Planning a Trip: Weekend in Ottawa in Winter

Growing up in Canada, and actually being born in Ontario, the fact I had never been to Ottawa was crazy to me. So when my friend’s partner suggested skating on the Rideau Canal, I was in. I’m not the best skater, but I love to be on skates and feel a great sense of freedom in the fresh air. Since I’ve been trying to keep my trips to long weekends, and since it’s the dead of winter, I hopped on a plane on a Thursday morning and headed for Ottawa to meet up with friends.

Although incredibly cold, we came up with a few plans (some of which we chose to stay indoors instead), and I’ve put them together in case you are thinking of a winter getaway. I’ve also made some recommendations of places that I didn’t get a chance to go to, but should be considerations if you are spending a few extra days in the area!

Ottawa is a place that I would recommend renting a car for, everything is a little farther away unless you are staying right downtown and have the ability to just call a taxi. Especially in winter, it’s nice to be able to hop in a car and pack layers. I was lucky that we had a friend living just outside the city centre and he kindly drove us around all weekend so we had the opportunity to reach some of these farther places.

Did you know that you can check your skates on carry-on luggage? I didn’t until I realized that I wanted to skate so much, skating with rentals wouldn’t make sense. Turns out you can’t take nail scissors, but you can indeed fly with giant blades on your skates, just not the ones that you can remove the blades from, which makes sense. There are many spots you can skate on the Rideau Canal, and cost us nothing to get out on the ice.

Here are some fun things to do in the winter while in Ottawa:

Ottawa in the winter is a magical destination with a variety of activities that blend outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and cozy indoor attractions. Here are some great things to do during a winter weekend in Ottawa:

Outdoor Activities

1. Rideau Canal + Pathway Skating
   One of Ottawa’s most iconic winter activities is skating on the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest skating rink (over 7.8 kilometers long). It's a must-do if you visit in the winter. You can rent skates at various points along the canal or bring your own (on the plane!). I recommend stopping for a hot chocolate. There are also additional ice trails outside the city, and depending on the time of year and how cold its been, you might be lucky enough to snag a spot.

2. Winterlude Festival
   If your visit coincides with Winterlude (usually in early February), it’s a fantastic winter festival. You’ll find ice sculptures, snow slides, and various cultural performances and activities around the city, especially at Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau.

3. Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
   Explore the outdoors at one of Ottawa’s scenic parks or nature reserves. Gatineau Park, just across the river in Quebec, has a wide network of cross-country ski and snowshoeing trails. It’s beautiful in the winter and provides a great way to experience nature.

Indoor Activities

1. Parliament Hill
   Even in winter, you can take a tour of Parliament Hill to learn about Canada’s government. The grounds are also beautiful with views of the snow-covered landscape and the Ottawa River.

2. Museums
   Ottawa is home to several world-class museums, perfect for staying warm while learning about Canadian culture and history:

   • Canadian Museum of History: Located across the river in Gatineau, it’s one of Canada’s most visited museums, with exhibits on the history of the First Nations and Canadian culture.

   • National Gallery of Canada: Featuring impressive Canadian and Indigenous art collections, plus beautiful sculptures outside.

   • Canadian War Museum: Learn about Canada's military history with fascinating exhibits.

   • Bytown Museum: A smaller museum detailing Ottawa’s history, housed in a historic building along the Rideau Canal.

3. Nordik Spa-Nature
   If you’re looking to relax, head to the Nordik Spa-Nature in Gatineau (a short drive from Ottawa). It’s a luxurious Scandinavian-style spa offering hot and cold pools, saunas, and massages — perfect for warming up and unwinding after a day in the cold.

4. Ottawa’s Food Scene
   Ottawa has a thriving culinary scene, so take the time to explore the city's food offerings. Visit one of the many restaurants in the ByWard Market area or try some local favorites like poutine, Ottawa Valley cheese, or beaver tails. The winter months are also a great time to enjoy cozy cafes and warm up with hot drinks.

Day Trips

• Gatineau Park: As mentioned earlier, a short drive from Ottawa, Gatineau Park offers not only great winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing but also beautiful scenic views of snow-covered forests and frozen lakes.

• Mont Tremblant: If you're up for a bit of a longer drive (about 2 hours), you can head to Mont Tremblant, one of Quebec's most famous ski resorts, for some downhill skiing or snowboarding.

Although I am not a skiier or snowboarder, one of our friends left us for a couple nights and went skiing at Mount Tremblant. It’s an hour and 45 away from Ottawa by car, or there are buses that you can take as well to get there. If you rented that car I recommended, you can go for just the overnight and do some skiing before coming back to Ottawa to fly out on a Sunday evening or Monday flight.

Do you have any other recommendations on places to visit while you’re in Ottawa?

-Love E