Unique things to do in Ottawa this winter

Warm up with some arts and culture

Ottawa might be cold, but it’s a hotspot for arts and culture. For performing and musical arts, see what’s coming up at the National Arts Centre this winter, including a recreation of Prince’s Purple Rain by Classic Albums Live, performances by Donovan Woods, Kizaba, and the multi-award winning Kellie Loder and much, much more.

Or, catch a stage production of The Shawshank Redemption from late February to mid-March at the Ottawa Little Theatre, the longest continuously running community theatre in the country.

Coincidentally, you can see another Stephen King-inspired production, Misery: The Play, at another great independent theatre in Ottawa, the Gladstone in Little Italy. View their full 2024-25 season here.

On the topic of independent theatres, the Mayfair and the ByTowne are two of Ottawa’s oldest, most beloved cinemas. From indie flicks to blockbusters, get your movie fix like a local.

If you’re up for something hands-on, try an Ottawa Art Gallery ARTivity, or maybe a tactile workshop at Hintonburg Pottery, the Mud Oven, the Ottawa Glassblowing Co-op or Makatew Indigenous Workshops in the quaint village of Carp 30 minutes west.

Snap a snowy picture of downtown Ottawa

The Ottawa region is teeming with Instagram-worthy spots, from iconic landmarks to scenic vistas. Snap a photo of the regal Parliament buildings against a striking winter sky, or visit the Fairmont Château Laurier, a castle-like hotel that adds a touch of allure to any shot.

For sweeping views of Parliament Hill and the Ottawa skyline, head to the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River, down to the Voyageurs Pathway, or walk across the Alexandra or Portage Bridges for even more views of the stunning backdrop.

Also, don’t miss the Rideau Canal Skateway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink. Skate it or photograph it from charming vantage points like the Corktown Footbridge or the arched bridge in Patterson Creek Park.

Chill out in a hot sauna

Rest and reenergize at Nordik Spa-Nature, North America’s largest spa, 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa. The indoor-outdoor Scandinavian-style oasis — which focuses on the benefits of thermotherapy — offers hot and cold pools, various saunas, spa treatments, dining options and more.

And just as close is Kōena Spa, another Nordic-style thermal escape, located along the Ottawa River. Be sure to spend some time in the Himalayan salt room, a sweet experience that purifies the mind.

Try some of Ottawa’s newest restaurants

Seriously, they’re to-dine-for:

• Dark Fork, Ottawa’s first dine-in-the-dark restaurant, where visually impaired servers guide you through a unique sensory dining experience.
• Beyond the Pale Brewing Company’s new Byward Taproom in the historic, stone Clarendon Court in the Byward Market.
• Ember, a new, globally inspired live-fire kitchen, also in the Byward Market.
• Caméline Italian cuisine in the heart of Vieux-Hull, a finalist for Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants enRoute.
• Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine, owned by chef Lizardo Becerra, who will represent Ottawa at the Canadian Culinary Championship from January 31 to February 1. (Interested in attending the championship? Get your tickets here.)

Get wowed by an Ottawa museum

Many are free on Thursdays! Ottawa is home to seven of Canada’s nine national museums, including the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.

And don’t forget the Bytown Museum, which tells the story of Ottawa from its oldest stone building in one of the most picturesque locations in the city.

Want to spend the day museum-hopping? Grab an Ottawa Museums Pass to maximize your time while minimizing your budget. In the meantime, learn more about Ottawa’s world-class museums here!