Currently in Ottawa, tulips are blooming all over Canada’s Capital and it is a wonderful time to visit. Planning tours for another season for Ottawa, consider Winter. Winter in Ottawa offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience, as the city transforms into a winter wonderland that is sure to leave a lasting impression. From winter sports to exploring the city's vibrant cultural scene, there's no shortage of activities to keep visitors entertained and engaged.
One of the must-see attractions in Ottawa during the winter is the Rideau Canal Skateway, which draws visitors from around the world to skate on its frozen waters. This unique experience is a highlight of any winter visit to the city and should not be missed.
For those looking for a more cultural experience, Ottawa's many museums and galleries offer a chance to explore the city's rich history and cultural heritage, while the Winterlude festival is a celebration of all things winter, featuring ice sculptures, live music, and delicious food.
For other Winter ideas for your Groups or FIT in Ottawa, check out this itinerary.
Air France will launch a new service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier (YOW) starting from June 27, 2023. The flights will operate five times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday using Air France's 224-seater Airbus A330-200, which has 36 seats in Business, 21 in Premium Economy, and 167 in Economy.
Porter Airlines will offer year-round daily non-stop flights to Boston, Quebec City, Thunder Bay, and Charlottetown from Ottawa, making it the only airline to do so. These routes will provide the people of Canada's Capital Region with convenient travel connections.
PAL Airlines has launched service from Ottawa International Airport with flights to Moncton and Fredericton, New Brunswick. The flights will continue on to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The restoration and modernization of the Centre Block, along with the construction of the Parliament Welcome Centre, is currently underway and estimated to cost between $4.5 billion and $5 billion. This heritage rehabilitation project is the largest and most complex in Canada's history, with construction expected to be completed between 2030 and 2031. The Centre Block will reopen roughly one year after construction finishes to allow for testing and preparations.
Le Boat, the self-drive boating company, has added a new satellite base at Ottawa's Dows Lake Pavilion. Le Boat's six new itineraries will provide guests with more convenience and flexibility, with four dedicated slips and a reception booth. The boating season on the Rideau Canal will start on May 19, 2023, and end on October 9, 2023.
Tucker's Marketplace Restaurant has reopened in its original location at 61 York St after closing during the pandemic in March 2020. The restaurant had announced its reopening plan in the fall of 2021, and after hiring staff, it officially opened on January 25th, 2022. The entrance is now located beside the previous corner door near the intersection of York and William streets in the ByWard Market.
The park has introduced a new attraction called the Pod Village. Positioned at the start of the car safari route, it offers visitors an opportunity to extend their wildlife experience by staying in cozy pods near the park's animals. Although guests cannot directly view the animals, they can enjoy the soothing sounds of nature and a comforting atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for adventurous families. Watch the Coffee Break FAM featuring Parc Omega.
The Groups Entrance at the Canadian Museum of History has reopened after undergoing renovations, with a new underground access for buses and coaches to disembark passengers directly to the Groups Admission Desk. The temporary group desk in the Main Lobby will be removed, and there are dedicated short-term bus drop-off and parking areas available nearby.
Planning a new tour to Ottawa but can’t get here right now? Explore Canada’s capital through our many virtual guided tours and FAMs.
Discover Canada's aviation history at the world-class Canada Aviation and Space Museum featuring over 130 aircraft and artifacts, including the original Canadarm and Avro Arrow plane. Take a guided tour, explore demonstrations, and enjoy seasonal flights over the Ottawa region on a real helicopter, vintage biplane, or Cessna.
You can watch all our previous coffee-break FAMs on the Familiarization (FAM) tours page. You can also watch the collection of sneak-peak videos, the Virtually Ottawa Tour videos, which are the inspiration for the Virtual FAMs.
Stay up to date on upcoming events and ideas to plan your next trip to Ottawa with friends, family or on your own by signing up for the Ottawa Tourism Newsletter.
