Montreal’s spectacular Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal) was
inaugurated in 1876 as a place where city people could enjoy acres of green space
and take part in different outdoor activities. The park was designed by
Frederick Law Olmstead (architect of New York’s Central Park) and provides one
of the best views of the city below. One of the premier attractions of the park
is the giant cross erected in 1924 by the St. John the Baptist Society.
Standing at over 100 meters, the cross lights up each evening. Most visitors
drive to the top of the mountain to see the view, or they may walk to the top
through one of the many trails that bisect the park. In previous years however
– from 1885 to 1918 – a funicular railroad was used to transport people to the
peak. A portion of the park has been declared a National Heritage Site.
There are many recreational options available around the year for visitors to the park. Paddle boating in the recreational lake is a popular pastime, while snow enthusiasts take to the hills with their toboggans and sleds during the winter. Most equipment (such as cross country skis, ice-skates, bikes and paddle boats) can be rented at the park.
Don’t forget to round off your visit to Mount Royal Park with a stop-over at Smith House, built in 1858 and considered the last standing example of rural architecture from the period.