7 Outdoor Activities Around Ottawa That You Can Enjoy Over The Holidays

Bundle up and keep the festivities going.

Staff Writer

We're full of turkey and settling into that strange holiday time between Christmas and New Year's Eve where we're not quite sure what day it is.

Grab your toque and mitts to enjoy some fresh air with these outdoor activities in Ottawa.

Glide On The Rink Of Dreams

Price: Free

When: From December 3 until the end of skating season (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.)

Address: 110 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Take advantage of this maintained ice rink that's open every day for some winter fun. At night it is illuminated by colourful lights.

Website

Hike To Snow Covered Ruins On Lime Kiln Trail

TK Outdoor Activities Around Ottawa That You Can Enjoy Over The Holidays

Megan Renaud | Narcity

Price: Free

Address: Moodie Drive, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: It takes less than 10 minutes to reach beautiful historic ruins on this forested trail. You can access the ruins from above and below for fun photos and viewpoints.

Website

Walk Over The River On A Pedestrian Bridge

Price: Free

Address: Alexandra Bridge, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: This picturesque interprovincial bridge is over 100 years old and has a pedestrian walkway where you can easily stroll across and enjoy the views of Ottawa, Gatineau and the Ottawa River.

Website

Go Sledding Down A Retired Ski Hill

Price: Free

Address: 1640 Laperriere Ave., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: As one of the best and largest sledding hills in Ottawa, Carlington Park was once a ski hill. If you're looking for downhill speed this is the hill to go tobogganing down this winter. Be careful, though, "sledding is not permitted on the east side of the hill by the staircase."

Website

Walk Downtown To See The Christmas Lights

Price: Free

When: Now until January 7, 2022

Address: Multiple locations in Ottawa including Parliament Hill, Sparks Street and Confederation Park.

Why You Need To Go: Keep the magic of Christmas alive after the 25th by enjoying the twinkly lights and glowing colours across the capital. There are light shows, lit pathways and interactive photo stops.

Website

Watch Murals Come To Life On Bank Street

Price: Free

Address: Bank Street, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Explore the colourful murals on Bank Street and watch five of them come to life through augmented reality. Download the app and become part of the artwork.

Website

Skate Downtown At Lansdowne Park

Price: Free

When: From November 26

Address: Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: It's free to skate surrounded by twinkly Christmas lights and just steps away from a giant Christmas tree.

Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

  • Ottawa Staff Writer Megan Johnson was an Ottawa Staff Writer for Narcity Canada. Prior to joining the Narcity team she founded Ottawa River Lifestyle, a blog to promote the Capital Region and small towns along the Ottawa River. In addition to writing about Canadian businesses, local events and outdoor adventures, Megan has created content for Canadian brands and tourism boards. She has her B.Sc. in Honours Biochemistry and has always enjoyed various forms of writing and travel.

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