A unique way to view the city skyline and Mount Royal and then cruise the St Lawrence River in the vehicle that's somehwere between a bus and a boat.

Perhaps Montréal´s least appreciated attraction, this Nature Park on several islands in the Riviere de Prairie has walking paths in some of Quebec's prettiest, most historic countryside. Along the way, the old cider mill café has soft and hard cider, and incredible apple pie, open year-round with a terrace overlooking the river. Many birds, including a rare black-crowned heron, summer here.
Further through the woods is an early French settlement (circa 1585), then panoramic vistas at the Belvédère gazebo overlooking the Sault-au-Récollet rapids (Jacques Cartier landed here in 1535). Before the Church of the Visitation, (which predates churches of Vieux Montréal) stand statues of Fr. Nicolas Viel and Ahuntsic, his young Huron acolyte, for whom the district is named. They drowned in 1625 when their canoe capsized in rapids, en route to Quebec City. The youth's statue was once struck by lightning; God's wrath said locals at the time, believing more than friendship existed between them. Another tale of sexual intrique dates to the war between the British and French, when it's said a French soldier lured a British officer to his death at this dam, with promises of sex. Take the Metro to Papineau, then walk to the river by the Champlain Bridge. 2425 Blvd. Gouin Est (514-280-6733).

Filling the skies over Montreal from Île Sainte-Hélène, fireworks displays by masters of the art from around the world, every Saturday from June 12 to August 14th, 2010.

La Fête Nationale Du Québec (formerly La Fête Saint-Jean-Baptiste) is Québec statutory holiday, observed on 24 June. Pagan festivals had long celebrated the Summer Solstice  longest day of the year with bonfires, and in Catholic countries the old practices became associated with Saint John the Baptist. In Quebec it has become their National Day, celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy throughout the province.

The most beautiful of the city's parks occupies a 200-hectare chunk of the mountain that lies in the middle of Montreal island. With the highest point at 234m, it has some great views of downtown buildings, the river and some distance beyond.

In the middle of the Saint Lawrence River: an outdoor swimming pool complex, a beach, picnicking, boat rentals, biking, line dancing, in-line skating,  music concerts, ethnic festivals, the casino, the biosphere, La Ronde amusement park and more.