Looking to spend a weekend in Ottawa but not sure when to go? Check out our reasons for why Ottawa is the perfect place for a spring getaway.
Ottawa is known for being the capital of Canada and home to the Canadian parliament, but the city has much more to offer than that. When the weather starts to warm up during spring months, a number of festivals and events open for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Head to downtown Ottawa for the city’s annual Tulip Festival in May, or try some outdoor yoga on Parliament Hill, or plan your Ottawa trip around the Ottawa PoutineFest. Check out all the reasons why Ottawa is the perfect place for a spring getaway or weekend trip.
Celebrating Canada Day in Ottawa this year? Take a look at our guide to Canada Day in Ottawa.
Biking on the Rideau Canal
Ottawa’s Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches over 200 km from Ottawa to Kingston. It’s currently the oldest canal system in North America, and starting in mid-May, you can watch the locks being used to raise and lower water levels for incoming and outgoing ships. This Ottawa attraction is especially serene during the spring, so bike your way over and enjoy the view down the canal!
Ottawa’s Tulip Festival
From May 8-18 this year, Ottawa will once again be hosting the Canadian Tulip Festival. The festival takes place in Commissioners Park, just a few minutes south of downtown Ottawa. The tulips first arrived in Canada as a gift of thanks from the Netherlands for taking part in their liberation during WWII. There are now over a million tulips in all kinds of colours that only bloom in Ottawa during May, which draws in large crowds, especially on the weekend. There are also food trucks and art shops in the park, so have some cash on hand if you want to make any purchases.
Dominion Arboretum Cherry Blossoms
Starting in late April, you can admire cherry blossoms blooming in Ottawa. The Dominion Arboretum extends through 26 hectares of Ottawa, and it has a number of beautiful cherry blossom trees that bloom from the end of April to the beginning of May. It is also home to a variety of other plant and flower species, so spend a weekend day during your springtime trip in Ottawa to spend a relaxing day at the park.
Outdoor Yoga at the Ottawa Parliament
Starting in mid-May, Lululemon hosts yoga on Parliament Hill every Wednesday from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. This year, yoga starts on May 20th and goes until August 26th. The only downside is that you need to bring your own yoga mat, which can be difficult if you’re only visiting Ottawa. If you do have access to a yoga mat, you definitely don’t want to miss out on this free weekly class in front of one of Canada’s most influential buildings.
Ottawa Poutine Fest
Spring is the best time in Ottawa to indulge in one of Canada’s most well-known snacks – poutine. From April 30th to May 3rd, the annual PoutineFest makes its way to Ottawa and lands right at City Hall. There are over 100 types of poutine that you can try, as well as events such as a poutine eating contest, exotic poutine contest, and the most expensive poutine contest. There is also live entertainment and activities for kids such as face painting and a fun zone, making this the perfect Ottawa weekend activity for the entire family.
Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush
Fulton’s organic maple syrup can be found any day on the shelves of Ottawa’s famed ByWard Market, but from February 15th to April 19th, you can actually go to the sugar bush to try the four types of syrup and learn how to make them. There are plenty of other sweet treats to try here including maple taffy and maple cotton candy. Stop by the pancake house and indulge in fluffy pancakes topped with Fulton’s very own maple syrup. How Canadian! 🍁
Landsdowne’s Farmers Market
The Ottawa Farmers’ Market in Landsdowne Park runs every Sunday year-round. If you visit this popular Ottawa farmers market starting in May, you’ll be able to enjoy all the offerings of the market outdoors instead of in the pavilion. You can grab lunch with friends, listen to live music, and browse booths with produce, crafts, music, and more.
Mer Bleue Conservation Area
The Mer Bleue Conservation Area is located just east of downtown Ottawa, and stretches over 33 square kilometres. Mer Bleue has a northern boreal landscape complete with a 7,700 year-old-bog, as well as rare plant, bird, and wildlife species. There is a boardwalk and over 20 km of trails that wind through the different sightseeing spots of the bog, making for a nice walk on a warm spring Ottawa weekend.
Whether you’re only in Ottawa for a weekend getaway or are exploring the area for longer, don’t miss out on all the amazing things the city has to offer during spring. What are you waiting for?
Check out cheap flights to Ottawa and book your 2020 Ottawa spring trip now! And check for deals on the top Ottawa hotels using the hotel search bar below. 👇🏽
