3 Things to Do In Ottawa This Winter Now That The Canal is Closed
Now that the Rideau Canal Skateway is closed for the season, you may be wondering what there is left to do in Ottawa until the snow melts. Whether you love spending time outside or want to escape the cold, there is something for you to enjoy.
Tobogganing
If you want still want to get outdoors but don’t want to travel too far from downtown, Ottawa offers lots of great tobogganing hills. The National Capital Commission has three official toboggan hills that they maintain throughout Ottawa:
Bruce Pit: This hill is best for daytime sledding, and is located in Nepean.
Conroy Pit: South of Hunt Club, Conroy Pit is lit daily from 4–11pm.
Green’s Creek: Lit during the evening and one of the best hills.
There are tons of other hills throughout Ottawa, big and small, to suit your ideal tobogganing experience. OttawaStart.com is a great resource to discover all the toboggan hills throughout the Ottawa/Gatineau region, as it has a map of every sledding hill in the National Capital region, no matter the size. You can take a look at it here:
Nordik Spa-Nature
Definitely one of the top things to do in Ottawa! Whether it is winter or in the summer, hitting up Nordik Spa-Nature is a must. Located 20 kilometres outside of Ottawa, Nordik is a great escape from the hustle of life, and to take to some time to relax. Nordik offers many unique treatments and experiences, as well as their saunas, baths and massages.
If you’re interested in a one-day escape from the city, the basic thermal package is a great option to do so! It’s the most popular package from Nordik and gives you access to the pools, saunas and relaxation rooms for the entire day. Head to one of the 4 restaurants for a delicious meal to tie in the day. Perfect for a girls’ day or a romantic and relaxing date.
For a more luxurious and expensive experience, Nordik offers lodges that can be rented for a weekend getaway. Whatever your budget and relaxation needs are, Nordik Spa-Nature has a package to suit you!
The Loft
If you’re looking to avoid the cold but still want a fun and inexpensive group activity, The Loft is the perfect place to go! The Loft is a board game lounge located in downtown Ottawa. For a small playing fee, your group can play from a library of hundreds of board games. If you’re a fan of Settlers of Catan or Codenames, or have never played any board games before, The Loft has a game you will enjoy.
If you’re unsure of how a game works and want to learn, the staff is trained on the rules of each and every game. The Loft offers a warm and welcoming environment for all players, whether you’re experienced in the game or just learning, you’ll be sure to enjoy The Loft.
The Loft also offers great food and drinks while you’re playing, which you can view here ahead of time. The food, along with the great atmosphere, and endless variety of games is a guaranteed fun time… as long as you don’t get too competitive in monopoly!
Ottawa has something to offer for everyone, whether you love spending time out in the snow, or in a warm cozy lounge. Beyond these options, there are many more things to do in Ottawa this winter. Ottawa Tourism is a great resource to learn more about what there is to do in Ottawa, be sure to check out their website if you’re interested in learning more about the activities Ottawa has to offer all year round.