Formerly farmland, Parc La Fontaine is the city's eastern answer to Mont Royal, with two waterfall-linked ponds – ideal for summer strolling and winter snowshoeing. At 34 hectares, this verdant park is Montréal's third largest. In warm months, folks flock to its green fields, perimeter bike paths and Théâtre de Verdure (montreal.ca/lieux/theater-de-verdure), an outdoor amphitheater with free programming from late June through August. When winter blows in, ice skaters take to the frozen pond and cross-country skiers glide along 5.2km of groomed trails. Patin Patin (patinpatin.ca/en) offers skate and ski rentals inside the park chalet from mid-January to early March.
The view down the steep banks from Ave du Parc La Fontaine is impressive, especially if the fountains are in play.