惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 has its urban wonders, funky architecture, old cobblestone streets, and lots of pretty neighborhoods to wander in, but what makes this city such a wonderful place to visit and live are the green spaces dotting nearly every neighborhood.

Almost 5000 acres in 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 belong to green space, and what better way to enjoy your snacks and wine (yes, you can actually drink in 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 parks if you鈥檙e also eating), than sitting under a grove of trees with a fountain streaming in the distance?

Parks in 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 are absolutely thriving in all seasons. In the spring, the gardens in the parks bloom. In the summer, they become a hotspot for picnics and activities. During fall, the vibrant colors of Canadian foliage emerge and the Instagrammers pop up by the dozen to capture it all. In the winter, 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 parks become coated in snow for brisk and picturesque walks...and maple syrup taffy stands.

Whether you want urban parkettes with lots of statues and surrounded by big old houses, or sprawling spaces with bike paths and picnic areas, 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 will have a park for it.

Mount Royal

惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒鈥檚 most famous park, a heritage site since 2012, rises up from the center of the city. If you make the trek to the Kondiaronk Belvedere, you鈥檒l gain panoramic views of the city.

In the spring, admire the many gardens that flourish in the park. In the summer, in addition to popular activities like picnics, kayaking on Beaver Lake, and hiking, on Sundays you can experience the , where 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒ers gather to play the hand drums and dance. In the fall, the park is transformed into a kaleidoscope of fall colors, and in the winter, you can skate on Beaver Lake, cross-country ski, and visit the pop-up sugar shacks. If you鈥檙e feeling peckish during your wandering, there are three Caf茅 des Amis locations scattered around the park.

Saint-Louis Square

This little parkette is a beautiful break between the bustling streets of Saint Denis Street and Laval Avenue. It鈥檚 reminiscent of Belgrave Square Garden in London, with a centerpiece fountain and stunning architecture surrounding the green space. There are several monuments scattered around the park and a few benches to sit on while you gaze at the colorful Victorian houses on Laval Street.

Parc Saint-Henri

Also known as Saint Henri Square, this is another city parkette that harks old European vibes and is centered by a large monument dedicated to the French explorer Jacques Cartier. The park is surrounded by towering, mature trees and Victorian houses that used to belong to 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒鈥檚 elite. You can grab a coffee at the beautiful on your way there.

Lachine Canal

One of 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒鈥檚 most unique parks, the Lachine Canal, is a connection between city and nature. It is a 13.5km (8.4-mile) route that can be traveled by foot, bike, or waterway, and it runs between the Old Port and Lake Saint-Louis. It鈥檚 also an official historic site, and the canals that make it up are located on maps as early as 1700. It has been named by Time Magazine as one of the best urban bikeways in the world.

Other than your usual outdoorsy activities, you can grab a drink on the floating Canal Lounge, and if you鈥檙e already on a boat, you can paddle on up and be serviced right on your watercraft. If you鈥檙e feeling really adventurous, rent a houseboat and spend the night on the canal. In the winter, the canal turns into a skateable path.

Dorchester Square and Place du Canada

These twin green squares are tucked between stunning heritage buildings and towering skyscrapers. Dorchester Square used to be an 18th-century Catholic cemetery but has since been converted into a busy public park located off of Sainte-Catherine Street and steps away from Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Both squares have plenty of benches, oak trees and monuments. Don鈥檛 miss the fountain, an optical illusion that looks like it鈥檚 split in half.

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Part park, part island getaway, Park Jean-Drapeau has it all. The park is made up of Saint Helen's Island and the manmade Notre Dame Island. It鈥檚 also home to the visually magnificent Biosphere (an Expo 67 relic and now an environmental museum). There are plenty of trails and gardens, dotted with public art installations. In the summer, you can drop by the aquatic complex, an outdoor waterpark for family-friendly fun.

Parc La Fontaine

A very popular destination for sunbathers and bird-watchers (see if you can spot the park鈥檚 famous flying resident, the northern starling), this gorgeous farm-turned-park in Plateau-Mont-Royal is a destination just to see the fountain in the middle of the lake. In the summer, you can catch a performance at Th茅芒tre de Verdure, and in the winter, bring your ice skates to glide across the pond.

Parc Jarry

Parc Jarry was first home to the 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒 Expos, Canada鈥檚 first major-league baseball team, and was also the chosen location for Pope John Paul II to host his mass when visiting the city. Enjoy cricket pitches, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, skate parks, basketball court, a manmade lake for watersports and more. Whatever you want to do, Jarry Park will have the amenities for you.

Place 脡milie Gamelin

This city square was inaugurated to celebrate 惭辞苍迟谤茅补濒鈥檚 350th anniversary 鈥� and still has a celebratory atmosphere. Dotted with art installations, most notably the 鈥淕ratte-ciel, cascades d'eau / rues, ruisseau鈥� une construction鈥� sculptures by Melvin Charney, the park is also host to gardens, concerts, the occasional protest, buskers, and food trucks. In the winter, the sparkling square transforms into a Christmas village accessible by many modes of public transport.

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