Looking for the best outdoor activities to do in your city? This is for you.
Whether you’re craving fresh air, a dose of greenery, or just a break from the fast pace of city life, we’ve rounded up the best outdoor activities in your area—so you can escape into nature without ever leaving the city.
This post is for explorers, families, weekend wanderers, and anyone searching for nature activities near me. We’ll show you where to go, what to do, and even where to park, because yes, Indigo Neo has your back. Use the app to book your spot and skip the parking stress.
Keep reading to find your next dose of city-side nature. You might be surprised how close it really is.
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Outdoor Activities to do in Toronto
Outdoor Activities to do in Montréal
Outdoor Activities to do in Ottawa
Outdoor Activities to do in Vancouver
Outdoor Activities to do in Calgary
Outdoor Activities to do in Toronto
Explore Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works is one of the city’s most inspiring green spaces. Visitors can explore lush ravine trails that twist through the Don Valley, offering a refreshing escape into nature right in the heart of the city. On weekends, the Saturday Farmers Market (8 AM to 1 PM) brings in fresh local produce, while the Sunday Artisan Market (10 AM to 3 PM) features everything from vintage goods to handmade crafts. Families will love the Children’s Garden—a hands-on, muddy, dig-in-the-dirt space filled with edible plants and natural play structures.
WHERE TO PARK:
550 Bayview Avenue
2-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 350 parking spaces for great access to all the greenery. EV charging is available on-site.
Listen to Music at the Toronto Music Garden
The Toronto Music Garden is one of the city’s most unique outdoor spaces. Visitors can stroll through winding pathways surrounded by beautifully sculpted flower beds, native grasses, and artful water features. Beyond the scenery, the garden often hosts free concerts and cultural events, blending sound with landscape in a truly memorable way. Occasional guided tours offered by Toronto Botanical Garden volunteers reveal the deeper meaning behind the design and plant choices.
WHERE TO PARK:
530 Front St W
12-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 underground garage offers 242 parking spaces for convenient access at any time of day.
Bike Through Toronto Island
Just a short ferry ride from downtown, the Toronto Islands offer a full-day outdoor escape with everything from sandy beaches and wooded trails to birdwatching and water sports. Rent a bike or bring your own to explore the many scenic trails that wind through meadows, bridges, and along the lakefront. For those who prefer water over wheels, you can rent kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards and glide past peaceful lagoons and historic sites like Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.
WHERE TO PARK:
18 York St
15-minute walk to the ferry
This spacious underground garage is open 24/7 and features 656 parking spaces, offering secure and convenient parking at any hour.
Outdoor Activities to do in Montréal
Jog/Hike through Mount Royal Park
Mount Royal is Montréal’s beloved “mountain.” Its winding trails—perfect for hiking, jogging, or walking—lead you through dense forested areas, lush lawns, and up to Beaver Lake and panoramic overlooks like the Kondiaronk Belvedere. In warmer seasons, you can rent rowboats on Beaver Lake or stroll up to the Mount Royal Chalet for a drink, a snack, and sweeping skyline views.
WHERE TO PARK:
3550 Chem. de la Côte-des-Neiges
12-minute walk to the venue
This lot has 76 spaces, operates 7:30 AM–6:30 PM, and is closed on Sundays. Payment at this location is available on-site only.
Paddle your way through Parc Jean‑Drapeau
Straddling Saint Helen’s Island and Île Notre‑Dame, Parc Jean‑Drapeau is a unique escape where history, culture, and active nature meet. The range of nature and sport offerings is unmatched; you can enjoy activities like: bike paths, nature observation zones, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, stand‑up paddle boarding, and beach volleyball courts.
WHERE TO PARK:
800 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Est
6-minute walk to Berri-UQAM
This underground lot is open 24/7, offering 400 spaces. This is the perfect park-n-ride option. Payment at this location is available on-site only.
See Green Through a Guided Bike Tour
If you’re itching to explore Montreal’s natural side without planning every turn, a guided bike tour is a great bet. Companies like “Ça Roule Montréal” offer excellent tours through leafy neighbourhoods and along scenic paths. These tours come with bike rentals (regular or e‑bike), certified guides, and views of parks, murals, historic streets, and green corridors.
WHERE TO PARK:
445 Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste
2-minute walk to the venue
This underground lot has 100 spaces and is open 24/7. Payment at this location is available on-site only. EV charging is available on-site.
Outdoor Activities to do in Ottawa
Explore the Canadian Museum of Nature
Nestled in a heritage “castle” right downtown, the Canadian Museum of Nature invites you to explore the planet, from dinosaur fossils to Arctic plants and global biodiversity, all in one building. With seven permanent galleries, you can walk through the Fossil Gallery to stand face-to-face with nearly complete dinosaur skeletons, dip into the Bird Gallery housing over 450 species, or get mesmerized by the geological display featuring real moon rock and dazzling minerals.
WHERE TO PARK:
403 Bank Street
8-minute walk to venue
This surface lot is open 9am-8pm, and offers 75 parking spaces.
Experience the Best Sunsets at Andrew Haydon Park
Further west along the Ottawa River, Andrew Haydon Park delivers stunning sunsets that reflect over tranquil ponds and riverbanks. With walking and cycling paths, a windmill, pond waterfalls, and open lawns, it’s made for low-key nature moments like; picnics, casual strolls, or solo reflection.
WHERE TO PARK:
2900 Carling Avenue
16-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 23 parking spaces.
See Beautiful Flowers at Commissioners Park
Just beside Dows Lake, Commissioners Park is a vibrant green oasis famed for its sprawling flower beds and sweeping views over the water. The surrounding paths and lakefront invite biking, walking, and quiet reflection on rideau canal nature walks.
WHERE TO PARK:
80 Aberdeen Street
9-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 60 parking spaces.
Outdoor Activities to do in Vancouver
Take a Stroll down Stanley Park
At the heart of Vancouver sits Stanley Park. Everywhere you look are towering cedar and fir trees, playful wildlife, and a network of over 27 km of forest trails. But the real star is the iconic 9 km Seawall—ideal for walking, cycling, or even fishing if you’ve got a licence.
WHERE TO PARK:
2040 Nelson St
5-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 underground garage features 50 parking spaces, offering secure and convenient access at any time. Payment at this location is available on-site only.
Paddle-Board in Deep Cove
Just a short drive from downtown lies Deep Cove, a tiny waterfront enclave cradled by mountains and forest. Here, you can easily rent either stable recreational or high-performance paddle boards, even lessons are available if you want to level up and launch right from the village’s sandy shore. As you paddle through still waters surrounded by forest and peaks, you’ll feel worlds away from city life.
WHERE TO PARK:
1991 Rockcliff Road
2-minute walk to venue
This surface lot is open from 8am-6pm and has 26 spaces available.
Whale Watching Adventure at Granville
A half-day whale‑watching trip from Granville Island takes you into the Salish Sea aboard a comfy, eco‑friendly catamaran with heated indoor seating and open decks. Naturalist guides walk you through the region’s geology and marine life while you keep watch for orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, seals, and bald eagles.
WHERE TO PARK:
1650 West 2nd Avenue
9-minute walk to venue
This gated underground garage offers 55 spaces and is open 24/7. EV charging is available on-site.
Outdoor Activities to do in Calgary
Community Nature Walks at Meadowlark Park
In southwest Calgary, Meadowlark Park’s Community Nature Walks bring nature right to your doorstep. These free guided strolls, hosted by Calgary Parks staff, invite all ages to explore local plants and wildlife, no gear needed, just curiosity.
WHERE TO PARK:
5119 Elbow Drive Southwest
15-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 103 parking spaces for easy and convenient access at any time.
Have a Picnic at Prince’s Island Park
Just north of downtown, Prince’s Island Park is a lush urban oasis perched on the Bow River. Spanning nearly 20 hectares, it’s packed with flower gardens, picnic lawns, playgrounds, and a network of paved walking and hiking paths along the river’s edge
WHERE TO PARK:
633 3 Ave SW
14-minute walk to venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 98 parking spaces for easy and convenient access at any time.
Float in the River at Stanley Park
Tucked along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary, Stanley Park offers a mix of playgrounds, sports fields, and waterfront trails ideal for city dwellers craving open-air time. With amenities like a wading pool, toboggan hill, tennis courts, and canoe/raft access to the river, it’s a full-spectrum nature playground for “Calgary inner-city parks” or “family outdoor activities Calgary” fans.
WHERE TO PARK:
4014 Macleod Trail
9-minute walk to the venue
This 24/7 surface lot offers 74 parking spaces for convenient, around-the-clock access.
Conclusion
No matter where you are, there are so many things to do in your city that will make you fall in love with nature.
From paddling through mountain-backed coves in Vancouver to strolling through tulip gardens in Ottawa, nature isn’t something you have to plan a whole weekend around. It’s right outside your door.
And the best part is, you don’t need to stress about parking.
Just download the Indigo Neo app, book your spot, and make more time for what actually matters, getting outside and enjoying it.
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