Day Trips Near Ottawa 2023

Apr 24

Nearby Towns

Merrickville

Merrickville is a small town less than an hour from downtown Ottawa, perfect for a day trip. St. Lawrence is the main street, filled with family-owned stores for all types of home goods. Stop by the Woolen Mill Museum and Ruins just across the bridge onto a small island, and explore some local pubs and ice cream shops for lunch!

Wakefield

Just a short drive from downtown Ottawa, enjoy the main street, Riverside, and all of the shops and restaurants along it. The Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa features an amazing restaurant, great cocktails, and plenty of spa treatments. Just beside it is the gorgeous La Pêche River and MacLaren Falls. Wakefield also features plenty of outdoor adventures like the Eco-Odyssee water maze, or rent gear for hiking, snow shoeing, or cross-country skiing at Expeditions Wakefield.

Brockville

Brockville is a part of the 1000 Islands region on the St Lawrence River. While visiting, be sure to walk or bike along the water and see the cargo ships sail through the islands. There are boat cruises, walking trails, a railway tunnel, and a museum downtown. There are also plenty of shopping, galleries, and historic sites!

Chelsea

Chelsea is the entrance to Gatineau Park, a small cottage-themed town with plenty of locally owned restaurants, historic sites. outdoor adventures, and scenic views. Chelsea is home to the Nordik Spa for relaxing, Gatineau Park for hiking and biking, plenty of bed and breakfasts, breweries and local pubs, and plenty of shopping for homemade goods.

Calabogie

Calabogie features some of the best outdoor adventures and hotel stays. The Calabogie Peaks Hotel and Calabogie Lodge Resort feature some of the best nature-oriented stays. Go hiking to the Eagles Nest Lookout, stop by the Calabogie Motorsports Park to watch racing, or ski at the Calabogie Peaks. Plenty of restaurants are around the city, as well as cottage rentals if you want to stop by for more than a day.

Almonte

Almonte, known as the friendly town, is a small, picturesque town just forty minutes from Ottawa with plenty of shopping, outdoor activities, and museums. Almonte features a variety of antique stores, gift stores, designer clothing, and art galleries, mostly on Mill Street. There are some lovely inns and bed and breakfasts in the area to stay in. Plenty of restaurants are down most of the main streets, from pub grub to Italian, there’s something for everyone. Festivals take place in Almonte in both the winter and summer, and if there’s nothing going on at the moment, plenty of local museums highlight the history of the area.

Perth

Perth is well known for its arts and culture scene, including theatres (for both music and theatre), restaurants that feature live music, galleries and fine craft stores, studio tours, local designers, museums, and libraries. There are cycling trails, paddle board and canoe rentals, mini golf and peddle cart rentals, golfing, cycling, running trails, hiking trails, plenty of parks and playgrounds, swimming pools as well as lakes and a splash pad. In the winter, there are seasonal skating rinks as well!

Outdoors Adventures

Chutes de Plaisance

45 minutes from downtown Ottawa is the Chutes de Plaisance, a 63 meter waterfall with gorgeous views, complimented by a historical building with plenty of features for guests to read and learn from. There are viewing areas and lookouts, rest areas, picnic tables, and you can bring your dogs (on leash).

Bonnechere Caves

The Bonnechere Caves are in Eganville, around 1.5 hours from Downtown Ottawa. The caves are open from 10-4 very day during the summer months, but are cold inside - so bring a sweater! Inside and outside the caves there are plenty of things to see - a waterfall, fossils, and designs along the walls created by years of erosion. Outside is a short hike, a sink hole, and picnic tables as well as a store serving ice cream, snacks, and drinks with souvenir options.

Morris Island Conservation Area

Morris Island Conservation area is along the Ottawa River, and features wood and wetlands. It has plenty of trails and options for hiking, canoeing, kayaking, walking your dog, fishing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and more.

Gatineau Park

Gatineau Park is a short 20 minute drive from Downtown Ottawa and features a massive assortment of marked and unmarked trails throughout the Gatineau Hills. With all types of wildlife, trails for everyone (including dog and wheelchair friendly, as well as some lengthy, steep, and challenging trails for the experienced hiker), this park has everything! Stop by some of the historic sites to learn more about those who developed the area to what it is today.

Parc Omega

Parc Omega is a drive-through wildlife exhibit. Stop by for the day to see wolves, bears, moose, deer, and more. In certain areas, you are able to stop and meet the animals! On site there are also restaurants, gift shops, and more to make your trip a full day.