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5 Best Places to See Fall Colours in Montreal

You don’t have to look hard to find beauty in Montreal. If you’re fortunate enough to visit or live here in the fall, then you’ll be in for an extra treat. Here are 5 best places to see fall colours in Montreal. Jot these places down in your Montreal itinerary notes!

1. Mont-Royal Parc – Best Views in the City

It’s easy to say Mont-Royal Parc is the best place to see fall colours in Montreal, but it’s a large park, and some spots are better than others for witnessing this seasonal change. 3 highlights of the park that make it amazing are the Kondiaronk Belvedere, BelvΓ©dΓ¨re Outremont, and Mount Royal Chalet.

  • Kondiaronk Belvedere is a spacious lookout area located at the highest point of Mont-Royal Parc. This elevated vantage point provides a panoramic view of the city, including the downtown skyline, the St. Lawrence River, and the surrounding nature.
  • BelvΓ©dΓ¨re Outremont is another unique lookout spot in Mont-Royal Parc, located on the western side. From this viewpoint, you can see the changing colours of the trees in the park’s dense forest, contrasted with the urban landscape of the Outremont neighborhood. This area has a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to take a quiet stroll and enjoy the fall foliage in the city.
  • Mount Royal Chalet is a historic landmark located at the top of Mount Royal Parc. This multi-level building houses a cafΓ©, gift shop, and an observation deck, offering visitors a unique perspective of the park and the city. During the fall season, the observation deck provides an unobstructed 360-degree view of the park.
Autumn in the park - Mack Song from Unsplash
Photo: Mack Song from Unsplash

2. MarchΓ© Atwater – Best for Fall Food

The Atwater Market is known for its abundant fresh produce, especially during the fall season. As the summer harvest comes to an end, the market is filled with a variety of fall fruits and vegetables.

Enjoy the vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow as you stroll through the market while sampling and purchasing these delicious seasonal offerings. The market also offers a selection of local maple products, a quintessential fall flavour in Quebec.

OK, OK, it’s not a view per se, but it’s an autumn staple.

The Atwater market is also no stranger to traditional fall scents. Throughout the market, you’ll experience the enticing aromas of freshly baked apple pies, spiced apple cider, and roasted chestnuts.

Montreal from above in autumn - William Topa from Unsplash
Photo: William Topa from Unsplash

3. Parc Jean-Drapeau – Best for Fall Hiking

There’s nothing better than a fall hike through a picturesque landscape on a brisk afternoon with the sun shining. The best place to experience this β€œHallmark” moment is in Parc Jean-Drapeau.

As the leaves change colour, the park transforms itself. The contrast between the vibrant colours and the lush greenery is truly a sight to behold. The park also boasts spectacular views of the Montreal skyline, making it a unique and beautiful hiking destination.

The landscape is home to over 25 kilometres (15,5 miles) of hiking trails, each offering unique views and experiences. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, there is a trail for everyone to enjoy the changing colours of the season.

Fall trees - HH Cookies from Unsplash
Photo: HH Cookies from Unsplash

4. Botanical Garden – Best Fall Smells at the Jardin botanique de MontrΓ©al

The Montreal Botanical Gardens is a prime spot to experience the fall colours due to its diverse and carefully curated grounds. The gardens are divided into several themed areas, each with its own unique vegetation and colour palette.

This includes a Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Alpine Garden, and First Nations Garden, among others. The gardens cover an area of almost 200 hectares and feature an impressive collection of over 22,000 plant species from around the world.

Beyond the visual feast of autumn colours, the Montreal Botanical Gardens also offers a sensory experience through its unique smells. As the temperatures cool and leaves begin to change, the gardens are filled with the earthy, musky scent of fallen leaves. The gardens also house a variety of apple, pear, and plum trees, providing a sweet and refreshing fragrance as the fruits ripen during the fall.

Montreal in the fall - The Bialons from Unsplash
Photo: The Bialons from Unsplash

5. Old Port of Montreal – Best for Fall Activities

From mid-September until late November, the Old Port is transformed into a vibrant autumn wonderland, making it the perfect location to witness the fall colours in Montreal.

Take a leisurely stroll: Place d’Youville and Champ-de-Mars, which are both known for their beautiful fall foliage. Or take a scenic bike ride along the Lachine Canal and capture breathtaking views of the changing leaves.

For those looking for a more adventurous experience, the Old Port offers kayaking and paddleboarding tours on the St. Lawrence River. You can witness the fall colours while navigating the river surrounded by nature’s changing hues. Another popular activity is to take a cruise along the river, where you’ll dine while taking in the stunning fall scenery.

Montreal ferris wheel in fall - The Bialons from Unsplash
Photo: The Bialons from Unsplash

Montreal is Great Any Time of Year

If you love the best places to see fall colours in Montreal, just wait until you see the other seasons. The city is diverse and adaptable, so no matter what Mother Nature throws at Montreal, you can be sure residents are prepared.

Here are some other amazing tours in Montreal you may want to book!

  • Try your hand at a bagel making workshop, an iconic Montreal institution!
  • VΓ©lo Festif MTL partying with friends (or new acquaintances) and biking collide.
  • Combine bike and spa for sore joints with Fitz Tours.
  • Spade & Palacio lead activities like Beyond the Bike Lanes, Beyond the Market, Beyond the Basilica, Mural Tours, and Beyond the Village.
  • Secret Montreal offers hidden history tours of the Montreal red light district around what we now call the Quartier des Spectacles.
  • Watch a Montreal Canadiens Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Bell Centre.
  • Take a History Walking Tour of Old Montreal with Guidatour.
  • Quartier des Spectacles offers a free walking tour around the Place des Festivals in the summer.
  • Urban Marmotte and his owner Michel take you around the city for a Montreal by Night tour!
  • Discover the RESO: Montreal’s Underground City + Downtown Tour.
  • If you’re into architecture and quirky living spaces, Habitat 67 tours are for you!
  • Indulge in some of the best bites in the city with Secret Food Tours.
  • In the Shadow of the Mountain: Montreal Jewish History Walking Tour.
  • The Montreal Street Art & Mural Tour with Fitz Montreal.
  • Montreal’s Sin City Era & Golden Age Walking Tour by MTL Detours.

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Fall Activities / Montreal / Quebec Destinations / Trip Planner / What to See and Do / When to Go
About Author

Passionate about travel and food, Jennifer DorΓ© Dallas is a freelance travel writer, author and creator since 2010. On top of this amazing Chasing Poutine blog, she also founded Moi, mes souliers in 2010 and she is the author/co-author of around two dozen Lonely Planet, Ulysse and Parfum d'encre travel guidebooks, in addition to having contributed to other books and hundreds of tourism and Web platforms, magazines, DMOs and Websites over the years. As a lecturer in Web writing and SEO for a Quebec college and consultant for various companies and DMOs, she loves combining technological advances with the classic beauty of words, and is a member of TMAC, SATW, NATJA and IFTWTA!

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