10 fun outdoor things to do when the temperatures drop and the snow falls in Ottawa
I have openly admitted that we are not a traditional winter family. We don’t ski, we are only ‘okay’ skaters, and we don’t relish the snow. While we are full of festive holiday spirit in December, the months of January – March can feel long, drawn out and not fun. It’s one reason we are happy when we can escape to warmer climates.
But when we stop to plan out some winter fun, we are always amazing at how much we enjoy it. As though by some miracle, the snow wasn’t the worst, and our rosy cheeks at the end of a cold winter day are accentuated by our smiles.
If you live in Ottawa, you know what winter can really feel like. I’m writing this post when it’s about minus a billion out and the snow is up to my roof top (fine, there may be some exaggeration there but you get my drift. HAHAHA get it? Sigh. I’ve already been shut in for too long)
Here are 10 winter activities you can do as a family around the Ottawa area! Have fun!
- Take a staycation and head out to see activities
There are so many places in and around Ottawa that are perfect for a little getaway, but that also will facilitate some winter fun just by being close to other activities, especially if you time it for Winterlude. Last year, we stayed at the Courtyard Marriott downtown and were able to take in outdoor fun while being in the heart of downtown. There’s also Brookstreet which offers a mini getaway and a skating rink! I like being able to enjoy some outdoor time, but then let the kids swim in the hotel pool or warm up together over a nice meal.
- Attend Winterlude
Winterlude will begin on January 31 until February 17. There are events all over the City, including Snowflake Kingdom, Sparks Street and Shenkman Arts Centre. It’s an annual winterfest in Ottawa that brings many locals and tourists out to enjoy the snow!
- Go skate on the Rideau Canal (or one of the many outdoor rinks!)
When weather conditions are right, skating on the Canal is a traditional Ottawa winter bucket list item, but there are other skating rinks around the City to enjoy (you likely have one right in your neighbourhood!)
- Go sledding
From small little hills to thrilling ones across the City, sledding is always a favourite activity for our family.
- Go to Parc Omega
Yes, Parc Omega is open in the winter, and a wonderful time to go is in March when their sugar bush is available. We loved it. You can read more about our visit in this post.
- Visit a maple sugar bush
Speaking of sugar bushes, I love them, and when you have the chance to have a true pancake breakfast at a sugar bush, I always recommend it. We have many in and around the Ottawa area. I’ve shared a few on the blog before, including one we like going to that’s a little bit of a drive out of town but the food is amazing.
- Take a trip to Chateau Montebello
This is how your winter in luxury. We take a trip in December every year and don’t always have true winter weather when we go, but we have gone in February before and love it. With two outdoor skating rinks, curling, tubing nearby and a fireplace to cozy up to after a long winter day, this is a trip that’s always a pleasure.
- Skate through a forest
Did you know the Ottawa area has places to go skating along a long pathway? The forest skating options just outside of the City sound like so much fun! Here’s a list of where you can skate through a forest, and other outdoor rinks that I wrote for SavvyMom.
- Eat a Beavertail
My ‘must do’ lists when I travel or stay local and explore our neighbourhoods often include a foodie item, and grabbing a Beavertail on the canal or in the Byward market while you are standing in the cold feels amazing. They are warm, sweet and the perfect way to end or begin some outdoor fun.
- Go snowshoeing
There are many trails to go snowshoeing in and around Ottawa with the kids. I feel like this is an underrated activity. I don’t own them, but I want to think that if we did, we would head outside for a walk more often. Here’s information about snowshoeing in Gatineau Park.
