Free and Cheap Things to do in Ottawa in the Winter; A Guide for the Budget Traveller
Ottawa is a great place to visit on any budget. Explore museums and galleries, take a tour through historic buildings, hike or snowshoe on Ottawa’s beautiful winter trails, or go for a skate on some iconic rinks, all without hurting your wallet. Plan your next trip to Ottawa on a shoestring with our guide to free and cheap things to do in Ottawa in the winter.
Arts and Culture
Visit Ottawa’s National Museums for Free
Ottawa is home to seven amazing national museums which are great places to spend a day learning and discovering indoors. Several museums in Ottawa and Gatineau are free on Thursday evenings, including the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of Nature, and the National Gallery of Canada. The Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum, Canadian Aviation and Space Museum and the Canada Science and Technology Museum offer free admission between 4-5pm each day when the museums are open.
Ottawa Art Gallery
Home to an amazing collection of art from artists from the Ottawa-Gatineau region, as well as pieces from the famous Group of Seven, the Ottawa Art Gallery is a great place to get inspired – and the best part is, it’s always free! Admire historic and contemporary works while exploring the permanent galleries, Firestone Collection of Canadian Art, as well as unique rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
Bank of Canada Museum
Just steps away from Parliament Hill, the Bank of Canada Museum (formerly the Currency Museum of the Bank of Canada) is always free. Newly re-opened in 2022 after an extensive renovation and modernization, the museum is a fun place for people of all ages to learn about the importance of money, currency, and the role everyone plays in our economy. Create your own avatar and roam through the museum while you learn about ways to detect counterfeit currency, discover bank notes from around the world, and enjoy video-game style interactive exhibits. The museum, with it’s futuristic vibes, actually makes learning about money fun!
National Arts Centre
While the National Arts Centre (the NAC) is known for hosting popular theatre and musical performances on its elegant stage, it also offers many free activities year-round. From hip hop and yoga classes to free music shows and Indigenous programming, there are many budget-friendly activities at the National Arts Centre throughout the year.
Free Guided Tours
Rideau Hall Tours
Originally built as a home in 1838 by stonemason Thomas MacKay (who was involved in the original construction of the Rideau Canal locks), Rideau Hall is the official residence of the Governor General of Canada, and has been home to every Governor General since Confederation. Take a free guided tour throught this historic manor, and visit the stunning state rooms where the Governor General fulfils official duties, welcomes dignitaries and honours Canadians. Some notable stops on the tour are the candy cane-coloured Tent Room and the majestic Ballroom – which you may recognize from high profile swearing-in and award ceremonies. Guided tours are available daily from 10 am-3 pm and must be made in advance.
Parliament of Canada and Senate of Canada Tours
One must-do experience when visiting Ottawa is a tour of Parliament and the Senate of Canada buildings. Reopened to the public in 2018 after extensive renovations, these architecturally beautiful spaces are open for free daily public tours. The Senate of Canada building is especially impressive, built in a former rail station with historic architecture and a unique history. Book your tickets online well in advance, as the tours are very popular and fill up quickly.
Supreme Court of Canada Tours
An iconic building that you can’t miss while driving down Wellington St. is the Supreme Court of Canada. Take a free 45-minute guided tour inside, and learn about the Court, its interesting history and the judicial system in Canada. Tours are available 9 am-5 pm Monday to Friday and require an advance reservation which can be made online.
Outdoor Winter Fun
Winterlude
As Ottawa’s most popular winter event, Winterlude is a free winter festival which celebrates all things winter fun. The family-friendly festival takes place during the first three weekends in February each year, and features ice sculpture competitions, giant snow sculptures, maple taffy on snow, and skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway. The giant snow playground called the Snowflake Kingdom is a must-visit and has fun activities like snow tubing, ziplining, music, food and special programming from artists and performers. The Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival also takes place during Winterlude at Dow’s Lake, and is an amazing free event to watch. Watch as teams from around the world propel traditional Dragon Boats on blades across the Rideau Canal Skateway with ice picks for paddles!
Winter Lights Across Canada
Visiting the capital during the holiday season is truly magical. From December to early January Ottawa is illuminated with beautiful festive lighting displays along the Pathway of Lights as part of Winter Lights Across Canada. Follow the route through Ottawa and Gatineau and take some epic winter photos in front of iconic sites like the National War Memorial and Confederation Park, plus don’t miss the spectacular winter lights projection on Parliament Hill. The best part is, it’s free!
Ice Skating
Ottawa is known as one of the top winter destinations in Canada, and there’s nothing more wintry than free ice skating on an outdoor rink! Lace up your skates and skate down Ottawa’s most famous outdoor ice surface, the 7.8 km Rideau Canal Skateway, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest outdoor skating rink in the world.
Check out our complete guide to skating the Rideau Canal Skateway.
If you’re looking for something a bit smaller (or a place to practice before hitting the Skateway), stop by the Sens Rink of Dreams at Marion Dewar Plaza in front of Ottawa City Hall. This refrigerated rink is open 7 days a week from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm during the season, and offers skate rentals, picnic tables and an all-important Beavertail hut. If you’re in the neighbourhood of the Glebe, the Lansdowne Skating Court is another great rink to practice your turns and stops. Each of the rinks is flooded several times daily and are free for public use.
Across the River in Gatineau, QC you’ll find Ruisseau de la Brasserie - a mini version of the Rideau Canal Skateway. Like the Skateway, this free rink is on a naturally-frozen ice surface so is completely weather-dependent. It winds through a section of downtown Gatineau and is especially magical at night when the Rue Montcalm bridge lights up.
Hiking, Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Home to a plethora of winter trails, Ottawa is a great place to go winter hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, right in the city. Some of the best trails to explore are the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail, Britannia Winter Trail, Ski Heritage East Trail, and the Rideau Winter Trail, which are all free!
With over 11 km of scenic winter walking and hiking trails, Gatineau Park is a popular place to get active and explore on a budget during the winter months. The four primary trails to explore on foot are the Sugarbush Trail, Capital Pathway, Pioneers Trail and the Lauriault Trail. The latter is located near old Chelsea and passes by the historic and picturesque Mackenzie King ruins. Cross-country skiers will love Gatineau Park’s 200 km of trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. The park has one of the largest networks of cross-country ski trails in North America and is a cross-country skier’s dream. A pass is required to use the trails in Gatineau Park during the winter season and costs approximately $11/day for a snowshoe/hiking/snow biking pass. Add an extra $10 to upgrade to aa full pass which includes cross-country skiing.
If you don’t own snowshoeing or cross-country gear there are several options to rent equipment at affordable rates. Lafleur ski rentals rents classic, skate skis and snowshoes for use at their location at Mooney’s Bay or off-site. Most rentals are less than $30/day. Fresh Air Experience, although slightly more expensive, specializes in skiing and offers classic and skate cross-country ski rentals at their location in downtown Ottawa, and also conveniently at Remic Rapids right along the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail.
Tobogganing
Hitting the hills for a day of tobogganing is always a great free way to spend a winter day in the capital – and there’s no shortage of snow in Ottawa in the winter! The city has many hills dotted throughout the city that range from small kid-friendly slopes to more adventurous hills. Some of the most popular include Bruce Pit, Conroy Pit (lit at night), Green’s Creek, Vincent Massey Park, Lansdowne Park and Seneca Avenue. You can find the full list of sledding hills on the City of Ottawa website. If you’re travelling without your sled, you can pick up a cheap snow tube or crazy carpet saucer at a local Walmart or Canadian Tire.
Shop and Dine on a Dime
Ottawa Farmers’ Market
Whether you’re looking to pick up some artisanal baked goods, hot meals, produce, or hand-made crafts, you’ll want to make a stop at the Ottawa Winter Farmers’ Market. Located in the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Place on Sundays from January to April, this year-round producer-run market is always free, whether you’re just browsing or looking for cheap delicious eats.
If you’re visiting Ottawa during the holidays, the Ottawa Farmers’ Christmas Market held in the same spot is a great free way to get into the holiday spirit. Open late November to mid-December on weekends, the annual Christmas market features 90+ local vendors (including many from the winter market), with a sprinkling of Christmas flair. After you’ve finished wandering inside, head outside to the magical European style Ottawa Christmas Market (Fridays through Sundays up until Christmas), for festive photo ops, local vendors and live entertainment.
Grab a Drink at a Local Café
After a day of winter exploration, head inside to one of Ottawa’s cozy coffee shops to warm up with a hot drink and soak in the vibes of Ottawa’s vibrant café culture. From hot chocolates and teas to locally roasted coffee and light lunches, Ottawa’s cafes are a cheap way to fuel up, people watch, and defrost those toes! Check out our complete guide to Ottawa’s best coffee shops and discover the best local cafes all across the city.
Antique Shopping
Ottawa is an antique lover’s dream, and bargain hunters will love seeking out treasures in Ottawa’s antique shops. From vintage clothing and jewelry to old books and games, find out where to shop for antiques in the Ottawa with our guide to antiquing in the capital.
