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Planning The Perfect Cozy Ottawa Staycation

17/8/2020

 

Memorable meals and cozy adventures top our list of the best Ottawa staycation activities for couples.

Some of the activities in this post were compensated by a sponsor. ​This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, we may be paid a small commission.

Ottawa staycation: A small table at North and Navy is covered with wine glasses, water glasses, and mismatched plates containing bread, olive oil, and meatballs with tomato sauce.
It's Ottawa staycation time! Is there anything cozier than a crowded table of wine, bread, olive oil, and meatballs?
If you were going to celebrate a special wedding anniversary, where would you go?

If you answered that you'd stay at home, you're exactly on our wavelength! We knew that an Ottawa staycation was the perfect way to celebrate our August wedding anniversary - and not just because international travel opportunities are limited at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Planning a cozy couple's staycation meant that we could spend more time exploring, less time driving, and we could easily work all activities around our existing schedule. It would also allow us to tackle our neglected summer adventure bucket list, soak in the last of the August sunshine before autumn rolls in, and brush up on our local knowledge (which always seems to be lacking when we host out-of-town visitors).  

​Despite a nearly endless list of things we could possibly see and do in Ottawa, it didn't take long to decide on a plan that was very "us". We'd be exploring all things cozy, mixing and matching some old favourites with some very new experiences. This is what made our romantic Ottawa staycation itinerary perfect for us.

Tap into travel roots at the National Gallery of Canada

Vanessa walks down the sunlight grey corridors of the National Gallery of Canada
Ryan stands under a piece of mobile art shaped like an umbrella
Vanessa photographs a piece of modern art installed on the ceiling at the National Gallery of CanadaPicture
Ryan climbs up an interactive exhibit of Sami art at the National Gallery of Canadaure
A shot of a giant piece of green knotted textile art suspended from the octagon ceiling at the National Gallery of CanadaPicture
Ryan examines a large piece of white modern art fashioned from foam loops
Three patrons at the National Gallery of Canada examine modern prints on a bright orange wall ure
On my very first backpacking trip through Western Europe, I chose my itinerary by cross-referencing hostels which earned a coveted "thumbs up" designation from my Let's Go guidebook with destinations that had free art galleries and museums. That system served me well. I was never stuck with a dirty party hostel and I saw much of the world's finest art for a song. Ever since, art galleries just scream "travel!" to me - and that includes the National Gallery of Canada.

When I first moved to Ottawa, the National Gallery was like a part-time home for me and I was a regular volunteer. Our recent staycation visit reminded me that galleries are indeed my happy place and every visit feels so very travel-y, it really doesn't matter if I'm in my hometown or halfway around the world. It's TRAVEL! And it feels great.

Something I always appreciate about the National Gallery are its intriguing and thought provoking temporary exhibits, and this visit was no exception. We try to go every summer and I'm so glad we made it this year. We were also equally happy to stroll through our favourite rooms in the European collection and, for a few moments, pretend that we were in Paris or Amsterdam as we took in works by Van Gogh and Monet and let our mind drift to adventures past.

National Gallery of Canada practicalities

Admission to the National Gallery of Canada is $16 plus tax, though admission to the permanent collection is always free on Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 

Guests are required to wear masks throughout the gallery. Coat and bag check services are free.

Glide through the city with Rideau Canal Cruises 

Tour guide Terry talks to passengers on the boat
Three cyclists bike along the paths of the Rideau Canal with green trees in the background
Several kayakers wearing colorful shirts paddle on the Rideau Canal next to green trees
People kayak on the Rideau Canal while a man jogs on a nearby pathre
Three brown ducks sit on the cement edge of the bank to the Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal locks looking towards the Ottawa River
Ryan standing on a pathway connecting the two sides of the Rideau Canal locks next to the side of the Chateau Laurier
While the Rideau Canal gets plenty of visitors in winter when it turns into one massive skating rink, there's a lot to discover in summer and a genteel boat cruise is just the way to do it. Rideau Canal Cruises, which operates North America’s largest 100% electric passenger vessel, offers smooth rides and great guides.

Despite living in Ottawa for years, Ryan and I had never done any kind of boat ride together here. The first thing I noticed when cruising down the Rideau Canal was how busy it was. Private boats, rented kayaks, canoes, stand up paddle boards, and pathway cyclists abounded. But the second thing I noticed was the intense quiet. There were stretches of waterway enclosed by greenery, blocking out the city entirely. With the exception of the ducks, we were entirely alone - well, us and our fellow passengers. Even though we were in the heart of the city, it certainly didn't look or feel like the Ottawa I knew - and that was a good thing! 

Part of the credit for our excellent experience lies with our Rideau Canal Cruises guide, Terry. With effortless bilingualism, he pointed out the sites and explained the history of Rideau Canal, sharing several illuminating stories that were entirely new to me. For instance, I had no idea that hundreds of men died from malaria during the Canal's construction, or that certain curves and turns were designed to avoid underground bedrock. I just envisioned that the Canal was always.... there. I hadn't considered that it was a human endeavor and I suddenly realized that we didn't know our city nearly as well as we thought we did. Terry was a superb historian and was a rare guide to find that perfect balance of being funny and engaging without being over the top.

Rideau Canal Cruises practicalities 

This 90 minute tour departs from 1 Elgin St, which is down a set of stairs beside the National Arts Centre. 

Boat ride tickets start at about $30. While this is an outdoor activity, masks are still required on board the boat.

Put your sleuth skills to work at Escape Manor

Ryan poses in a blue shirt against a wooden wall with pipes on it at Escape Manor
I know what you're thinking. "Just one photo? Where are the rest?" Nice try, readers! One photo is all you get, as I don't want to give away any clues when you visit Escape Manor for yourself!

What I CAN tell you is that our experience solving the mysteries, riddles, clues, and puzzles of the Beau's Brewery themed escape room was exceptionally fun. Some of you may remember how, in the past, I was convinced that escape rooms were filled with zombie actors, but that assumption couldn't be further from the truth. Escape Manor's approach is all about fun, challenging yourself, and being immersed in a story. Our beer themed room focused on a mystery surrounding Beau's Brewery and felt especially fitting for us as Ryan enjoyed a Beau's Lug Thread beer just the night before at La Terrace. We did get a quick tour of the other rooms and I can report that, while their stories are more shiver-inducing, even scared-y cats like me could handle them. 

The friendly, welcoming staff at Escape Manor's Queen St location told us that they've been pleasantly busy as of late and that guests don't seem put off by the idea of being "locked up" after months of isolation. I think I know why. It was so refreshing to spend 45 minutes completely immersed in the task at hand, focused on nothing but our mission. It was a true escape from reality as we worked furiously against the clock to complete our objective and the time breezed by in mere minutes. 

If escape rooms are new for you, remember that you don't have to be a particularly talented sleuth to have a great time. The key to success, in my opinion, is how different people observe different things, not who is the best at solving mysteries. The staff will give you two hints if you need them. I recommend asking for one fairly early in the game (no point in getting stuck at the beginning - gotta keep the momentum going!) and for one towards the end (when there always seems to be a particularly challenging clue to unravel). I'm confident after trying it once, you'll be keen to do another right away.

Escape Manor practicalities

Escape Manor operates programs at four different Ottawa locations, plus holds special escape rooms at the Diefenbunker Museum and the historic Cornwall Jail. All experiences are bilingual and you can select your preferred language at time of booking. Note that you always have an emergency key to escape (so you are never truly locked in) and that you have a walkie talkie to communicate with staff at all times.

Prices start at about $25 per person. 

Lastly, during COVID-19, masks are a mandatory. Wearing a mask as you search the room is a rather sweaty experience! To maximize your comfort, pin up long hair and wear light clothing. Disposable gloves are provided so you can rummage around the freshly cleaned rooms with absolute confidence. ​

Enjoy scenic soaring with Heli-Tremblant 

Picture of Vanessa in the front seat of the Heli Tremblant helicopter just before take offPicture
Selfie of Ryan wearing a red plaid shirt in the Heli Tremblant Helicopter's back seat
Aerial view of Meech Lake as seen from helicopter tour with Heli Tremblant
Aerial view of Ottawa and Gatineau and the city bridges
Aerial view of downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill re
Aerial view of downtown Ottawa from helicopter
Heli Tremblant helicopter tour of Ottawa - view out the front window with passenger and pilot's heads visible.
RCMP musical ride horses grazing in a field as seen from above on a Heli Tremblant helicopter tour.
These are the horses featured in the RCMP's Musical Ride program!
Picture
Have you ever seen Ottawa like this? We certainly hadn't. In fact, we didn't even know there were helicopter tours in the city! Our ignorance was a bit of a blessing in disguise because we had no idea just how exceptional of an experience we'd have with Heli-Tremblant. 

Helicopter tours are outrageously cozy, from the secret storage compartments under the seats to the snug, cushy headsets that allow all passengers to communicate. I soon learned that being in a helicopter is like the very best parts of being in an airplane - but with none of the bad. You get to see everything on the ground below and sneakily check out houses, yards, and parks but there's no boring middle, no savagely bad airplane food, no wild turbulence or grumpy passengers. It's about soaring and soar we did, getting a birds' eye view of Ottawa, Gatineau, the Gatineau Hills, and the two cities' rivers and green spaces. 

Suffice to say, we had never seen Ottawa like this. We were both awestruck by how incredibly green and lush the city is. We knew that Ottawa has a lot of green space but you really have no idea just how much until you see it from above. The sheer amount of water, rivers, lakes, ponds, and channels was astonishing. There were some areas that looked like a lagoon and we soon realized that the Rideau Canal is but a teeny representation of the area's waterways. 

Pilot Simon was exceptionally skilled. All turns were gentle and the landing was unbelievably soft. (And for everyone wondering about my notoriously tricky stomach...I'm pleased to report that I did just fine but taking a pre-flight ginger capsule didn't hurt). In addition to the main sights, he also took time to show us where some of his favourite hiking trails were. It's no exaggeration to say that this 30 minute tour was our best experience of the past six months. We were TRAVELLING! We were up in the air, floating over new territory and doing something so totally new and unexpected that it was absolutely exhilarating.

We couldn't stop grinning and we didn't want our flight to end. We're already hoping to repeat the experience in the autumn to see the area's spectacular fall colours. And there's no one we'd rather fly with than Simon. 

Heli-Tremblant practicalities

Packages with Heli-Tremblant range from $99 to $199 per person with a minimum of two passengers. You can add a third person starting at $49. Flights take off from the Rockcliffe Airport, home of the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum and the Rockcliffe Flying Club. 

Like most enclosed activities, you'll have to wear a mask during your flight and all members of your party must be part of the same social bubble. 

Treating yourself: Restaurants that make every staycation unforgettable 

Oh So Good Desserts

Picture
Black Forest Cake on a white plate sprinkled with cocoa powderPicture
Picture
No cozy weekend escape is complete without decadent things to eat and, in my world, dessert is a priority. Given that this was a couple's staycation, there was one place we absolutely had to visit: Oh So Good Desserts.

This was the scene of our very first date all those years ago and, as you can see, it still brings a twinkle to my eye. Of course, that may have less to do with romance (sorry!) than the fact that they make the best cheesecake in town and on any given day there are about two dozen cheesecakes and traditional cakes to choose from, plus many other sweet treats. On this particular visit, I had the baklava cheesecake and Ryan had Black Forest cake. My only regret is not taking extra slices to go.

La Terrace at Fairmont Château Laurier

Salad and french fries on a plate at La Terrace
Table covered with water glasses and wine at la Terrace OttawaPicture
Red umbrellas and flower planters at La Terrace Picture
A large veggie burger topped with avocado and kale with salad in the background at La Terrace OttawaPicture
Staycationers cannot live on cheesecake alone, which is why were thrilled to have dinner at La Terrace. Unbelievably, we had never visited this popular patio until this summer and we instantly understood the buzz - there are incredible views of Parliament, the Rideau Canal Locks, the Ottawa River, and the Canadian Museum of History.

The views on our plates were equally nice. Ryan, in particular, was thrilled with his steak frites and the spectacular au jus which accompanied his plate. Ryan is seemingly cursed to always receive his steak dramatically under or over cooked but the chefs at La Terrace got it spot on. A terrific wine list and a beautiful patio filled with flowers only added to the romantic experience.

North and Navy

Stuffed pasta covered in mint and slivers of plum and a light brown buttery sauce
A large piece of salmon topped with mascarpone cheese sitting on a bed of saladPicture
Rare strips of beef sprinkled with flaky sea salt and accompanied by red pureed saucePicture
Plate of cured lonzo pork sprinkled with peach slices, almond, peppercorn, and small pieces of asparagus at North and NavyPicture
Green bottle of wine on the North and Navy patio
Ottawa has a lot of romantic restaurants. Ottawa has a lot of cozy restaurants. And Ottawa has a lot restaurants serving up terrific, European inspired food. But there's none that combine all three of these things perfectly - none, save for North and Navy. This gorgeous little haunt serves Northern Italian and Venetian cuisine and features a menu that changes about once a month to reflect seasonal offerings. 

North and Navy's intimate patio is informally elegant, with jaunty lights adding a cheery atmosphere. The impeccable service is attentive without being intrusive, perfect for our "official" wedding anniversary dinner. And if we appealed to our imagination (or just took a few extra gulps of wine!), it felt like we were back in Europe at one of our favourite Italian towns, soaking up food that clearly came from a world class chef - but absolutely could have come from the grannies we met in the markets of Volterra and Orvieto. 

One of the few menu items that never changes at North and Navy is the polpette or meatballs, served with tomato sauce. Ryan's job is to eat the meatballs while I steal all the tomato sauce, using the content of the bread basket so nothing is left on the plate. These simple plates are so good that we always remark if we did nothing but sip wine and eat bread, olive oil, meatballs, and sauce, we'd be happy. Of course, that sentiment lasted all of a minute when more food started to arrive! 

On this particular visit, we nibbled on cured pork loin (lonza) with crushed peppercorns, smoked almonds, peaches, and pickled asparagus, homemade agnolotti pasta stuffed with braised short rib and served with mint (or was it lemonbalm?) and plums (the sauce was so good, I ate the leftovers with a spoon), salmon with fennel and radish and a big dollop of mascarpone cheese, and flat iron steak with crispy potatoes, kale, and salsa rossa. Remember how the cheesecake at Oh So Good brought a romantic sparkle to my eye? Well, the flat iron steak at North and Navy had Ryan openly declaring his love to the chef, a message our waitress carried to the kitchen for him. I believe the words "Hey, we had a good run" were used as he threatened to leave me and marry the kitchen staff. But don't worry - I got tiramisu to go and I didn't share a bite, so I think we all know who got the last laugh at the end of a perfect meal and perfect evening.

Where to stay for your Ottawa staycation: Fairmont Château Laurier

Vanessa looks in the mirror at Chateau Laurier while wearing an orange dress
Ryan sips espresso while sitting in a black chair at Chateau Laurier Picture
Vanessa poses behind a king size bed in the Chateau Laurier
A bag of rose petal potpourri and toiletries at Chateau Laurier Picture
Outside the Chateau Laurier at dusk with people standing on the cornerPicture
Plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and tomatoes at Chateau Laurier Picture
Plate of fruit and berries on a room service breakfast trayPicture
A bread basket with toast and other items on a breakfast room service tray Picture
What's it like to check into a hotel for the first time in seven months? It feels.... different, like putting on a business suit after half a year of pajamas. It was curiously foreign and familiar all at once. The Fairmont Château Laurier is endlessly elegant and well appointed but I worried if I'd be able to relax. Thanks, COVID! My moment of bliss came mid-way through my customary hotel room snoop when I spied a sachet of rose petal potpourri hanging in an embroidered bag in the closet. It was such an unexpectedly cozy touch and it helped me remember why I love hotel escapes so much.

For Ryan, his moment was discovering the Nespresso machine (surprise, surprise....) and the small cups that were perfect for espresso drinks. Is there anything better than making a fresh cup of coffee after you've checked into a hotel, taking a moment to exhale after the first leg of your adventure? Early morning room service delivery was another touch of luxury that made this staycation feel especially decadent. There's nothing quite like saying "bacon, please!" and the universe making it happen!

In the end, my worries about whether I could relax were for naught. Who was I kidding? I LOVE living the hotel life and it was so nice to return! It felt so good to sink into a plush bed without worrying about chores, household tasks, or anything at all connected to our "real" life beyond the staycation. 

Fairmont Château Laurier practicalities

As you might suspect, safety is front of mind at all hotels these days. Masks are required when you're in all common areas of the Fairmont Château Laurier and staff members will request a temperature check when you arrive. Services like the fitness centre and pool are by reservation to ensure social distancing. Breakfast is by room service delivery only and in room materials like magazines have been temporarily removed. 

You can reserve on Expedia via our affiliate link. 

It's time to start planning your own cozy Ottawa staycation!

Children running in front of the Ottawa sign in the Byward MarketPicture
Two women chat in front of the Ottawa sign in the Byward Market
Red chairs and and tourist around the white Ottawa sign in the Byward market with the Parliament buildings in the distant background Picture
This was our perfect cozy couple's staycation - but it's just one adventure out of thousands of different possible combinations of activities and experiences. To help you plan your own unique Ottawa staycation, Ottawa Tourism's "It's On Us" program is offering visitors a $100 Visa gift card when they spend two nights at participating local hotels until the end of 2020. Check out the full program rules here. Happy planning!

​
If you enjoyed this piece, you'll also like:

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Surprises and Serendipity in Ontarios' Highlands
Ryan K Biddulph link
21/8/2020 01:52:57 pm

Wow what a fun time. I cannot wait to be able to cross the border; full time digital nomads now, meaning we are always looking for new travel spots.

Vanessa
25/8/2020 10:58:28 am

Oh - it would be awesome if you could cross over soon and check out some of these spots for yourself!! I think a lot of people are really missing visiting Canada and the US.


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