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July 29, 2020
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August 13, 2020
10 Things to do in Ottawa's West End
Do you currently live in Ottawa’s west end? Are you thinking of moving to one of the west end suburbs? Do you just enjoy taking a drive out to Kanata, Stittsville, Carp and Goulburn every now and then to escape the city? There are lots of fun things you can do in these areas. And these fun things can be done while safely social distancing! Each activity listed below is less than a 20 minute drive to or from the heart of Kanata or Stittsville. Who says the ‘burbs aren’t fun?! Here are the top 10 things to do in Ottawa’s West end!
Go Karting at Karters Korner
Karters’ Korner offers all kinds of great outdoor fun! If you are a true speed demon, you will love going Go-Karting on the windy half-mile track. Currently, the track is limited to no more than 10 people. So bring your closest friends and get ready for some friendly competition! No reservations are required, so you can just show up whenever! The staff are keeping the karts and helmets sanitized after each run and ask that you bring gloves to wear. If you have your own helmet, you can also bring that! After you’ve raced your heart out on the track, you can head over to the 18-hole mini putt or driving range to work on your swing. Karters’ Korner is great for adults and kids alike! Normally, they also offer paintball and summer camps, but due to COVID-19, these attractions have been shut down for the season.
Visit one of the Farmers Markets
Who doesn’t love farm fresh eggs and freshly baked bread? If you are looking for something fun to do on the weekend in the west end, you have to check out one of the many farmer’s markets! The Stittsville Market at the Barn offers markets on Thursdays from 4-7pm and Sundays from 9am-1pm. The Kanata Farmer’s Market is also open Saturdays between -am-3pm. It is located at 745 Kanata Avenue in the Centrum parking lot. If you are looking for a real treat, you won’t be disappointed by the Carp Farmer’s Market! This market has been running for the past 30 years and attracts 1000’s of people every year with 100’s of vendors. The market takes place at the Carp Fairgrounds in one of the beautiful red barns. Check out their website for great recipes, events and more!
Go Golfing
If golfing is your thing, Ottawa’s west end has all kinds of golf courses! The Marshes Golf Club in Kanata North includes 3 great courses on it’s own! You can enjoy the prestige 18-hole championship Marshes Golf Course, try out the strategic and challenging 9-hole course at Marchwood Golf Course or work on your putting and bring the kids to the Blackbird Falls Putting Course! Also located in this area is the 18-hole Loch March Golf & Country Club located in the lush oasis of the March Highlands. Amberwood Village Golf and Country Club is located in the heart of Stittsville and offers a challenging 19 hole course with water hazards on every hole. There is also a tennis and pickleball court on site! Greensmere Golf and Country Club in Carp offers an unparalleled golfing experience with their two challenging 18-hole courses which sit against a relaxing and picturesque backdrop.
Visit Saunders Farm
Saunders Farm located southwest of Stittsville offers all kinds of fun for the whole family! Currently, the farm is offering campfires, summer mazes, a farm shop, farm camp and “A Midsummer Night’s Scream!”. The campfire experience is great if you are living in the city and want to toast some marshmallows for the authentic experience! Offering either a “Family Night” or “Date Night” package. Date nights come with wine and a charcuterie board as well as s’mores while the family night comes with hot dogs, s’mores, chips and pop! If campfires aren’t your thing, the summer mazes are a great place to get lost! These world-famous labyrinths are fun for everyone and your kids can also enjoy the giant jumbo jumpers and the splashpad! August 14/15th weekend offers a sneak peak of some of the haunted attractions that will take place during FrightFest 2020!
Tour the Diefenbunker
Looking for a unique history lesson for the whole family? You are in for a real treat at The Diefenbunker! This unique museum offers a one of a kind underground experience at a national historic site. The 100,000 square foot bunker is 75ft underground and served as a bunker to secure John Diefenbaker during the Cold War. You will see artifacts, a CBC broadcasting centre, a vault and the prime minister’s bedroom. There are guided and self guided tours. For your protection, staff and guests are asked to wear masks while inside the bunker. There are sanitization stations throughout the museum, the number of guests are limited and social distancing is in effect. Last year, Adam enjoyed a great tour of the facility, which you can find here! This is one of Ottawa’s best things to do if you are looking to learn about true Canadian history!
Grab Food and a Drink on a Patio
The west end offers tons of great places to enjoy a drink and a bite on a patio! Here are a few of our favourites. The Cheshire Cat in Carp is a fan favourite with their delicious sandwiches and burgers and live music! 3 Brewers in Centrum offers a fantastic 2-tiered patio where you can either sit downstairs or up on their elevated patio. Their extensive menu paired with brewed-on-site beers makes for a great dining experience! Another awesome restaurant + patio in Centrum is Crazy Horse Steakhouse & Saloon The outdoor patio offers a true pub experience with picnic tables and chairs. You will love cooking your steak to perfection on your own personal stone grill! Red Gables Eatery on Carp Road in Stittsville offers a delicious menu on their front and back patios! If you have never indulged in one of their crepes, you absolutely MUST! They are exquisite!
Jump at XTreme Trampoline
At XTreme Trampoline, you can literally bounce off the walls with your friends and your children! You can practice your basketball dunking skills at the Slam Jam Court, play some Dodgeball, try your hand at maneuvering the obstacle course or just jump around at the main court. Looking to join a unique exercise class? Sign up for XTreme Trampoline fitness classes and sweat it out on the trampolines! To keep you and your children safe at the park, only 25 people are allowed to jump per hour. Masks are required up until you start jumping and you cannot pay with cash. It is a good idea to purchase your tickets ahead of time if possible. Check out this video of Adam enjoying a day at XTreme Trampoline. You will be able to get a great feel for what to expect when you are planning your visit!.
Hike Through South March Highlands
South March Highlands Conservation Forest offers beautiful untouched wetlands with an abundance of wildlife. You can fully immerse yourself in nature when taking a walk or a hike through the Southmarch Trail. The trail is an 8km moderately trafficked loop that features a lush forest atmosphere and is great for all skill levels. There are trails and boardwalks that spread across a dense wooded oasis with exposed rock of the Canadian Shield. If you are into extreme sports, this trail is also great for mountain biking. In the winter, it is also a fan favourite for cross country skiing. There are 2 main trailheads for access of the trail. The first is at the intersection of Klondike Road and 2nd Line Road. The other is at Brady Avenue and 2nd Line Road. There is street parking available and dogs must be kept on a leash. Trail maps are available here.
Watch the Sunset at Shirleys Bay
One of the more peaceful things to do is enjoying a sunset over the water. Shirleys Bay is nestled between Dunrobin and Kanata North. Shirleys Bay Park offers a great hiking / walking path along the Ottawa River offering spectacular views. The Shoreline Trail is the largest wetland in the Greenbelt! There are 270+ bird species that inhabit this area. Along with sunsets, you are sure to see some unique birds! Pack a picnic with some snacks and sit at the waters edge and enjoy nature’s pallet as the sun goes down. There is a free parking lot as well as a boat launch and a covered picnic area. If you are feeling adventurous, bring your kayak, canoe or motorized boat and catch an amazing glimpse of the sun setting right over top of the water. This is sure to be one of Ottawa’s best spots for enjoying a summer sunset!
Catch a Flick at Wesley Clover Park
Drive-in movies are no longer a thing of the past here in Ottawa and you can enjoy a nostalgic experience right here in Kanata! Drive in, sit back and enjoy! Featuring up to 5 movie nights per week, 1 movie per night as well as themed movie nights. There is also live entertainment including concerts and comedy nights! You can even book your own event here including weddings, outdoor yoga, graduations, corporate events and so much more! For a full list of whats playing, check out this link! Tickets are $36.45 per vehicle so bring as many people that will fit in your car! Popcorn and snacks are on site and available to order on your phone before the movie starts! Looking to advertise your business? You can also pay for sponsorship on the big screen!
Try some Wines at KIN Vineyards
Did you know that Carp has quite favourable conditions for growing grapes along the Carp Ridge? At KIN Vineyards you will learn about the process of making delicious local wine from vine to bottle. You can taste an abundance of awesome wines all made right here in Carp! The winery is famous for their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. You can visit the Tasting Room whenever they are open, or you can also book a special package to make your experience more personalized. During your 1hr wine tasting (which takes place outside by the vines!) you will be able to taste 4 different wines along with a delicious cheese and charcuterie plate! To book your own wine tour, click this link! For a great in-depth video about KIN Vineyards, check out Adam’s video from when we went to check it out in 2019!
Looking for more fun things to do? Check out our top indoor things to do in Ottawa! The west end is included, but the list is for all of Ottawa. Maybe you are the outdoorsy type who enjoys a good walk or hike in the woods, in that case, you will love our best trails in Ottawa blog! If you are looking for things to do in our amazing city, look no further than our real estate blog. Looking to move to the Ottawa area?
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