Ottawa Road Trips 🇨🇦

St. Patrick’s Day fun in Ottawa and beyond - Ottawa Road Trips St. Patrick's Day in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond actually encompasses two whole weeks of music, parades, trivia, dancing and more.

Even though St. Patrick's Day doesn't officially arrive until next Tuesday, there are LOTS of Irish-themed events happening this week in and near #Ottawa, including dances, trivia games and an Irish tea. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/03/09/s...

30+ ideas for March Break 2026 in Ottawa, the Outaouais and beyond - Ottawa Road Trips March Break fun for kids and teens abounds in Ottawa and the Outaouais this year: art camps, rock climbing, alpacas, mermaids and more.

I've just added craft classes at Indigo bookstores to this roundup of March Break ideas for #Ottawa and surrounding areas. ottawaroadtrips.com/2023/02/24/m...

March 10 news: St. Patrick's fun, accessible boardwalk, kids' gear Also, plus-sized fashions, Meech Lake hotel and mermaids

This week's newsletter is out, and it's full of tips on road trips from #Ottawa — from how to save money on race registrations and kids' gear to where to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. For tips like this in your in-box each week, just subscribe—it's free! ottawaroadtrips.substack.com/p/march-10-n...

Heads Up: Accessible boardwalk, Kingston obstacle race, Toronto hotel deal - Ottawa Road Trips CN Cycle for CHEO, Laurentians sunrise event, murder mystery fun in Kemptville, Meech Lake hotel reopening, craft brewery closing.

Now's the time to start planning spring and summer fun in and around #Ottawa, whether you want to see the sun rise from the top of a Laurentians tower, go on a really long bike ride, check out a new accessible boardwalk or enjoy a murder mystery night. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/03/07/h...

Don’t miss these upcoming concerts in Ottawa-Gatineau and beyond! - Ottawa Road Trips Concerts in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond are the subject of this continually updated post. Whether your taste runs to pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, classical or anything in between...

My concerts list is a never-ending labour of love! I just added a whole bunch of shows to it this morning. As well as concerts in #Ottawa and #Gatineau, it includes music in road-trip-worthy destinations such as #Kingston and #Montreal. ottawaroadtrips.com/2024/09/10/d...

46+ fun things to see and do in and around Ottawa, March 2 to 8 - Ottawa Road Trips Holi and St. Patrick's Day celebrations, country and tango music, beer festival, art show, golf and cycling expos, gardening events, and maple syrup fests!

Looking for something to do in and around #Ottawa and #Gatineau this week? There are so many choices, from concerts and plays to a bike show, a tango performance, an embroidery workshop, and maple syrup festivals. Don't miss this week's calendar of events! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/03/03/4...

30+ ideas for March Break 2026 in Ottawa, the Outaouais and beyond - Ottawa Road Trips March Break fun for kids and teens abounds in Ottawa and the Outaouais this year: art camps, rock climbing, alpacas, mermaids and more.

Wondering how to amuse your kids during March Break in Ontario and Quebec? I have more than 30 ideas, and some of them are free! ottawaroadtrips.com/2023/02/24/m...

We've been there in the spring and the fall, and the crowds were insane. I can't imagine summer.

Ben Caplan plying guitar on a stage in a small venue

Not only did I get to see Ben Caplan (one of my favourite performers) at the lovely Robo Lounge tonight, the show went from 7-9 pm. THE DREAM.

(Seriously, go see shows in this new venue, the sound is incredible.)

A Welsh Walk on the Wild Side

Sometimes, my travels take me far beyond the Ottawa Road Trips region. Today, in honour of St. David's Day (the national day of Wales), here's a story I wrote last year about hiking in #Wales. Such a beautiful place! travel.everythingzoomer.com/travel/2025/...

49+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, February 23 to March 1 - Ottawa Road Trips Cinnamon roll baking class, film festival, mammoth book sale, beer and tacos festival, comedy, moonlit skiing, RV show, gardening events and more.

Wondering what to do in and around #Ottawa this week? How about gardening events (spring is coming!), moonlit skiing, a big book sale, a Canadian film festival, comedy, hockey, fundraising walks or ... a rock, paper, scissors tournament? ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/24/4...

Don’t miss these upcoming concerts in Ottawa-Gatineau and beyond! - Ottawa Road Trips Concerts in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond are the subject of this continually updated post. Whether your taste runs to pop, country, hip-hop, jazz, classical or anything in between...

I spent a few hours today updating my giant concerts list. There are so many shows in the #Ottawa area that this is an ongoing project! It does have something for just about every taste, whether you'd rather see Megadeth or the RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers. ottawaroadtrips.com/2024/09/10/d...

Heads Up: Garlic fest, ghosts and Calabogie fun - Ottawa Road Trips The latest scoop on the Perth Garlic Festival, Capital Ribfest, paranormal investigations all over Eastern Ontario, winter fun in Calabogie and more.

This week's Heads Up post is packed with timely tips for road trips in and around #Ottawa, whether you're into garlic, ghosts, pizza, ribs, chocolate or winter fun. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/23/h...

Here's a sure sign that spring is on its way: sugar shacks in and around #Ottawa and #Gatineau are opening for the season! Bring on the taffy on snow, pea soup, pancakes and sugar pie, please. ottawaroadtrips.com/2025/02/28/o...

34+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, February 16 to 22 - Ottawa Road Trips Two book fairs, four kilt skates, a talk about the Lost Villages in Cornwall, line dancing in Russell, a culinary contest in Gatineau and a painting class in Chapeau!

Planning your week? Check this post first! It's packed with ideas for fun throughout #Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the #Outaouais--including a couple of events happening TONIGHT (Feb. 17). ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/17/3...

I rarely share messages like this one, but this is true info (that I didn't know) and important.

📞9-8-8 is a phone number (in Canada) that helps people get help in a mental health crisis. Similar to 911, this line is dedicated to anyone in need of mental health assistance of any kind.

The sun's shining, the snow's glittering ... are you itching to be cross-country skiing? Then don't miss this great new guest post by Dan Rubinstein about his XC skiing, spa and dining adventures in the Laurentians—two hours from #Ottawa. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/13/t...

Looking for something to do in and around #Ottawa this week? I have more than three dozen ideas, from a free photography class at the Ottawa Art Gallery and a winter carnival in Perth to an electronic music festival in Gatineau and a hockey weekend in Belleville! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/09/4...

You can subscribe here: ottawaroadtrips.com/subscribe/

This week's newsletter is out, and it's packed with ideas! If you don't already subscribe to get tips each week for fun in and around #Ottawa, why not sign up? It's free!

Glad to see you here too!

33+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, February 2 to 8 - Ottawa Road Trips Watch snowmobile racers, sample soups or stews, browse for books or antiques, tackle a ski marathon, take a painting class, make a candle, or enjoy a winter festival!

Planning your week? You might want to make time for a road trip in #Ottawa or beyond—whether you want to see a play, go ice fishing, see snowmobile stunts in the ByWard Market, make a candle, or browse for books, art or antiques. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/02/3...

Heads Up: Art workshops, cooking classes and camping reservations - Ottawa Road Trips Take an art class, learn to make international dishes in Orleans, nab a campsite in a national park or see Degrassi stars in Kingston.

Got a case of the Mondays? Shake it by planning ahead for spring and summer adventures, including cooking classes, painting workshops and camping. (Reservations for Parks Canada campsites in Ontario opened this morning!) #Ottawa ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/02/02/h...

39+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, January 26 to February 1 - Ottawa Road Trips Ski by moonlight, skate with Kurt Browning, enjoy Winterlude, check out a home reno show, go to a pow wow or taste dishes from top chefs.

Whether you'd like to taste dishes from top chefs, go to a pow wow, enjoy standup comedy, ski by moonlight, skate with Kurt Browning (!), go to Winterlude or see Swan Lake, this week's road trip roundup is packed with ideas for things to do in and around #Ottawa. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/01/27/3...

Yes, this is one I actually know! I like it a lot.

Heads Up: Hotel deals, pasta workshop, Quebec City tips - Ottawa Road Trips A ski-through art gallery, discounts on hotels and train trips, forest bathing in Frontenac Provincial Park, a pasta-making workshop, afternoon tea and more!

It's a longer than usual Heads Up post this week, with everything from a 20% VIA Rail discount for seniors to a ski-through art trail in Frankville, indoor golf in Arnprior, winter tips for Quebec City, tickets for #Ottawa jazz and theatre, and so much more. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/01/27/h...

14 excellent road trip destinations within one to two hours of Ottawa - Ottawa Road Trips The 1000 Islands, caves, waterfalls, lakes, ski resorts and so many fun towns of all sorts are all within one to two hours' drive of Ottawa. Road trip!

Cold weather giving you a bit of cabin fever? Why not take a quick road trip? You can reach all of these places within a one- to two-hour drive from #Ottawa. Cafés, murals and ski hills await you! ottawaroadtrips.com/2023/08/13/r...

45+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, January 19 to 25 - Ottawa Road Trips Robbie Burns celebrations, comedy in Chelsea, a film fest in Cornwall, antiques in Carleton Place, chili in Centretown, modern dance in Deep River and Orleans, and more.

Planning your week? Don't miss my calendar of events, featuring dozens of ideas for road trips in #Ottawa, the Outaouais and Eastern Ontario—everything from Robbie Burns nights to a chocolate tasting, an indie film fest, a Black history event and an antiques sale. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/01/19/4...

Heads Up: Restaurant deals, Macbeth, Lanark Highlands tiny house - Ottawa Road Trips Restaurant promos in Ottawa and Kingston, restored shelter at Philippe Lake, walk-about production of Macbeth, Lanark Highlands tiny house.

Did you know that not one, but TWO, restaurant promos are coming up in February? Read this week's Heads Up post for details on those, as well as a tiny home you can book in Lanark County, a unique performance of Macbeth coming up this summer and more. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/01/12/h...

We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.

The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.

Don’t give up the ship.