A Weekend in Canada’s Capital
When I first learned my job was sending me to Ottawa, Canada, my first thought was “Where is that??” (And yes, I’m slightly ashamed to admit that here!)
After moving here, I quickly learned this capital city is often overlooked by visitors, who instead opt for the busier, bustling sites of Montreal and Toronto. However, after three years of living in Ottawa I can honestly say…”PEOPLE! Get yourselves to this beautiful, wonderful, small-town-vibes-in-a-million-people-strong-package destination in itself!”
Welcome to a Weekend in Ottawa, Ontario. You’ll find history, beautiful architecture, abundant green space, hopping markets, great eats, and lovely people. And if you need longer than a weekend (SPOILER: You do.), I’m breaking the Weekend Series precedent by adding a bonus day at the end. It’s my website, I’ll do what I want… 😉
Logistics
Ottawa sits on the picturesque Ottawa River, which separates it from the province of Quebec. Additionally, it is only about a 45 minute drive from the US border.
Driving Times:
From Montreal – 2 hours
From Toronto – 4.5 hours
Where to Stay
If hip, luxe hotels that are situated right in the middle of the action is your thing…you’re staying at the Andaz Ottawa. Located right in the Byward Market, you’ll have an abundance of dining, shopping, and boozing establishments at your doorstep. Not to mention, downtown Ottawa is extremely walkable. Another selling point of staying at the Andaz…walk to all the major sites!
We were lucky enough to be upgraded to a corner king room with a direct view of Parliament and WOW. I loved being able to sit in the corner of our room overlooking the Byward Market and other main Ottawa attractions.
In addition to the great view, you’ll find a super comfortable bed with soft sheets, a mini fridge, and a nice walk-in closet. The bathroom is stocked with local Ottawa made Purple Urchin toiletries. I loved this touch and was impressed that the Hyatt chain made this effort to support a local business. I was also low-key obsessed with the bronze fixtures in the bathroom. *insert heart eyes emoji*
Ready to book? Learn more about rooms at the hotel and rates here.
FRIDAY
After settling in at the Andaz, get to exploring the Byward Market. This market was established by Lt Col John By in 1826 and is one of the oldest and largest markets in Canada. The outdoor vendors are usually set up until about 5:00 pm, so enjoy wandering among the various stalls. I always stock up on some local maple syrup when I’m down here! There are so many shops, eateries, and places to grab a drink in the market, so take your time exploring.
As an added bonus, many of these streets are closed to cars currently, allowing for some great patios to choose from and enjoyable pedestrian only spaces.
When you’re starting to feel hungry for dinner, head to El Camino in the Byward Market for cocktails and tacos. I’ve tried tacos from many places in Ottawa, and this spot tops my list. My personal must-orders include the crispy fish taco and the cochinita roasted pig head taco. If you’re looking for veggies, their Japanese eggplant taco is also incredible.
Make your way to Major’s Hill Park to enjoy views of Parliament. The park is a beautiful green space along the river, where you can see not only Parliament Hill and Gatineau, QC, but you can also get your first glimpse of the Locks on the UNESCO-protected Rideau Canal. Established in 1832, today it is the oldest continually operated canal system in all of North America. Maybe you’ll even see some boats using the locks!
If you’re visiting Ottawa in the summer, now is about the time you’re ready to catch sunset. One of the best views is from the rooftop of your hotel! Copper Spirits & Sights is on the top floor of the Andaz, and its outdoor patio is a great spot to watch one of the beautiful Ottawa sunsets. Make a reservation in advance, however, as this spot gets busy! I usually won’t eat dinner up here, as you’re certainly going to pay premium view prices, but I do like to enjoy a cocktail and maybe an appetizer to share if I’m feeling snacky!
For evening beverages in the Byward Market, you can’t go wrong with cocktails at The Albion Rooms. A beautiful bar with great bartenders, just let the person behind the counter know what kind of liquor and flavor profile you like, and they will mix you up something fantastic.
For good craft beer, look no further than Waller Street Brewing. They have a darling little patio with twinkle lights setup to enjoy your evening brew. It’s been fun for me to watch this brewery grow. When we moved to Ottawa, they had probably 5 or 6 beers on tap. Now, they’re up to 13!
I bet you can’t believe it’s still only Friday…
Finally, if you can fit one more thing into your stomach at this point…don’t skip a BeaverTail. This Canadian pastry came about in 1978 at the Killaloe Fair and they were soon being sold by stands in the Byward Market and along the Rideau Canal. The classic BeaverTail is simply cinnamon and sugar on top of the fried pastry, but you certainly don’t have to stop there. From nutella, bananas, pieces of candy, and beyond…your imagination is seemingly the limit these days on how to top your BeaverTail! They’re open until 1:00 am on the weekends, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy one of these guys after digesting dinner 😉
SATURDAY
Saturday morning, wake up and head over to Wilf & Ada’s for breakfast. This is a popular spot that opens at 8:00 on the weekends. Try to get there early before the wait gets too long. On the menu, you’ll find traditional breakfast fare (eggs, toast, bacon), sandwiches, Benedicts, and more. You definitely won’t leave hungry!
And yes, my husband got fries with his BLTE. I stuck with the “breakfast fry” (aka home fries) alongside my Florentine Benedict. 😉
As you’re in the capital of Canada, it makes sense to use the rest of your morning exploring some spots you’ll only find in Ottawa. If you’re going to use this itinerary after COVID, I 100% recommend taking a free guided tour of Parliament, the seat of Canada’s government. The Centre Block is currently closed for renovations, but you can still visit the Senate building, House of Commons, and East Block. Reserve your free tickets in advance, if possible, as the tickets usually sell out.
*NOTE: Because of COVID, as of this writing, all tours of Parliament are suspended. Please check their website to verify availability of tours before planning your visit. As such, this is more of a “tag for later” suggestion!
Two years ago, I was lucky enough to have a friend of a friend who offered to give us a private tour of the centre block. When construction is done and COVID is behind us…put this one on your bucket list. The library is particularly beautiful.
If a tour isn’t an available option, a walk around the outside of Parliament is still a lovely way to spend a morning. You’ll have beautiful views of the Ottawa River and still be able to enjoy the architecture of the building itself. Additionally, there are plenty of statues and historical plaques around Parliament Hill. Explore and learn a bit about Canadian history on your walk.
Once you’re finished at Parliament, walk by the National War Memorial, honoring Canadian Armed Forces personnel who have served and sacrificed for Canada. You’ll find a tomb of an unknown Canadian soldier being guarded. In the summer, every hour on the hour, you can watch the changing of the guard.
You might be getting a little hungry for lunch at this point. Cut down pedestrian-only Sparks Street over to Bank Street, where you’ll find tons of restaurants and shops to choose from. One of my personal favorites is Gongfu Bao, where I’ll order 2 or 3 bao and a local beer. I recommend the fried chicken bao!
If you fancy some more local beer, continue on down Bank Street to check out Flora Hall Brewing. They have some great beers on tap, including seasonal rotations that are always a hit.
Enjoy the rest of your afternoon exploring the streets of Ottawa. Other areas of interest (and more great beer!) include Chinatown along Somerset Street, where you’ll find Spark Beer. Or you could head to Little Italy along Preston Street, where you’ll be presented with a Beer Bible at Pub Italia. And as a third option, you could check out one of my personal favorite Ottawa neighborhoods: Hintonburg. Here you’ll find Beyond the Pale Brewing and Tooth and Nail Brewing, two more solid local beer spots.
There is so much to discover in any of these neighborhoods, so take your time and enjoy wandering!
For dinner, you could very easily choose a great spot in any of the above mentioned neighborhoods. A couple of my recommendations: Mati in Little Italy for Mediterranean fare that’s heavy on the seafood or Bar Laurel in Hintonburg, a great Spanish tapas-style spot with an excellent wine selection. If you decided to hang around the downtown core, French influenced Gitanes on Elgin Street is incredible.
However, if you’re wanting to really go big, the tasting menu at Aiana is out of this world. Add on a wine pairing, and you’re going to think you found foodie heaven! This is my absolute number one restaurant recommendation in Ottawa, but be prepared to spend some money. However, if you’re like me and you prioritize food on your trip, then you will definitely not be disappointed.
Aiana is so good, it deserves an article entirely to itself. Check out my full review of Aiana here.
SUNDAY
Sunday morning is a museum morning! Ottawa has a ton of great museums, and even if you’re not a huge museum person, I’m sure I can pique your interest with one of these options…
First, grab a quick bite. Because Saturday was a big breakfast day, I prefer Sunday to be a bit lighter so I’ll just stop in a local cafe or coffee spot. A good local option in the Byward Market is Happy Goat Coffee Co. where you’ll find a variety of coffees and teas and small bites to eat.
After breakfast, you’ve got some options on museums. Whichever you choose, try to get there as soon as they open. I usually find that the crowds don’t start showing up until about an hour or so after opening.
If you’re into art, the National Gallery of Canada has an extensive collection. I particularly enjoyed the indigenous art and the Rodin sculpture they have on display.
Another option, and one of my personal favorite museums in Ottawa, is the Canadian War Museum. This was the first museum I visited in Ottawa and I learned so much about Canadian history here. I don’t want to give anything away, but they have some pretty incredible exhibits here. This museum also puts on some great events, so check their calendar before you head over. I’ve attended lectures by women in industry, Holocaust survivors, and more. If you’re able to catch an event in their latest series, I would recommend grabbing a ticket.
Into things that defy gravity? Don’t miss the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. The amount of aircraft they have in this museum is insane and you will probably see planes you never knew existed. They also have a ton of photo op face cutouts…which are kinda one of my favorite things. If you’re wanting to really experience this museum, they offer biplane rides on site! (For an additional fee, of course.)
While there are many more cool museums in Ottawa, the last one I’ll highlight here is the Canadian Museum of Nature. Housed in a gorgeous building, you’ll find loads of interesting information in these walls. I loved the fossil collection and the bee hive, where the little pollinators keep the flowers outside of the museum thriving. This one would probably be extra fun for the kiddos, too.
When you’re ready for lunch, head over to Umbrella Bar on Dow’s Lake. This a great spot for lake views and their fried chicken sandwich is not to be missed! They also have some great cocktails and local beers on offer if you’d like a good beverage to pair with that sandwich. Also note, if you park in the Dow’s Lake Parking lot, Umbrella Bar will validate your parking. Bring your ticket to the bar and they’ll take care of you!
Before you head out, walk off some of your lunch along the canal. The Rideau Canal Pathway is a beautiful, easy walk which you can access right from Dow’s Lake. Allow yourself to soak in a few more views of the UNESCO protected waterway before heading home.
BONUS DAY
Have an extra full day to spare? Get out of the city and enjoy some of the amazing hikes, beers, and small towns in the Ottawa region. I teamed up with two incredible Ottawa writers and together we created Brews and Views, pairing hikes with local breweries. You can download the full pdf here and choose your own adventure! Check out Ottawa River Lifestyle for full brewery reviews (and more Ottawa happenings!) and Girl Gone Good for hiking guides and full day trip itineraries from Ottawa.
Ottawa was my home for three years, and whittling it down to a three day itinerary was HARD. There’s so much more of this city I could share with you! I hope you find this itinerary to be a great place to start for your first visit to Ottawa. I also encourage you to do your own wandering, rambling, and roaming and see where the day leads you.
Got more great Ottawa recommendations or discoveries? Drop them in the comments!
*** Please be aware of the ever-evolving changes due to COVID. These days, it’s best to always check business websites before planning anything.***
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2 Comments
Soamva
Great article! Lol In the four years I lived there, I didn’t visit a single museum. Hehe
Carolyn | Wander. Ramble. Roam.
Thanks, Soamva! There are a ton of great museums in Ottawa. Maybe now you’ll add one to your future to-do list 😉