Ottawa has to do a lot to make itself stand out as more than just the nation’s capital! It works hard through investing in culture, nature, and entertainment to give the people who live here and those who visit the chance to take in some of the most incredible experiences year-round.
Winter is when Ottawa shines, though. So if you’re in town during the coldest time of the year, these are some of the things you should check out!
Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal freezes over in some portions in the winter, and those are cleared off for ice skating! This is a yearly tradition, some people have skated on this canal for their entire life, so it’s a fun and entertaining place to cut loose and enjoy some winter fun. Some parts of the channel are heated and don’t freeze, so it’s important to pay attention to where the city marks as safe to skate.
Winterlude
This Ottawa festival is held every February, allowing locals to celebrate the change of the seasons and enjoy multiple fun winter activities. You can enjoy everything from skating in the canal to making snow and maple syrup taffy and even sledding down slopes in races. This is an extremely fun way to kick off the last bit of ice and snow before the weather starts to warm up. If you love winter, then take a break from looking at Ottawa houses for sale; the Winterlude is where you should be in February!
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is the National Capital Regions conservation park. With endless swaths of greenery, this park takes up over 361 square kilometers and has several biodiverse species that you can’t find anywhere else. This makes the park a destination for those interested in wildlife and who want to engage in activities that won’t diminish the environment they’re in.
This park is often coated in a thin layer of snow and ice in the winter, with only pathways cleared off. If you visit, you can catch animals preparing for hibernation, or in late winter, you’ll find them coming out of it. This is a gorgeous park to visit year-round.
Dominion Arboretum
If you want to feel like you’re walking through a magical forest, the Dominion Arboretum gives you the chance to do that in the winter. Although many of the trees shed their leaves, many are evergreen! You can enjoy the views, take in the informational placards on every tree, and learn what makes these local plants so important.
Centennial Flame
This gorgeous flame-and-water sculpture surprises many who aren’t familiar with it… because it never freezes in winter. The flame stays lit regardless of the weather, and because the water is constantly moving, it never freezes or stops. This sculpture was built to celebrate Canada’s hundredth birthday, and in tradition true to the country, it keeps going and doesn’t stop.
Ottawa is an amazing city that anyone would be lucky to visit year-round. Winter is just when this amazing area is at its best. If you’re left without travel plans from January to early March, consider Ottawa!