7 ways to get in touch with nature in Montreal

Jul 8 2016, 1:16 am

After a long day at work, dealing with traffic or a busy metro station is almost enough to make you want to up and quit your job and move to the Quebec countryside. But before you do anything drastic, you may want to consider the multitude of ways that you escape the urban jungle of Montreal without having to actually leave the city. Check out this list of 7 ways to get in touch with nature in Montreal.

Check out the Biodome

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Walk through five different ecosystems in the course of a few hours at the Montreal Biodome. From flora and fauna to native animals, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the Tropical Rainforest, the Laurentian Maple Forest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Labrador Coast, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands. Be sure not to miss the penguin feeding at 2:45 pm every day.

Where: 4777 Avenue Pierre-de Coubertin
When: Open 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm

The Montreal Botanical Garden

Soak up the manicured shrubbery and sweet smell of roses at the Montreal Botanical Garden. Boasting everything from a pristine Japanese garden to a greenhouse filled with exotic tropical fruits, the Botanical Garden is a great time for Montrealers of all ages. Once you’ve had enough of the Garden, you can sit and relax in the neighbouring Parc Maisonneuve.

Where: 4101 Rue Sherbrooke Est
When: Sunday-Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm; Thursday-Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm

Go for a bike ride along the Lachine Canal

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The Lachine Canal Bike Path has been a favourite amongst Montreal cyclists for as long as we can remember. This bike path spans nearly 15km and will take you from Old Port all the way to Atwater Market. Expect to see beautiful architecture in Old Montreal, 19th century industrial factories along the river, and green grass and fragrant flowers at Parc Rene Levesque.

Where: Along the Lachine Canal from Old Port to Atwater Market, for more details click here.
When: Any day of the week!

Go for a walk up Mont Royal

Mont Royal is the closest thing that Montreal has to a mountain. It isn’t exactly Whistler, but it is a great place to get out of the hustle and bustle of downtown Montreal. Walk, bike, or drive to the top and enjoy the picturesque view from the lookout. Spend some time at Beaver Lake or get lost in one of the mountain’s many hiking trails. Whatever you do, Mont Royal is a great bet if you’re looking to spend time in nature while in Montreal.

Where: Mont Royal
When: Any day of the week!

Have a picnic in Parc La Fontaine

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Grab some food from your local farmer’s market and head on over to Parc la Fontaine for an afternoon of sunshine and fun. At 84 acres, Parc La Fontaine is one of the largest urban parks in the city. In addition to lots of secluded space for walks and picnics, the park also features several pools so you can cool down during the hot Montreal summer.

Where: 1619 Québec 138
When: Any day of the week!

Visit one of Montreal’s nearby farms and go strawberry picking

With nearly 10 family farms located just a short drive from the city centre, you can enjoy an afternoon picking berries under the sun. June and July are typically strawberry-picking season, with raspberries and apples becoming available in July and August respectively. Open daily, La Ferme Quinn is a popular spot for strawberry picking amongst Montrealers.

Where: 2495 Perrot Boulevard Sud, Notre Dame de l’Île Perrot
When: 9 am to 5 pm 7 days a week

Visit the Redpath Museum


If the weather happens to be a little rainy one day but you’re still looking to get in touch with nature, head to the Redpath Museum. Located on McGill University’s downtown campus, the Redpath Museum is a small natural history museum that is fun for all ages. All exhibits are free and range from minerals to Quebec’s biodiversity.

When: Open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Where: 859 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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