Nature has finally awoken from its long winter slumber, and it feels good! Now it’s time to prepare for the warmer months of the year, because summer is coming at full speed! First things first: locate the nearest source of refreshment! Here are some tips:

Montreal boasts a total of 74 outdoor pools, 116 wading pools, and 99 play fountains, maintained throughout the summer season. No matter your age, you will find an oasis. And the best part of it is that the majority is FREE!

Play fountains and wading pools are most fun for children and infants. They generally open early in June and the season ends mid-August for the wading pools, and mid-September for the play fountains. You will find them in the parks all around Montreal. They are a great alternative to swimming pools.

The season for the open-air swimming pools goes from mid-June to mid-September. Check out the opening hours of the nearest swimming pool regularly on the official Montreal website. They are mostly located in the major parks.

But the real hot spots for water pleasures are definitely the beaches: yes, they do exist in Montreal! The closest ones are at the Park Jean Drapeau (just 5min from Downtown!) and the Clock Tower Beach at the Old Port (sunbathing only, no swimming). If you don’t mind longer trips, there are beaches at the Nature Park of Bois de l’Île Bizard and Cap Saint-Jacques, and at Oka and Boucherville Islands national parks.

Well at this point we can only recommend jumping into your swimwear, relaxing in the water and enjoying the summer!

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