13 things to do in Ottawa this summer that prove it's the best season in the city
A beach near Ottawa. Right: A sunny day out on the canal.
The rumours are true — summer has finally taken ahold of our nation's capital and it's oh-so-sweet! The trees are a luscious green, the sky is a baby blue (mostly), and Ottawa is popping off with things to do.
Before going any further, let's address the elephant in the room: Ottawa is known as a winter city, and everybody knows it. That's why Ottawa's infamously known as "the city fun forgot" — because winter sucks. Call me a winter hater, I dare you. I don't care. All I know is that I much prefer it when the air doesn't hurt me.
Summer in Ottawa is the perfect time to get out of the house and soak in your year's worth of sunshine in the span of a few months. You can explore the city's extensive trail network, bus over to a quaint beachside village, go boating through the city's core, hike the beautiful Gatineau Hills, go bar hopping in the hippest part of town and countless other summery options.
No matter what, there are bound to be a few Ottawa summer activities that excite you. With all that being said, here are 13 things to do in Ottawa this summer.
Stroll along the Rideau Canal
Price: Free
When: 24/7
Address: Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: While in the winter it's the largest skating rink in the world, during the summer it's an absolutely lovely place to go for a stroll. The pathways along the canal tie together the Byward Market, the Glebe, Landsdowne, Dow's Lake and Little Italy, making it perfect for days when you feel like playing tourist.
Walking along the canal is perfect for a romantic date, a bit of exercise or even just a scenic place to smoke a joint. Embrace your inner explorer and see where walking along the canal takes you, as it's connected to a bunch of attaching trails, so it's a great place to bike or run as well.
Accessibility: The Rideau Canal walkways are wheelchair accessible.
Have an island beach day
Price: Free admission, parking is $2 for 5 hours
When: 24/7. Supervised swimming is from 12 to 7 p.m. daily. Baja Burger Shack is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Address: Petrie Island Beach, 795 Tweddle Rd., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: For the days when the humidity is truly unbeatable, there's a beautiful island that sits in the middle of the mighty Ottawa River, and it's the perfect salvation from the heat. If you get bored of lounging around and going for leisurely swims, there are plenty of walking trails around the island to appease your inner adventurer.
If you end up getting hungry, you can head over to Baja Burger Shack for delectable, satisfying beach food and even refreshing, boozy cocktails! Pro tip: Don't forget to bring bug spray, as it can get incredibly buggy on the river.
Accessibility: Petrie Island Park is wheelchair accessible if water levels are below 42 metres above sea level. You can check water levels online before arriving.
Beat the heat at the NCC River House
Price: Free
When: Swimming is allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The restaurant is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Address: 501 Sir George-Étienne Cartier Pkwy., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: For those days when you want something a bit more adventurous than just a regular ol' beach, I present to you: the NCC River House. The heritage building is open all year round, but what makes it so appealing in the summertime is its enclosed swimming area with floating platforms to jump from!
The NCC River House also has a small restaurant with a patio overlooking the river that sells bistro-style food and drinks for when you inevitably develop a ravenous appetite from all that swimming. It's a great place to try when you've had one too many days at the beach and feel like switching it up. You can even take a water taxi there from downtown Ottawa!
Accessibility: The NCC River House is fully accessible.
Go bar-hopping on Elgin
Price: Varies
Address: Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Would it really be summer without a few fun nights out on the town? Elgin Street is a great place to go to enjoy your summery weekend with some friends, as there are many different bars to choose from — like the rather large Lieutenant's Pump, which has a laid-back vibe, an excellent patio and is great for meeting other bar-goers.
Aside from what's affectionately known as "The Pump," there's also the more clubby Happy Fish, or for all the beer lovers there's the Elgin Beer Project, and countless other hoppable bars along the strip. Once you and your pals have had enough to drink, before heading home, stop in at the Elgin Street Diner, a 24/7 joint that's perfect for grabbing some late-night food at the end of a night out.
Accessibility: Varies
I Dig Elgin website
Take a day trip to Gatineau Park
Price: Park admission and the shuttle are free. Some parking lots are paid.
When: See the park's schedule.
Address: Gatineau Park, Gatineau, QC
Why You Need To Go: One of the National Capital Region's true treasures is the dazzlingly beautiful Gatineau Park, which has plenty of gorgeous sandy beaches along lakes embedded between big, round, forested hills.
Good news for non-drivers and anyone who doesn't want to contend with busy parking lots: If you're visiting before September 29, you don't need a car to get there! A free shuttle service that comes every 30 minutes will take you from a stop near Pimisi Station directly to the park.
Gatineau Park is perfect for spending a whole day with your most adventurous friends, hiking, biking, boating or even just lounging on the beach. Make sure to bring proper footwear, plenty of water, a towel, sunscreen and most definitely bug spray.
Accessibility: The shuttle to Gatineau Park is wheelchair accessible, as are some of the main paths within the park. See the park's accessibility page for more.
Go for a bike ride on a scenic parkway
Price: Free
When: Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays all summer from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (8 p.m. for Queen Elizabeth Driveway)
Address:
- Kichi Zībī Mīkan Parkway, from Vimy Place to Carling Avenue
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway, from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street
- Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway, from Aviation Parkway to St. Joseph Boulevard
Why You Need To Go: The NCC's Weekend Bikedays are an essential component of a bike-tastic summer in our nation's capital. Every weekend until mid-October, three Ottawa parkways are closed off to traffic and open to cyclists, walkers, runners, wheelchair users, rollerbladers, skateboarders and users of any other non-motorized land vehicle you can think of.
This is great for a solo bike ride or a trip with your closest pals. Each parkway features picturesque scenic views and explores a different side of the city.
Explore a beachside village
Price: Free
When: 24/7
Address: Britannia Village, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Just a 20-minute drive or 40-minute bus ride from downtown Ottawa is the quaint neighbourhood of Britannia Village, which surrounds the lovely Britannia Beach. The beach itself is a lovely sandy stretch of shoreline on the Ottawa River, but it's very worthwhile to take a leisurely stroll around the village too.
The key to Britannia Village's charm is that it feels like a small town in the middle of nowhere, filled to the brim with uniquely designed wooden houses. You can stop in at The Beachconers Microcreamery, an adorable ice cream shop at the corner of Britannia Road and Howe Street that's perfect after a day packed with swimming and sunbathing.
Accessibility: Accessible bathrooms and parking spaces are available at Britannia Beach.
Bask in the beauty of Mother Nature
Price: Free
When: 24/7
Address: Britannia Conservation Area, 265 Britannia Rd., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Calling all nature lovers! Mud Lake in the Britannia Conservation Area is an absolute must-visit as it's a vital part of Ottawa's ecology. It's home to hundreds of different kinds of wildlife, including over 250 species of bird, plenty of reptiles and aquatic life.
There are plenty of walking trails, which are great for exploring. Bikes are not permitted on the trails, but there's a bike rack at each trail entrance. Mud Lake is popular with birders and other wildlife lovers and is the perfect escape into nature right in the city. It's also within walking distance from Britannia Beach.
Accessibility: Britannia Conservation Area is not wheelchair accessible.
Go for a paddle on Dow's Lake
Price: $20+ for a boat rental, depending on type and amount of time. Free if you bring your own watercraft.
When: Rental hours vary based on weather and time of sunset. You can call the rentals office at 613-232-1001 for up-to-date hours.
Address: 1001 Queen Elizabeth Drwy., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: It's not summer without going paddling, and Dow's Lake is the perfect place to do that, especially if you don't have your own boat. The Dow's Lake Marina rents out reasonably priced canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddle boards by the hour, so you can paddle around central Ottawa enjoying the beautiful views of Dow's Lake and exploring the surrounding Rideau Canal.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible.
Go shopping at a century-old market
Price: Free admission
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, plus Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: Parkdale Public Market, 366 Parkdale Ave., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: In the heart of the quaint little neighbourhood of Hintonburg is Ottawa's second-largest market. The Public Parkdale Market is open seven days a week and is constantly changing, but is always a great place to buy fresh local produce, flowers and plants.
The market acts as a popular venue for many community events, such as the Ottawa Flower Collective Market, which is exactly what it sounds like, and happens once a month. It's a great place to peruse and support local businesses, but most importantly it's a fantastic spot to revisit throughout the summer!
Accessibility: Public Parkdale Market is wheelchair accessible.
Soak in the sunshine on a patio
Price: Varies
Address: Byward Market, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The Byward Market is an optimal spot for embracing one of the best joys in life: sipping a boozy drink out on a patio on a beautiful day. All over the market are patios of all kinds and elevations, which makes it one of the best places to go if you feel the primal call to dine al fresco.
There are countless bars, pubs and restaurants offering all kinds of drinks and cuisine. The market is the perfect place to go to dinner even if you forgot to make reservations as there are so many restaurants, you'll most likely find somewhere willing to fit you in.
Accessibility: Varies
Toss a Frisbee around at Major's Hill Park
Price: Free
When: 24/7
Address: Major's Hill Park, Mackenzie Avenue, Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Major's Hill Park is a gorgeous green space overlooking Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River and the Gatineau skyline. Most of the park is just rolling fields, which is ideal for throwing around a Frisbee, playing some Spikeball, tossing around the ol' pigskin or even just lounging about and having a picnic.
It's also a very sociable park, meaning it's completely socially acceptable to invite a stranger into your Frisbee-throwing circle. After all, the more, the merrier!
Accessibility: Major's Hill Park is wheelchair accessible.
Have a romantic sunset picnic at Rideau Falls
Price: Free
Address: Rideau Falls Park, 50 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Right where the mighty Ottawa River meets the humble Rideau River is the magnificent Rideau Falls, and it's perfect for a romantic picnic at sundown.
If you don't feel like going through the effort of setting up a picnic, lucky for you, the Tavern on the Falls is right next door. They serve food and amazing colourful cocktails on their vast patio overlooking the majestic Rideau Falls.
Accessibility: Rideau Falls Park is not wheelchair accessible.
No matter what you end up getting up to, make sure you have plenty of fun doing it.
- 12 short and sweet road trips from Ottawa that aren't just to Montreal ›
- The Narcity Foodie Itinerary: How to spend an epic weekend eating in Ottawa ›
- You haven't truly experienced Ottawa unless you've been to 8 of these 13 tourist spots ›
- This free ferry near Ottawa takes you to an island with East Coast vibes and sandy beaches - Narcity ›
- This rail trail network near Ottawa takes you through quaint villages and scenic countryside - Narcity ›
- There's a water maze near Ottawa where you can paddle through over 6 km of winding canals - Narcity ›
- This hidden-gem park near Ottawa has mini waterfalls and dreamy waterside trails - Narcity ›