Tourism: where to store in Ottawa in winter?

Numerous stores and restaurants await you in the ByWard Market district and on Rideau Street.

Ontario: where to have fun and discover Ottawa?

If you want to enjoy the festivities and nightlife of downtown Ottawa, the ByWard Market district is the place to be.

Where to go for a couple's summer stroll in Ottawa?

The Rideau Canal is Ontario's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fine weather, you and your partner can walk or cycle the trails.

Why is Ottawa called Ottawa?

The name "Ottawa" is derived from the Algonquin word adawe, meaning "to trade".

Ottawa: Our Suggested Activities and Restaurants

To the point Here are some not-to-be-missed events, restaurants and activities in Ottawa, as well as little secrets revealed by its residents.

Things to do The Rideau Canal Ottawa's big and small events

Where to eat? The secrets of the residents Top of the range

Where to sleep? Save with points

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the tulip festival in May, and to the celebrations surrounding July 1st. An opportunity to discover the town’s parliament, museums and Byward Market.

This text offers a reminder of Ottawa’s points of interest, a few new avenues for getting to know it better, as well as restaurants for the pleasure of our taste buds.

Ottawa - Things to do

The Rideau Canal

It’s impossible to avoid the Rideau Canal and all the life that surrounds it in Ottawa. You can skate in winter, sail in summer; by cruise, kayak or canoe that you can rent. You can simply walk or cycle along its western and eastern banks.

In the spring, crabapple and cherry trees bloom at the Dominion Arboretum on Dow’s Lake. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are also available for hire, as are skates in winter.

Why not bring your own picnic and enjoy a bite to eat in the nearby Parc des Commissaires . There’s never a better time to get away from it all in Ottawa.

Finally, it is from Ottawa that you can observe the manual locks, which are part of the UNESCO heritage. They allow pleasure craft to navigate between the Ottawa River and Lake Ontario.

Did you know that you can camp along the Rideau Canal from Ottawa, as far away as Kingston?

With your own tents, with those rented on site, or in Park Canada’s O’Tentik accommodations, you will be able to watch the lockmasters at work.

Would you rather spend the day at the beach and return to your hotel in the evening? Check out one of the four great beaches in the Ottawa region.

Petrie Island Beach Ottawa — Photo credit: Swim Guide

Ottawa's big and small events

There are those we know:

ByWard Market entertainment ;
Tulip Festival (May);
Jazz Festival (June);
Dragon Boat Festival (June);
Ottawa Aboriginal Solstice Festival (June);
July 1st festivities ;
Blues Festival (July);
Chamberfest Festival (July and August);
Ottawa International Busker Festival (August);
Christmas lights;
Winterlude (February).

And there are events and activities that are less well known:

At Château Laurier. Try La Terrasse restaurant at sunset and Zoe’s Lounge for afternoon tea;
Do your shopping at the Farmer’s Market in Landsdowne Park on Sundays;
Enjoy outdoor yoga on Parliament Hill during lunch hour, May to August;
Cheer on the Ottawa Marathon competitors on the last weekend of May;
And give yourself a scare at Ottawa’s Haunted Walk.

Ottawa - Where to eat?

The secrets of the residents

Here are a few addresses to try out:

Di Rienzo’s Grocery. A little deli known to the locals that makes the best sandwiches in town! What’s more, prices are very affordable;
El Camino, for excellent Mexican food;
Boulangerie L’Art-is-in. For its pizzas, sourdough breads, burgers, pastries, and croissants that impress even the French;
Copper Spirits & Sights, the Andaz terrace. It overlooks a superb view of Ottawa and the ByWard Market.
The Grand Pizzeria and Bar. We go there for the wood-fired pizza and the beer and wine, which are discounted during market hours;
Sidedoor and its indoor Ceylonta terrace on West Somerset Street. It’s a restaurant that doesn’t look like much, but serves absolutely delicious Sri Lankan food. Ottawa’s best-kept secret.

Top of the range

T.O.W.N. An intimate bistro with modern, tasty cuisine;
Two Six Ate. For creative dishes that look as good as they taste;
Fairouz Cafe. A great Lebanese restaurant;
Riviera. Excellent food, served in a century-old building, the site of the former Canadian Imperial Bank. Magnificent Art Deco building;
Beckta Dining & Wine, very high-end. It is regularly listed as one of the best restaurants in Canada. We go there to celebrate a special event.

Here are other restaurant suggestions to suit all tastes:

For your spending in restaurants and bars, don’t forget to use one of these credit cards, which earn you 5 points per dollar spent:

Ottawa - Where to sleep?

Save with points

There are several Marriott hotels in Ottawa. In Canada, Marriott Bonvoy is the most attractive loyalty program for free hotel nights. In fact, there are two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards issued by American Express, which make it easy to accumulate a large number of points.

The icing on the cake: stay 5 nights for the price of 4, in the same hotel, using Marriott Bonvoy points!

To help you choose your hotel, here are a few reviews:

We hope you’ll add this list to yours to complete your visit to Ottawa and the surrounding region. Little secrets revealed here and there that make an escapade a memorable moment.