SUMMER
Cycling
Ottawa has a renowned system of bicycle pathways and parklands suitable for the whole family.
Rentals can be made by the hour or up to 30 days.
Canoeing and kayaking on the canal
Ottawa is a true paradise for nautical activities enthusiasts! Dow's Lake is a small man-made lake and is part of the Rideau Canal system. Summer recreational rentals include canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, bikes and rollerblades. A full service marina is available.
Boat tours on the canal / Ottawa River
Numerous boat tours are available to cruise the Rideau Canal or the Ottawa River. Discover Ottawa from a different perspective!
Ottawa City Rafting
Ottawa City Rafting offers the perfect urban rafting adventure combining fun, excitement and the great history of our nation!
Hiking
Hike Gatineau Park's 165 kilometers of trails and learn all about its flora, fauna and history. Here you will see Canadian Nature at its finest.
Calypso Waterpark
Calypso Waterpark is nothing less than Canada's largest thematic waterpark!
Outdoor Movie Nights
Grab some friends and catch a movie under the stars! Outdoor theatres pop up all summer long in beautiful locations across the city like Westboro Beach.
Golf
There are numerous opportunities for golf in the Ottawa area.
Fairmont Le Château Montebello has a classic Stanley Thompson-designed course (approximately one-hour drive).
Club and shoe rentals are available.
Other top-ranked Ottawa area courses include:
Eagle Creek Golf Club
Golf carts, clubs and lessons are available
Loch March Public Golf & Country Club
Golf carts and clubs are available
Groups are welcome and tournaments can be organized. Please speak to the Concierge for directions, suggestions and to book tee times in advance.
FALL
The Ottawa and Gatineau region is a stunning four-seasons destination. Many visitors stroll in the city or the surrounding parks to enjoy our wonderful colors while taking advantage of everything Ottawa has to offer. Although difficult to forecast with precision, the fall foliage period usually occurs from late-September to mid-October. Best leaf-peeping spots are Ottawa Parks, along the Rideau Canal, the Gatineau Hills and Gatineau National Park.
WINTER
Skating
Skate the 7.8-kilometer-long Rideau Canal from one end, at Fairmont Château Laurier, to the other, at Dow's Lake. The Rideau Canal is the longest outdoor skating rink in the world and is the main attraction of the Winterlude festival. It is open to skaters in January and February, weather permitting. Skate rentals are available at various Silver Skates locations on the canal.
Skiing
There are a few ski hills just north of the capital to thrill down-hill ski enthusiasts. Cross-country skiing fans will be amazed by the opportunities in Gatineau Park, where there are almost 200 kilometers (111 miles) of groomed and track-set ski trails.
Snowshoeing
Explore acres of breathtaking vistas and unspoiled wilderness, with just the calming sound of snow crunching beneath your feet. Gatineau Park has hundreds of kilometers of pathways and trails, perfect for snowshoeing.
Hockey
Watch the Ottawa Senators take on the NHL's best at the Scotia Bank Place, west of Ottawa, in Kanata. The capital's Major Junior Division hockey team, the Ottawa 67s, plays at the Ottawa Civic Centre, south of the city center, along the Rideau Canal. The Hull Olympiques play home games at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau.
Scandinavian Baths
Indulge in magnificent Scandinavian baths at Le Nordik Nature Spa in Chelsea, about 15 minutes from Ottawa.