Montreal is a beautiful mixture of North American atmosphere and European cosmopolitan charm, a blend of history, culture, fine dining, architecture, and lush greenery. Tourists can stay in hotels with parking near the airport in Montreal for convenience. If you want to experience a luxurious stay, there are also a few mansion rentals located here. While the city is buzzing with events and activities day and night, locals and tourists alike sometimes look for a quick escape, a place where time slows down, without having to leave the city. That magic place is Mount Royal Park, a mountain in the middle of the city, a large outdoor area sprinkled with vibrant vegetation and abundant wildlife. The park sits on a hill in Montreal, west of the city’s downtown area. Read on as we go for an adventure on the trails and alleys, and discover the best things to do and eat, and how to get there. Here’s a guide to Mount Royal Park, Montreal.
Things to do / Highlights
Once in Mount Royal Park, the things to do and see are abundant. A space for the entire family, Mount Royal has activities for all ages, no matter the season or weather. Take a look below if you’re unsure of what to do in Mount Royal Park:
Explore the park on foot
One of the best ways to explore as much of the park as possible is through a walking tour. Whether you decide to wander on your own or join a discovery walk, it’s a great way to spot wildlife and admire the abundant flora on warm days. Come winter, join an organized snowshoe excursion and enjoy the fresh air while keeping yourself warm with a cup of hot chocolate.
Winter sports galore
As soon as the snow covers the once lush greenery of the park, Mount Royal becomes a winter sports paradise, where people come for ice skating under the starry sky, snow tubing on the hills overlooking Beaver Lake, and even cross-country skiing. There are lots of organized events available for all ages.
Activities for the warmer days
Trade the heated city streets with the shaded forest paths in Mount Royal Park. Come summer, the park welcomes visitors to go paddling on Beaver Lake, rent a remote-controlled sailboat, or stay on dry land and explore the trails. There are lots of outdoor cafes to cool off, as well as other events to take part in.
Volunteer
The park hosts a variety of events meant to protect the park and raise awareness on different environmental issues. Join other volunteers during the annual Mountain Clean-up Day or become a volunteer birdwatcher.
Point of interest
While exploring the park, make sure you spot some of its landmarks, including Smith House, a former private residence, and Beaver Lake Pavillion. Check out Camillien-Houde and Kondiaronk belvedere spots for breathtaking panoramic views of the city from high above.
What to eat
Café Suspendu
After a day packed with activities on Mount Royal, you’ll be looking forward to sitting down for a snack and a drink. Luckily, there are lots of cafes in the park. We recommend stopping at Camillien-Houde Belvedere on the north-eastern slope of the mountain to enjoy the panoramic vistas, and savor a drink and a bite to eat at the on-site Café Suspendu. They serve a variety of drinks, from hot chocolate and coffee to beer and wine. You can also order snacks like hummus and pita bread and fruit salad. The café is open only in the summer and fall months.
If you wish to eat at any restaurant in Montreal other than the available cafes in the park, then there are a few best restaurants to indulge in your favorite food.
Travelers tips
Accessibility
The buildings in Mount Royal Park (Mount Royal Chalet, Beaver Lake Pavilion, and Smith House) are all wheelchair-accessible and have special amenities for people with disabilities.
Dog-friendly
While Mount Royal is a dog-friendly park, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times to ensure the safety of your pet, other animals in the park, and other park guests.
Don’t feed the animals
Mount Royal is home to lots of animals, including - but not limited to - raccoons. For safety and health reasons, feeding wildlife is not permitted.
Park rules and regulations
Mount Royal has several rules and regulations concerning safety and security in the park, as well as keeping the nature intact and protecting its animals. Make sure you check out the full set of rules and regulations on the park’s website.
How to get there
Bike
One of the most convenient ways of accessing Mount Royal Park is by bike. There are several options available: via the Du Parc entrance and Olmsted Path, the Peel entrance, and Serpentine Path. These paths are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
Public transport
Since Mount Royal is such a vast park, there are several ways to get there by bus. Lines 11, 80, and 165 all stop near the park.
Car
If you’d rather drive to the park, you can leave your car on one of the two paid parking lots on the premises and pay the allotted parking fee. It is difficult to drive, if you’re wondering how to get to the Mount Royal lookout by car. You must only walk from the parking lot which is five-minutes to the Belvedere point and Mount Royal Chalet.
Walk
Mount Royal Park is such a beautiful place to explore, so you can always warm up on the way to the park and get there on foot. There are several entrances available, so you can access the park depending on where you’re coming from.
Mount Royal Park information
Mount Royal Park
Address: 1260 Remembrance Road, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1A2 Canada
Official website: Mount Royal Park
Department of tourism: Discover Montreal
Montréal: Electric Fat Tire Bike Ride on Mount Royal
Duration: 2.0 hour
History
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