11 Bizarre Places & Things To Do Around Ottawa You Never Knew About
After living in Ottawa for a few years, you might feel as though you've done it all. Well, think again!
There are plenty of bizarre places and unique things to do around Ottawa that no one knows about. To help you discover some of these special spots and activities, we've made a list of all the things you need to try.
Here are 11 wonderfully bizarre places and things to do around Ottawa you never knew about.
Visit A Sand Dune
Address: Pinhey Sand Dune Complex, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Many locals have no idea that Ottawa has sand dunes that will make you feel like you're in a desert. The Pinhey Sand Dune Complex in Nepean has been conserved by the National Capital Commission, so everyone can go marvel at Ottawa's only sand dune ecosystem.
Stay In An Old Jail Cell Overnight
Address: 75 Nicholas St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Ottawa Jail Hostel is located in a 150-year-old former jail. Take a historic day tour of the building, which is rumoured to be haunted, or even stay overnight in a spooky cell! Just hope you aren't woken up by a ghost...
Find Your Way Into A Hidden Speakeasy
Address: 315 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Union 613 has an excellent menu and even better drunks, but did you know the location has a hidden bar inside of it? Behind a secret bookcase, you can find the door to Union 613's hidden speakeasy.
Visit A Cold War Bunker
Price: $30+ per person
Address: 3929 Carp Rd., Carp, ON
Why You Need To Go: Right outside of Ottawa is the Diefenbunker Museum, a former Canadian military facility from the Cold War. While the museum on its own is pretty unique, within the Diefenbunker, you can even try to escape the world's largest escape room.
Sleep With Wolves
Price: From $549 per night for four people
Address: 399 Route 323 Nord, Montebello, QC
Why You Need To Go: Parc Omega has a cabin with floor-to-ceiling windows where you can see wolves up-close. Even better, these cabins are super luxurious, with a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom, and a cozy fireplace. Sit back, relax, and watch the wolves play.
Have Tacos On A Bus
Address: 10 Byward Market Sq., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Right next door to Zak's Diner is another restaurant owned by the company. Not only is the food at this Mexican restaurant delicious, but inside Zak's Cantina, there's a bus where you can wear a sombrero and enjoy mouthwatering tacos.
Fly In A Vintage Open-Cockpit Plane
Price: From $68 per person
Address: 11 Aviation Pky., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can get a bird's-eye view of the city while flying in this vintage plane at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. From May 1 to October 31 every year, the museum offers flights around Ottawa and Gatineau. Put on your helmet and googles and get ready for the flight of a lifetime!
Eat The Largest Burrito You Have Ever Seen
Price: $28.50
Address: 105A Clarence St., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Burrito Borracho sells an incredible 1-kg burrito, called The Big Juan that you have to try. If you have a smaller appetite, the restaurant offers a wide menu of Mexican classics, from quesadillas to tacos. They even have an extensive cocktail menu to go with your food.
Sip Cocktails While Playing Board Games
Address: 14 Waller St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9C4
Why You Need To Go: Level One Game Pub, located right downtown, has everything you need for a unique night out with your friends. Order food and drinks, and choose one of the 1200+ board games Level One owns to play at your table! The best part is that the pub's staff can help you understand the rules for their most confusing games, so you won't be reading the instructions all night.
Solve An Escape Room & Try To Get Recruited
Price: $24 per person
Address: 982 Wellington St. W., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Ottawa's Escape Manor has locations all over the city, but its spy-themed room called "The Recruit" has an extra level of intrigue. The Canadian Communications Security Establishment is actually using this escape room as a way to recruit codebreakers.
Swim Like A Mermaid
Price: From $60 per person
Address: 180 Argyle Ave., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: At the Aqua Mermaid School, you can learn to swim like a mermaid and feel like Ariel for a day. While this company provides entertainment for birthday parties, it also has mermaid instructors who teach classes! Learn how to swim, dance, and act like a mermaid, and you'll be an underwater princess in no time.
Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
