Here are reasons to visit Ottawa.
Reason Number One: Of the three places I’ve stayed at while in Ottawa, the Andaz hotel is definitely my favourite. The hotel is clean, super chic, modern, has a great restaurant, rooftop where you can enjoy city views, a great gym, the staff is incredibly friendly, and to top it off, is centrally located downtown Ottawa, which means you’re basically steps away from all major attraction points. I LOVED staying there and highly recommend it!
Reason Number Two: The canal, lake and multi-use pathways make of the city the perfect destination to enjoy the outdoors with beautiful views. Whether you rent a bike and cycle along the canal, run, walk, roller-blade, hop on a kayak or canoe, or simply stop for a picnic, there’s no shortage of things to do.
Reason Number Three: The food scene. If you’re looking for a great dining experience, Ottawa has amazing restaurants and two that really stood out for me were Feast and Revel (had breakfast and dinner) and Riviera (dinner and drinks).
Reason Number Four: The beautiful views and architecture. From the charming Fairmont Château Laurier to the modern National Gallery and of course the Parliament, there are great structures to find throughout the city.
Reason Number Five: If you have a sweet tooth, and whether you like ice cream, popsicles, donuts, cookies….the city has your cravings covered. Plus, it’s very easy to find vegan options if your diet is restricted. Some places that I highly recommend include MooShu (you must order the bubble waffle cone!), Strawberry Blonde Bakery if you’re looking for gluten-free and vegan treats, Playa del Popsical ($2.50 popsicles and the cutest set-up!), and if you’re a donut fan then you must hit Suzy Q.
PS: Here’s a list of 6 Ice Cream Spots in Ottawa.
Reason Number Six: The Byward market. While the Byward market gets a bit crowded on weekends, you can’t go to Ottawa without visiting it. It’s a great place to stroll around, explore, shop, dine, and chill so don’t miss the opportunity to go! You’ll find great local shops, arts, crafts, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, galleries, and so much more!
PS: If you’re looking for a weekend guide, I wrote one here and if you’re visiting with little ones, read this one.
