Ottawa awakens when the sun goes down. Canada’s Capital has tons of unique attractions open to visitors in the late afternoon, evening, and well into the night. There is also a myriad of bars, pubs and nightclubs in most of Ottawa’s central neighbourhoods.
Evening Attraction Ideas
Camp Fortune: 15 minutes from downtown Ottawa, Camp Fortune offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities from skiing and snowboarding in the winter, to daytime mountain biking, hiking and its Aerial Experience from May to October. Mondays through Saturdays during ski season, you can hit the slopes for nightly skiing or snowboarding until 10:00 p.m.
Canadian War Museum: The Canadian War Museum is open until 8:00 p.m. every Thursday year-round and Fridays until 6:00 p.m. from July to September. The museum focuses on military conflicts that occurred on Canadian soil, involved Canadian forces, or had a significant effect on the country and its people.
Canadian Museum of Nature: This museum is open until 8:00 p.m. every Thursday year-round. Visit this castle-like building with its galleries that showcase live insects and see dioramas of Canadian wildlife as well as dinosaur fossils. And don’t miss the museum’s RBC Blue Water Gallery, which is home to a rare 19-metre (65-foot) blue whale skeleton! Once a month, from November to August, on the very last Friday of the month, the museum is home to Nature Nocturne, a 19+ event that allows guests to discover the museum while enjoying drinks and a bustling dance floor.
Casino du Lac-Leamy: Located only minutes from downtown Ottawa, the Casino features world-class gaming with almost 2,000 slot machines and over 60 gaming tables. It also presents an ongoing lineup of dinner + show events in Le Théâtre du Casino, an annual fireworks competition in early August, and dining options including Banco Bistro.
Haunted Walk of Ottawa: Locals and newcomers alike are fascinated by these glimpses into the darker history and haunting of the Nation’s Capital. Visitors can choose from the Original Haunted Walk, the Crime and Punishment Jail Tour, Ghosts and the Gallows (featuring the Old Carleton County Jail) and the Naughty Ottawa Pub Walk (for guests 19 and older). All stories are thoroughly researched and will delight even the skeptics in the group! Tours are available in English and French.
CINÉ+: Located in the Canadian Museum of History, the CINÉ+ offers a unique perspective on history, culture, adventure and nature through an array of stunning films that touch and inspire.
Lady Dive Amphibus: Tour Canada’s Capital Region by land and water! Lady Dive Tours specializes in bilingual guided tours of the National Capital region of Canada on both land and water. The Colossal night tour (offered end June to early September) is a one hour tour of stories, legends and anecdotes about the beautiful city of Ottawa that lets you sample the night time city life and view over 75 key sites.
Laurier House: Love, loss and honour, from the one set of eyes that has seen it all. Can you solve an age old mystery? Set in the historic residence of two of Canada’s most important Prime Ministers, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and William Lyon Mackenzie King, Mary’s Odyssey is a riveting after-hours interactive theatrical experience starring Jasmine Bowen as Mary, with Rick Cousins as Prime Minister Mackenzie King. See website for show times and pricing. Space is limited therefore reservations are required. Production is in English only. For more information and tickets call 613-992-8142.
National Arts Centre: With over 600 performances on four stages every year the NAC offers something for everyone – music, theatre and dance.
OLG – Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway: Home to 1,250 slot machines in a 40,000 square foot, travel-themed gaming area, the ambiance and state-of-the-art slot machines at the OLG Slots will dazzle your senses. A 650 seat dining room overlooks Canada’s fastest 5/8th mile track, the perfect place to enjoy the panoramic view of the race track and cheer on your favourite horse and driver.
Ottawa Little Theatre: With nearly 100 years under its belt, the Ottawa Little Theatre is Canada’s oldest community theatre. The facility presents a great mix of comedies, mysteries, and dramas to entertain diverse audiences.
Ottawa Senators Hockey Club & Canadian Tire Centre: The Ottawa Senators is Ottawa’s National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, one of the NHL’s most exciting teams and a perennial Stanley Cup contender. The Sens play 41 regular season (mostly evening) games at Canadian Tire Centre every September to April. Tickets for individual games are available through Capital Tickets. Visitors can also check the schedule at Canadian Tire Centre, as this first-class entertainment arena also hosts rock concerts, family entertainment and other great events.
Parliament of Canada Tours: Parliament is the seat of Canada’s government and the buildings (Centre Block, East Block and West Block) are fine examples of the Gothic revival style architecture. Tours of Centre Block are available daily except on Christmas, New Year’s, and Canada Day (July 1), with multiple tours (in both official languages) available at staggered times throughout the day, including evening tours from mid-May through August. To make the most of your visit, check the Parliament’s Visitor web site for details. Same day tickets for individuals or groups of less than 10 people are free and available on a first come first served basis from 9:00 a.m. daily. Groups of 10 or more must make a reservation in advance by calling 613-996-0896.
Paul’s Boat Line: See Ottawa’s scenery via the Ottawa River. You will see the natural beauty of the region that captured the imagination of the first European explorer Samuel de Champlain. Operating from May to October, evening cruises end in early September.
Saunders Farm: Each October, “Haunting Season” transforms Saunders Farm into Canada’s most eerie-sistible farm attraction. Spook-tacular haunted hayrides, parades, puppets, live shows, 11 mazes and strolling characters combine to create awesome thrills for all. Evening activities include Haunted Hayrides, the Barn of Terror, a Ghost Town Stage Show, Ghost Stories by the Bonfire, the Climbing Wall of Doom, Ghoulish glow-in-the-dark mini putt and the Gathering of the Ghouls. Evening activities are not recommended for children under age 10.
Fun Haven Family Fun Centre: “Fun Haven,” as it’s known locally, is located just west of downtown Ottawa. This indoor entertainment centre offers many midway and video games, bumper cars, a climbing wall, laser tag, a laser maze, a toddler-friendly area and much more. Fun Haven is open seven days a week.
Scarlett’s Dinner Theatre, by Eddie May Murder Mysteries: North America’s longest running producer of murder mystery entertainment presents public dinner theatre every Friday and Saturday at Scarlett’s. Private parties can be arranged at Scarlett’s or at off-site venues. Call 613-850-9700 for information and reservations. Dinner and show packages start at $52. Private dinner/shows for groups available for 10 to 500 people.
Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill: Experience the story of Canada as told through music, spectacular lighting effects and stunning giant image projections on the Parliament Buildings. This free, bilingual show illuminates Parliament Hill twice nightly in summer. (Early July to early September)
TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne: Located just minutes south of Ottawa’s downtown core, TD Place is the city’s newest event venue. Catch an outdoor concert with a big act or a game, as the stadium is home to soccer team the Ottawa Fury FC and the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the Canadian Football League’s newest team. Both teams play from July through October.
Evening Shopping Ideas
Bayshore Shopping Centre: Located in the western portion of Ottawa at a highly visible and accessible location on the north side of Highway 417, near the Highway 416 junction, Bayshore offers 728,047 square feet and 155 stores and services. Its fashion and lifestyle merchant mix attracts more than 7.1 million people annually.
ByWard Market: There’s always something happening in the ByWard Market! Established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets. Within an area roughly four blocks square, you’ll find museums, cafés, speciality food shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants, pubs and hip nightspots! Easily accessible on foot, by transit or by car, the ByWard Market offers a unique shopping experience for all.
CF Rideau Centre: Located one block east of Parliament Hill, CF Rideau Centre is one of Canada’s most popular shopping destinations and home to 180 of the biggest names in fashion, food and services. For groups: CF Rideau Centre offers organized group tour programs and discount incentives that let you integrate shopping, food and fun into your itinerary. Customized receptions for groups, an exclusive Visitors Values Coupon Book of savings for everyone and special student tour programming. It’s a one-stop group shopping experience.
St. Laurent Centre: The St. Laurent Shopping Centre, located in the east end of the city, boasts over 195 stores and services, an expansive food court and a cinema.
Tanger Outlets Ottawa: Located just west of downtown Ottawa near the Canadian Tire Centre, Tanger Outlets is Ottawa’s newest outdoor shopping mall. Open until 9:00 p.m. daily and until 6:00 p.m. on Sundays, Tanger offers 293,000 square feet (89 square metres) of shopping with 75 different stores. Browse the mall and visit boutiques such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Bench and many more.
