Ottawa is an incredible travel destination any time of year, but winter is a magical time in our capital. CNN Travel even named it a top place to visit in 2023, calling it “graceful and understated.”
Ottawa has a fascinating history, arts and culture to explore, with festivals to experience in every season. There are also so many outdoor nature and adventure activities that you will never get bored.
While it’s impossible to fit everything in 48 hours, here’s a suggestion for spending a winter weekend in Ottawa.
Saturday
9:00 am – Have breakfast and drink caffeine
Ottawa doesn’t matter when it comes to breakfast and brunch, and there are tons of great options to choose from. Wilf and Ada’s are almost guaranteed to have a line unless you go early, but you’ll see what the hype is about when you try their daily frittata or Duck Eggs Benny.
The Manx on Elgin Street is another great option that serves breakfast fare at affordable prices. Also check out the HQ Cafe’s Instagrammable offerings and don’t miss the espresso cream cheese pancakes.
For coffee, Figaro Coffee House is a Canadian company that roasts its beans right in Ottawa, made with some of the finest Arabica coffee beans from around the world.
The Ministry of Coffee is another staple featuring coffee beans from around the world, or try Little Victories in The Glebe for espresso-based drinks with incredibly beautiful designs.
10.00 am – Ice skating or cross-country skiing
Ottawa is blessed with amazing nature trails and natural ice rinks to slide on. One of the city’s biggest winter outdoor attractions is ice skating on the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest ice rink and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which attracts millions of visitors each year.
Along the frozen ice trail you’ll find skate rentals, warming cabins, hot chocolate and beaver tails.
The RiverOak Skating Trail is another awesome skating trail that takes you through forests and orchards.
For cross-country skiing go to Kichi Sibi winter hiking trail, a groomed multipurpose trail that stretches along the Ottawa River Capital Pathway. Watch out for those adorable snow bears a local artist grew in the trees Kitchisippi Forest.
12pm – Refuel and taste a local favourite
Locals may argue about who’s the best here, but one thing’s for sure — Ottawa has some of the best kebabs around. Shawarma King is almost a right of passage for anyone who has visited or lived in the city, and trying it at least once is a must.
Another staple is the sauce-covered pizza slices at the House of Georgie. Classic pizza slices are served with a ladleful of savory sauce. Don’t knock until you try!
13:00 – Relax in the Spa
Though not actually located in Ottawa, the Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Quebec is a quick 20-minute drive from downtown and a must for a luxury spa experience, especially in winter.
Leveraging the Scandinavian practice of alternating between hot and cold rituals, Nordik features indoor and outdoor hot tubs and pools for immersion, cold dives, seating areas with flaming fires, saunas and steam rooms for ultimate relaxation.
The Uppliva Spa in Hintonburg is another Scandinavian-inspired spa in town that also offers a steam and sauna circuit and a range of spa treatments.
4:00 PM – Check into your hotel
The capital has countless accommodation options to choose from. For a unique Ottawa experience, choose the majestic Fairmont Château Laurier in the heart of downtown.
Historic yet luxurious, the Fairmont resembles a French Renaissance chateau with chateau-like architecture. It has a prime location just a few minutes walk from ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal.
Art lovers will also love the Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, with its contemporary spaces decorated with artwork by local artists and views of Parliament Hill. The Alt Hotel is another cheaper option, with bright, playful decor and a lobby cafe.
5:00 PM – Stroll through the ByWard Market
With over 600 year-round shops, ByWard Market is one of Ottawa’s top must-see attractions. The square has a famous farmers market, unique boutiques, galleries, pubs, restaurants, bars, bakeries, coffee houses and street art, and much of it is covered so you don’t have to walk in the cold.
Pick up a Beaver Tail with your choice of sweet toppings or browse the handcrafted products from around the world at the Quichua World Market.
7:00 PM – Indulge in a seafood dinner
Even if Ottawa doesn’t seem like your typical seafood destination, one popular restaurant can change your mind. Whalesbone serves exceptionally fresh and sustainable oysters and seafood, and its popularity has now spread to multiple locations across the city.
When in ByWard Market, Sidedoor is a cozy and intimate option for delicious Asian-inspired tapas and tacos, or head to Chez Lucien’s Tavern for home cooking.
9pm – Sample a creative cocktail at a local institution
To end the night, head to the Apothecary Lounge at ByWard Market and sample one of their artisan cocktails, made with real plants and homemade syrups.
Alternatively, try The Hyde, a newer cocktail lounge serving curated shaken and stirred creations.
Sunday
10am – brunch time
Lexington in Westboro is a smokehouse and bar with creative takes on brunch classics. Try chicken and waffles with Korean fried chicken and a spicy honey drizzle.
Art-is-in Bakery is another great bakery and cafe with freshly baked bread and breakfast options to enjoy in their modern and stylish space.
11am – Go on a winter hike
Ottawa has some stunning winter hiking trails, including Gatineau Park, which has over 113 miles of trails to explore.
With lush forests and rolling hills, it’s a lovely way to get some fresh air with scenic views.
2pm – Explore the Parliament or one of the many museums
While in the nation’s capital, you can visit the Canadian Parliament and take a free guided tour of the Senate or House of Commons.
Ottawa is filled with so many museums that it would take you much longer than a weekend to see them all. Some notable ones to marvel at are the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, the National Gallery of Canada or the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.
4:00 p.m. – Check out Winterlude
Arguably Ottawa’s most anticipated festival of the year, Winterlude celebrates all things winter and has been for 40 years. Featuring ice sculptures, maple toffee and food stalls, light and art installations, and tons of other free events, the festival spans 3 weekends in February and is a must-see when in town.
After dark, the ice sculptures are illuminated with colored lights and Sparks Street is packed with nighttime attractions.
17:00 – Warm up with a hot chocolate
Nothing beats a good mug of hot chocolate in winter, and Stubbe Chocolates makes a decadent mug. Their original hot chocolate is made with Belgian Callebaut cocoa, whole milk and a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Quelque Chose is a charming patisserie with flavored and sophisticated flavors to try along with their macarons. Try their Mexican or S’mores hot chocolate.
18:00 – Enjoy a delicious dinner
End the weekend with a fantastic meal at Supply and Demand with its spectacular selection of small plates, pasta dishes and a raw food bar.
Just a few steps away you will also find Absinthe and its modern bistro, serving dishes prepared using classic French cooking techniques.
8 p.m. – For something sweet
There’s always room for dessert, and there are plenty of sweets to satisfy those cravings. If you’re craving ice cream this winter, Moo Shu Ice Cream is a dessert shop offering craft ice cream with unique, Asian-inspired flavors and a rotating selection of snacks.
Alternatively, dine on churros at La Catrina Churros + Café Bar, a hip, split-level café with fun murals.