10 Best Things to Do in Winter in Ottawa

Ottawa, formerly known as Bytown, is Canada’s capital city and is famous for its political activity, world-class museums, expansive green spaces, and a wide range of attractions. The city is charming year-round, but winter adds a special sparkle, with every street, neighborhood, and park blanketed in snow. Winter in Ottawa brings iconic experiences such as skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway, exploring Gatineau Park’s snowy trails, relaxing in warm outdoor baths at Nordik Spa Ottawa, or enjoying the festive charm of Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm.

This blog highlights 10 of the best things to do in Ottawa during winter. Keep reading to make your Ottawa winter experience unforgettable!

The Rideau Canal Skateway is a 7.8-kilometer outdoor rink that appears every winter along the historic 202-kilometer Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stretching from downtown Ottawa to Hartwell’s Locks, it is the largest outdoor skating rink in the world. With 30 access points along the way, skaters can enjoy stunning city skyline views. Many locals even skate on the canal as part of their daily commute. Don’t forget to stop for hot chocolate or a beavertail for a quintessential Ottawa winter treat.

Winterlude is Ottawa’s largest winter festival, held during the first three weeks of February, with most events on weekends. The city is filled with ice slides, massive sculptures, winter treats, concerts, and cultural activities. Visitors can skate on the Rideau Canal Skateway, tour the Snowflake Kingdom, meet the ice mascots, and participate in fat bike races, snowshoe sprints, and ice dragon boat competitions. Best of all, admission is free!

Camp Fortune is an all-year adventure resort in Gatineau Park, about 15 minutes north of Ottawa. It features 24 ski slopes, two terrain parks, night skiing, and beginner lessons. The on-site boutique rents full winter gear, including skis, poles, gloves, coats, and face warmers. Families can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, a mountain pipe coaster, mountain biking, a chairlift ride, and even a peak-to-peak zip line with a 15-meter drop.

Gatineau Park, located in Chelsea, Quebec, just 15 minutes from Ottawa, is an ideal winter escape. The park hosts an internationally renowned cross-country ski competition with over 2,000 skiers from more than 20 countries. Visitors can also enjoy snowshoeing, winter hiking, and wildlife viewing across the park’s 361 square kilometers of protected wilderness. Its maintained trails and serene forests create the perfect winter landscape.

The Canadian Museum of History, in Gatineau, provides a warm indoor experience ideal for winter visits. Explore Canada’s history from Indigenous culture to modern times, wander the expansive Canadian History Hall, view the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles in the Grand Hall, or visit the First Peoples Hall. The museum also features a children’s museum and CINÉ+, a massive 3D film screen, making it a family-friendly winter destination.

ByWard Market is a popular winter destination with indoor food halls, artisan shops, and over 600 vendors selling local products, antiques, and crafts. Cafés and eateries such as Play Food & Wine and Side Door provide hearty meals for the cold season. Outside, cobblestone streets, murals, and artistic shops enhance the experience. Nearby parks like Confederation Park and Major Hill’s Park offer scenic winter walks.

Mer Bleue Bog, just 30 minutes from Ottawa, transforms into a serene winter landscape. This peat bog features a 1.2-kilometer boardwalk passing through snow-covered wetlands, offering unique views of rare plant life and winter birds. It’s also ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when snow conditions permit. Parking is free, making it easily accessible.

Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm becomes a festive winter wonderland, about 30 minutes southeast of Ottawa. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, meet Santa, gather around outdoor bonfires, sip hot chocolate, roast marshmallows, and interact with cheerful elves. The farm has been operated by the Stanley family for three generations since 1993, making it a traditional winter destination for families.

Nordik Spa Ottawa, located in Chelsea about 15 minutes from downtown, offers a Scandinavian-style winter retreat. Surrounded by snow-covered forests, it features nine saunas, steam rooms, saltwater float pools, outdoor hot pools, cold plunges, and cozy relaxation areas with fires. Visitors can enjoy the spa circuit, book massages, dine on-site, and admire stunning winter views for a uniquely peaceful experience.

Omega Park, less than an hour east of Ottawa, offers a 12-kilometer self-drive adventure through snow-covered landscapes. Visitors can see moose, elk, wolves, and bison roaming freely, with opportunities to feed them carrots from their car. A 1-kilometer winter trail with Indigenous totem carvings provides a scenic hike. Visitors can even rent cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking wolf habitats for an unforgettable overnight stay.

Stay at A Voyageurs Guesthouse — Your Cozy Base for Exploring Ottawa!