HERE’S A LIST OF FREE (or nearly free) THINGS TO DO IN OTTAWA, CANADA
Like many Canadian destinations, Ottawa is completely weather dependent on what there is to do! There are really two seasons… snowy and not! Assuming your plane ticket here cost you a fair amount, you may be limited on spending once here.
Sadly, in Ottawa it can be expensive to do a lot of the fun stuff. Lucky for you… I know Ottawa well and I am here to help you get the best out of Canada’s Capital without breaking the bank! Remember, if you are from anywhere outside of Canada, you have the strength of your dollar on your side straight out of the gates.
Let’s pack for this trip!
Winter… basically, bring every piece of clothing you own… then go buy a down jacket and bring that too! You may think I am kidding but check the temperature there before you go. It gets crazy cold there in the winter, and then add the “wind chill factor”… that nasty little extra layer of cold Mother Nature piles on which can make it feel twice as cold as your phone screen tells you it is! Average Temp in winter can dip as low as -20C(-3F) without the wind chill.
Summer… It is quite hot in Ottawa in the summer (no, it doesn’t snow year round and they don’t live in Igloos!). The extra layer of heat Mother Nature piles on during this season is called the humidex. It can make HOT feel downright STICKY. Averaging 40 days a summer at about 30C(86-90F), there is ample opportunity to defrost from winter!
Spring and Fall are the best times to visit weather-wise… although most festivals and such happen in the two main seasons.
Winter or Summer
1-TOUR PARLIAMENT HILL…otherwise known as “The Hill”
Unlike their neighbors to the south, Canada allows folks to roam right up to the front doors of Parliament Hill, snap some photos, walk around the entire building taking in some sweeping views of the Ottawa River directly behind the 3 impressive Parliament buildings.
The Gothic style buildings with their copper roofs, now turned green, are a picture perfect sight from your trip to Ottawa! Feel free to ENTER and take a free tour! Guided tours are always free, and above that, you are even welcome to
If you are around on a Wednesday starting in May, Lululemon hosts free yoga on the lawn out front. Get there early as if fills up!
2- BYWARD MARKET…
This downtown attraction is Ottawa’s number one destination for tourists! It is open year-round, yet obviously sees more action in the warmer months (50,000 visitors per weekend!). It is home to both a farmer’s market and local artisans with stands filled with crafts, jewelry, and art.
Make sure you are hungry when you go, as the dining options in this area are never ending! Some of the oldest bars are located here in the Market, such as Chateau Lafayette (The Laff as the locals call it). Located at 42 York St, this watering hole dates back to 1849 and often has live music and a lively ambiance.
3-TRY A BEAVERTAIL PASTRY…
Perhaps you’d like to try a local favorite… the Beavertail! The Byward Market is a pretty perfect place to try one… in the heart of Canada’s capital. A Beavertail is a flattened pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar and other toppings of your choice… you guessed it, in the shape of a beaver tail. It will only set you back a few bucks and you will leave wanting to try another!
4-NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA…
I’ve been to my fair share of art galleries in different regions of the world, the Ottawa Art Gallery rivals a lot of them. As far as a municipal gallery goes, showcasing over 1,000 pieces including many Canadian Artists, it is worth your time. The building itself is impressive, perched behind the Parliament Buildings on the edge of the Byward Market. Admission is always free
5-RIDEAU CANAL…
The Rideau Canal, a Unesco Heritage Site, is perhaps Ottawa’s most iconic venue for activity! In the summer, this waterway is filled with tour boats gliding along, and bike paths along either side meandering through one of Ottawa’s prettiest neighborhoods. If you happen to be there in the spring, you may end up experiencing the many tulip gardens along the canal. In the winter it becomes the World’s Longest Skating Rink! Skating is free, and you can rent skates ($22/2 hrs) right at the canal where they offer boot check (like a coat check…for your boots!)
Whatever season you happen to be visiting Ottawa, experiencing the canal is a must do! If you happen to be down by Parliament Hill, walk over towards the canal and watch the boats go through the 8 sets of locks there,
Summer
6-CHANGING OF THE GUARD…
Summer mornings come alive on Parliament Hill with music and colorful drills. The Changing of the Guard is a must see and has become a part of Ottawa’s history. It began as a morning routine on the Hill in 1959, and has turned into an annual tradition. This is no small production. It includes a regimental band and pipers wearing towering bearskin hats and scarlet uniforms. The ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. each morning, but arrive about 15 minutes early to grab a spot with a great view.
7-MUSICAL RIDE PARADE…
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)hold a sunset ceremony each year to thank the community for their support. It offers visitors a chance to see the world famous RCMP Musical Ride at its home in Ottawa. The ceremony is as impressive as it is moving. As the sun sets, the officers on their horses perform a sort of choreographed routine to music ending with the lowering of the flag and the National Anthem.
8- CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL…
This is claimed to be the WORLD’S LARGEST tulip festival, displaying over 1 million tulips throughout the City. The history behind this enormous festival dates back to 1945 when the Dutch Royal Family sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Ottawa in gratitude for Canadians having sheltered the future Queen and her family during the Nazi occupation in the Netherlands.
They have apparently continued to send 10,000 new bulbs each year to show their continued gratitude. I have never seen a more beautiful tulip festival than in Ottawa. The gardens are arranged and manicured throughout the City with the biggest concentration located at Commissioners Park on the shores of Dows Lake and along the canal. If you can plan your visit for May, you just might luck into seeing this incredible display
THINGS TO DO IN OTTAWA CANADA IN Winter
9-WINTERLUDE…
The focal point of Winterlude is the Ottawa Canal, which turns into the World’s Longest Skating Rink! 5 miles (7.8
Winterlude is a celebration in Ottawa which brings 100’s of thousands of visitors each year to take part in activities such as ice slides and snow sculptures, skating shows, and fireworks. At Confederation Park, downtown, a Crystal Garden is created as it is the site for the ice sculpture competition, an ice lounge, and concerts! Throw on your warmest clothes and join the party, keeping warm dancing late into the night at one of the DJ dance parties! If this is your jam, book your trip sometime during the first 3 weekends of February.
10-THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN OTTAWA
Time to warm up and explore the delicious side that Ottawa has to offer! Whether you crave Greek, Italian, French, Chinese, Thai, or Sushi… Ottawa has you covered. A great place to stroll around to find a bite to eat is Sparks St. This pedestrian stroll is loaded with great restaurants as well as cool bars. Elgin St. (at the end of Sparks St) is another great option and easy to maneuver on foot. If you want to head back to the Byward Market, it’s a sure bet to find something to make everyone happy. A few of my favorite restaurants are listed here.
Top 5
1.Vittoria Trattoria for Italian. How to get there.
2.The Grand Pizzeria and bar for pizza. How to get there.
3.Wasabi Sushi bar for sushi. How to get there.
4.Heart and Crown pub, a true Irish pub. How to get there.
5. Elgin Street diner if you want to finally dig into that POUTINE you’ve been hearing about! How to get there.
All of these are within walking distance in the downtown core. Bon Appetite!
Let’s unpack this!
Ottawa, being the capital city, is one of Canada’s prettiest cities. They have poured a lot into making it beautiful and tourist friendly with loads of free (or cheap) activities to keep you busy. When planning your trip to Ottawa, the biggest question you have to ask is WHEN you want to go.
Winter or Summer?
It will make for two VERY different experiences. Summer is bustling with festivals and the ease of a warmer climate and longer days however crowds are larger and hotels more expensive. Winter has a unique offering found nowhere else in the world… the World’s Longest Skating Rink! A winter festival of epic proportions… and colder temps than you have perhaps ever experienced!
Spring and Fall?
These are quieter times to visit and more temperate of course, however, this city is polarized on the calendar with its activities and you may find you choose to brave the crowds and/or the cold! One thing is for sure, Ottawa won’t disappoint with its friendly locals and abundance of beauty!
