Byward Market

The Byward Market could be easily called the tourist capital of Ottawa - it is the first place visitors go.

Because the streets are lined with restaurants, bars, and shops, people are drawn to this area!

But there are plenty of people who live in the Byward Market as well. The type of people who live here are interested in being right in the middle of things, being able to walk to work, or being able to walk to their nights out.

The Byward Market is defined as being a “retail and entertainment district.”

Because of this, there is less housing than other areas of Ottawa.

The population of the Byward Market is around 4000 people.

There are no schools in the direct Byward Market area. Children would most likely attend school in Sandy Hill, Vanier, or elsewhere.

List of applicable schools for the zone:

• St. Brigid Elementary School - JK-G6.

• Immaculata High School - G7-G12.

• Centennial P.S - JK-G6

• Fisher Park P.S / Summit A.S - Alternative Program with Core French - G7-G8

• Glashan P.S - MFI REG EFI - G7-G8

• Lady Evelyn A.S - ALT - JK-G6

• Lisgar C.I ENS IMM GR9-G12

• Queen Elizabeth P.S - EFI - G7-G8

• Viscount Alexander P.S - EFI REG - JK-G6

• York St P.S - REG - JK-G8

Byward Market has a very strong community enrichment effort, hosting numerous community centres, youth centres, and homeless shelters.

A full list of Byward Market Community Centres and Community Enrichment Programs:

Salvation Army - Ottawa Booth Center

• 171 George St

Guiges Service Center

• 159 Murray

The Ottawa Mission

• 35 Waller St

Shepherds of Good Hope

• 256 King Edward

St. Joes Women’s Center

• 151 Laurier

Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa

• 147 Besserer

Cornerstone Housing for Women

• 314 Booth

Plenty of people in Byward Market have pets. That being said, it is a very busy area, and well known for being a top party spot.

Because of this, you can expect the streets to be busier than other neighbourhoods, and may be harder to take a dog for a walk.

Here are all the pet friendly sites in the Byward Market area:

Pet Stores

Cricket and Company

• 21 Murray Street

Vets

There are no vets in the Byward Market. The closest vet will be in Centretown.

Dog-Friendly Parks

Byward Market does not have any designated dog parks, but there are dog friendly parks in the area.

• Major’s Hill Park

• Bordeleau Park in Lowertown is a dog-friendly park

• Cathcart Park

• Bingham Park

• Confederation Park in the Golden Triangle

Byward Market has tons of entertainment for your kids, from escape rooms to themed restaurants, parks, festivals, and more.

However, in the evenings, Byward Market is filled with people. It may be a noisier area overnight, especially on weekends.

Your children will also most likely need supervision in the area, dependant on age.

Some of the highlights of the area:

• Jigsaw Escape Rooms

  • 12 Byward Market Square

• Amaze: Outdoor Escape Room

  • 434 Sussex

• Andrew Fleck Children’s Services

  • 195 George

• Ottawa School of Art

  • 35 Geroge

• Major’s Hill Park

There are also a ton of museums in the area!

The Byward Market is filled with amazing and unique boutique stores.

First and foremost, the Rideau Centre mall is located right in Byward and has all your standard shopping available, as well as a Farm Boy.

The rest of the streets are lined with one-off mom and pop shops, boutiques, handmade items, and more.

There is also the actual Byward Market - an open air market filled with small stands and stores!

In the summers, you can also shop on the streets, as most weekends a farmers market covers the area with homemade goods and food.

Byward Market is filled with a rich history.

The market is named after the “By” Ward, named after Colonel By.

It grew rapidly throughout the 1830s - and eventually grew from one market into a total of five!

Some of the great historic landmarks in the area:

• Connaught Building

  • 550 Sussex Dr

• Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council

  • 80 Wellington St

• Blackburn Building

  • 85 Sparks St

• Union Station

  • 2 Rideau St

• Rochon House

  • 142 Ottawa Rg Rd 44

There are two main grocery stores in the Byward Market area:

• Farm Boy in the Rideau Centre

• Loblaws

  • 383 Rideau Street

There is also a good variety of small food shops all across the Byward Market!

Byward Market is one of the top nightlife destinations in Ottawa.

You can either do dinner and drinks, or spend the evening dancing at a number of night clubs.

Here is a list of some of the popular spots in the area:

• The Whiskey Bar

  • 112 York St

• Mercury Lounge

  • 56 Byward Market Sq

• The Lookout Bar (Gay Bar + Drag Shows)

  • 41 York St

• Hyde and Seek

  • 130 George

• Junxion

  • 15 George St

• The Loft Lounge (Board Games)

  • 18 Byward Market Sq

• The Bourbon Room

  • 400 Dalhousie

• Chateau Lafayette

  • 42 York St

• Apothecary Lounge

  • 54 York St

• Armada Lounge

  • 23 York St

• Sky Lounge

  • 73 York St

• The Show Ottawa

  • 104 Clarence

• Bar Lucy

  • 111 York St

• Atari

  • 297 Dalhousie

Byward Market is pretty much packed to the brim with restaurants. From Mexican, Sushi, Poutine, casual or fine dining, there is something for everyone!

Byward Market has mostly apartment-style rentals or condo buildings.

A little bit outside the main area, there are a few stand-alone homes, but many of those have also been split up into apartments for rent!

There are quite a few parks in the Byward area. The most striking by far is Major’s Hill Park which overlooks the Rideau River and Parliament.

There are other parks within walking distance in Lowertown, Golden Triangle, or Sandy Hill!