Today’s climate may require a bit more distancing than usual, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the best Ottawa has to offer. In fact, there’s a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor attractions you can enjoy in and around Canada’s capital. Check out 10 things to do in Ottawa, whether you’re looking for something inside or something that lets you enjoy that fresh Canada air.

Things to Do Outdoors

Fly on Ottawa Biplane Adventures

If you want to take in bird’s-eye views and see vintage, old-school automation in action, you’ll enjoy a ride in a biplane. At Ottawa Biplane Adventures, you can sit in a 1930’s biplane with an open cockpit to take a look at Ottawa from the skies above. They also provide a helmet and googles stylized to the ‘30s. Enjoy the views and a flight that feels like a trip back in time.

Go on a safari in Omega Park

If you’re interested in seeing impressive natural wildlife, Omega Park is just a short drive east of Ottawa. This self-drive safari will bring you up close and personal with some truly impressive creatures, such as deer, elk, and caribou. You’ll even find enormous bison here roaming around in their natural habitats. Don’t forget to pick up some carrots at the entrance of the park so that you can feed these creatures during your safari. Looking for more adventure? You can also embark on the local hiking trail that will take you past impressive Algonquin totems.

Cruise the Rideau Canal

Ottawa’s Rideau Canal is among the most stunning areas of town and is surrounded by scenic views and charming walking paths. You don’t have to stay on the shore to see the best of this canal and its surrounding landmarks, you can hop aboard a cruise. The Rideau Canal Cruises sets out on tours of downtown Ottawa in a new boat that’s 100% electric powered. Six tours are available every day, so it’s easy to fit in your schedule.

Go whitewater rafting

Whether you want to stay close to town or venture farther into the Ontario countryside, whitewater rafting is always an option if you’re looking for outdoor adventure. You’ll find quite a bit of variety available in the Ottawa area, so you can embark on family-friendly rapids or something a bit more challenging. In fact, the Ontario wilderness is home to some Class III to Class V rapids just a short drive out of Ottawa. Pro-tip: Kayak rentals are common, so you won’t need to bring your own.

Go cycling

Ottawa is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Canada. You’ll find nearly 800 kilometers of recreational pathways that can be traversed by bike. You won’t need a bike of your own, as rentals are available throughout the city, like Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals or RentABike. Be sure to check out the local bicycle tours if you want to learn more about Ottawa’s offerings while enjoying the satisfaction of cycling through town.

Stroll through the Dominion Arboretum

Within Ottawa, you’ll find a massive green space known as the Dominion Arboretum. It was initially set up as a test of how woody plants would handle the Canadian climate, but it now serves as a protected green space with more than 1,000 species of trees from around the world. In addition to being able to view the stunning trees of the area, you’ll also be able to take in scenic views of the canal and the historic Carleton University.

Nordik Spa-Nature

If you’re looking for some pampering and relaxation, look no further than the Nordik Spa-Nature. It’s among the largest spas in North America and just 10 minutes out from downtown Ottawa. This spa is built in a Scandinavian style that’s focused on thermotherapy with saunas and pools. You can enjoy that relaxation in an indoor sauna s or in the outdoor pools as well. Don’t forget to try out the saltwater floating pool, too! It’s the only one of its kind on the entire continent.

Things to Do Indoors

Explore the 7 national museums

Canada is home to 9 national museums. Of those, 7 are located in Ottawa, so if you’re looking to explore the local history and culture, there’s no better place to be. You can visit the National Gallery of Canada to see artistic treasures or stop by the Canadian Museum of History to see various artifacts, including the world’s largest indoor totem-pole collection. You can also explore the realms of science, technology, aerospace, and more in the other museums.

Dine out

As Ottawa enters Stage 3, all sorts of restaurants are opening for dine-in with pre-cautions in place You can enjoy some of the best the city has to offer whether you’re looking for the Canadian pastry at BeaverTails or a craft beer at Big Rig Brewery. High-end fine dining is available, with modern bistros serving artistic creations made with locally sourced ingredients. More exotic food can be found as well, like the Mexican specialties at El Camino, and fine dining at Riviera Ottawa. Many of the restaurants even have patios for outdoor dining, extended until December 31, 2020.

Visit the Diefenbunker Museum

When you visit the Diefenbunker Museum, you can step into the past to the Cold War era. This museum is a functional underground bunker that was created initially to keep important Canadian figures safe in the event of a nuclear attack. It’s now designated as a National Historic Site and features numerous exhibitions and programs designed to show visitors just how close the world got to annihilation only to choose peace instead. Take a tour and see old computers and equipment that were state of the art for the era.

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