10 Unique Things To Do In Ottawa: Do This NOT That!

Are you bored of the typical activities in Ottawa, like visiting Parliament or walking around Byward Market?

Maybe you’re just looking for some off the beaten path things to do in Ottawa this weekend? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

After visiting Ottawa several times, I’ve found a few places to visit in Ottawa that offer a more unique experience.

Downtown Ottawa doesn’t have to be boring! So check out these off the beaten path Ottawa Ontario attractions!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Top Underrated Things To Do In Ottawa

We all know the top things to do in Ottawa, but sometimes they’re just a bit underwhelming… or maybe you’ve just visited them one too many times…

So here are some alternatives for what to do in Ottawa Canada instead!

1. Don’t Eat At Zak’s Diner, Instead Go To The King Eddy

Zak’s Diner is a staple in Ottawa’s Byward Market (a top Ottawa Ontario attraction… but more on that in a bit!).

Zak’s has been there for YEARS and I don’t think it’s ever been updated (not for a lack of need though!)

They still serve decent food (nothing special), and I find everything is slightly overpriced. And don’t even get me started on the cleanliness… you just can’t think about that when you go to Zak’s! The other problem is that it’s typically really busy, especially during the summer months.

If you still want to try Zak’s, but wish there was a cleaner and quieter option, you’re actually in luck!

They’ve recently opened up 5 more restaurants for you to enjoy. So even if you do want a taste of Zak’s, I wouldn’t bother going the one in Byward (although it is the original), but going to the one on Elgin instead.

But! If you want actual good food, at a very reasonable price, and still in Byward Market, head to The King Eddy instead, it’s literally down the street from Zak’s Diner too!

Both my partner and I really enjoyed what we ordered, and as a bonus we didn’t have to worry about getting sick from the food afterwards!

2. Don’t Tour Parliament Instead Tour Rideau Hall Just Outside Downtown Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital of Canada. So it’s no surprise that one of the top places to visit in Ottawa is Parliament.

But, if you’ve already been, or politics just isn’t your thing (I totally get that!), then head to the Governor General House instead (a.k.a. Rideau Hall).

Both Parliament and Rideau Hall tours are free, but I would recommend making a reservation in advance with Rideau Hall.

You’ll learn about the history of the house and some of what the governor general does in Canada.

You’ll also see some pretty magnificent rooms – and trust me when I say a visit is worth it just for your Instagram feed!

3. Don’t Walk Along the Rideau Canal Instead Walk On The Trans Canada Trail

There’s no denying that the Rideau Canal is one of the top Ottawa Ontario attractions. And there’s probably no avoiding walking on it at least once while you’re there.

But if you’re looking for a change of scenery from the canal, walk or bike along the Trans Canada Trail instead. This will take you along the Ottawa River with views of Gatineau across the way.

Unfortunately, this is an Ottawa activity that can only be enjoyed in the summer months, whereas the Rideau Canal is all year round.

4. Don’t Walk On Sparks Street, Instead Walk Down Elgin In Ottawa

Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa is dead in the winter and packed in the summer. So it’s best to just avoid it altogether!

Instead, walk down Elgin Street. Elgin is one of the main streets in Ottawa (running parallel to Bank Street).

There are a lot of restaurants to choose from, as well as local shops and cafes. This is where we found some of our all time Ottawa favourites, like the Pot and Pantry.

It’s a bit of a further walk, but it is also longer to walk along. Elgin just continues with so many options that you’ll want to keep coming back every time you visit Ottawa! Whereas Sparks Street seems to become shorter every time!

P.S. If you’re interested in discovering more of the spookier side of Downtown Ottawa, a unique thing to do is a haunted walking tour, like this one on Viator!

5. Don’t Go To Heart & Crown Instead Go To The Manx Pub

One of the best restaurants on Elgin is the Manx Pub.

Heart and the Crown is just one of those easy to eat at pubs in Byward Market – and don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed it a few times purely for its convenience as an Ottawa tourist.

But, really try to push yourself to leave the market… it will be worth it!

The Manx Pub has a lot of vegetarian options and serves local craft brews (p.s. review each beer in a Beer Journal). Sometimes they even have live music and art showings.

P.S. My favourite is the chickpea burger – I literally dream about it!

P.S.S. good luck finding it! The first time we went there we walked back and forth just a few times before realizing we had to go downstairs…

If you’re interested in trying some more local Ottawa brews, head on this brewery tour with Viator.

6. Don’t Go To Zoe’s For Afternoon Tea Instead Go To The Sconewitch

Obviously, there’s no finer experience than enjoying afternoon tea at the Château Laurier Zoe’s. But I also won’t deny that it’s quite pricey.

So, if you’re craving a taste of afternoon tea, head to the Sconewitch down the street instead (P.S. it’s right off of Elgin street!).

More Places To Visit in Ottawa (& Maybe Stay!)…

An Honest Review The Fairmont Château Laurier: Is It Worth It?

I literally take orders from friends and family in Montreal to bring back scones every time I go to Ottawa… they’re that good!

Keep in mind, you won’t be getting a whole afternoon tea experience, but they definitely make the best scones I’ve had and will serve you a pot of tea. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with the price difference either!

7. Skip Beavertails & Get A Croffle Instead In Downtown Ottawa

The beaver tail is undeniably a Canadian classic. But these days, you can pretty much get them anywhere in Canada. So coming from Montreal, a beaver tail is no longer a specialty.

That being said, they are actually originally from Ottawa. So if you’re going to get them anywhere, especially if you’ve never tried one, it probably should be in Ottawa.

But, if you’re looking for different things to do in Ottawa, head to First Bite for a croffle instead.

The croffle is another Ottawa dessert invention combining a waffle and a croissant.

Now, I will admit, I haven’t been able to try this one yet. Every time I walked by they were closed (apparently anytime before 12:00 P.M. is too early for a croffle…).

8. What To Do In Ottawa Canada: Little Victories Instead Of Bridgehead Coffee

I don’t know about you, but I always like checking out the local coffee spots in every new city I visit – and Ottawa is no exception (see my full list of my favourite Ottawa cafes).

Bridgehead is Ottawa’s local coffee chain… and it’s very easily skip-able.

Instead, go to Little Victories. They have a few locations, but there’s one across from Parliament on Elgin in downtown Ottawa. They really know their coffee here.

My favourite is to get a coffee flight. This is the first place I’ve ever seen that does this and needless to say, we were very excited and had to order one! I do recommend sharing this if you can, it’s a lot of caffeine! It’s a fun activity to taste and compare each bean and brew method, bring my Coffee Tasting Journal from Etsy.

If you aren’t as into coffee tasting, the cafe itself has really nice vibes in a historical building too so you could easily stay here for a few hours. Bring some work or a good book to hang out!

9. Skip Byward Market & Go To A Local Farmers Or Flea Market Instead

Byward market is one of those places to visit in Ottawa that’s slightly underwhelming. Of course, it’s the oldest market in Ottawa (dating back to 1826) but that doesn’t mean it’s still good.

If you want a local experience (something not just for the Ottawa tourists) go to one of the many markets that Ottawa has throughout the year.

Parkdale Market is the second oldest market in Ottawa just outside the city centre, and it’s open every day from May until November.

But if you’re looking for things to do in Ottawa on weekends, you might want to check out some of the even better pop up markets (and don’t worry, they happen all year round – sun, rain, even snow!)

We stumbled on the Elgin Street market in the summer. It’s open every Saturday from July to October.

There’s also the 613Flea market that also opens on Saturdays (see the schedule). Sometimes it’s even open at night!

If you’re interested in vintage clothing, then check out FlyMarket – a moving vintage market in downtown Ottawa.

Or if you want more of a farmers market go to the Aberdeen Pavilion on Sundays, see their updated schedule.

10. Don’t Go To Paris, Lock Your Love On The Corktown Bridge

Looking to lock your love somewhere, but Paris is just a tad out of reach! No problem Ottawa has you covered!

The Corktown Footbridge is relatively new (from 2006) and people started adding locks to it just like in Paris.

The sad news is that you should expect your lock to be cut off eventually (otherwise the bridge becomes too heavy). But, maybe it will last longer than it would in Paris!

Need A Place To Stay In Ottawa? Hotel Recommendations

I’ve stayed in Ottawa a few times now, each time at a different hotel, so I have a few recommendations for every budget. You can’t go wrong with any of these hotels, they’re all centrally located downtown and just a walk away from everything you’ll need.

The place to stay in Ottawa is none other than the Fairmont The Chateau Laurier – but it is also the most expensive option. You can even upgrade to have a view of the river and Parliament. See options on Fairmont.com or Booking.com.

A more reasonable place to stay (and my favourite) is the Westin Ottawa, especially if you’re visiting in the winter. Modern, updated rooms, you really can’t go wrong. But the best part about the Westin is that it’s directly connected to the Rideau Mall. So you can get all your shopping done without ever stepping foot outside! See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

For a more budget friendly option, stay at the Business Inn and Suites. Let’s just say the rooms don’t have the most modern look, but it’s very practical – giving you a large space for longer stays, breakfast included, and it’s in an even better location downtown (just off of Bank street). See room rates & availability on Booking.com.

See more accommodation options on Booking.com.

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Read More Related Posts

• An Honest Review The Fairmont Château Laurier: Is It Worth It?
• Best Cafes In Ottawa For Coffee, Tea, Or Just A Break
• Book The Best Ottawa Hotel: The Business Inn And Suites Ottawa

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Last update on 2024-05-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API