Packing suitcases, long drives, and connecting flights aren’t necessary to enjoy everything summer has to offer. Ottawa is bursting with adventures, festivals, and events that make staying close to home a pretty fantastic vacation choice — and best of all, you still get to sleep in your own bed. Here are a few fun ways to be a tourist in your own city.
The ByWard Market is not only for tourists, there’s plenty for locals to enjoy, too. From shopping to dining to enjoying a summer evening in the newly refurbished Market Square with free entertainment Thursday through Sunday, the ByWard Market is a great local option. Don’t miss the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, which has a wide selection of amazing treats, from chocolate confections to handmade iced gelato, perfect for cooling down in the Ottawa heat.
When it comes to shopping, there are a variety of local independent boutiques and galleries in the district, including one of my favourites, Milk Shop, which offers a wide variety of artisan goods from Ottawa designer clothing to prints from local artists, a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors.
Photo: Courtesy www.facebook.com/TheByWardMarket
A short drive east from downtown Ottawa, the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is a fabulous outdoor experience. The museum takes a different approach to historical life preservation with numerous live demonstrations, including blacksmith metalworking, carpentry and historical printing presses, that demonstrate what work and life would have looked like for Ottawa settlers in the 1920s-30s. The village museum also features a variety of buildings staged as they would have been during this time period for guests to walk through.
The museum hosts many summer events, including the 1930s fair day that takes place this year on August 30. It’s a time-travelling experience that allows visitors to experience what a fair in the 1930s would have been like with old-fashioned fair games, dancing, and exhibits.
Photo: Doors Open Ontario
There’s no need to head off on a tropical vacation when Ottawa is home to many beautiful public beaches that are supervised during the summer season. Mooney’s Bay Park and Beach is one of Ottawa’s most popular beach locations with calm waters, warm sands, and plenty of attractions. If relaxing in the sand is not your style, this location also offers volleyball courts and tennis courts.
Petrie Island has equally beautiful beaches and waters with a more forested feel and plenty of walking trails surrounding the beach. There are also plenty of fish in this section of the Ottawa River, making it a popular spot for local fishermen.
In the west end, Britannia Park and Beach features play structures and a large green space and beach, while Westboro Beach is a popular bike-to location that has undergone a great renovation and has an onsite sit-down restaurant, in addition to a terrace and grab-and-go food offerings. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, enjoy live music on the patio at the beach club.
Make sure to check the City of Ottawa website prior to leaving home to ensure the beaches are open and supervised.
Photo: Westboro Beach, OLM Staff
Saunders Farm is well known for its amazing Halloween events and cidery, but it is also home to enthralling events throughout the summer season. Summer Maze Days feature a massive hedge maze, ziplining, and Wagon Rides. Their labyrinths and hedge mazes are some of the largest in the world, meaning there are plenty to take in.
Midsummer Nights Scream on August 8 blends both attractions into a unique early Halloween Celebration that includes their beloved Cirque Macabre, as well as The Barn of Terror, The Sawmill and The Cemetery.
Photo: Courtesy Saunders Farm
Ottawa is well known for its stunning park spaces, which are the perfect spot for enjoying a summer picnic. Hog’s Back Park is an often visited spot for picnicking with its beautiful view of the Rideau River and the Hog’s Back Falls. An impromptu picnic is no problem at this spot, thanks to the NCC’s Hog’s Back Grill and Bistro concession stand, perfect for grabbing last-minute lunches and snacks.
Major’s Hill Park is another great location for a picnic with some of the most stunning garden views in the capital. Overlooking the Parliament buildings and the Rideau River, this location spans 5.06 hectares in the downtown core, providing a calming respite from the busy city. The historic site is home to the ruins of Major Daniel Bolton’s home, who took over command of the Rideau Canal works after the now-famous Col. By was called back to England. The park also features information panels for curious visitors.
Photos: Courtesy ccn-ncc.gc.ca
For classical music enthusiasts, the capital is home to the Ottawa Chamberfest Music Festival, which showcases renowned and emerging talent. Between July 23 and August 2, the festival fills performance venues across Ottawa and also offers select events for children, making this an excellent option for families hoping to experience the live shows.
Tickets are available on the Ottawa Chamberfest website.
Photo: Courtesy Ottawa Chamberfest
The Navan Fair, with its wide selection of events, experiences, games, and rides, has been a beloved tradition in the Ottawa area since 1945. The 79th annual fair takes place from August 6 to 9, offering something for everyone to enjoy, including a market, competitions, an educational barn, live concerts, dog shows, a parade and more.
A standout event is the Demolition Derbies. Crowds gather around to watch local cars battle it out in the arena to see which car will come out on top and be crowned the winner. New this year, a Zucchini car race will see registrants race homemade zucchini cars down the track to see whose vegetable design takes the lead!
Photo: Courtesy navanfair.ca
South of the city, Thee Farm Event and Wellness Centre in Kemptville is a newly opened location for a relaxing getaway that is close to home. Their luxury domes are one of their accommodation options, offering a comfortable and unique stay. Thee Farm’s primary goal is relaxation and rest, making this an excellent choice for those wanting to get away without the hassle of long travel.
A stay at Thee Farm also includes their sports courts equipped for volleyball, basketball, and tennis, along with trails, kayaking, and paddleboarding for active outdoor enjoyment.
Photo: Thee Farm via Facebook
Ottawa has so much more to enjoy — from touring Rideau Hall to swimming off one of the NCC docks, taking a Palapa Boat tour, or renting e‑bikes and cruising up through the Gatineau Park to Meech Lake (trust us, you’ll want the battery power for those hills!). However you spend it, here’s hoping you make the very most of summer in the capital.
