Ottawa has served as a starting point for couples wishing to go on a romantic date for more than ten years. Couples frequently visit the city for its several romantic gateways and revolve around its lovely, peaceful environment.
There are many romantic things to do in Ottawa for couples looking to have the best honeymoon.
Visitors to Ottawa can enjoy a scenic stroll in the National Gallery of Canada, the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel, and the breathtaking Rideau Falls vistas.
Ottawa has several parks and offers options for outdoor activity year-round. If you’d like to spend time indoors with your partner, consider getting a couples massage, going to a performance, or improving your dance.
There is something for everyone in this bustling Canadian city, regardless of your preferred type of romance.
For a perfect date with your spouse, here is the list of romantic things to do in Ottawa.
Romantic things to do in Ottawa
1 Watch A Movie at The Drive-In Experience Ottawa
On our first top list of romantic things to do in Ottawa is to for a movie date with your spouse at the Drive-In Experience Ottawa.
This ideal movie night theatre is located at 300 Coventry Rd, Ottawa, Ontario. This is the ideal place every movie lover should be in the city of Ottawa.
The location also features live entertainment such as comedy acts, concerts, and themed movie nights in addition to regular movie screenings.
Keep in mind that you must BYOC (bring your own car) in order to attend, and that the drive-in’s two sites are only available at certain times of the year.
2 Dance With Us Ottawa
Dance With Us Ottawa is the perfect destination where couples can go in the city of Ottawa.
Dance With Us Ottawa provides classes for dancers of all levels, especially whether you’re into Salsa, Bachata, or Waltz.
Whether you want to perfect your technique as a pair or you’ve always wanted to learn how to perform the Cha Cha, Dance With Us Ottawa got you covered.
This ideal place located at 74 Jamie Ave, Nepean, is where you’ll get to learn all kinds of dance classes for adults.
These lessons are ideal for taking with a partner. And this is one of the most private experiences you can have in the city. If you enjoy dancing, it’s undoubtedly among the most enchanting activities to do in Ottawa.
3 Go Ice Skating at the Rideau Canal
The Rideau Canal is a well-known destination for thrilling outdoor activities in Ottawa. This great location is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a perfect place for spouses to go Skating.
This fascinating place has transformed to be the world’s largest naturally frozen ice rink during the winter months.
The canal offers a unique opportunity to skate on a picturesque frozen waterway. Stretching for about 7.8 kilometers, you and your partner can glide along the ice, taking in the beautiful views of Ottawa’s landmarks, including the Parliament Buildings and the Château Laurier Hotel.
Along the canal, you’ll find various stands and kiosks offering hot beverages, snacks, and even maple syrup treats. Take a break with your partner and warm up with some hot chocolate or enjoy a delicious beaver tail pastry.
Your list won’t be complete if you fail to add Skating at the Rideau Canal to your list of romantic things to do in Ottawa.
4 Take Your Breakfast at Bread By Us
One of the recommended places to have your morning coffee or breakfast in the city of Ottawa is Bread By Us. This thrilling place is known for its delicious bread, pastries, and other baked goods.
They offer a variety of bread options, including sourdough, baguettes, whole wheat, rye, and more. Their bread is made with care and attention to detail, resulting in flavorful and hearty loaves.
Bread By Us offers a mouthwatering array of pastries and treats. You can find delectable croissants, scones, cinnamon buns, muffins, cookies, and other delightful baked goods. Their pastries are known for their flakiness, buttery texture, and delicious fillings.
Bread By Us also has a cozy café shop where you can enjoy their baked pastries along with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The atmosphere is welcoming, and it’s a great spot to relax, catch up with friends, or enjoy a peaceful moment with your loved ones.
5 Visit Ottawa Farmers’ Market
When visiting Ottawa, stop at the city market and have a taste of the city’s local fruits and beverages.
Visitors are guaranteed to have fun when they visit the market as they sample various local products such as veggies, meats, cheeses, bread, and other sweet treats.
The Ottawa Farmers’ Market operates at several locations throughout the city, allowing residents and visitors to access fresh and locally sourced products.
Some of the prominent market locations include Lansdowne Park, the Westboro Market, and the Orleans Market. Each market has its own schedule and operating hours, so it’s good to make research before visiting.
One of the romantic things to do in Ottawa is to go to the market, where your spouse gets to try some local items for the first time.
6 Fairmont Château Laurier
The Fairmont Château Laurier is a historic hotel located in the heart of Ottawa near Parliament Hill and overlooks the Rideau Canal.
The hotel is known for its grand architecture and luxurious accommodations. The Château Laurier was opened in 1912 and has since been an iconic landmark in Ottawa. It was named after Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Prime Minister of Canada.
The hotel features turrets, copper roofs, and intricate stonework, giving it a castle-like appearance and blending with elements of French and Scottish architecture.
Even if you only visit Fairmont Château Laurier and don’t get to stay the night, the hotel’s stunning architecture will provide you with a thrilling experience.
7 Calypso Theme Waterpark
One of the romantic waterparks to go to with your spouse is the Calypso Theme Waterpark. For you and your spouse as well as adrenaline seekers, Calypso Waterpark is the place to go during the summer.
Calypso Waterpark, which is the largest theme waterpark in Canada, offers a range of activities for visitors of all ages, including 35 slides, 100 water games, and 2 theme rivers.
Additionally, it has the biggest wave pool in the nation, thrilling slides for everyone, kid-friendly play zones, 2 VIP Zones, and a wide variety of eateries. A day at Calypso Waterpark is truly memorable with so much to do and see.
Visiting this place is among the top summertime date ideas in Ottawa. The waterpark is open from the end of June to the beginning of September.
8 Visit the National Gallery of Canada
Art and architecture lovers will definitely have a reason to visit the National Gallery of Canada. The place is considered to be one of the leading cultural institutions in the country and houses an extensive collection of Canadian and international art.
Over 93,000 pieces of art from many eras and categories, including Indigenous art from Canada as well as European, American, and Asian art, are all included in this art gallery’s collection.
The collection encompasses paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, drawings, and decorative arts.
Visitors can admire masterpieces such as Tom Thomson’s “The Jack Pine” and Carr’s “Scorned as Timber, Beloved of the Sky.
The gallery regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that explore different themes, artists, or art movements. These exhibitions often feature works from the gallery’s collection as well as loans from other institutions and private collections.
Couples who love and admire art will surely add it to their list of romantic things to do in Ottawa.
9 Stroll at the Dominion Arboretum
Strolling at the Dominion Arboretum adds some spice of romantic feeling for a lovely couple. There are approximately 1700 distinct varieties of trees and bushes to be seen at this arboretum, which is located along the Rideau Canal.
You can also spend time in nature with your sweetheart without paying an entry price. Additionally, the Ornamental Gardens can be sighted here. Many annual plants and flowers may be seen in this area.
10 Interzip Rogers
For spouses looking to have a thrilling experience in Ottawa, the Interzip Rogers got you covered. Interzip Rogers takes you on a panoramic journey 37 meters over the Ottawa River at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour.
The zip line connects Ontario and Quebec, allowing you to soar from Gatineau all the way into Ottawa while taking in the most breathtaking vistas that can only be viewed from that vantage point.
The goal of this design was to cleverly and imaginatively bring together two cultures and two stunning cities. A total of 1,400 feet of cable were needed to build the zip line and connect the two coastlines.
A seasonal activity, the interprovincial zipline is available generally from May to October.
11 Spend Time Outdoors at Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is the National Capital Region’s conservation park. The Park, which is the largest green space in the area and covers an area of more than 361 square kilometers, is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species.
It is the second-most frequented park in Canada and a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts to partake in environmentally friendly leisure.
The huge area of Gatineau Park is separated into numerous sectors, one of which may be reached from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau, and each of which has a variety of historical sites and areas of interest.
Unlike other national parks, this one has a number of entrances as well as highways that cut through it leading to the northern and western regions.
12 Visit the Canadian Museum of History
Located at 100 Rue Laurier, Gatineau, the Canadian Museum of History is one of Canada’s national museums that is recognized as the country’s largest and most popular museum.
The museum offers a comprehensive collection of artifacts, exhibitions, and interactive displays that highlight various aspects of Canadian history, including Indigenous history, Canadian First Peoples, Canadian exploration, Canadian settlement, Canadian Confederation, and more.
One of the most iconic and popular exhibits in the Museum is the Canadian History Hall. This immersive exhibition presents the full breadth and depth of Canadian history from pre-contact times to the present day.
The Canadian Museum of History offers a range of services and amenities, including a gift shop, a café, a research center, and event spaces for conferences, meetings, and special occasions.
Visitors can visit the museum early or late on weekdays to avoid school trippers, and if possible, forgo weekend visits.
Also, Read 12 Best things to do in St Louis for couples
13 Visit Jacques-Cartier Park
In honor of one of Canada’s early explorers, Jacques-Cartier Park was established in the 1930s and is a historically significant location. The Park is located in the Hull sector of Gatineau, along the Ottawa River on Laurier Street.
Being of the largest parks in Canada, It frequently hosts big national events like Canada Day and Winterlude.
Every year, the 56-acre park offers Winterlude, an original winter event with ice sculpting competitions and other fun wintertime activities for the whole family.
It’s also home to Maison Charron, the oldest surviving house in Hull. Its location offers stunning views of Parliament Hill and the river.
14 Sample Some Canadian Cuisine at Atelier
One of the romantic things to do in Ottawa is to sample some of the Canadian cuisines at the Atelier. In this luxurious dining establishment, you can sample delectable modern cuisine.
It is always exciting to try new regional foods that you have never had before, and Atelier is the perfect place to do so.
Visitors may sample a 44-course tasting menu at this restaurant. Consequently, you’ll try 44 meals and learn about many unique cuisines at this restaurant.
15 Attend Tulip Festival
On the last note of romantic things to do in Ottawa is to attend the famous annual Tulip Festival happening from the start of late April and continuing into May.
The Festival is fantastic, and you should go with your lover. Going here is undoubtedly one of the top date ideas in Ottawa!
More than a million lovely tulips are displayed during this yearly celebration. The combination of these tulips is quite lovely. Tulips come in an astounding array of hues, which is wonderful! Additionally, it is remarkable and beautiful to witness so many tulips at once!
This is undoubtedly one of the most romantic things to do in Ottawa if you’re a lover of flowers.
Best Time to Visit Ottawa
The best and busiest month for tourist visits in Ottawa is March to May and from September to November. These periods boast a lot to do and see outdoors.
When it comes to tourist visits, these are the months that Ottawa records the highest number of tourists.
