The Relax Itinerary

Day 1

8:30 am:

Take a guided tour with Lady Dive Amphibus or Ottawa Walking Tours to see the highlights of the city.

10:00 am:

After your sightseeing tour, make your way to the ByWard Market and wander past the market stalls filled with fresh produce or check out the one-of-a-kind crafts available in the shops. Try one of Ottawa’s sweetest traditions and a purely Canadian treat - a BeaverTail pastry.

12:30 pm:

For lunch try the genuine Irish hospitality at the Heart and Crown Irish Pub in the heart of the ByWard Market.

2:00 pm:

Walk over to Parliament Hill and take a guided tours. The tour takes visitors through public galleries, to the Senate and House of Commons (when not in session) and to the top of the Peace Tower, where an observation deck provides the most dramatic 360º view of the Capital.

Or, shop the boutiques one block from Parliament Hill at the Sparks Street Mall, Ottawa’s historic pedestrian outdoor mall.

5:00pm:

For dinner, you’ll love the relaxed atmosphere at Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro in the ByWard Market, with its extensive selection of wines, single malt scotch and imported beers and live jazz three times weekly.

Youth/family-friendly option: The Lone Star Texas Grill (St. Laurent) has a fun atmosphere and offers some of Ottawa’s favourite Tex Mex food.

7:00pm:

Head out to the OLG Slots at Rideau Carleton Raceway, with over 1250 machines in a travel-themed gaming area or adventure out on a scavenger hunt through the city with UrbanQuest. The Quest is designed to be your experience. Run it as a group race, tour of the city, a new way to have dinner on the town or just a fun way to spend an evening.

Day 2

9:00 am:

Enjoy a hike, snowshoe or ski in the breathtaking beauty of Gatineau Park, a nature reserve with hundreds of kilometres of trails, just 15 minutes from Ottawa.

Or join C’est Bon Cooking for a tasty food tour of the ByWard Market and see Ottawa’s culinary scene come alive. C'est Bon Cooking food tours are founded on the belief that one of the best ways to understand a people and its culture is to explore local food markets, experience local specialties and meet with local Chefs and food artisans.

12:00 pm:

Try some delicious Asian-fusion at the Santé Restaurant & Art Gallery. You’ll want a light meal before your afternoon activity.

Youth/family-friendly option: The ByWard Market offers a variety of casual food and shopping options. Stop in at ByWard Market Square for an ad-hoc visit to their food and shopping outlets.

1:30 pm:

Take an afternoon to pamper yourself with any of the services at the Holtz Spa including facials, massages or body treatments. Finish the afternoon with a walk down to the Rideau Canal locks and visit the ByTown Museum.

Youth/family-friendly option: The National Gallery of Canada or the Royal Canadian Mint is only steps from the ByWard Market.

6:30 pm:

Between the central locale afforded by its gracious home in the landmark Lord Elgin Hotel, a warm and yet contemporary ambience, a locally sourced menu and a casual-to-sophisticated stocked cellar, Grill 41 is a perfect place for your dinner tonight.

8:30 pm:

The ByWard Market is a great place for people watching or partaking in the nightlife offered at pubs, bars and bistros.

Day 3

9:00 am:

Find your way to the end of one of the award-winning mazes at Saunders Farm. This all-season attraction is great for large groups and teambuilding as well as for kids. The farm offers wagon rides and lawn games as well as seasonal events around Halloween and Christmas.

12:00 pm:

Take a trip to Ottawa’s own Chinatown and have some dim sum at the Yangtze Restaurant. Alternately Mekong Restaurant has been serving Asian cuisine to Ottawa residents for over 20 years, specializing in Cantonese, Szechwan, Vietnamese and Thai foods. Don’t leave before catching a glimpse of the new and impressive Ottawa Chinatown Royal Arch.

1:30 pm:

You can design your own hands-on cooking adventure at the Urban Element — perfect as a team-building exercise, or do it for just plain fun. The best part? You can eat what you prepared in your afternoon class.

Or, Ottawa is a cycling enthusiast's dream destination, with over 180 kilometres of recreational pathways linking natural areas, parks, gardens and national sites. So make your way to RentaBike and cycle along the Rideau Canal to Dows Lake (35 minutes). Pedal through the Arboretum and explore the flora and fauna in the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. Other recommended routes include the Colonel By bike path to Hog’s Back Falls or the Ottawa River Parkway to Kitchissippi Lookout. Plan to dedicate at least a half-day to any cycling excursion.

7:00pm:

Tonight head to the Metropolitain Brasserie Restaurant in the heart of Ottawa. The Metropolitain is Ottawa’s own French Brasserie with the city’s largest fresh oyster bar, the ideal restaurant for dinner.

You can always count on the shows at the Théâtre du Casino du Lac-Leamy to be entertaining. Afterwards, try the slot machines or gaming tables in the exhilarating atmosphere of the casino.