Best Things to Do in Ottawa in Spring
A month-by-month guide to the best spring activities in Ottawa, from maple sugar season and cherry blossoms to the Canadian Tulip Festival. Covers March through May.
Ottawa's spring stretches from March to May, and each month brings something different — maple season in March, trail openings and cherry blossoms in April, and tulips and cycling in May. It's one of the best times to visit the capital.
This guide covers what to do each month so you can plan around what's actually happening.
March: Maple Season and March Break
Sugar Bushes
March is maple syrup season. The freeze-thaw cycle of cold nights and warmer days causes sap to flow through sugar maple trees, and sugar bushes across the Ottawa region open for tastings, tours, and pancake breakfasts.
Several sugar bushes operate within an hour of Ottawa, from large family farms to a free urban sugar shack in Vanier. Most run from late February through mid-April.
See our guide to sugar bushes around Ottawa → for locations, dates, and prices.
March Break Activities
Ontario's March Break falls in the third week of March. Ottawa's national museums run special programming during the week, and many offer free or discounted admission:
- Canadian Museum of Nature — Free for ages 0–17 year-round. Dinosaur fossils, blue whale skeleton, Arctic gallery
- Bank of Canada Museum — Always free. Interactive exhibits where kids can design banknotes
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum — Free daily 4–5 PM. Over 130 aircraft including the Canadarm
- Canada Science and Technology Museum — Free daily 4–5 PM. Hands-on exhibits built for kids
See our March Break guide → for the full list of activities and events.
April: Trails, Blossoms and Patios
Gatineau Park Spring Hiking
Gatineau Park trails begin opening as snow melts, though conditions vary — expect mud on some trails through April. The NCC asks hikers to stay on marked trails even when muddy to prevent erosion. Leashed pets are allowed on trails from April 15.
Popular spring trails include Pink Lake (2.5 km loop with boardwalk), King Mountain (panoramic lookout over the Ottawa Valley), and the Lauriault Trail to Bridal Veil Falls.
See our guide to parks and outdoor spaces → for more trail details.
Cherry Blossoms and Spring Blooms
Cherry blossoms typically appear in late April to early May, with about one week of peak bloom. The best spot is the Dominion Arboretum, where a row of cherry trees lines Prince of Wales Drive. The arboretum also has magnolias, crabapples, and lilacs blooming from late April through May.
Other blossom spots include Major's Hill Park, the National Gallery courtyard, and along the Rideau Canal pathway.
Patio Season Opens
Ottawa's official patio season starts April 1. Restaurants across the city open their outdoor seating — the ByWard Market neighbourhood, Elgin Street, and Westboro are popular patio areas. Weather in April can still be cool, but sunny afternoons regularly hit 10–15°C.
Easter Weekend
Easter falls on April 5 in 2026, creating a four-day long weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday). Local farms run egg hunts and spring activities, and it's the tail end of sugar bush season at some locations.
See our Easter activities guide → for events and plans.
May: Tulips, Cycling and Markets
Canadian Tulip Festival
The Canadian Tulip Festival (May 8–18, 2026) is Ottawa's biggest spring event. Over 300,000 tulips bloom across 26 gardens at Commissioners Park by Dow's Lake — and walking through the gardens is free.
The festival includes a nightly sound and light show, outdoor movies, food vendors, and a fireworks and drone show on May 17. Major's Hill Park also has significant tulip plantings.
See our complete Tulip Festival guide → for the full schedule.
Cycling Season Begins
The NCC Capital Pathway network — over 600 km of multi-use pathways — is generally clear of snow by mid-to-late April. The Rideau Canal pathway, Ottawa River pathway, and Dominion Arboretum loop are all excellent spring rides.
In mid-May, the NCC Weekend Bikedays program begins — parkways across the region are closed to cars on weekends, creating kilometres of car-free cycling on smooth asphalt.
See our cycling trails guide → for routes, distances, and bike rental info.
Farmers' Markets Open
Ottawa's outdoor farmers' market season kicks off in May. The Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne moves outdoors to Aberdeen Square (Sundays, 9 AM–3 PM), and neighbourhood markets in Westboro, Orleans, and Barrhaven open for the season.
The ByWard Market outdoor vendors also return in May, with produce, flowers, and crafts along the market streets daily.
See our farmers' markets guide → for the complete list of markets, locations, and schedules.
Dow's Lake Opens
Dow's Lake Pavilion opens for the season in mid-May with canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and paddleboat rentals. It's right next to the tulip gardens at Commissioners Park — combine a paddle with a tulip walk.
Spring Weather in Ottawa
Ottawa's spring weather is unpredictable. Here's what to expect:
| Month | Average High | Average Low | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | 2°C | -8°C | Snow melting, cold mornings, occasional warm days |
| April | 11°C | 1°C | Variable — sun one day, rain the next. Trails muddy |
| May | 19°C | 8°C | Warm days, cool evenings. Best spring weather |
What to bring: Layers are essential. A waterproof jacket is useful through April. Sunscreen becomes important in May. Comfortable walking shoes that can handle wet conditions are better than sandals until late May.
Planning Your Spring Visit
- Best free day — Walk the tulip gardens at Commissioners Park (free), visit the Bank of Canada Museum (free), browse the ByWard Market, and stroll the Rideau Canal pathway. See our free things to do guide → for more
- Best for families — Museum of Nature (free for kids), sugar bushes in March, tulip gardens in May. See our kids activities guide →
- Rainy days — Ottawa has more indoor attractions per capita than almost anywhere in Canada. See our rainy day guide →
- Museum savings — Thursday evenings are free at four major museums. See our museums guide → for details
Featured Places
Commissioners Park
The home of the Canadian Tulip Festival, with over 300,000 tulips across 26 flower beds along the shore of Dow's Lake. Free to visit year-round.
Dominion Arboretum
A 26-hectare arboretum on the Central Experimental Farm, home to over 1,700 species of trees and shrubs. Free to visit, with scenic lookouts over Dow's Lake and the Rideau Canal. Connected to the canal pathway network.
Major's Hill Park
A downtown park overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill, and the Rideau Canal locks. One of Ottawa's best spots for spring tulips, summer festivals, and views of the city's landmarks. Free and open daily.
Gatineau Park
A 361-square-kilometre conservation park just 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Home to over 165 km of hiking trails, beaches, lakes, and the Mackenzie King Estate. Free to enter; parking fees apply at some lots in summer.
ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, established in 1826. Home to over 600 businesses including restaurants, boutiques, and a year-round indoor market with seasonal outdoor vendors.
Lansdowne
A mixed-use urban park in The Glebe featuring the historic Aberdeen Pavilion, TD Place stadium and arena, the Ottawa Farmers' Market, shops, restaurants, and public green spaces along the Rideau Canal.
Rideau Canal
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink in winter. Perfect for walks, cycling, and boating in summer.
Dow's Lake Pavilion
A waterfront pavilion on Dow's Lake offering boat rentals in summer, skate rentals in winter, and lakeside dining year-round. A key Tulip Festival site in spring and a gateway to the Rideau Canal Skateway in winter.