To pursue a private and intimate holiday, a couple won’t have to rely heavily on anyone thanks to Ottawa’s rich open spaces and a layout that is quite walkable. You will undoubtedly hear one of the most beautiful languages outside of Paris because the city is bilingual. The city has something to offer practically year-round. In the spring, tulips will be in full bloom, creating a sea of color. In the summer, you can explore Ottawa’s noteworthy attractions like Parliament Hill or discover quiet moments in the midst of a picturesque environment by rivers and lakes. With the biggest skating rink in the world located downtown, the city transforms into a winter wonderland. With these top Ottawa date ideas, you might find some of the fun things to do in Ottawa for couples.
1. The Drive-In Experience Ottawa: Watch a Movie
Another excellent date option in Ottawa is to watch a movie in a drive-in theater with your significant other. This is possible at one of The Drive-In Experience Ottawa’s sites. You can watch a movie together at these locations in the comfort of your own vehicle. This will give you an enjoyable experience with lots of privacy. These sites provide up to five movie viewings every week. And there is always a maximum of one movie per night. In addition, you can watch live comedy acts, concerts, and other forms of entertainment. All of this is experienced while driving your own vehicle! Undoubtedly, this is among the most romantic activities in Ottawa.
2. Take a Show
Check out the events at the National Arts Centre and the Great Canadian Theatre Company, two of the top theaters in the city, if you’re in the mood for some culture. The NAC Orchestra, NAC English Theatre, NAC French Theatre, NAC Indigenous Theatre, and NAC Dance are all housed at the National Arts Centre and present a range of performances and events throughout the year. The Great Canadian Theatre Company produces well-written plays with subjects including, but not limited to, Indigenous culture, reconciliation, environmentalism, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and contemporary interpretations of Shakespearean classics.
3. See tulips bloom at Commissioners Park
You will undoubtedly see Ottawa’s parks and gardens decorated with vibrant and colorful tulips if you visit during the spring. The annual Canadian Tulip Festival takes place during this time, typically in mid-May. The greatest sites to view this seasonal extravaganza are in Ottawa’s lovely public parks, such as Lansdowne Park by the Rideau Canal, Commissioner’s Park by picturesque Dow’s Lake, and the area around Ward Market in the city center. The park is open every day, and the festival is often held in the spring or in the middle of May.
4. Kayak on Dow’s Lake
This lovely man-made lake, located at the southern end of the Rideau Canal, offers picturesque views during the summer from its lakeside pavilion. The marina offers fantastic lakeside casual dining options as well as canoeing and kayaking as recreational pursuits. Nearby equipment rentals are simple to find. Squirrels and geese are among the local wildlife, and there are several seats where you can spend quiet time admiring the scenery. For several weeks in the winter, Dow’s Lake transforms into a popular outdoor skating paradise, much like the main part of the Rideau Canal.
5. Private Couples Photoshoot
A couple’s picture shoot is another of the most romantic things to do in Ottawa. You can get fantastic pictures of the two of you during an Ottawa couple’s photo shoot, which is wonderful! You will explore a number of the city’s attractions during this tour. You’ll see sights like Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, for instance. You can take photos with different couple postures at each location. You leave this trip with wonderful memories of your time in Ottawa. It’s undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable dates options in Ottawa.
6. Enjoy an Intimate Concert on a Pirate Ship
Here is one of the coolest dating suggestions in Ottawa. You and your partner may take in a private performance on a pirate ship in Ottawa. The duration of this session is roughly 60 minutes. Soul music performed by upcoming local performers will be enjoyable. Additionally, this concert is being held on a former pirate ship. Additionally, several ornaments enhance the environment. The performance also offers wonderful views of the city from the river, which is fantastic. You and your date will have the most ideal and romantic date ever in this setting. It is also one of the most romantic things to do in Ottawa because of this. What’s nice about this experience is that you can learn about Canadian music!
7. Hang a love lock on Cork town Footbridge
This bridge spans the Rideau Canal and links the University of Ottawa campus to Elgin Street, which is dotted with bars and restaurants. When it opened at the beginning of 2000, it soon gained popularity as a destination for couples looking for romantic strolls across the city, particularly at dusk. The fact that you can participate in the romantic ritual of fastening love locks displaying both of your names or initials to the railing of the Cork town Footbridge and then throwing away the key adds to the bridge’s allure.
8. Hit the Farmers’ Market, Then Have a Picnic
Pick up some wonderful picnic ingredients at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, like fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, bread, and other sweet treats, and then take your special someone for a picnic in one of the city’s parks. There are four seasonal places to pick from depending on when you’re in town. From November through April, you can find it within the Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park; from May to October, you can find it outside. The three more markets are open from late May to late October. They include the Westboro Market on Saturdays at Byron Linear Park, the Orléans Market on Thursdays in the parking lot of the Ray Friel Recreation Complex, and the Barrhaven Market on Sundays at the Nepean Woods Park & Ride. It’s also wonderful that you have to decide on picnic food and beverages before the picnic itself. Choosing this can also be quite romantic, which adds another nice touch to this pastime.