Summer in the capital: Ottawa’s hot spots

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Not booked your trip to Canada this summer? Why not visit its capital city, Ottawa? 

Among the most common reasons to visit Canada’s capital city:

  1. The Rideau Canal
  2. Parliament Hill
  3. ByWard Market
  4. National Gallery of Canada
  5. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

But beyond its main attractions, Ottawa is bursting with other fun things to do—many of which are new for 2019! So, if you’re planning a trip to Canada soon, here are some of the hot spots we recommend you add to your summer bucket list. From giant caesars to movies on the water, Ottawa truly has something for everyone.

Flapjack’s Canadian Diner

For the ultimate summer cocktail, head to Preston Street for 32 oz of delicious-ness. Flapjack’s are giving visitors a choice of six flavours—Sassy Sangria, Classic Mimosa, Kool-aid Jungle Punch, Kool-aid Cherry-Lime Margarita, Canadian Caesar, and Pineapple Rum n Pepsi—each served up in its very own seaside bucket. You know, the kind you used to build sandcastles in when you were kids. Of course, there are plenty of options on the menu to wash these down. Accompany your cocktail with comfort dishes like burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese and traditional Canadian poutine.

Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen

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This year we added a new flavour to our Canada-themed ice cream roster. This sky blue cream cheese ice cream has swirls of tart "acidic" pineapple curd and is littered with rainbow "microplastic" sprinkles. Carbon Clouds & Microplastics is our Black Mirror-esque dystopian utopia take on the imminent environmental repercussions closing in on us. We've filled our everyday with beautiful products at unprecedented convenience without worrying much about where they come from and where they go. Living in a first world country is comparatively idyllic despite being the world's worst polluters when we export our manufacturing emissions and subsequent waste to poorer countries. With calls for plastics bans and carbon pricing, we're starting to wake up to the realities of our priviledged lifestyles but let's not call it a win too soon. Lest we continue to let ourselves be hypnotized by luxury and convenience, ignorant of our shifting baselines and of increasing environmental distress until it's absolutely too late.

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In the height of summer, there’s one thing we all crave—and that’s ice cream. In Ottawa, the options are endless, but if you’re looking for creative flavours that steer away from your conventional vanilla and mint choc chip, we recommend you visit Moo Shu. Ontario dairy is used to craft the likes of ‘Hong Kong Milk Tea’, ‘Seasonal Ginger’ and ‘Tang Zhong Milk Bread’. And the vegans among you needn’t feel left out, with plenty of options including ‘Hiking Aboot’—a Canada-themed ice cream made with a bright and tangy grapefruit base and loaded with chocolate-covered trail mix. Mmm!

La Terrasse

Caesar lovers, rejoice! The new Surf and Turf Caesar at Fairmont Château Laurier’s patio, La Terrasse, is so large that it counts as a meal for two. This beautiful terrace is one of Ottawa’s best outdoor spots, where visitors can witness the likes of the Parliament Building, Ottawa River and Gatineau Hills while sipping drinks on the patio. The 6 oz Bloody Caesar is made with Belvedere Vodka and served in a huge fishbowl. Lining the bowl are six prawns, two beef sliders and two chicken sliders. Hungry yet? This beverage will set you back C$65, but boy is it worth it!

Andrew Haydon Park

Image credit: Water Lantern Festival

Need a great date night idea? For an experience that’s truly magical, why not purchase tickets for the Water Lantern Festival? The festival has now landed in Canada and comes to Ottawa’s Andrew Haydon Park on 17th August. You’ll have the chance to design your own lantern, before setting it free amongst the hundreds of other glowing shapes floating across the water. The event runs from 5-10 pm and will also have music and food trucks to keep visitors entertained throughout the evening.

Umbrella Bar

Imagine swinging on a chair as you relax by the water, overlooking Ottawa’s beautiful Dows Lake. Umbrella Bar offers all of this, plus a whole menu of cocktails and tasty snacks, including Poke Tostada and hand-rolled Crab Rangoon Eggrolls. If you’re not quick enough to bag yourself a swinging chair, don’t panic. There are plenty of tables by the water to choose from, giving everyone a chance to enjoy that incredible scenic view.

Calabogie Peaks Resort

Image credit: Interactive Flick

Rounding off our list of hot spots is a visit to a floating cinema…but only if you dare! Interactive Flick is hosting their Movie On The Water event, where visitors will brave tides on inflatables as the world’s most terrifying movie theme tune plays. Yep, you guessed it—Jaws will be shown on the big screen at Calabogie Peaks Resort this summer. Topping off this fun event are fire pits, tiki torches and glow-in-the-dark props. Just try to keep your feet out the water…

Not booked your trip to Canada this summer? We still have plenty of great deals on last-minute flights.

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