Must See and Do in Ottawa This Winter
The National Capital Region (NCR) has so many wonderful places to see, visit and enjoy for every season! Let’s have a look at some of the FREE places to visit in Winter.
Next to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, is probably the biggest attraction in Ottawa. In winter, it is the longest outdoor skating rink in the world! Ottawa residents and visitors to the National Capital Region first enjoyed skating on the Canal in the winter season of 1971. Since then, it has been growing more popular each year. Many residents and visitors flock to enjoy the 7.8 kilometers (4.8 miles) of skating, always weather permitting.
Free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! From January to March, you can skate in downtown Ottawa. Take in the beautiful scenery where the only time limits are your own schedule. If you don’t have your own skates, rentals are available on the canal and if you don’t skate, that’s ok!
There is always a groomed path on each side of the canal for pedestrians to enjoy. You won’t miss out on the beauty and opportunity to enjoy this famous attraction. Along the Skateway, kiosks offer food, drink, traditional BeaverTail treats, as well as skate and accessory rentals.
Winterlude is a must if you are in Ottawa during the first three weeks of February. Dating back to 1979, Winterlude was first organized to celebrate and take advantage of our Canadian culture and winter weather, to call people outdoors and enjoy activities together. Winterlude is now one of Ottawa’s annual signature events.
Dictated by the weather, of course, activities galore are FREE to enjoy in downtown Ottawa, near the Byward Market and the Rideau Canal area. From ice-carving and snow sculpture competitions to outdoor performances throughout the weekends, family-oriented activities such as tubing, sledding and skating, Bed Race and Horse races on the Rideau Canal, and even winter Mascots to meet- the Ice Hog Family! You will see Mama and Papa Ice Hog and their children, Noumi and Nouma, around the activities area. Say Hi and have your picture taken with them along with a popular local Beavertail treat for memories that will last a lifetime!
The Sens Rink of Dreams is an artificial ice rink sponsored by the Ottawa Senators NHL team located beside the Rideau Canal in front of Ottawa City Hall. Enjoy FREE ice skating on a refrigerated ice surface 7 days a week from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm, usually from early December to mid-March, weather permitting. Music is piped from speakers placed outside City Hall, and some kiosks offering snacks and hot chocolate for purchase.
There is also FREE ice skating at the Skating Court at Lansdowne (next to the historic Aberdeen Pavilion at Landsdown Park), not far from the city center along the Rideau Canal.
Tobogganing (also known as sledding or sliding) – no matter what you call it, is a great Canadian tradition and there are lots places to do it in the Ottawa area! Zoom down gentle to steep hills in neighbourhoods throughout the city. There are some maintained slopes in the Greenbelt, including Conroy Pit, Bruce Pit and Green’s Creek, some of which are even lit in the evenings.
Cross-Country Skiing and walking trails galore! There are over 150 KMs of cross-country ski and walking trails around the National Capital Region of Ottawa. They span the Green Belt on either side of downtown, along the Ottawa River, across conservation areas and even part of the Trans Canada Trail. There are so many FREE trails to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature.
Across the Ottawa River, in the Gatineau Hills, Quebec, you can explore over 200 KMs (124 miles) of groomed trails and heated huts. You can also go sledding, snowboarding, tubing, and even zip lining in winter!
In the West End of Ottawa, you will find the Ottawa Carleton Trailway- Trans Canada Section. This railroad line was abandoned in 1990 and, a few years later, was converted into a multi-purpose trail. You can walk, run, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or even snowmobile this trail from Stittsville to Carleton Place. Approximately 25 km of unbroken trail (except to cross a road here and there).
Around the Holidays, you will find ornamental decorations hanging on trees along the path, as well as bird feeders generously placed there by local bird lovers for all to enjoy!
