Montreal's Botanical Garden is now open to explore for the winter season

With Montrealers being permitted—if not encouraged—to not remain cooped up indoors during the upcoming lockdown on December 25, Montreal's Botanical Garden has announced that it is open for exploration every day of the week from 7:30am to 5pm with no reservations required, only closing for December 24 and 25. 

The greenhouses, along with all the other indoor spaces around it like the museums will remain closed.

Social-distancing measures are in effect and wearing a face covering is obligatory for washrooms (accessible by the Reception Centre), but once the next fresh snowfall hits the ground? The gardens will be a great place to revisit by foot or with cross-country skis if there's enough snow on the ground (no snowshoeing, however). 

"I'm very happy to announce that the outdoor paths of the Botanical Garden are now reopened," mayor Valerie Plante announced on Twitter. "We will be able to take advantage of the holidays outside, respecting the sanitary measures, in addition to taking advantage of the winter programming offered in several parks."

Très heureuse d'annoncer que les sentiers extérieurs du Jardin botanique sont maintenant rouverts. Nous pourrons ainsi profiter du temps des Fêtes à l'extérieur, en respectant les mesures sanitaires, en plus de profiter de la programmation hivernale offerte dans plusieurs parcs. pic.twitter.com/KiFPiaKLl5

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) December 17, 2020

It's beginning to look like Montrealers won't have an excuse to stay indoors the entire time this winter—you soon won't be able to say "but it's 2020" anymore. Get off your ass and enjoy some nature when you can, especially when it's coated in virgin snow.

The latest from Time Out Montréal

- Parc Jean-Drapeau's new winter program has a skating rink, sledding hills, and free equipment

- Get yourself a lockdown buddy at this one-day-only plant sale in downtown Montreal

- Veterans of Maison Publique have opened a new restaurant-boutique hybrid called Salle Climatisée

- This new hyper-local, neighbourhood-focused market in Montreal is like a bookstore for food

- Old Montreal's free winter village of sculptures, lights and a giant igloo opens today