Mont Royal Park (Beaver Lake & Playground)

Mont Royal Park is the green heart of Montreal and one of the most beloved family destinations in the city. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (the same landscape architect who created Central Park in New York), this 200-hectare urban park sits atop the mountain that gave Montreal its name, offering trails, a lake, playgrounds, and some of the best views in the city.

For families, Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castors) is the natural starting point. This small, scenic lake is surrounded by grassy lawns and shaded by mature trees. In summer, kids can rent paddle boats and cruise the water, feed the ducks (though the park discourages bread — bring seeds or lettuce), and play on the modern playground situated right beside the lake.

The playground has climbing structures, swings, and slides suitable for toddlers through age 10.

The trails radiating from Beaver Lake offer gentle walks through forest that feels surprisingly wild for the middle of a major city. Kids love spotting squirrels, chipmunks, and birds along the way. The most popular trail leads to the Kondiaronk Belvedere, a stone terrace with a sweeping panoramic view of downtown Montreal, the St.

Lawrence River, and on clear days, all the way to the mountains on the horizon. The walk takes about 20-30 minutes and is manageable for kids ages 5 and up with a few rest stops.

In winter, Mont Royal Park transforms into a winter wonderland. Beaver Lake freezes over and becomes a public skating rink (open 9 AM to 9 PM, with skate rentals for $10 CAD). The sledding hills near the lake are packed with families on weekends — inner tube sledding is especially popular and incredibly fun for kids of all ages.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails wind through the forest, and the snow-covered landscape is genuinely beautiful.

One of Montreal's most unique family traditions happens every Sunday in summer at the base of the mountain: the tam-tams. A massive, spontaneous drum circle forms around the George-Étienne Cartier monument, drawing hundreds of musicians, dancers, and spectators. It is free, joyful, and utterly Montreal. Kids love the energy and often join in dancing.

Getting to the park is easiest by bus — the 11 from Mont-Royal metro drops you right at the park entrance. Driving is possible but parking is limited and fills up fast on nice days. The park is fully accessible by stroller on the main paths, though some of the narrower trails can be challenging with wheels.

Mont Royal Park is free, open year-round, and never feels the same twice. It is the kind of place Montreal families return to dozens of times and always find something new to enjoy.