CBC Montreal: Places we love

Montreal is often described as a city that's multicultural, with a vibrant nightlife,manygreenspaces.

We asked some of our CBC Montreal personalities to share their favourite spots in their neighbourhoods.

Debra Arbec, anchor of CBC MontrealNews at 6 p.m.

My favourite thing about NDG is the alleys in the neighbourhood. As a dog owner, I love to stroll through them. It's a different dynamic than walking on the street. People stop, chat and get to know one anotherwhile their dogs play. Beyond a playground for dogs and their owners, the alleys bring the community together. In the spring, there's a great spirit when neighbours gather to clean and sweep up, and children flood into them to play. In my back alley, there's always a summer block party too.

Jeanette Kelly, arts reporter

My favourite place is the grounds of the Villa Maria school in NDG, especially in the spring when the apple trees lining the grey stone facade of the building are pink with blossoms and you can walk through the maple-lined driveway looking out over the city. It's a quiet space when the girls aren't playing soccer and an example of the architectural heritage of so many religious buildings in the city.

Shari Okeke, Daybreak writer/broadcaster

Parc Lafontaine is by far my favourite spot in our neighbourhood.It's a great place for long walks any time of year. In the winter we enjoy the lights, the skating rink and the kids love to toboggan there.
During the summers, we've enjoyed many birthday parties in the park, the wading pools, the tennis courts, many many picnics and cardio classes too!
It's also been the starting line for Tour la Nuit and I've run a few 5-kilometreraces at the park... oh, and my kids LOVE the ducks!

Sean Henry, weekend anchor, news reporter

It's pretty easy for me: the Tim Horton's on Ontario at the corner of de Chambly in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. It's part of my daily routine, so much so that most of the staffknow my coffee order. The Tim Horton's is at the heart of Promenades Ontario and is always a flurry of activity. This is the one place where you will meet just about anyone.

Andrea Stanford, researcher

My favourite place in my neighbourhood is a cozy cafin Valois Village called The Den. I spent a lot of time there while on maternity leave, so I have fond memories of sipping coffee and chatting with the super friendly staff while my daughter dozed in her car seat.

Molly Kohli, social media editor & tech columnist

I love almost everything about Little Burgundy. I love how it has all these small oases in the heart of the city. I spend most of my summer somewhere along the Lachine Canal, in the grass by the water. There's something to do for every mood; I can people- (and dog-) watch, I can take in the sun, set up a picnic, or even exercise (okay let's be honest, I don't do this). It's sad to see all the new condos by the water take up so much space and create so much traffic, but luckily, even with all the people, it's still easy to find a little nook away from it all.

Melinda Dalton, digital journalist

Living downtown, it can sometimes feel like you lose a bit of a sense of community in the hustle and bustle. The one place that remains a feel-good oasis is the Place des Festivals. No matter the season, Montrealers of all ages mingle with delighted tourists, as giggling children run through the fountain or big kids relive their youth on the glowing teeter-totters. People collectively pause for a conversation or to experience a moment of joy in their day before returning to the busy pace of the city. It never fails to make me smile and reaffirm my sense of pride in Montreal's joie de vivre.

Elias Abboud, news reporter

My favourite place in my neighbourhood is the Jean-Talon Market. Wandering through the market aisles in late summer and early fall, when the local fruit and vegetables are abundant, I call it my "happy place."