A Winter Weekend in Ottawa

There’s something about a winter weekend in Ottawa that feels equal parts adventure and comfort. Snow-covered streets, historic buildings, and the promise of skating the world’s largest outdoor rink make it a perfect quick escape—especially when you’re staying somewhere as iconic as the beautiful Fairmont Château Laurier.

This trip had a little bit of everything: movement, great food, historic pubs, and a reminder that sometimes the best memories come from plans that don’t go exactly as expected.

Staying at the Château Laurier

The Château Laurier isn’t just a hotel—it’s a piece of Canadian history. Sitting right beside Parliament Hill and overlooking the canal, the building has been part of Ottawa’s skyline for more than a century. Its castle-like stone exterior and copper roof make it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.

Walking through the doors, you immediately feel the old-world charm. The lobby is grand but still cozy, with historic architecture, warm lighting, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s the type of place where you can easily imagine decades of traveler, politicians, and explorers passing through its halls.

One of the best parts about staying here is the location. Step outside the front door and you’re immediately surrounded by some of Ottawa’s most iconic sights. The Rideau Canal runs right beside the hotel, and a short walk brings you to Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River, and the vibrant streets of the Market.

For someone who loves travel that includes movement, it’s the perfect base. You can walk almost everywhere, whether you’re exploring the canal, wandering through historic streets, or heading out for dinner and drinks.

Even in the winter, the Byward Market has a lively energy. The streets are lined with restaurants, pubs, bakeries, and little shops, and there’s always a mix of locals and visitors moving through the area. In the colder months, the air has that crisp winter feel that somehow makes everything seem a little more alive.

Walking through the Market is one of those simple travel moments I love—no schedule, no real destination, just exploring. For me, movement while traveling doesn’t always mean a workout or a hike. Sometimes it’s just wandering a city on foot and taking it all in.

And in Ottawa, the ByWard Market is the perfect place to do that.

After setting into the hotel, we were ready for a night out on the town! Prior to this trip, I reached out my my community on TikTok and asked for reccomondations on places to see. One place that kept popping up in the comments was Brigid’s Well. Tucked away in the basement of St. Brigid’s Church, and if you didn’t know it was there, you might walk right past it. The only real sign that the pub is open is a simple blue light outside. If that light is on, the doors are open and the pub is welcoming people in. If it’s off, you’re out of luck.

Walking down the stairs feels like discovering something you weren’t supposed to find.

Inside, the space is cozy, warm, and full of character. Stone walls, low lighting, and the soft buzz of conversation make it feel more like a gathering place than a typical bar. There’s something a little surreal about sitting in an Irish pub beneath a historic church, sipping on a Guinness and listening to Celtic music to start the weekend off right .

It’s the kind of place where time slows down. No rush, no pressure—just a comfortable spot to relax after a day of travel.

Saturday morning we bundled up and headed toward the canal, skates in hand and expectations high.

Unfortunately, Ottawa winter had other plans.

Instead of smooth ice, the canal was mostly slush. The temperature rose to around 7 degrees that day. The recent mild weather had turned what should have been a perfect skating surface into something closer to a giant snow cone.

We tried. We really did.

But after a few careful steps and some questionable gliding, it became clear this was not going to be the classic canal skating experience we had imagined.

And honestly—that’s okay. We decided that if we couldn't skate, we were going to walk it! The weather was beautiful and we wanted to be outside. We didn't walk the entire canal, but we did do about 6km. It was a great way to get some steps in and see Ottawa from a different vantage point.

Saturday evening brought the real highlight of the weekend: dinner at Cantina Gia. I am always on the hunt for good Italian food no matter where we travel too!

This spot is warm, vibrant, and full of energy. The Italian-inspired menu is packed with bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and dishes that feel both comforting and elevated.

Good food after a day outside just hits differently. It’s the reward at the end of movement, travel, and exploring.

Meals like this remind me that wellness isn’t about restriction—it’s about balance. Adventure during the day, incredible food at night.

After dinner we made our way to Château Lafayette—better known to locals as “The Laff.”

The Laff is one of those places that feels like it has a thousand stories inside its walls. Established in 1849, it’s one of the oldest taverns in Ottawa, and when you walk through the doors you can feel that history immediately. The floors creak, the walls are packed with memorabilia, and the whole place has the kind of character you just can’t recreate.

It’s lively, a little chaotic in the best way, and completely unpretentious.

Music fills the space most nights, and the crowd is always a mix of locals, students, and visitors who somehow all end up singing along by the end of the night. It’s the type of bar where strangers become temporary friends and the energy just builds as the night goes on.

After a great dinner, it was the perfect place to end the evening—music playing, people packed in shoulder to shoulder, and that classic pub atmosphere that reminds you why historic taverns like this continue to thrive.

Going to Ottawa for a weekend without a plan, did it work out for us?

Did we skate the canal the way we envisioned? Not even close.

But weekends like this are a reminder that adventure isn’t about perfect conditions. It’s about saying yes to experiences, getting outside, trying something new, and enjoying the moments in between.

From wandering through the ByWard Market to discovering hidden pubs, staying in a historic hotel, and ending the night with live music at The Laff, Ottawa delivered exactly the kind of winter getaway that fuels both body and soul.

Check back to see where I am off to next!

Love, Liz

P.s.

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