Things To Do In Ottawa-Gatineau

The capital is a special place because you can experience two cities and provinces within walking distance. There is plenty to keep you busy on your trip to Ottawa-Gatineau, from riverside views to festivals. All of these recommendations are within walking distance of Best Western Plus Gatineau-Ottawa.

Explore the Food Scene

There are lots of delicious bites and unique restaurants in Ottawa-Gatineau. Nearby the Best Western Plus Gatineau-Ottawa, you’ll find a fantastic collection of restaurants in Vieux-Hull. Whether you’re looking for patio drinks or a gourmet dinner, there’s something for everyone. I recommend going to Les Vilains Garçons. This restaurant is known for dishes with multiple portions of different menu items so that you can try a bit of everything. Their menu is constantly changing, so you’ll never have the same thing twice. I’m always blown away by their unique and tasty combinations.

For Brunch, you need to visit Edgar. This intimate spot is popular with locals, so you know it will be good. I recommend their Dutch Baby, a savoury apple pie and their most popular item.

Gatineau Cultural Trail

This 3km trail in Gatineau will bring you to fantastic art and attractions in the area. The route will take you from stunning murals to delicious restaurants. I recommend adding this to your visit. This would be the perfect activity to get familiar with the area on your first day. Follow the signage or download the map here ahead of time.

Explore Downtown Ottawa

There are many excellent neighbourhoods within walking distance from Best Western Plus Gatineau-Ottawa. Head along the Alexandria Bridge or Portage Bridge into the Ottawa side. Here’s some I recommend checking out for your visit:

ByWard Market is home to tons of bars and restaurants. It’s a great spot to head for a patio or experience Ottawa nightlife. Grab food and then head to Major’s Hill Park for a picnic. This is also a great spot to see tulips during the Tulip Festival in May. Make sure to get your photo in front of the OTTAWA sign.

Sparks Street is full of beautiful architecture and some fantastic patios. You’ll also find one of Ottawa’s best restaurants, Riviera, inside an old bank. Sparks Street hosts many fun festivals like Poutinefest and Ribfest, so I recommend checking their event schedule before your visit.

Downtown Bank Street is home to great restaurants like Bread and Sons, Gongfu Bao and Burrito Sensei. Take a stroll down the street and admire the many murals.

Elgin Street is also full of bars and restaurants and is another excellent spot to head out at night. This is also a great street to experience before heading onto the Rideau Canal.

See The Sights

Here are some Ottawa sights you can’t miss in Ottawa:

• Head along the Voyageurs Pathway in front of the Canadian Museum of History and enjoy a view of Ottawa across the river

• Visit Parliament Hill, and don’t forget to walk behind it for a beautiful lookout and stairs that will lead you down to the river.
• The Rideau Canal has stunning views the whole way through. My favourite portion is downtown from the NAC and towards the Ottawa Locks
• Ottawa Locks will give you a spectacular view across the water of Gatineau
• I was blown away by the view from the hotel. We were able to see some of Ottawa-Gatineau’s best landmarks without even leaving our room. Check out the view below:

Go On An Adventure

Did you know you can take a zipline from Ottawa to Gatineau? You’ll start on the Ottawa side and zipline to Gatineau. Enjoy an incredible view of Ottawa’s most famous attractions as you glide through the air from one province to another with Interzip.

I also recommend going for a hike in Gatineau Park. It’s full of stunning trails and lookouts and is less than a 15-minute drive from the hotel. One of my favourite trails is Pink Lake. The course brings you around the entire length of the lake. No matter where you look, you’ll get a stunning view. Another beautiful spot is Meech Lake, pictured below. If you have your paddleboard or kayak, this is a great spot to go. You can also rent one in the park.

Julia Weber, also known as Little Miss Ottawa, is a Canadian travel blogger who loves finding adventures at home and abroad. Check out her blog here.