to ponder some of life’s biggest questions, considering making your way to the Montreal Botanical Garden this summer.

Where: Japanese Garden, The Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Any day of the week
Tickets: Admission to the Japanese Garden is included in a ticket to the Montreal Botanical Garden

Learn how to create a bonsai

Learn how to grow and care for your very own bonsai with a little help from the Montreal Botanical Garden. Every Saturday from June 25th until September 3rd, the Garden will be hosting the Société de bonsaï et de penjing de Montréal who are running a workshop on the proper techniques involved in creating a bonsai. Admission to the workshops are free with a ticket to the Garden, and really, how many of your friends can say they know how to grow a bonsai?

Where: The Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Until September 3, Saturdays from 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Tickets: Free entry with a ticket to the Botanical Garden

Escape to the tropics in the Tropical Fruit Greenhouse

A photo posted by Katie McClelland (@katiemcc111) on


If Montreal summer is getting you down and all you wish is that you were at a beach in the Caribbean, maybe it’s time to plan a visit to the Tropical Fruit Greenhouse at the Montreal Botanical Garden. Filled with delicious fruit like bananas, mangoes, and pineapples, and stuffed with exotic spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, the Tropical Fruit Greenhouse will engage all your senses and for a short while, will make you think you’re in Costa Rica.

Where: Japanese Garden, The Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Any day of the week
Tickets: Admission to the Tropical Fruit Greenhouse is included in a ticket to the Montreal Botanical Garden

Learn about Indigenous culture at the First Nations Garden

This summer, the First Nations Garden at the Montreal Botanical Garden will be celebrating its 15th anniversary. In honour of its 15th birthday, the Botanical Garden is hosting a 2-day event that promises to “forge closer ties between indigenous and non-indigenous cultures.” The theme of the event is “The Song of Mother Earth” and it will include poetry, dancing, singing, two film screenings, and a walk with masked singers to the drums of the Buffalo Hat Singers.

Where: The First Nations Garden, The Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: August 13 to 14, 10:30 am to 6 pm
Tickets: Admission to the First Nations Garden is included in a ticket to the Montreal Botanical Garden

 

Emily SoutheyEmily Southey

+ Montrealers
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