Weekend Escape: Ottawa In The Winter

2017 is a special year here in Canada: our sesquicentennial! What the heck is that?! It’s our one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary. Which basically means one BIG birthday bash all year long. To celebrate, I’ve decided to focus my upcoming travels on exploring more of this incredible country of ours. The city at the top of my list? One I visit frequently and love: Ottawa, Ontario! And having just returned from a beaut, long weekend of exploring I can happily check it off my #Canada150 bucket list. You see, there was no question as to whether or not I would be visiting the nation’s capital this year, just a matter of when. I thought long and hard and figured the best time for our road trip would be during the colder months when the city proudly shows the world how Canadians embrace and celebrate life in the great white north…

My one piece of advice to those visiting the city for the first time is that balance is key: you’ll want to spend some time enjoying the winter wonderland outdoors, but should also squeeze in some indoor time to thaw. That is exactly how we divided our recent long weekend jaunt with Attractions Ontario so I thought I’d share our itinerary so you, too, could plan a visit and enjoy Ottawa in the winter…

Where To Stay In Ottawa

Located in the historical ByWard Market neighbourhood, Andaz Ottawa is definitely one of the most beautifully-designed hotels I’ve stayed at in Canada. The new luxury hotel is bright, modern and a true feast for the eyes. Everywhere I looked, I spotted something I loved: the art displayed in the rooms, the gorgeous bathrooms, the copper detail throughout the hotel… I could go on and on.

Beyond aesthetics, the service is exceptional and the food and bev program is on point: water/wine upon arrival, free snacks and drinks in the rooms, hot chocolate in the lobby and a fab resto (feast + revel — more on that below). When you visit, make sure to grab a drink at Copper Spirits & Sights during golden hour: as the city’s tallest rooftop bar, you’re bound to enjoy epic views like this…

What To Eat In Ottawa

Breakfast/Brunch

The Rowan – You’ll find this gastropub in The Glebe, a trendy and historic neighbourhood in Ottawa. The first thing I noticed when we walked in was the green accent wall and mural which combine to create a vibrant space that is perfect for a brunch with the friends or fam. The vibe is relaxed and the menu changes seasonally. Skip the Seasonal Vegetable Salad (not worth it in my opinion) and order The Rowan Burger topped with fried zucchini, cheddar, bacon and greens with a side of ginormous potatoes…

feast + revel – Andaz Ottawa’s signature restaurant is not only stunning, but the cuisine is definitely a draw in and of itself. Executive Chef Stephen La Salle features New Canadian cuisine on the ingredient-driven menu and emphasizes local, organic and sustainable products. For breaky/brunch order the blueberry flapjacks, avocado on country loaf and do NOT leave without trying the house-made bagels — you can thank me later.

Lunch

La Bottega Nicastro – Head here for the best selection of deli meats and cheeses in the city. Hands down. The fifth generation Italian grocer has been supplying gourmet goods to locals since 1972 and knows a thing or two about quality ingredients. Slip inside the ByWard Market location for a quick takeout deli sandwich at lunch. The line up is usually long, but they’re super quick and will whip up your customized sandwich before hanger kicks in.

Play Food & Wine – I’ve had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant on several occasions and have been impressed by their quality dishes and incredible service each and every time. The small plates are innovative, well-balanced and perfect for sharing. Order the new Grilled Halloumi with hazelnut, rose honey, date, barberry, marash — it is worth going to the resto JUST for this dish alone…

Kettleman’s Bagel Co. – This bagel spot is an institution in Ottawa and pumps out 6,000 Montreal-style bagels every day. And get this: they NEVER close — yup, they’re open 24/7 for 365 days a year. I was mesmerized by the bakers who quickly rolled out dozens of bagels right in front of my eyes. Nose pressed to the glass window, I waited for my glorious freshly-made treat…

Dinner

The Riviera – As we sat at the chef’s table at this stunning resto, my eyes darted from the open concept kitchen to the bar to the dining room in sheer awe. I just couldn’t believe that the restaurant was functioning at this calibre after being open for only six months. The dynamic between the staff, the knowledgeable service and the finesse of each dish and cocktail proudly presented to happy customers was truly impressive. This, my friends, is what I call a gem — a restaurant I’m certain we’ll see popping up on all kinds of must-eat lists…

Do yourself a favour and order the Black Cod which sits on top of a heavenly carrot puree and the Grilled Octopus served with blistered shishitos and romesco sauce — you will not regret it. The only room for improvement is in the dessert category: I’d skip them altogether and order more stellar starters (like the exceptional Venison Tartare or Mushrooms on Toast with shaved black truffle and egg). Book your table now, this is one resto you do not want to miss.

Beckta Dining and Wine Bar – Located in the historic Grant House on Elgin St., this is where you’ll want to head for a fine dining experience in Ottawa. Romantic ambiance, attentive service and consistent, high-quality dishes are a few reasons the restaurant has gained notoriety over the years (they’ve received multiple CAA/AAA Four Diamond awards which are proudly displayed at the entrance). A true leader in the Ottawa culinary scene, Stephen Beckta has pulled a team together who delivers world-class hospitality. We opted for the three-course prix fixe menu at $71/person (the other choice was a five-course chef’s tasting menu at $98/person which we sadly didn’t have room for). The Juniper-Roasted Duck Magret was the standout dish. Served on a creamy bed of polenta and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds, the duck was perfectly-cooked and paired exceptionally well with the grilled red endive. For dessert, I recommend skipping the Chocolate Stout Cake and going straight for the Pineapple Carpaccio — such an innovative, fresh and special dish!

What To Do In Ottawa

Skate On The Rideau Canal – Grab a date, your friends or fam and spend some time gliding down the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink. The winding, 7.8 km canal is the heart of the city (well, at least in my opinion) and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It truly brings so much joy to the people who have the fortune of skating along its path — we were lucky enough to be there for the last skate of the season this year! My fave memory is devouring BeaverTails and sitting fireside on the canal at sunset. Pure magic.

Be Inspired At The National Gallery of Canada – I found myself mesmerized by this art museum before even stepping foot inside. As I walked closer to the front doors, I was immediately drawn to Maman, a bronze sculpture created by Louise Bourgeois. I couldn’t help but be moved by the piece as I stood underneath the 9.25-metre spider and her 26 marble eggs. Art imitating life for this soon-to-be-mom…

Once inside the museum, you can expect to see beautifully-curated galleries, interior gardens and award-winning architecture designed by Moshe Safdie…

My favourite exhibition was the Alex Janvier retrospective: it is thought-provoking, colourful and inspiring. Indigenous art at its best. On that note, the museum will host the largest exhibition of Canadian and Indigenous art starting June 2017. Mark your calendars!

Reflect At The Notre-Dame Cathedral – Step inside the national historic site and take a few minutes to admire Ottawa’s oldest standing and largest church. Gothic arches, slender columns, terraced galleries and an equally-beautiful exterior…

Winterlude – If you visit Ottawa in February, this festival is one you must experience. Taking place over three weekends along the Rideau Canal Skateway and sites across the capital, it’s winter fun for the whole family. You’ll find everything from ice sculptures lining the streets and outdoor concerts to a mega-zip line and super slides at Snowflake Kingdom. There’s even an Ice Dragon Boat Festival!! Yup, I was fortunate enough to experience the very first one (which also happened to be the first ice dragon boating event in North America)…

Learn Some Fun Facts At Canadian Museum of Nature – Just hearing the kids run around this museum with excitement was enough to put a smile on my face. Ok, it wasn’t just the kids… my hubby was beyond pumped for the Reptiles exhibit (his fave) while I was drawn to the larger displays: the 19-metre skeleton of a blue whale and the ginormous, inflatable jellyfish hanging from the ceiling. The museum has more than 10 million specimens in their collection so there is tons to see for the whole fam. Oh, and take a walk around the exterior of the building — she’s a beaut!

Explore ByWard Market – No trip to Ottawa is complete without a stroll through ByWard Market (it’s the city’s number one tourist attraction). Established in 1826, it is also one of Canada’s oldest and largest public markets — you’ll find specialty food shops, cafés, indoor and outdoor stands and hundreds of businesses lining the roughly four block square…

And while you’re there, make sure to devour the iconic BeaverTails. The hugely-popular, Canadian pastry was developed from a family recipe and first sold at a store in ByWard Market in 1980!

Get A Better Understanding Of Our Nation’s History At Canadian Museum of History – Home to the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles, this museum is our nation’s most-visited museum (they welcome over 1.2 million visitors each year) and also one of Canada’s oldest public institutions. It seems fitting to make this a must-see stop during our 150th celebrations. What better way to appreciate this beautiful country of ours than by increasing our appreciation for the people and events that have shaped our identity, right?!

Located in Gatineau, the museum also has a stellar view of the Parliament buildings. Oh, and there is free admission every Thursday 4 to 8 p.m!

Hope this trip recap has inspired you guys to put Ottawa on your bucket list for Canada’s 150th this year. There is soooo much to see, do and eat in the city!! Our favourite time to visit is during the winter so we encourage you to get out there and embrace the great white north while you can…

Our accommodations, meals and activities were complimentary as part of a press trip to the city. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own. A huge thanks to Attractions Ontario and Ottawa Tourism for partnering with us. Make sure to visit their website to plan your trip and snag some awesome coupons!