The host of the 1967 World’s Fair is today home to a casino, museum, racetrack and a number of summer festivals.
It takes two whole islands in the St. Lawrence River to contain this diverse park just east of downtown Montreal. Its variety of activities attract large crowds who come to gamble at the casino, watch an evening firework display, visit the historic buildings and cycle around a racetrack.
Start your visit on the northern Saint Helen’s Island. The island is home to a range of postmodern architecture including the famous Biosphere. Designed by the revolutionary American architect Buckminster Fuller, the Biosphere was the star attraction of Expo ’67. Enter the museum within the sphere to learn about local environmental issues.
Cross the Concorde Bridge to reach Île Notre-Dame, the manmade island immediately to the south. Try your hand at poker at the Montreal Casino, which is open around the clock all year. The casino features slot machines, numerous restaurants and live shows.
Rent a bike from a rental kiosk on the island to cycle around Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Jump at the chance to cycle on the course that hosts the Canadian Grand Prix every June. At all other times of the year the route is open to walkers, bikers and roller skaters.
Head to the Stewart Museum to learn about the early years of European settlement in the area. See military items and household objects within the old British military fort on Saint Helen’s Island.
Each summer the park hosts a number of the city’s largest festivals. Arrive on a Sunday to experience one of the regular sessions of the electronic music festival Piknic Électronik. On Friday and Saturday evenings from June until August the park puts on a free firework display, lighting up the water surrounding the La Ronde amusement park.
Reach Parc-Jean Drapeau by bus or metro, or find some parking by the Jacques Cartier or Concorde Bridges. The park is free to enter and open year-round, but many of the attractions charge a fee and hold their own hours.
