It is possible to cycle to the park from Ile de Montreal or Longueuil on the Jacques Cartier bridge and Pont de la Concorde.
Bicycles can be brought aboard the Metro all day Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and during off-peak hours but might be refused if STM staff anticipate a large number of passengers.
Access the island from pont Jacques-Cartier at the north end of Île Sainte-Helen or pass by Habitate 67 and use Pont Condorde to the south. Parking is limited and expensive, running $10-15 flat rate depending on the season and events. Note that car access to and around the islands is cut off during Formula One races (obviously, since the road around Ile Notre Dame doubles as the race track) and other events.
Montreal Biosphere, 160 chemin Tour-de-l'Isle [1]. The former United States pavillion from Expo 67, a geodesic dome designed by R. Buckminster Fuller. It now houses an Environment Canada museum dedicated to water and the environment.
Habitat '67
Habitat 67, 2600 avenue Pierre-Dupuy (take Chemin du Moulins exit from Hwy 10 south), 514-866-5971 [2]. This visually striking residential building was created by architect Moshe Safdie for Expo 67. The result was an amazingly modern dwelling that challenged the way architects created urban homes. Compared alternately to a beehive, a Taos pueblo, and a crystalline growth, the complex's 154 units are composed of prefabricated concrete cubes assembled on site. The apartments here are highly prized and a number of prominent Montrealers make Habitat 67 their home.
Public pool (Complexe aquatique de l'île Sainte-Hélène). Open daily 16 Jun-24 Aug 11AM-4PM, Weekends 25 Aug-14 Sep. Ages 6-13 $2.50, adult $5, 65+ $4.
Beach park, ☎ 514 872-6120. 20 Jun-24 Aug, 10AM-7PM.. Clean water and sand attracts families to this small, man-made beach at the south tip of Ile Notre Dame. Activities include a playground, volleyball, and watercraft rentals. There are bathrooms, changing rooms, and a snack bar.Ages 14 and up $8, 6-13 $4, 65+ $7, Family $20. Season passes available.
Dragon Boats.
Rowing.
Waterskiing and wakeboarding (L'école provinciale de ski nautique).
Île Notre-Dame lake and at the Olympic Basin., ☎ 514-592-6552. Summer. $35/hr. Reservations required.
Picnicking is the most common form of dining on the islands, but there are a few snack bars scattered around (open Jun-Sep). For sit-down dining, head to the Casino on Ile Ste-Helen.
La Bonne Carte, 1 avenue du Casino (located in the Casino, third floor). Lunch Mon-Fri 11AM-2:30PM, Dinner Sun-Thu 4:30PM-closing, Brunch Sat 11AM-2:30PM Sun 11AM-3:30PM. Lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch are offered at the Casino buffet.Brunch $19.95, Lunch $15.95, Dinner $25.95.
Nuances, 1 avenue du Casino (located in the Casino, top floor), ☎ 514-392-2708, [3]. Open Sun-Thu 5:30PM-11PM, Fri-Sat 5:30PM-11:30PM. French haute cuisine with a Quebec edge served far removed from the noise of the casino. Choose between lobster, Quebec lamb, loin of deer, and other season specialties or try the chefs "discovery menu". Note, no exceptions are made to the Casinos: strict 18 & up policy.Mains $40-$45.
Festin du Gouverneur, (in the Stewart Museum), ☎ 514-879-1141, [4]. Apr-Oct 6PM and 8:30PM; 1 Nov-31 Mar, 6PM; Dec Sun-Thu 7PM and Fri-Sat 6:30PM and 8:30PM. Set menu (meat, fish, and veggie options) with historical reenactment show.$50 adults/$25 under 12.
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