Bored after exams? Still job searching? Maybe you don’t have full-time hours yet? I get it. But spring and summer in Ottawa are the best months to explore the city and its activities!
The so called “boring city” becomes a haven for warm weather fun just at the end of exam period.
Here’s what I like to do as someone who stays in Ottawa for the summers.
- Tulip Festival
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Canada’s Tulip Festival is my favourite event of the spring. This year, it runs from May 8th to 18th, and is located on Dow’s Lake. Not only is it stunning, the history behind it is beautiful.
The “Tulip Legacy” was a gift from Princess Juliana in 1945, sending 100,000 bulbs to Ottawa as thanks for liberating the Netherlands during WWII.
It is now the world’s largest, with over a million blooms now! The festival also features merchants and food trucks.
- 613 Flea
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Held in Lansdowne Park, this flea market showcases local vendors, artisans creative work and vintage finds. Open twice a month on Saturdays, you can explore numerous shops.
It is a great date idea, with friends, family or a significant other! You never know what you’ll find, but there’s always food, clothes, household items and games for sale!
- Ribfest
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There are three ribfests in Ottawa this summer, including Barrhaven, Kanata and general Ottawa. Ottawa Ribfest runs from May 27th to the 31st, and is a major annual event featuring travelling “ribbers” who compete for top BBQ honours.
There are diverse rib, chicken and pulled pork options, and it’s free admission! The event is on the pedestrian-only Sparks Street for the best community gathering of sauce-covered meat.
Jocelyn Hsu / Spoon - Glebe Garage Sale
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Drawing thousands to the Glebe neighbourhood, people transform their lawns and driveways into a garage sale on steroids.
The sale attracts bargain hunters looking for antiques and hand-me-downs. It is held on the fourth Saturday of May, and much of the proceeds go towards the Ottawa Food Bank as donation!
- Hiking
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My favourite place near Ottawa to hike is Pink Lake! Don’t be fooled though, it’s obviously not actually pink. It is located in Gatineau Park, and takes less than an hour with its couple sets of stairs and multiple lookouts.
If you prefer horizontal walking, the Rideau Canal is always a must for pretty views and many stops along the way!
Anna Schultz / Her Campus - Parc Omega
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One hour out of the city of Ottawa, Parc Omega is located in Montebello, Quebec. It is a 12-kilometre drive-through wildlife park. The park developed lodges, including its famous wolf lodge where you can “sleep with the wolves.”
You can see elk, bison, wolves, foxes, and many more along the drive, and the best part? You can feed carrots to the deer who approach your vehicle!
These are just a few of the activities you can do in the city during the spring and summer!