Visiting Ottawa in August

August in the city of Ottawa is nothing short of wonderful - with its beautiful lush green tall trees, beaches, parks, rivers, and whatnot. And just across the Ottawa River, you can see the beautiful Gatineau Hills. An urban and rural beauty alike with lots of outdoor activities and vibrant neighborhoods, you will surely love this place! 

Is August a Good Time to Visit Ottawa?

Yes, it's a great time to visit the capital city of Canada. The gorgeous summer heat and long days are perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures. You can enjoy various festivals and local farmers' markets or just sip tasty beers on a patio. 

(Credit: alex lauzon / Unsplash )

Reasons to Visit Ottawa in August

Ottawa offers fantastic outdoor spaces and a lot of activities in August. It is surrounded by beautiful waterways, including the Ottawa River, the Rideau River, and the Rideau Canal. In summer, you can go boating, paddling, or rafting. People who love cycling can explore a ton of rural and urban pathways. There are also mountain biking trails in the nearby hills and Gatineau Park. Moreover, Ottawa is rich in culture, and August is the perfect time to explore its beauty. You can visit Parliament Hill, which welcomes visitors on free tours of its historic sites. 

Things to do in Ottawa in August

Here’s the list of some of the things you can do in Ottawa:

Stroll through the Gatineau Park

With its gorgeous scenery and perfect trails, Gatineau Park is great for a day out in the sun. From downtown Ottawa, it takes around 20 minutes by car, and it is perfect to visit in August. You can walk there, go biking, or try boating because there is plenty to explore. Here, you can visit the Pink Lake trail, which is actually green and has one of the most beautiful trails. Go for Wilson Carbide Ruins which has a beautiful waterfall. You can kayak at Meech Lake, the clear and still water will bring you peace. Or you can simply have a picnic there and enjoy your lunch. 

Gatineau Beer Fest 

You can taste some of the most delicious craft beers at the Gatineau Beer Fest. It's a must-visit place in August, offering over 350 wide range of craft beers and features around 30 Quebec and Ontario Brewers. You can cool down here and enjoy these local beers. 

The Greenbelt Trails 

Owning over 150 km of trail networks, the Greenbelt Trails are something else. They weave through different forests, hidden sand dunes, wetlands, and farms. They feature some of these beautiful trails:

Stony Swamp

It is a stunning trail with a sugar maple forest, boggy wetlands, and whatnot. For bird watchers, this is a must-visit place with over 250 rare species.

Pinhey Forest

Pinhey Forest trail's gorgeous highlight is the post-glacial sand dunes that feel surreal. They are over 10,000 years old and definitely worth a visit.

Shirley's Bay Trail

It's a beautiful place for hiking, biking, or even just walking. You can explore wetlands from here, and it is perfect for having a little picnic and getting some rest. 

(Credit: Alesia Kazantceva / Unsplash)

Canadian Museum of History 

The Canadian Museum of History has millions of visitors each year and has a beautiful building. In the Grand Hall, you can see one of the world's largest indoor collections of totem poles. You will be fascinated to learn about the achievements and traditions of Canada's Indigenous nations in First Peoples Hall. And if you want to learn about Canada's history, you must visit the Canadian History Hall, one of the most detailed exhibitions to date.

What's more? An on-site Canadian Children's Museum that your kids will love. You can watch 2D and 3D movies on giant screens. There are some temporary exhibitions too that tell the stories of Canada and from around the world. 

Watch the Fireworks Show

In August, you can enjoy the Sound of Lights festival, which is located on the grounds of the Canadian Museum of History. Grab your tickets beforehand and enjoy the gorgeous display of the lights.

Canadian Museum of Nature 

At this museum, many exhibits and interactive activities showcase the wild spaces of Canada. In one castle-like building, you will get to explore the science related to mammals, minerals, fossils, birds, plate tectonics and much more. You can also observe the Indigenous traditions, polar bears, tundra, and wildflowers in the Canada Goose Arctic Gallery, which is made with real ice. 

Then there is the Water Gallery, where you can see blue whales, moon jellyfish, and huge turtles. You'll be awestruck by the Earth Gallery, where a life-sized model of a limestone cave is situated. You can learn about how earthquakes happen, and in the Bird Gallery, you can learn how to care for an injured bird. Lastly, there is an outdoor Owls Rendezvous exhibit showcasing Bald Eagle and Owls. The most beautiful part of this museum visit is that you can wander through butterflies in the Nature Live space. 

Canadian War Museum

For Canada's military history, this national museum is very famous - emphasizing the human experience of war. The Canadian Experience Galleries, including the special exhibitions "Outside the Lines" and "Invasion", showcase the military history from earliest time to this day. The collections in this museum are some of the finest military holdings, which include rare vehicles, artillery, medals, uniforms, and personal memoirs. In total, the museum houses more than 3 million specimens, artifacts, works of art, written documents, sound and visual recordings and much more. It also has a cafe inside that serves fresh quiche, and you can easily spend a whole day in this museum.

Capital Pride Week

Capital Pride Fest is another main highlight of Ottawa in August. You will love this fest because there will be a rainbow party, sporting events, picnics, and most important, the Pride Parade. For a week, the center of Ottawa's Gay Village will be bustling with lots of activities and live music. 

ByWard Market

ByWard Market is a unique destination with diverse cuisine, arts, entertainment, shopping, and various other services for locals and tourists. In the National Capital Region, this is the number one tourist attraction in August, packed with artisans and culinary delights. During summer, the market is ever so vibrant, gathering small business owners and turning the area into a visual heaven. Live music is performed in the streets, and all kinds of art are on display. This is a must-visit place for everyone!

Ottawa August Weather

The August weather in Ottawa is fairly pleasant. During the day time, it can go as high as 25°C, and at night time, it drops to approximately 14°C. So, it is best to pack some jackets with you, plus some light summer clothing. 

Wrapping Up:

To wrap it all up, summer in Ottawa makes the city vibrant and full of life. You can enjoy many festivals, outdoor activities, beautiful patios, museums, hiking trails, and more. So, pack your bags and plan your trip to Ottawa now!