Getting Outside in Montreal: Exploring Food, Art and Culture

Ever wondered how Montreal got its name? Look no further than Mont Royal. This majestic (if, admittedly, not super tall) mont (mountain) is both the city’s namesake and its prime viewpoint, offering impressive vistas across the city and down to the Saint Lawrence River. Set within a 692-acre (280-hectare) park, in the summer months Mont Royal is definitely strolling and picnicking territory, while in the winter you can rent equipment to ski, sledge or skate.

Montreal has become a hub for urban art and graffiti. One of Montreal’s main streets, Saint-Laurent Boulevard is a great place to begin a mural-spotting adventure, thanks not least to the annual MURAL international street art festival. A second top pick for urban creativity is the Plateau Mont Royal neighbourhood, which is also home to a range of charming boutiques and coffee stops to fuel your artistic adventure. Start your tour of this area on the Mont-Royal Avenue.

Known as Montreal’s bohemian quarter, Mile End is dotted with hip cafés, laidback Greek eateries, brunch spots and stores selling vintage clothes, secondhand books and vinyls. If you’re looking to keep your spending to a minimum, pick up a coffee from Café Olimpico and simply saunter the streets. Pro tip: look out for the neighbourhood’s numerous ruelles vertes – alleyways converted into green space, offering something of an urban oasis in the midst of Mile End.

Montreal might not be your first thought when planning a beach break, but the city isn’t short of options when it comes to stunning waterside spots. Just 30km (18.6mi) from downtown, the sandy L’Île Charron beach is free to access and open year-round. This prime swimming destination on the southern shore of Longueil is also home to volleyball courts and a public golf course. An ideal choice for a day trip, L’Île Charron beach is accessible via public transport during the summer months – take the RTL Bus des Îles shuttle on summer weekends from the Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke metro station or the Croisières Navark river boat. Even closer to the centre of Montreal, Jean-Doré beach on Île Notre-Dame has a huge swimming area and plenty of watersports activities. To get there via the metro, exit at Jean-Drapeau station and walk to the left of the metro exit to catch the 767 bus.

No trip to Montreal would be complete without sampling poutine – fries, gravy and cheese curds that come together to create one of the most quintessential Quebecois dishes. Pick up a takeaway portion from La Banquise – go for a classic or perhaps try La Royale with pulled pork, apples and bacon – and eat it picnic-style beside the lake in La Fontaine Park.

Dating back to 1933, Jean-Talon Market is one of the oldest public markets in Montreal. Set at the heart of the city’s Little Italy district, the farmers market hosts the best local farmers, bakers, fishmongers, and butchers, while it’s also a one-stop shop for flowers, ice cream, spices and alcoholic drinks. As one of North America’s largest open-air markets, Jean-Talon is famed for its lively atmosphere and colourful produce. Consider picking up picnic supplies here before heading to Jarry Park.

For a journey into the past, take a self-guided tour of Old Montreal. This historic neighbourhood set on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River dates back to the 17th century and is undoubtedly the city’s most opulent and elegant quartier. Stroll through the area’s most prominent public squares – Place d’Armes, Place Royale, and Place Jacques-Cartier – and check out the 18th-century Château Ramezay residence with its French colonial-style Governor’s Garden. If it’s impressive architecture you’re after, marvel at the Palladian-style Bonsecours Market and the Notre Dame Basilica, before stopping by the Second Empire-style City Hall and the former “Wall Street” of Canada, St-Jacques Street. Pro tip: to snap a picture of the oldest building in Old Montreal, head to the Sulpician Seminary, opened in 1687.

Just five minutes by metro from downtown Montreal, Parc Jean-Drapeau is one of the city’s key hubs when it comes to outdoor pursuits. This 662-acre (268-hectare) park boasts hiking trails – including a 10-km (6.2-mi) cultural route – and a beach, along with outdoor gyms and opportunities for swimming, rock climbing, rollerblading and rowing. To get there, simply take the metro to the Jean-Drapeau station and voilà.

From mid-May to mid-October, the calm waters of the 14.5-km (9-mi) Lachine Canal are a haven for kayaking enthusiasts. Stretching from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis along the Island of Montreal’s southwestern side, this lengthy waterway is a historic site (opened in 1825) and boasts stellar city views. Kayaks, canoes, pedalos and electric boats can be rented from H20 Adventures. Prefer to stay on dry land? Cycle on the bike path that runs alongside the canal.