Many people may want to hibernate in the winter months, but if you’ve just bought your first home in Ottawa, you will want to explore your new city and all it has to offer. There is no shortage of things to do, from cheering on the Ottawa Senators or Ottawa 67s to hitting up Comic Con or the National Gallery of Canada. There’s a little something for everyone.
Indulge Your Inner Sports Fan
Both the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa 67s, and Ottawa Charge have stadiums in town and will put on a great show of skill, determination, and unrivalled entertainment. If hockey isn’t your thing, you can attend a number of other sporting events, including Ottawa Black Bears lacrosse games, the Canadian Ski Marathon, or the Winterlude Triathlon.
Enjoy the Local Music Scene
If you love the experience of live music, you can bask in the Music of Hans Zimmer at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre, attend a SoulRythms or Capital Sessions dance class, or explore the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival. Many local bars also have live music, including Red Bird, LIVE! on Elgin, and Bronson Centre.
Embrace the Great Outdoors
Ottawa is one of the best places to bask in the beauty of winter with its outdoor activities. You can start your day skating on the Rideau Canal and then participate in animal tracking on snowshoes or snow biking in Gatineau Park, which is just a beauty to hike in, even if you aren’t doing any planned events. You could also try downhill or cross-country skiing at Camp Fortune or Mount Pakenham, visit Rideau Falls Park for beautiful views of frozen waterfalls, or go sledding in the Greenbelt.
Immerse Yourself in Arts and Culture
The art and culture scene in Ottawa is not to be missed. You can go to the National Gallery of Canada (which is free on Thursday nights!) or check out the First Royals of Europe in the Canadian Museum of History. Both the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of History have different exhibits to enjoy, so they’re both at the top of the list for newcomers to town with various interests.
Explore Winter Carnivals and Festivals
Ottawa is famous for its winter carnival, Winterlude, which offers visitors the best of winter with its activities. There are family-friendly events, date night outings, and various adventures to enjoy. If you can’t get enough of winter after checking out Winterlude, you can also see how ice can create a warm and homey hut at Igloofest, taste local and international beers at Gatineau Beerfest, and play around with horse-drawn sleigh rides, scavenger hunts, and more at Trend Arlington Winter Carnival.
Get Active
Staying active is typically hard in the winter, but Ottawa makes it easy for people to prioritize their physical fitness and have fun doing it. For those who like relaxing and meditative workouts, there’s Yoga Under the Stars at the Aquatopia Water Garden. If you’re looking for something more strenuous, sign up for a winter running race, the BougeBouge Ottawa indoor 5k skate, or test your cross-country skiing skills with the Gatineau Loppet.
Regardless of what you and your family love to do, there’s something for everyone during the winter months in Ottawa.