Montreal’s top picks for a picnic

Summers mean a lot for Montrealers, says nature boy and outdoor enthusiast Rick Frank Andreoli of Montreal. Not only is it a break from the icy days of winter, but it’s also a great time to visit the park, and to have a picnic in some comfortable shade. For today’s blog, here are a few top picks around Montreal to visit during summer.</a href="https:>

Mount Royal Park

The city’s name was derived from Mount Royal, says Rick Frank Andreoli of Montreal. Originally designed by Frederick Law Ohmstead (who also co-designed New York’s Central Park), Mount Royal Park is one of the largest green spaces of the city. There is no limit for the blanket and the basket here. The George-Etienne Cartier Monument is surrounded by green spaces and a forested base where it’s perfectly fine to relax. Food trucks are also available here, in two separate locations. For more exploration, you can hike up the park’s beautiful terrain and take advantage of the great views.

Île Sainte-Hélène

The site of the 1967 International and Universal Exposition or Expo 67 Fair, Île Sainte-Hélène has become a major attraction in Montreal ever since. Some of its major landmarks include the Gilles Villeneuve track which is good for cycling activities, the biosphere, Picnic Electronique, the Jean-Dore Beach, and La Ronde. For a perfect picnic, Rick Frank Andreoli of Montreal suggests the area next to the Swan Lake for some calm and relaxation.

Verdun

A string of parks and near the Saint-Lawrence River, these are just some of the reasons to visit Verdun, says Rick Frank Andreoli of Montreal. Choose from a variety of parks available: Champion Park by the Autoroute 15, the hillsides of Arthur Therrien Park, Woodland Park, Verdun Park, Turtle Wharf Park, J.-Albert-Gariepy Park (where a beach is), and the Rapids Park with its bird sanctuary. For picnics, top recommendation is around NAVI - where the rapids begin - for some cool & pleasant breeze.