By: Bound2explore February 12, 2019
Regardless of the season, Canada always offers many amazing destinations. But winter is definitely one of the best season to visit this northern country. One of many Canada’s best winter destination is Ottawa Winterlude. Winterlude is annual winter festival in Ottawa, Ontario. If you like winter activities such as ice skating, ice sculpting, and snow tubing, then you don’t want to miss this festival. This year the festival will take place on February 1 to February 18, 20019.
Here are the reasons on why Ottawa winterlude is one of Canada’s best winter destinations:
- Skating on the largest ice skating ring in the world, the Rideau Canal
This 4.8 miles UNESCO World heritage Site is conveniently located in downtown area. The Rideau Canal is your bucket list place for sure if you like ice skating. While you can skate on Rideau Canal anytime as long as the canal is completely frozen and deemed safe to skate, during Ottawa Winterlude you can do more than just skating. And the best thing about it is completely free. All you need to bring is your own skate. If you don’t have a skate, you can rent them at the rental place right on the canal.
So if you have been dreaming to check this off your bucket list, visit Ottawa winterlude and you can enjoy the winterlude and the ice skating at the same time.
- You can enjoy ice and snow sculptures for free
Some places charge you an entrance free to browse and admire snow and ice sculptures, but here you can stroll in the garden and enjoy it for free.
- Some activities such as skating and snow tubing are also free.
You have to shell out some money if you want to do snow tubing in ski resort. Often, you have to buy ticket in advance for allocated time. But here you can do it for free as long as you want. How nice!
- You can explore Ottawa
Try Tim Horton’s coffee and walk around parliament hill and enjoy the view of the Rideau Canal and the city. National gallery of Canada is also a place you want to explore while you are in Ottawa.
- You can watch Ottawa Ice dragon Boat festival
You are maybe familiar with dragon boats racing down the river, but during the winterlude in Ottawa, the dragon boats race down the frozen canal. The dragon boats use special blades to race on the ice.
- Free entertainment
Enjoy the concert inside the Dows Lake pavilions. You can watch the free concert while sipping hot chocolate.
- Free shuttle bus
Since the official sites of Ottawa winterlude take place at different parks of the city from the downtown Ottawa to Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, taking a shuttle is the best way to go. You can park your car in one of parking garage in downtown Ottawa. The free shuttle operates on weekend and on family day.
- You can try a beaver tail
Beaver tail is Canadian food festival. Similar to a funnel cake in USA but it tastes better. It also has different toppings. This what I can’t miss every time I visit Canada during winter festival.
Ottawa Winterlude is comparable to Quebec winter carnival. I like them both. While Ottawa has the largest ice skating rink in the world, Quebec has Ice hotel and Ice castle. Both are amazing in different way. If you are planning to visit Quebec in the winter time, here is a link for Quebec winter carnival.
Last but not least, staying warm is important to make your experience during Ottawa winterlude fun and memorable. So, make sure to dress in layers, bring a chapstick or lip balm and don’t forget the hand warmers. You can insert them inside your boots, gloves and pocket.
