This review is dedicated to the incredible staff and security team at the gardens today. When my…read moreboyfriend unexpectedly fell ill, Romey and the security guard went out of their way to support us and safely escort us out of the park. To top off their kindness, the team offered us a full refund so we can return another day. Thank you all so much--your hospitality and care meant the world to us!

While visiting Montreal, this was one of the activities on our list. We went on a Sunday morning,…read moreand the place was already getting crowded. The grounds are well kept, and there are little human rest areas, to get out of the sun, use the bathroom and look at the little learning exhibits. Try and do the Chinese and Japanese Gardens early, because they get overrun with kids and mothers taking pictures of their offspring at every turn. Then, walk out to the Arboretum portion of the park. Most of the flowers had already bloomed, so we were a little bummed. Late May/Early June would have been the best time to go.

we set out to hike parc du mont royal, one of montreal's most iconic green spaces and a beloved…read moreescape from the city. designed in the 1870s by landscape architect frederick law olmsted, who also designed new york's central park, the park covers a large portion of mount royal and offers walking trails, viewpoints, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature right in the heart of montreal. thinking it would be a straightforward hour and five minute trek, we quickly learned that our timeline was a little optimistic. naturally, the hike turned into a much longer adventure with plenty of pit stops along the way. before tackling the climb, we wandered through the area, stopping at mngo, decathlon, a k-beauty store, and even a museum before finally making our way up the mountain. by the time we started the hike, we had already turned it into a full day of exploring. the trail itself was well maintained, with a mix of shaded pathways and plenty of stairs to keep things interesting. the overcast sky made the climb much more manageable, although it was still quite the workout. between the greenery, the incline, and the steady stream of steps, there were definitely moments when the beads of sweat and the sunscreen threatening to run into my eye, reminded me that this was more than just a casual stroll. the grounds were clean and well cared for, with shaded sections that offered welcome breaks along the way. after the climb, we were rewarded with a panoramic view of montreal from the belvédère lookout, where the city skyline stretches out below. it's one of those views that makes you forget about tired legs for a moment. on the way down, we stumbled across the towering cross, one of mont royal's most recognizable landmarks, and decided to take a quieter, less travelled path. the change of scenery was worth it, and we even spotted a little chipmunk along the way, a perfect reminder that we were surrounded by nature despite being right in the middle of the city. with fresh air, lush greenery, and just enough challenge to feel accomplished, the hike up parc du mont royal was a memorable part of our montreal adventure. just remember to bring water, sunscreen, and be prepared for a few more steps than you might expect.

Montreal's Central Park The View…read more I've visited twice. Once at night for the city light view from the Chalet terrace about a decade ago. This time (2026) for the day views and visits to the Cross and to the Lake. When I came about 10 years ago at night time, the crowd was much lighter and chill. Also, I saw an owl sitting on the tree along the walking path! Today's visit on a late summer holiday weekday, it was super crowded with locals, cyclists going up the Mont, joggers and tourists. Parking was tight as were trails to 3 major sites on Mont Royal. The Cross was rather disappointing as the trail was a gravelly loop apx 1.6km without a reward vista. Also the hiking trails of the main road were riddled with poison ivy :/. The Chalet was open (unlike my earlier night visit)! Inside were a coffee shop, a gift shop, bathrooms and a big room with a lodge style ceiling. The viewing terrace was super packed with people though everyone was accommodating with photo opportunities. The view was nice with the buildings and bridges. Drastically different than the sparkling lights at night! Tried to go to the Lake but couldn't get a paid parking spot. And after 3 loops, I passed after hearing it's rather dirty with some ducks. Perhaps bc it was a holiday weekend, this Labor Day, Monday was crowded and the cyclists moved faster than cars. I would NOT repeat the day visit unless it's for exercises. The Cross IMO isn't worth it and the Lake parking is too much of a bother. The night views of Montreal from the Chalet terrace on a clear night beats everything I've experienced today.

Enjoyed Jardin Nelson a lot in Old Montreal!…read more Its an old terrace restaurant in the historical square with all their seating being outdoors in a terrace. Its a lovely atmosphere as you are surrounded by a beautiful garden while enjoying live jazz music. As for food, we got the following 1)Smoked meat crepe - crepe stuffed smoked meat, honey mustard, cheese, served with coleslaw and dill pickle 2) Fresh salmon and spinach lasagna 3) Saumon frais - Fresh Atlantic salmon, red bell peppers, snow peas and lime, served on rice vermicelli flavoured with garlic, dill and cilantro, served lukewarm My favourite had to be Fresh salmon and spinach lasagna. Beautiful creamy sauce filled with béchamel sauce, cheddar, mozzarella with lots of Atlantic salmon stuffed inside. Its comfort food that is so delicious. Overall, service is really good as our waitress can remember all our requests and is bilingual ( English/ french). Its a place worth checking out with its lovely atmosphere and not overly expensive ($20 to 30 per dish). Remember no reservations are accepted so go lineup early!

Don't miss this little gem! Hidden behind the entrance is a garden oasis. Place is huge and…read morehostess told us short wait despite the line. Moves very quick and waited maybe 15 mins to be seated. Well worth it esp if in this area of Montreal. Lots of shade and heaters if weather is cold. Had Francois who helped us and did amazing. Gave us just the right amt of attention and time. We had a fabulous beet salad each and split shrimp tacos for the perfect lunch! Drink menu with just about anything you would want to have. Plus soft live jazz playing all day.

During our last visit, we spent some time just relaxing and hanging out around the Old Port. My…read morehusband and stepson got on the ferris wheel (La Grande Roue de Montréal) and had a great time, being able to see far from atop. The tickets were $28CAN per adult. There are also places to rent paddle boats and many benches to sit and enjoy the scenery. There are food trucks in one area of the Old Port and shops in another section A great place, day or night to hang out and people watch...

Vieux-Port de Montréal, or the Old Port, is part of the Vieux-Montréal area of the city. Along with…read morethe adjacent area that's filled with shops and restaurants, this is one of the top destinations for tourists visiting the city. There's a lot to see and do here; the promenade is quite long, and is filled with great views of the water and surrounding architecture. One of the main focal points here is La Grande Roue de Montréal - a large Ferris wheel that sits right on the water's edge. Additionally, there are carnival rides, food trucks, ziplining, and a beach that's open seasonally. Since I was there in autumn, most of the attractions and beach areas were closed for the season. It was still a great experience though because there were clear views of the water and foliage in the background. I also found myself sitting, people watching, and soaking in the aesthetics. No matter what time of the year, though, it's definitely worth stopping here during your time in Montreal.

I was 84,000 steps into a 100k step day in Montreal, fading fast. The humidity was beating me from…read morepillar to post. Roshe runs were a horrendous choice of footwear. Both achilles tendons were begging me to stop. Clips of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Tyrese Haliburton brutally ripping their achilles off the bone flashed through my mind. "It's not worth it... don't finish... 84k steps is plenty... what are you even doing this for?" It was just then, as I was toying with breaking the contract I inked with myself in blood, that I turned left onto Queen Mary Ave and saw Saint Josephs Church sitting on top of a hill. It was breathtaking. It felt like something out of the Legend of Zelda. My own Temple of Time. I love when the works of my own species inspire me. I began my ascent to the top. The sun was checking out for the day, and I realized this may be an all-time sunset view from the summit. I got half way up, turned around, and boom. A jolt of energy injected straight into my soul. Half the sun had disappeared behind the horizon, with warm vibrant colors blasting into the cotton candy sky. It was a top 10 sunset of my life, and I've been SPOILED with some great sunsets over the years. When I reached the staircase that led to the summit, it felt like the whole city of Montreal was out there. The city was ALIVE. I couldn't help but forget about the pain in my legs, my existential dread, and the most humid day of 2026 in Montreal. God's creation was on full display, and it felt like his way of telling me to keep pushing. If you're in Montreal, this is the best place to watch the sunset. THANK YOU ST JOES I NEEDED THAT! IG @johnny.novo Tiktok @jnov__ Substack @johnnynovo

It wasn't on our radar to visit this towering Catholic shrine, but Jamie W and I had lunch at…read moreSnowdon Deli and planned a trip to the Kondiaronk Belvedere on top of Mount Royal. As luck would have it, this landmark was at the midpoint of the public bus route, so we found a valid reason to hop off and explore the grounds. The view was quite impressive from Queen Mary Road as the structure represents both Canada's largest church and Montreal's highest point. Consequently, there were quite a few stairs to climb, though we discovered later there was a series of escalators that we could've taken if we weren't wearing our FitBits. By contrast, we saw the more devout pilgrims climbing the stairs face down on their knees. There were three major sections to explore. The cavernous Crypt Church was a broad, low-ceiling worship space supported by the barrel vaulting of steel-reinforced concrete arches (Photo 10). The adjoining Votive Chapel held 10,000 candles surrounding the statue of St. Joseph and other pious figures (Photo 8). The Shrine was the tallest place of worship dominated by the largest church dome in Canada (Photo 7). Lastly, the upper panoramic terrace not only affords impressive views of the city but also spotlights an imposing sculpture, Timothy Schmalz's "Angels Unawares" depicting a crowded boat of migrants and refugees (Photo 6). RELATED - Exploring Montreal? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/QZeiLs9KtS

How can I not give a greenhouse 5 stars? Montreal needs way more greenhouses as how else will we…read moreretain our sanity when it's winter? (Alcohol works too but I quit booze a long time ago) This greenhouse is TINY!! But it's usually not crowded so it does the job. They don't sell food so bring your own picnic basket or just your shades and flip flops. There are 11 escalators then a flight of stairs to take to get up here (I think there's also the option of an elevator) The stairs leading up to the greenhouse are creepy with 70s art and howling wind sounds. Obvious tip: Go on a sunny day! (Had to say it)

Hidden away on the 13th floor is the lovely Concordia Greenhouse. It is a wheelchair accessible…read morespace that is open to the public and family friendly. A perfect place to study or enjoy a quiet beverage among the greenery. The greenhouse hosts a number of events throughout the year to teach sustainable practices ranging from balcony gardening to a build your own solar panel workshop. All at a reasonable price. They also host seedling sales and are available for private events. I have visited the greenhouse for a number of workshops and love the energy. They have a seed library (borrow at the beginning of the year, deposit your end of season seeds for next year) as well as offering volunteer opportunities for those looking to learn. Their website includes a number of links and DIYs based on the workshops they host, as well as selling mushroom/sprout kids and other goodies. I was very impressed with the volunteer's energy as well as the effort they continue to put forward for spreading sustainability across campus.

They've been doing my balcony garden for years. They're are pleasant, efficient, and take good…read morecare of me. Highly recommend for personalized service (Sean, Tereska, Emma...) and and a great bounty of vegetables. I even have a cherry tree!

From the owner: Urban Seedling is a home organic vegetable gardening service in Montreal. We make organic vegetable…read moregardening easy for you. We build you a raised bed garden, plant it three times per season with our organic vegetable seedlings and come to close up at the end of the season. If you prefer to build your own organic vegetable garden, we also offer organic vegetable gardening workshops at our location in season. And have all of our vegetable gardening supplies, organic seeds and seedlings available for sale at our location.

Beautiful park with perfect pockets of shade. Not too crowded either and a great area to walk…read morethrough by the water.

This is a great urban park in Montreal, just west of the Village. Lots of big trees that provide…read moreneeded shade on a hot summer day in Montreal. There are tennis courts, bocce ball courts, bike paths, hiking trails, a nice pond, etc. Lots of locals and visitors come here for picnics, lunches and just plain relaxation. Check it out for a chance to enjoy a green leisure stop while in Montreal.