I know we’ve been in lockdown for pretty much the entire year now but this one had me at my breaking point. The strain of the mounting restrictions this spring hit a bit different, especially since even outdoor activities remained closed. For me, as well as many others, it took a toll our mental health. From taking weekend road trips on the regular to not being on a proper one in six months, I was dying to get out.

Having originally planned a spa getaway for my birthday that got scrapped, we decided to finally venture out a few hours east to Ottawa instead. Might I say, thank God city to city travelling within the province hadn’t been banned during this lockdown. Having any form of leisurely activity has been key to keeping our sanities in tact. From our short weekend trip, here’s a guide on how to spend a day in Ottawa during COVID from sights to see and where to eat!

 

1. Start Your Day in Byward Market.

I know, some may think Byward is the ultimate tourist trap but it has some of the best spots in the city for food. It serves as a central spot to start your day since you can grab a quick meal and go exploring from there. It had been years since I last visited but I always like to come back here to try new food. In the summertime, the streets would be lined with patios but since it was still lockdown, we had to get takeout and find a spot outdoors.

I love Byward Market because there’s a bit of everything here for whatever you may be craving. There’s Chinese, pub food, Indian, breakfast, diner food – the options are endless. It may be a small area but it’s the perfect spot to get a feel of downtown Ottawa and then make your way to Parliament Hill or to the Rideau Canal from there.

 

2. Get Yourself a Sugar Cookie at Le Moulin de Provence.

First thing you should do when you’re in Byward Market is get yourself a sugar cookie at Le Moulin de Provence. This bakery has rows and rows of different sugar cookies you can choose from including many Canadian maple leaves. After much deliberation, we got ourselves a cat one. Not only was it cute AH, it was honestly the best sugar cookie of my life (no exaggeration whatsoever). There’s also other treats inside you can try such as yummy danishes – which were also amazing – and savoury options such as delicious salads. If you’re looking to get some small bites to eat before your day of exploring – this is the spot!

 

 

One of the things I actually really love about Ottawa is that it’s completely explorable by foot. You can walk all the major sights in a day’s time. When I first came here years ago, I wasn’t expecting much but I remember being completely blown away by the beautiful scenery and slowed down pace of life. It was a nice change from Toronto (where I’m originally from) and during this trip, the perfect way to take a time out and just relax for a bit.

We ended up walking most of downtown core while we were here, just stumbling upon little cafes and shops while snapping some quick pics with some notable tourist spots. Since everything is close together, you can definitely spend a day in Ottawa by foot while grabbing food in between and relaxing in the park.

Wearing: Leather Jacket | Distressed Mom Jeans | Crop Top | Strappy Heels | Jeanne Lottie Purse

 

3. Have Lunch at Le Mein Craft Noodle.

After you’ve checked out Parliament Hill and taken a look at the Rideau Canal, you can go back to Byward Market to grab lunch. An unlikely choice given that there’s no indoor or patio dining right now but I’d highly recommend going to Le Mein, a craft Chinese noodle bar. We were really craving noodles that day. And though there were only a few spots to sit around the market, we decided to set up shop and enjoy some piping hot noodles outdoors. No regrets as the beef brisket noodles we ordered were delicious and exactly what we were craving after hours of walking around.

 

4. Go Check Out Fairmount Chateau Laurier.

Though it may be overrated to some, the Fairmount Chateau Laurier is donned as Ottawa’s Castle and for good reason. Located minutes from Parliament Hill, the canal and Byward Market, it serves as a major city landmark that is just as grand in person as it appears in photos. Made of a beautiful limestone reminiscent of a French chateau, it sits magnificently on top of the city. You can’t help but stop by for a quick photo op. I only wish to stay in one of their lavish suites one day. I’m a sucker for European architecture and who doesn’t want to stay in a castle? For now, some pics will do.

 

We actually spent a good deal of time at the Fairmount just taking photos before exploring other parts of the city. It’s conveniently located right beside the famous Rideau Canal. You can take a peek overhead before heading over to Major’s Hill Park a few minutes away, where you can take in the best view of the Ottawa River from there.

We were blessed with amazing weather the weekend we visited, so I got to wear out my slip dress and style it comfortably with a leather jacket. I also love city strolling in a pair of chic booties over sneakers. The reason being it gives me a bit of a spring in my step but make sure you choose comfy ones that you can to walk all day in. I linked a similar stylish pair down below!

Wearing: Slit Dress | Leather Jacket | Black Booties

 

5. Get Macarons at Quelque Chose Patisserie.

Because I don’t think any trip is complete without taking home a pack of macarons, I found this cute dessert spot right in – you guessed it – Byward Market. For those with a major sweet tooth like myself, go check out Quelque Chose Patisserie. They offer many delicious French treats as well as soft serve but they specialize in macarons so I treated myself to half a dozen.

They were only $15 for six with no tax on top. Quite a steal and they tasted amazing – this coming from a macaron-crazed person so you know it’s legit. They were made with perfectly crispy shells packed with lots of flavour. Don’t leave town without picking up a box!

 

6. Take a Walk in Arboretum Park.

When it got a bit later, we decided to make our way to Arboretum Park to hunt for cherry blossoms. They were in full bloom around this time and we were desperately craving a hike as part of this trip. Unfortunately, we didn’t end up finding any while we were there. They existed for sure but the park was so massive that we didn’t know our way around enough to find their exact location. Nonetheless, the park is beautiful and we still got to enjoy a bit of time in nature. I’d recommend doing some more research before coming as there are many entrances that you can enter from. You could spend the whole day here picnicking and just relaxing if you’d like.

 

7. Visit Ottawa Chinatown.

Because I don’t think any trip is complete without a visit to Chinatown, you have to stop by Ottawa’s as well. Not all cities have their own Chinatown of course and for Ottawa where the Chinese population is quite small, I’m surprised they have one at all – but nonetheless delighted.

Though the selection is not as vast as Toronto’s, there are still a few good finds for those craving Asian cuisines. We went to Ha’s Dim Sum Noodle House for dim sum, which was top rated on Google and picked up a bunch of banh mis (Vietnamese sandwiches) from Pho Bo Ga King for the drive back. We were lured in by the enticing buy 5, get 1 free deal they had displayed but definitely worth trying.

 

8. Get Your Caffeine Fix at Drip House.

Of course, no trip is complete without a good cafe to get your caffeine fix. We were lucky enough to stumble upon Drip House while venturing around Chinatown. Though it has no Asian influences in spite of the location, the cafe reminded me of all the stylishly decorated coffee shops back at home. We ordered iced lattes to go and it was the perfect refreshing beverage to go with our dim sum.

 

The interior of Drip House (pictured above) was definitely a feast for the eyes. I have a major fixation for coffee shop interiors and this one was beautifully decorated with white and brown marble countertops. Loved the potted plants that complemented the modernly cozy aesthetic as well. It was only a shame we couldn’t sit inside this pretty spot but definitely keep this one in your bookmarks. They also offer light meals to go along with your yummy beverages.

 

I’ve always loved Ottawa for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning scenery. The amount of patios they have in the summertime are easily double of those in Toronto, which is perfect for those vacation vibes we’ve all been wishing for. I only wish the museums were open during the time we visited. Ottawa has a multitude of museums from the National Gallery of Canada to the Museum of Nature and the War Museum. If you’re visiting when they reopen, definitely check any of those out.

Ottawa’s a small city but it’s filled with culture, lots of good food and something for everyone. Anyone coming for a weekend trip will be happy to find that everything can be seen in one day. Although most things weren’t open on this weekend, we still made the best of it by visiting the major sights and living like a local. There really is no better way to spend a day in Ottawa during COVID than to eat as much as can, enjoy the outdoors and marvel at some major landmarks. P.S. Don’t forget to pick up a beaver tail or two when you’re in town!

Shop Similar Items: Black Skinny Jeans | White Turtleneck | Leather Jacket | Beige Boots | Jeanne Lottie Purse

 

 

 

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