Discover Ottawa
Bonnechere Provincial Park
A family favourite in the Ottawa Valley with a shallow sandy beach on Round Lake, calm Bonnechere River paddling, and a radio-free campground. 129 sites plus rustic cabins and a cottage. Known for its accessible trails, oxbow lake wildlife viewing, and relaxed atmosphere. About 2 hours from Ottawa. Open May to October.
Bytown Museum
Ottawa's oldest history museum, housed in the 1827 Commissariat Building at the foot of the Ottawa Locks. Tells the story of how Bytown became Canada's capital, from the construction of the Rideau Canal through the city's transformation into Ottawa.
Cafe Orient
Longtime Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng in Ottawa's Chinatown, serving dim sum, congee, rice and noodle dishes, and Hong Kong-style milk tea since 1993.
Cantina Gia
Southern Italian restaurant on Bank Street in the Glebe, known for handmade pasta, candlelit atmosphere, and a curated grocery corner. Sister restaurant of North & Navy.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park
A 2,596-hectare Canadian Shield park about 90 minutes south of Ottawa. 236 campsites across four campgrounds, yurts, and backcountry canoe-in sites. The Blue Mountain Trail reaches the highest point in Leeds & Grenville County with views to the Adirondacks. Known for fishing, rocky outcrops, and rich biodiversity. Open mid-May to mid-October.
Cherry Blossom Aerial Dance Studio
Pole dance, aerial, and chair dance party studio running since 2009. Bachelorette packages for up to 18 guests with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and 9 poles.
D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub (Kanata)
Kanata Irish pub on Terry Fox Drive with Live Music Saturdays, Trivia Mondays, and Karaoke Wednesdays — the west-end sibling of the downtown D'Arcy McGee's on Sparks.
Diefenbunker Escape Rooms
The world's largest escape room inside a real Cold War nuclear bunker in Carp — 25,000 sq ft across an entire floor, with museum admission included.
DreamLand Cafe
Fresh handmade pasta specialist on Preston Street, known for truffle mac & cheese and lobster spaghetti. A small, cozy spot with multiple "best pasta in Ottawa" awards — reservations are essential.
Elina Patisserie
French and European patisserie on Sussex Drive handcrafted by Ukrainian-born pastry chef Elina Olefirenko. Known for Honey Cake, Vanilla Basque Cheesecake, Opera Cake, and macarons in an open-kitchen setting.
George''s Bar and Grill
A rural village pub in Munster (southwest of Ottawa) serving pub classics and Lebanese cuisine, with Thursday karaoke nights hosted by Nick and Christina.
Hog's Back Falls
A series of 18-metre waterfalls on the Rideau River, created during the construction of the Rideau Canal in the 1830s. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal system, with locks, walking trails, and picnic areas. Spectacular frozen ice formations in winter.