Parc La Fontaine is the Plateau’s backyard, a sprawling green expanse where Montrealers claim their patch of grass for picnics, pétanque, or a midday nap under the towering trees. In summer, the park’s pond reflects the city’s energy, with fountains spraying mist into the air and Théâtre de Verdure hosting free outdoor performances. When winter sets in, that same pond transforms into an open-air skating rink, complete with rentals and music. Sports fields, tennis courts, and bocce lanes keep the competitive types busy, while playgrounds and wading pools cater to kids. The park’s network of trails makes it a prime spot for cycling and cross-country skiing, with enough tree cover to make you forget you’re still in the middle of the city. Steps from the Plateau’s best cafés and bars, it’s the kind of place you pass through—and somehow end up staying all day.