While none of us were expecting months of lock down and closures, cancelled vacations and not being able to see family and friends, it does not mean we have to give up doing everything we enjoy doing especially through our short summers.
Our beautiful city of Ottawa has plenty of beauty to see throughout the months of spring and summer and there is always something to do.
Let’s get started with a few alternatives for the short spring and summer seasons we all love to enjoy and lets restore some fun and happiness into our days or evenings.
Things To Do In Ottawa
This list offers a variety of ideas for activities to do all within keeping with the rules of our new normal with social and physical distancing.
Walking
Every city has beautiful paths and green spaces for walking, in fact make a day of it and play like your a tourist in your own city. There are plenty of sites here in our own city that you may not know about or haven’t had time to visit. Check out Ottawa walking tours website for a list of historical spots, areas of downtown full of art and heritage.
Biking
Take a bike ride around the city and view the beautiful paths and scenery around us. Visit the Ottawa tourism website for a full list of places to cycle or walk around the city.
There’s also a great app you can download to create your own walking or biking tour. Check out how you can make your own GPS Map of Ottawa to help guide you through the city.
And of course there’s always breathtaking views if you love hiking. Explore nature and beauty by visiting this list of hiking areas in Ottawa.
Get The Popcorn Ready for Movie Night
While many of us have hosted plenty of Zoom or Facetime meetings and gatherings over the past few months just to be able to connect with our family and friends, and now as the city begins to slowly reopen and our circles begin to grow, why not host a movie night.
Keep in mind the necessary precautions of who you include in your bubble check with the Ontario Government website for all updates.
Invite two other couples maybe and host a movie night in your living room, basement or if you have the equipment take it outside to the backyard. Always keep in mind to ensure there is plenty of space for everyone to keep the right distance for all safety.
It will be fun to have friends together again to sharing a laugh, some food and drinks and just to feel that some normal is returning into our lives.
Pack a Picnic
Grab a blanket, some snacks already in the pantry or pick up some appetizers or panini at your favourite restaurant or local small grocers.
We love getting already well made panini and italian appetizers at Nicastro’s on Merivale. They take care of everything for you, they’ll prepare it and you can drive by and pick it up on your way to your favourite spot for the picnic.
Visit best places to have a picnic in Ottawa provided from a google search.
You can even keep within the guidelines and invite a few friends and everyone can bring their own blankets and food, the best part will be the company, the laughs and the memories.
Let’s Get Physical
You don’t need a gym membership to enjoy a game of volleyball, tennis or badminton. If your backyard is not big enough head over to a nearby park or open space and enjoy the fresh air with family or a couple of friends.
Badminton can be played even in your own driveway, maybe even tennis can be too, if not check out the city of Ottawa’s recreational programs on their website to find what is currently being offered.
Lend a Helping Hand
There is always a need for volunteers in any area of Ottawa. While volunteering anywhere right now is going to be different as we have to wear masks and keep our distance, it will still make a huge difference in someone’s day and makes you feel good in helping others.
There’s plenty of help needed at any given Ottawa food banks, become a volunteer for meals on wheels programs, cleaning up the local neighborhoods and even become an elderly persons pen pal. Helping seniors through these difficult months of feeling isolated and separated from family or loved ones will be so rewarding.
Although the summer of 2020 may take some additional planning to ensure everyone’s safety we still have so much to be thankful for and be able to enjoy.
Have a great summer, stay safe and be well.
