Travel
You don't have to stray far from Ottawa's downtown core to find that local neighbourhood feel
In most cities, the hippest places to live are usually downtown — but not in Ottawa. Enter Centretown, a charming urban neighbourhood just outside the downtown core that provides all the benefits of city living while still keeping that neighbourhood feel. Our social media coordinator, Hannah, is a Centretown local — here’s some of her favourite things to do.
One amazing thing about living in Ottawa is there is so much green space everywhere you go — and Centretown is no exception. The Rideau Canal is a 15 minute walk for most neighbourhood residents, and provides an excuse to get some fresh air all year round — in the summer, walk or sail down the Canal and enjoy the beautiful views of the city. In the winter, grab your skates and take advantage of the Rideau Canal Skateway, where 7.8 kilometres of the Canal is frozen and open as the world’s longest skating rink.
While technically in the Glebe neighborhood, Lansdowne is a one-stop destination for a great time here in Ottawa and a short walk from Centretown. Recently revitalized and restored, the space has everything you can imagine — restaurants, TD Place arena, shops, green space and gorgeous historical buildings that house farmer’s markets and public events, all backing right onto the Rideau Canal. For the ultimate local experience, come on Sunday morning for the farmer’s market and enjoy your spoils in the park overlooking the Canal and TD Place arena.
Bank Street crosses the city from north to south, and the section in Centretown is the perfect place to enjoy some of the best local shops and eateries that Ottawa has to offer. Have a drink with your friends at Flora Hall Brewing, then stop by Moo Shu Ice Cream for their signature “flavour forward small-batch ice cream” and see what flavours they have on offer that day. If you’re looking for something a little more greasy, head up the street to Burgers and Fries Forever, a uniquely Canadian burger joint that aims to serve up a classic as creatively as possible – the current featured take on the dish is known as the “Pierogi Duo”.
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