How to spend a summer long weekend in Montréal
Summer The city
While each season in Montréal has impressive offerings, there’s something special about the city in summertime. Montrealers love being outside, and our typically friendly dispositions are extra warm. Here’s how to make the most of Montréal's sunny days and warm nights.
Key takeaways: Montréal summer long weekends
- Primary Activity: Explore Mount Royal Park (Olmsted Trail & Tam-Tams on Sundays).
- Dining Musts: Smoked meat, St-Viateur bagels, and the patios of Promenade Wellington.
- Local Vibe: Kayaking the Lachine Canal or strolling through Parc La Fontaine.
- Best View: La Grande Roue de Montréal in the Old Port.
What are the best parks to visit in Montréal during summer?
With hundreds of hectares, Mount Royal Park offers ample space for everyone. Named after the landscape architect who designed the park, the Olmsted Trail is by far the most popular trail in the park. The crushed-gravel pathway offers the width of a two-lane road. Common summer activities include walking, jogging, cycling, and roller skiing. On Sundays, under the angel statue (Sir George-Étienne Cartier Monument), Tam-tams is a weekly rhythmic gathering: drummers, dancers, and people relaxing on blankets. The vibe is best described as pulsating yet chill.
The Lachine Canal offers a 14.5-kilometre multi-use path, perfect for a 45-minute bike ride from the Old Port to Atwater Market. The green spaces provide opportunities for leisure or lounging, and on any given weekend in the summer, you’ll find people soaking up the sun on blankets, playing pétanque and spike ball, or pushing baby carriages along the paved pathways. Get on the water by renting a kayak or electric boat from H2O Adventures.
La Fontaine park
Maisonneuve park
Originally a farm, Parc La Fontaine is wonderful patch of green space in the heart of the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood. In the summer, there’s no better place to kick back and read a book in the shade of towering maples trees, sunbathe, have a picnic, or stroll along the pathways.
With over 63 hectares of green space, Parc Maisonneuve is an ideal backdrop for a wide range of recreational activities — and it’s far from the hustle and bustle.
Where are the best outdoor patios (terrasses) in Montréal?
Montreal has over 1,000 open-air patios that open every summer.
To make Montréal feel even more relaxed, most neighbourhoods have transformed one (or more) main commercial strips into walkable pedestrian paradises. Some favourites include:
- Promenade Wellington in Verdun
- Sainte-Catherine Street in the LGBTQ+ Village
- Bernard Avenue in Outremont
- Mont-Royal Avenue in the Plateau
- Sainte-Catherine Street in the downtown core
When a pint seems too basic and a bottle of wine lacks that inventive flair, Montréal’s cocktail bars hit the perfect note. From classics harkening to the Rat Pack to avant-garde mixology magic that reinvents the craft, we’ve got all the options. All that’s left to do is choose your cocktail spot.
What are the must-eat foods in Montréal for a weekend trip?
If there is one item that has secured Montréal’s place on the world’s food map, it’s smoked meat. Here is your guide to finding the best smoked meat in Montréal. Speaking of the basics, here’s everything you need to know about Montréal bagels.
If you’ve gone a bit overboard with the fries and gravy (or smoked meat and bagels) lately, and feel a need to cleanse your body with some plant-based fare, Montréal’s got you covered with some of the best vegetarian and vegan eats around.
When the weekend comes, Montréal loves to brunch. While there are tons of delicious options all over the city, here are some of our favourite brunch locations in and around the downtown core.
Nothing says summer more than eating frozen desserts, and Montréal has no shortage of delicious ice cream options.
Finally, get thyself to a public market to sample all the local flavours of the Québec region.
Bonus food ideas:
- Tired of utensils? They can be so sharp and awkward. We’ve got you covered with this roundup of where to eat tacos.
- Want to travel? Great. These Middle-Eastern restaurants will transport you—if not geographically, then definitely culinarily/psychologically.
- Feel like emotional eating? Fulfill your carb dreams with Montréal’s best bakeries and pastry shops
- Want extra space to stretch out? Check out these restaurants located in Montréal parks!
BKIND
Retail therapy
One of the best ways to experience Montréal is through the offerings of its artists and artisans, which you’ll find in spades at these cool (no, really) souvenir shops. Otherwise, fashion mavens will find their bliss in Old Montréal, in Mile End, antiques along the Lachine Canal, and on Laurier Avenue West, while big-brand lovers will love the downtown core.
Grande Roue
Hit new highs
Get a stunning view of the city from one of Montréal’s most iconic landmarks: La Grande Roue de Montréal. The giant Ferris wheel in the heart of the Old Port is a fun activity for families, couples, or solo travellers. Photographers will want to take advantage of the golden hour and plan a visit shortly before the sun sets. Tip: for extra luxury, opt for the VIP carriage.
Mural Festival
Discover Montréal’s murals
Montréal’s hues and magnificence don’t only appear in parks and green spaces — they’re also on the city’s walls. Take a stroll to see some of the city’s most important oeuvres, which are free to see on the side of buildings. Learn all about Montréal’s murals.
Bonus ideas!
Go for a dreamy walk with one of these six romantic walk itineraries.
Make the most of Montréal's glorious sunny days and warm nights with all kinds of *free* things to do.
There's still no shortage of things to do for the whole family—check out these fun family activities in Montréal this summer.
Montréal’s festival season is internationally renowned! Time your visit with one of these delightful summer festivals…
“Frequently Asked Questions” about summer in Montréal
Is Montréal walkable in the summer? Yes, especially with the seasonal pedestrianization of streets like Mont-Royal Avenue and Sainte-Catherine.
What should I pack for a Montréal summer weekend? Light clothing for humid days (25-30°C), a light jacket for breezy evenings by the St. Lawrence, and comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets.
Are there any major festivals I should know about? Montréal is the festival capital of Canada. In the summer, the city hosts the Montreal International Jazz Festival (the world’s largest), the Just for Laughs comedy festival, and Osheaga for music lovers. Many of these events offer free outdoor concerts in the Quartier des Spectacles, so there is almost always something happening for free. See our summer festival guide!
Do I need to speak French to get around? While Montreal is one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world, English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, restaurants, and shops. Locals appreciate a simple "Bonjour" or "Merci," but you will have no trouble navigating the city or ordering a meal in English.
What is the best way to get around without a car? Beyond walking, the STM Metro (subway) is clean, fast, and stays cool in the heat. For a more scenic route, grab a BIXI bike—Montréal has one of the best bike-sharing systems and most extensive cycling path networks in North America. There is even a ferry (Navette) that can take you across the river to Parc Jean-Drapeau.
Daniel Baylis
Daniel Baylis is a writer, poet, and musician. Several years ago he moved to Montréal to chase silly bohemian dreams. And he’s still at it.
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