Winter is one of the most romantic times of year in Ottawa! With the snow-covered trees and sparkling lights everywhere, it is the perfect time of year to explore the city with your girlfriend.
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Even in the cold weather, there are still plenty of things to do in Ottawa. No matter if you are looking for more a low key night out or a weekend getaway, here are some lesser known spots around Ottawa that would be perfect to enjoy with your partner.
Skate Through The Forest
Where:9 Montée Beausoleil,Lac des Loups
Together skate through the forest on a 3 km trail of ice. Located 45 minutes outside of Ottawa, the path is the perfect spot for the two of you to enjoy a crisp winter day. Bring your skates, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. At the site, there are plenty of spots to warm up, and a small chalet where you can warm up with a hot drink next to the fireplace.
Get Pampered At Nordik Spa-Nature
Where:16 Chemin Nordik, Chelsea
Escape the cold, keep warm up together at Nordik Spa-Nature. The largest spa in North America is the perfect spot to spoil your girlfriend. Here you can spend the day relaxing by alternating between the various hot tubs and saunas.
Surrounded by nature, you both can sip a cocktail inside the large infinity hot tub and enjoy the view of the snow-covered trees. This fantastic spot is just a short drive outside of Ottawa and promises to make for a perfect date. If you want to enhance your visit, consider going for a gourmet meal next to the fireplace, or booking a duo massage.
Pick A Christmas Tree Together
Where:6421 McCordick Rd, North Gower
Get into the holiday spirit and pick a Christmas tree together. At Tomas Tree Farms you can cut down your own Christmas tree. At the 50-acre farm, you can take a hay wagon ride, or a romantic horse-drawn sleigh through the snowy landscape.
While visiting, you can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and homemade cookies as you warm up next to the fire in their sugar house. So bundle up, and head to this tree farm that is a 30-minute drive from Ottawa.
Visiting a tree farm is such a classic winter date. Not only is it more fun to select your tree from the farm as you can see what it looks like, but you can plan a follow-up date to decorate the tree together.
See Canadian Animals At Parc Omega
Where:399 QC-323, Montebello
Parc Omega is the perfect spot to bring your girlfriend this winter. If you both love animals, you are sure to enjoy a visit to Parc Omega in Montebello, Quebec. While keeping warm inside your car, you can drive through Parc Omega and see a variety of Canadian animals like deer, foxes, and wolves.
You'll want to make sure to buy a bag of carrots. As at certain parts of Parc Omega you can open your window to feed the deer and elk carrots.
If you want to extend your visit, you can even spend the night at Parc Omega. They have a variety of cabins to rent, with a brand new cabin that has a floor-to-ceiling window where you can see wolves.
Relax At The Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa
Where:60 Chemin Mill, Wakefield
Plan a romantic weekend getaway to The Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa. Located a short drive from Ottawa, you can enjoy the beautiful view of Gatineau Park. To make you stay extra relaxing, make sure to book spa treatments for the two of you. After your spa treatment, to further your relaxation, head outside and soak in the hot tub beside the waterfall.
The Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa also offer wonderful fine dining at their Muse Restaurant. At the restaurant, you can sit next to the fireplace, and enjoy French cuisine on their table d'hote menu.
Go Wine Tasting At Soif Bar A Vin
Where:88 Rue Montcalm, Gatineau
Have fun together learning about wine at Soif Bar A Vin. Located in Gatineau, this wine bar is a must-visit for wine lovers. It is owned by Veronique Rivest, who got 2nd place in World's Best Sommelier in 2013.
While visiting Soif Bar A Vin you can discover wine together by ordering flights of wine. Or if you are looking to expand your knowledge further, sign the two of you up for one of their guided workshops which are led by a sommelier.
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Enjoy Winter Activities At Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello
Where:392 Rue Notre Dame, Montebello
You don't need to spend the night to enjoy all the winter activities Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello has to offer! If you are looking for a fun day activity, consider bringing your girlfriend to the world's largest log cabin.
While visiting, you can take part in a variety of fun winter activities together. Here you can enjoy going dog sledding, for a horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowshoeing, curling, skating, cross-country skiing, tubing, or even going on a snowmobile!
Eat Some Delicious Food At Banh Mi Girl
Where:292 Dalhousie St, Ottawa
Feed her and tell her she is pretty, as the neon sign at Banh Mi Girl says to do! This brand new restaurant in the Byward Market is super charming, and the perfect spot to bring your girlfriend this winter.At this Vietnamese restaurant, you both can enjoy a variety of bao, along with Saigon Banh Mi (a baguette sandwich).
Where:11 George St, Ottawa
The Clarendon Tavern just opened a few months ago and is the perfect spot to go for a date this winter. The interior is cozy and warm with wood paneling, ornate rugs, and plants. Here you can go to enjoy some delicious food like scotch egg, burgers, and pizza. The menu changes seasonally and features locally sourced ingredients.
Spend The Night At O'Brien Boutique Hotel
Where:650 Chemin du Lac Meech, Chelsea
Unwind at the elegant O'Brien Boutique Hotel. Located in the wilderness of Gatineau Park, all the rooms in the hotel offer a breathtaking view of Lake Meech or Gatineau Park. This new hotel is the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. Spend your day relaxing, and then enjoy a luxurious 6-course tasting menu for dinner at the hotel prepared by Chef Patrick Marion.
Explore Alight At Night
Where:13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg
Bundle up and head for a romantic stroll together to see Christmas Lights. Every year Upper Canada Village hosts Alight At Night, where they illuminate all the buildings and trees with Christmas lights. It just so happens, this event is the Eastern Ontario's biggest outdoor light festival, with close to one million lights.Walk through the winter wonderland together while sipping a hot chocolate for a lovely winter date.
Go Shopping At The Ottawa's Christmas Market
Where:Lansdowne Park, Ottawa
For a casual winter date, head to the Christmas Market at Landsdowne. Here you both can browse the displays, and even get some Christmas gifts and holiday decor. The two of you will have tons of fun exploring the unique handmade gifts, and there are plenty of tasty snacks to purchase too. Make sure to snap a photo together in front of the massive Christmas tree in front of the Aberdeen Pavillion.
Take A Cooking Class Or A Food Walking Tour
Where:208 Dalhousie St, Ottawa
Take a cooking class together. C'est Bon Cooking School offers a variety of fun cooking classes with some aimed just for couples, and others that will teach you how to cook holiday appetizers.
C'est Bon Cooking also offers a variety of fantastic gourmet food tours that are perfect to do as a couple. They have a variety of different tours that will take you to the best spots to eat in various parts of the city. For example, you and your girlfriend could do the tour exploring the Glebe, and sample food at some of the local restaurants all afternoon.
Go For Cocktails At Jackson Cafe
Where:10 Daly Ave, Ottawa
Did you know inside of the Ottawa Art Gallery there is a chic cafe? Jackson is the perfect spot in Ottawa to bring a date. You can explore the art gallery, then head to the cafe for cocktails. On the menu, you'll find plenty of cocktails, including their signature cocktails which are named after and inspired by works of art in the gallery.
Declare Your Eternal Love At The Love Lock Bridge
Where:The Corktown Footbridge, Ottawa
Just like the love bridge in Paris, Ottawa has a love lock bridge - The Corktown Footbridge. Here couples can pledge their eternal love to each other by attaching a lock together onto the bridge. It just so happens this spot is above the Rideau Canal, so this winter at the end of your date skating, head to the Corktown Footbridge to add a lock.
Indulge In Some Desserts At Mantovani 1946
Where:87 Murray St, Ottawa
This winter you need to take your girlfriend to Mantovani 1946. This fantastic spot offers an extraordinary menu of different desserts. You'll find everything from festive gelato flavors, to pastries and cakes.
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