Ottawa in Winter: Skating the Rideau Canal and Choosing a Museum

Ottawa's best winter attraction is not a building: it is the frozen Rideau Canal, a 7.8-kilometre skating rink that runs through the city centre and is the largest in the world. It opens when the ice is thick enough, usually in January, and stays open into February or March depending on the year.

Skating the canal

Access points are marked along the route, with heated changing huts at the main ones. Rent skates at Dow's Lake or the National Arts Centre end, and buy a beaver tail and hot chocolate from the stands on the ice. A full run from downtown to Dow's Lake takes about an hour at an easy pace. Check the daily ice condition before you go: mild spells close sections.

Which museum to pick

The Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau is the strongest for first-time visitors, with the Grand Hall and a clear walk through Canadian history. The National Gallery has the collection and the Maman spider outside. The War Museum is the most affecting, and the Nature Museum is the best for children.

Practical notes

• Dress in layers with a windproof outer shell; the canal is exposed.
• Winterlude runs in early February with ice sculptures and free activities.
• Museum tickets are cheaper after 16:00 at several national sites.

If the canal is closed, the same route on foot along the banks is still a good two-hour walk.