In addition to Parque La Carolina there are 3 other major parks in Quito. They are: El Ejido, La Alameda and Parque Metropolitano.
El Ejido is located on Av. Patria west of Casa de la Cultura. It is one of the most traditional parks in the city and serves as a showcase for many local artists. A stroll through the park’s sidewalks affords you the opportunity 
to admire their work, which is set up for sale along the pathway. This park is also a popular place for street entertainers, such as the frozen man, comedians and other traveling theater groups. The shows can be quite entertaining and draw large crowds. You might also enjoy watching a competitive game of ecuavolei, which is a national sport that most resembles what we call volleyball, except it is played with a soccer ball. If the game isn’t too fierce they may even let you in to try your hand at it. Vendors are also set up close by in case you get hungry for some fried street food. Personally it doesn’t fare too well on this gringo belly of mine.
La Alameda isn’t nearly as exciting of a park; in fact it is famous for its history. The park is the site of South America’s observatory,the Observatorio Astronomico, which was built between 1864 and 1887. La Alameda is located just outside the historic old town of Quito and isn’t really home to anything interesting, in my opinion. The park is adorned with busts of Ecuador’s most famous politicians and leaders, and the entrance is marked by a large monument to Simon Bolivar.
If you are up for a little more activity and excitement then you may want to visit Parque Metropolitano. It is one of the largest parks in the city and is a hotspot for biking, running, walking, skating. There are walking paths for a nice stroll or cycling, and wooded areas that are good for mountain biking and hiking. The highest point in the park is at an altitude of 2988 meters above sea level, something to remember when engaging in physical activity. The park is so large it is easy to get lost in your surroundings, despite the fact that the busy city of Quito awaits right outside.
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