Ottawa Road Trips 🇨🇦
@ottawaroadtrips.bsky.social
OttawaRoadTrips.com website is run by Laura Byrne Paquet, freelance writer (also cat staff, keen walker, urbanism nerd) in #Ottawa, Canada. If you like road tripping in Eastern Ontario/Outaouais, check it out! Member, SATW and TMAC.
Feeling the heat? Grab the sunscreen and towels, and head to a beach! This list includes the biggies, but also many you might not know. ottawaroadtrips.com/2020/07/13/b...
Beaches near Ottawa are great places to cool off - Ottawa Road Trips
Looking for beaches near Ottawa, or beaches in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais? Check out this huge list of beaches where you can swim and suntan!
ottawaroadtrips.com
This week, chow down on ribs or poutine, dance after hours at a museum or winery, get lost in a corn maze, visit a flower farm, see movies under the stars, watch crazy stunts at a circus, celebrate all things garlic, rev your motorbike, watch sheepdogs at work ... ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/08/03/4...
45+ events in and around Ottawa, August 3 to 9 - Ottawa Road Trips
Dance after hours at a museum, get lost in a corn maze, visit a flower farm, see movies under the stars, watch crazy stunts at a circus or go to a garlic festival!
ottawaroadtrips.com
Whether you'd like to save money on a stay in a micro-chalet in the Outaouais, discover a new cycling route in Lanark County, dine on a new waterfront patio at Jones Falls, or take transit on your next visit to PEC, you won't want to miss this Heads Up post. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/28/h...
Heads Up: Glebe dining, Lanark cycling, new waterfront patio - Ottawa Road Trips
Outaouais cabin discounts, soon-to-open boutique in Kemptville, public transit in PEC, turtle rescue centre in Peterborough, and shopping and dining promos!
ottawaroadtrips.com
Wondering what to do on the upcoming long weekend (and the rest of this week, too)? I have more than 50 ideas, ranging from country music and poutine to fireworks and caber tossing, in #Ottawa, #Gatineau and beyond. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/27/5...
51+ events in and around Ottawa, July 27 to August 2 - Ottawa Road Trips
Markets, plays, yoga, Black history, poutine, psychics, fireworks festival, country music, night markets, caber tossers, Sunset Ceremony and more!
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Did you know that you can take a tour by standup paddleboard in the Outaouais, go to a murder mystery brunch in Cumberland or see a Barbie museum in Stittsville? No? Then don't miss this week's Heads Up post. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/20/h...
Heads Up: Gilded Age tea, dog-friendly Lanark County, reading with goats - Ottawa Road Trips
Pie-making class, murder mystery brunch, standup paddleboard tour, new non-stop flight to Costa Rica, and the start of blueberry season.
ottawaroadtrips.com
From literary trivia and a free K-Pop dance class to a sunflower festival and a vegan fair, this week's calendar of events in and around #Ottawa ranges far and wide. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/20/5...
57+ fun events in and around Ottawa, July 20 to 26 - Ottawa Road Trips
Watch leaping dogs, go to vegan or Caribbean fashion shows, take a weaving workshop, learn K-pop dance moves, sip craft beers, play literary trivia, and more.
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Whether you'd like to save 40 percent on tickets to an #Ottawa September festival, take a bus to Montréal's airport, swim near the Canadian Museum of History, relax in the shade in the ByWard Market or join a free archaeological dig, you'll find useful intel here! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/14/h...
Heads Up: NCC digs, big festival discount, goodbye to a water tower - Ottawa Road Trips
Save 40 percent on festival tickets, take a bus to Montréal, swim near the Canadian Museum of History or relax in the shade in the ByWard Market.
ottawaroadtrips.com
It's time to plan this week's adventures in and around #Ottawa — from dragon boat races and music festivals to a night market and a multicultural festival. Learn about cricket. See movies under the stars. Or check out a lavender festival! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/13/5...
55+ cool events in and around Ottawa, July 13 to 19 - Ottawa Road Trips
Country fairs, classic car shows, dragon boat races, lavender festivals, a Latin dance class, a multicultural festival and free outdoor family movies!
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It's a gorgeous day for a road trip! Looking for inspiration? These 14 destinations are all within an hour's drive of downtown #Ottawa. You can hit the road without breaking the bank! ottawaroadtrips.com/2021/07/08/1...
14 cute small towns for day trips from Ottawa - Ottawa Road Trips
Looking for ideas for day trips from Ottawa? Chelsea, Wakefield, Almonte and Merrickville are just a few of the cute towns near Ottawa within an hour's drive of Parliament Hill.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Sometimes I write about places beyond Ottawa ... sometimes FAR beyond. Here's my story about taking a street photography tour in #Bogota #Colombia. perceptivetravel.com/blog/2026/07...
Seeing Bogota With New Eyes on a Street Photography Tour
A street photography walking tour offers an opportunity to see the Bogota neighborhood of La Candelaria with fresh eyes.
perceptivetravel.com
Happy Monday! I hope you had the chance to enjoy some of that great weather yesterday. If you're planning this week's adventures, I have almost 50 ideas for you--including chances to watch dogs jump, do yoga with alpacas and tour gorgeous gardens! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/06/4...
49+ fun events in and around Ottawa, July 6 to 12 - Ottawa Road Trips
Yoga with alpacas in Brinston, country tunes in Wendover, artists in Wakefield and Merrickville, RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa, leaping dogs in Renfrew, and more.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Want to know where you can go to a giant soccer watch party in Ottawa on Saturday? Looking for scenic drives in the Outaouais? Or bargain-friendly tips for Ontario travel? Hoping to ride on a vintage train or to check out a new Rideau Canal festival? Read on. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/07/02/h...
Heads Up: New canal fest, Ontario bargains, Outaouais drives - Ottawa Road Trips
Akwesasne tours, scenic drives beside Outaouais waterways, new speed limits on Ontario highways, vintage train rides and a TV series about Cornwall-style pizza.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Does this heat wave have you dreaming of going to a beach? Check my just-updated guide to more than 100 spots to cool off in #Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais. ottawaroadtrips.com/2020/07/13/b...
Beaches near Ottawa are great places to cool off - Ottawa Road Trips
Looking for beaches near Ottawa, or beaches in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais? Check out this huge list of beaches where you can swim and suntan!
ottawaroadtrips.com
Canada Day is coming up quickly! Wondering where you can celebrate it in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, the Outaouais and beyond? I've rounded up details on Canada Day fun in 40 communities large (Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal) and small (Oxford Mills, l'Orignal, Wilno). ottawaroadtrips.com/2023/06/24/3...
Celebrate Canada Day 2026 in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and beyond - Ottawa Road Trips
UPDATED JUNE 23, 2025. From LeBreton Flats and Petrie Island to Cornwall, Kingston and Petawawa, here's your guide to Canada Day fireworks, face painting and food trucks!
ottawaroadtrips.com
Planning your summer road trip schedule? Don't miss my guide to 14 great destinations within a one- to two-hour drive of Ottawa, offering everything from ziplining and an illuminated railway tunnel to pizza in a vineyard and cozy inns. ottawaroadtrips.com/2023/08/13/r...
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!
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NOW is the time to go to Purdon Conservation Area in Lanark County if you'd like to see the rare showy lady's slipper orchids. They only bloom for a few weeks each year, and they're now at their peak. Read more in my new post for @perceptivetravel.bsky.social perceptivetravel.com/blog/2026/06...
See showy lady's slipper orchids in this Eastern Ontario fen
Before I tell you where you can explore a colony of rare showy lady's slipper orchids, I have to answer a question you may have after reading this post's
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Lots of local lavender farms are opening for the season in the next week or so. If you want to stroll through the fields, buy lavender products, book a photo session or nosh on lavender treats, don't miss my just-updated guide to lavender farms near #Ottawa. ottawaroadtrips.com/2024/07/03/l...
Escape to these gorgeous lavender farms near Ottawa - Ottawa Road Trips
Lavender farms near Ottawa are lovely places to sample lavender snacks and drinks, enjoy yoga or music in the fields, shop for lavender, or take photos.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Happy Monday, everyone! If you want to start the week by planning a few fun outings in and around #Ottawa, don’t miss this week’s calendar of events post. You’ll find out where you can see the Musical Ride, go to a giant potluck, do yoga with alpacas and more! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/22/4...
49+ fun events in and around Ottawa, June 22 to 28 - Ottawa Road Trips
Fun in and near Ottawa this week includes the RCMP Musical Ride, a big potluck supper, jazz festivals, life-sized dinosaurs, ribs, faeries, and yoga with alpacas.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Looking for a great weekend getaway destination? Find out why I loved my first-ever visit to #Napanee ... and why I'm already hoping to go back. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/16/n...
11 great reasons to visit Napanee, Ontario - Ottawa Road Trips
Napanee, Ontario, is a great weekend getaway from Ottawa, offering shops, restaurants, a museum and a pretty waterfront.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Talk about a backhanded compliment! A British newspaper's headline about #Ottawa: "I went to the 'most boring city'—I'm telling everyone to visit immediately." See this week's Heads Up for a link to that article, plus lots of newsy tips. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/15/h...
Heads Up: Great Lakes Museum, garden tour, alpacas - Ottawa Road Trips
Walk alpacas at Parc Omega, tour Perth gardens, take a cooking class in Carleton Place or visit an award-winning Kingston museum.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Sad the weekend is over? Cheer up—it's time to plan THIS week's adventures! And have more than 55 ideas in and around #Ottawa to suggest, from the RCMP Musical Ride and a garden tour to dragon boats and porch festivals. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/15/e...
More than 55 fun events in and near Ottawa, June 15 to 21 - Ottawa Road Trips
See the RCMP Musical Ride, take your pooch to a dog expo, compete in a canoe race, mark National Indigenous Peoples Day or treat Dad on Father's Day.
ottawaroadtrips.com
I just updated my theatre post, adding summer shows in Prescott, Maitland, Gananoque, Rankin and Wilno. If you love musicals, you're in luck, as Grease, Come From Away, a new musical set in Wilno, and a new musical version of Romeo and Juliet are all coming up. ottawaroadtrips.com/2024/11/03/p...
Plays in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and beyond—Theatre for every taste - Ottawa Road Trips
If seeing live theatre is one of your favourite outings, check out this regularly updated list of upcoming plays in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and beyond.
ottawaroadtrips.com
This week's Heads Up includes the scoop on everything from walking tours in Carleton Place and an all-ages music camp near Wakefield to 1000 Islands cruise discounts and a new Dutch shop in Arnprior. You'll even find out where you can drive your car on a racetrack or zipline across the Ottawa River!
Heads Up: Ziplining, paddling and scenic cruises - Ottawa Road Trips
Walking tours in Carleton Place, music camp near Wakefield, 1000 Islands cruise discounts, Dutch shop in Arnprior, Ottawa zipline, afternoon tea bus.
ottawaroadtrips.com
This week’s calendar of events offers lots of variety. You can dance under the stars, dress up like a James Joyce character, delve into Cuban culture, make a mandala, go to a pow wow, join a garden tour or play bingo while dressed as ’70s sitcom icon Mrs. Roper! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/08/5...
59+ fun things to do in and around Ottawa, June 8 to 14 - Ottawa Road Trips
Dance under the stars, dress up like a James Joyce character, delve into Filipino or Cuban culture in Ottawa, check out Art in the Park or play Mrs. Roper Bingo.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Last week, I finally got to cuddle lambs at Topsy Farms. Find out why it made me soooo happy! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/03/c...
Cuddle lambs on an island near Kingston, Ontario - Ottawa Road Trips
Lamb cuddling is a hot ticket at Topsy Farms on Amherst Island, a short trip from Kingston or Napanee, Ontario.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Looking for something to do this week? Look no further! I have you covered, with everything from a duck festival and a motorcycle gathering to a vineyard wine-and-food event, a mural festival, garage sales galore and a Māori circus performance. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/06/02/5...
59+ things to see and do in and around Ottawa, June 1 to 7 - Ottawa Road Trips
See a play, hit a garage sale, sip wine, eat ribs, go to a duck festival, ride your motorcycle somewhere cool, try a new sport or celebrate Pride!
ottawaroadtrips.com
A busy summer of Pride events kicks off this weekend with events in Perth, Kemptville, Brockville and Kingston, among other places! ottawaroadtrips.com/2022/05/30/1...
10+ Pride Festivals in Ontario and Quebec in 2026 - Ottawa Road Trips
Find out where you can celebrate Pride Season 2022 in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario, Quebec and beyond, with parades, concerts, festivals and more.
ottawaroadtrips.com
Planning your weekend adventures today? I have more than 40 ideas for fun in Ottawa and beyond—everything from Asian night markets to a free music festival, a Renaissance fair, a pow wow, a wooden boat show and so many garage sales! ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/05/25/4...
42+ fun events in and around Ottawa, May 25 to 31 - Ottawa Road Trips
Dinner in a vineyard, Zumba on the Hill, ribfests, wooden boats, a porchfest, jousters, Asian markets, a pow wow, a silent disco, plays and garage sales!
ottawaroadtrips.com
Find out how you can have tea in a lavender field, peek behind the doors of the French Embassy, or save money on whitewater rafting. I also have the scoop on a new(ish) bakery in Smiths Falls, opening day of a classic drive-in, a new flight to London and more. ottawaroadtrips.com/2026/05/12/h...
Heads Up: Best restaurants, embassy event, bike-friendly businesses - Ottawa Road Trips
How to stay overnight in a church, take a new flight to London, visit the French Embassy, go to a sock hop and save money on whitewater rafting.
ottawaroadtrips.com
My publisher is currently holding a Victoria Day sale, with both my travel guides bargain priced at $19.95 each (normally $29.95)! www.ottawapressandpublishing.com?ml_sub=30096...
Ottawa Press and Publishing
Ottawa Press and Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Eastern Ontario. We publish non-fiction books that reflect the Ottawa region and fiction by Canadian authors. Our Mystery imprin...
ottawapressandpublishing.com