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Summary

8 Fun Things To Do In Ottawa This Summer That Won't Cost You A Loonie

Leave your wallet behind!

Staff Writer

If you are looking for ways to save your money, we got you covered. Here are free things to do in Ottawa that you'll want to try before summer is over.

If you are eager to visit the National Gallery Of Canada's new Rembrandt exhibit, there is no need to pay full price. Instead, you can go without paying a thing on Thursday nights if you pre-book tickets. Or you can lace up your sneakers and follow a cultural trail to epic sights.

Here are eight fun things to do:

Hike To Sand Dunes

Price: Free

Address: NCC Trail 32B, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Hidden right in the middle of the city, you can find the Pinhey Sand Dunes. Here you can marvel at the surreal landscape, surrounded by forest.

Website

Follow A Cultural Trail

Price: Free

Address: Ruisseau de la Brasserie, Gatineau, QC

Why You Need To Go: The Gatineau Cultural Trail is a walking route that will take you to stunning artworks like a giant carousel and colourful murals.

Website

Cycle Around Ottawa

Price: Free

When: Every weekend from May 1 to October 11

Address: Multiple locations in Ottawa

Why You Need To Go: Every weekend Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George-Etienne Cartier Parkway are closed to vehicles, so it is the perfect opportunity to go cycling.

Website

Have A Picnic By The Water

Price: Free

Address: Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Pack a blanket and some food and enjoy a relaxing meal next to the Ottawa River. One fantastic spot to go is Remic Rapids Park, as there is plenty of room to have a picnic, and you can also explore the stone sculptures in the water.

Website

Spend The Day At The Beach

Price: Free

Address: Westboro Beach, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: No summer would be complete without spending at least one day relaxing on the beach and going for a swim.

Website

Marvel At Extraordinary Art

Price: Free

When: Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 380 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can pre-book free admission tickets to explore the National Gallery Of Canada, including the new Rembrandt exhibit.

Website

Stop And Smell The Flowers

Price: Free

Address: 75 National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: At the Ornamental Gardens, you can see multiple types of roses in a rainbow of colours.

Website

Visit A Museum

Price: Free

When: Thursdays 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Address: 240 McLeod St., Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: You can visit the permanent galleries at the Canadian Museum Of Nature for free on Thursday evening if you pre-book your admission ticket.

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.

  • Stephanie White was an Ottawa-based Associate Editor for Narcity Canada. She has been writing mouthwatering food and wanderlust-inspiring articles for Canadians since 2012. She has a B.A. and B.Ed. from Ottawa University. When she isn't writing, you can find her travelling the globe and trying new restaurants. Stephanie has previously been published on Insider, Flight Network, Apartment Therapy, Faces Magazine, Daily Hive, Dished and The Spruce.

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