Whether you are travelling by plane, train or automobile, Ottawa is the perfect destination for you next weekend away. I packed by bags and left Toronto after work on a Friday. Only four and a half hours away by train, I left the 4:35 pm train and arrived in Ottawa at 8:23 pm. After dropping my bags off at the hotel, the night was still young to explore the nation’s capital at night.
Friday Evening
Freshen up after you train ride and put on your dancing shoes. With rotating weekly Friday (and Saturday) night dance parties, Babylon is the perfect spot in Ottawa for a fun night. Shake your sillies away at to all of your favourite guilty pleasures at the Shameless dance party on the last Friday of every month.
Saturday
Breakfast: On the weekend, the Delta Hotel in Ottawa has a delicious a la carte and buffet breakfast menu. Open to non-guests of the hotel, treat yourself right on Saturday morning with a hearty and healthy breakfast that will keep you full and energetic for your busy morning!
To Do: With a wide variety of museums to choose from, there is something to keep you interested and warm all morning long. Swing by the Ottawa Art Gallery or the National Gallery of Canada to browse their extensive collections of Canadian and contemporary art. Or, brush up on your history and visit the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Aviation and Space Museum or the Canadian Museum of History.
Lunch: Stop by the Lowertown Brewery for some craft beer, pre-prohibition inspired cocktails and comfort food. With a jam packed menu of delicious sandwiches and freshly made sides, this brewery offers more to its customers than just a unique and seasonal selection of beer. With so much delicious food to choose from, we split the P.B.L.T. and Smoked Brisket sandwich served with crispy-wedged fries with a pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.
To Do: Shop the afternoon away at the historic Byward Market. Canada’s oldest and largest public market, there is plenty of restaurant, shops, market stalls and arts facilities for tourists to visit. Stop for a snack at the Italian grocery store La Bottega Nicastro or pick up a beautiful dress from my favourite boutique Roadtrip.
Dinner: Using the best food from the Ottawa region, Chef Stephen La Salle has hand picked the finest product, artisans and meats to create a rustic yet contemporary approach to cooking at The Albion Rooms. We began our evening with a light Boreal Sprtizer wine cocktail and their standout Scotch Egg. Dying to try a bit of everything, we ordered the House Pasta, Artic Char and Beef Short Rib for dinner. Everything was grilled, baked and prepared to perfection.
Sunday
Brunch: Wake up late and relax over a nice cup of coffee and brunch at The Manx Pub. This cozy underground pub is the perfect spot for great food and good conversation after a busy weekend. With an extensive and affordable brunch menu, there are options to please anyone looking for brunch, bruncher or bruncherer.
Explore: Spend your afternoon exploring the beautiful outdoor scenery of Ottawa during the winter. Take a skate down the Rideau Canal Skateway. This 7.8 km skate is the perfect way to get moving and explore the downtown of the city and pass by the wonders of Parliament Hill. On a mild day, try the Rink of Dreams outside the Ottawa City Hall for a smaller, more leisurely skate.
Get Out: For an extended weekend, head just outside of the city and relax in Nordik Spa- Nature. Rejuvenate and relax with one of their spa services, 7 outdoor baths, 8 unique saunas, infinity pool, restaurant and lounge. Located in Chelsea Quebec, stay over night in their premium facilities and treat yourself to treat yourself to a massage, a body treatment or their signature Källa treatment.
How did you spend your weekend in Ottawa?
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