CTVNewsOttawa.ca is looking at activities to do in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec in the first weekend of February.
Just a reminder that the Freedom Convoy demonstration in downtown Ottawa has closed several streets, museums and businesses.
Also, check out the current COVID-19 restrictions in each province before setting off this weekend.
A complete list of Quebec restrictions can be found here. A complete list of Ontario restrictions can be found here.
SKATEWAY CHANNEL CURTAIN
The green flag continues to be on the Rideau Canal Skateway.
You can skate a full 7.8 kilometers on the world’s largest ice rink between the National Arts Center and Hartswell Locks.
NCC recommends people wear a mask or face mask while on the skateway, while masks will be mandatory in restrooms and in queues at concession stands.
All changing facilities and campfire sites will remain closed this winter due to COVID-19 public health measures.
MUSEUMS
Some museums in Ottawa have reopened now that Ontario is in step one of the COVID-19 reopening plan in three steps.
The Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History and National Gallery of Canada are closed this weekend due to the ongoing demonstration in downtown Ottawa.
Visit each museum’s website for information.
Ottawa Arts Court is also closed this weekend due to the demonstration.
ICE SKATING
Ottawa’s outdoor cooling lanes are open for ice skating this weekend.
Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall
Lansdowne Park Skating Rink
Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink
Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink
Residents must book reservations at ottawa.ca/skating to skate on the four ice rinks during peak periods.
For a list of outdoor ice rinks in the city of Ottawa, visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/skating/outdoor-rinks.
OUTDOOR RINKS IN EACH REGION
Gatineau has 82 outdoor ice rinks available. For more information, visit Gatineau’s website
The town of Kingston’s Springer Market Square Rink is open. For information on other skating rinks in Kingston, visit the city’s website
RIDEAU HALL SHOOTING COURSE
Rideau Hall Skating Rink is open for ice skating.
Reservations are required to enjoy public ice skating on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information on reservations, visit https://www.gg.ca/en/visit-us/rideau-hall/what-see-and-do/skating-rink
ICELYND SKØTESTIER
Enjoy a skate on Ottawa’s newest outdoor skating rink, hosting former senators Chris Neil and his friends at the western end of Ottawa.
Icelynd Skating Trails and Outdoor Skating Rink are located on Fernbank Road, just minutes outside of Stittsville.
Jog through the trails in the woods this weekend. Passports must be purchased in advance.
For more information, visit icelynd.com.
RIVEROAK – NATURE’S PLAYGROUND
Skate through an orchard, forest and meadows at RiverOak Winter Trails on York’s Corners Road in Ottawa.
If you do not want to skate, RiverOak also offers snowshoe and hiking trails.
For more information, visit https://www.riveroak.ca/skating.
THE LITTLE PENGUIN STYLE
The Little Penguin Trail is an outdoor ice rink built at the Touraine Golf Club.
Located just 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa on the Chemin Tache in Gatineau, enjoy ice skating on over 5 kilometers of icy trail in the middle of nature.
A daily pass starts at $ 15.
For more information, visit https://thelittlepenguintrail.com/
ADVENTURE in the countryside
Countryside Adventures offers you a three mile ice skate through the woods.
There are also three kilometers of snowshoe and cross-country trails along with a snake hill.
Countryside Adventures is located at 16495 Sixth Rd. in Moose Creek, 45 minutes north of downtown Ottawa.
For more information, visit https://www.countrysideadventures.ca/.
FORESTRY
You are invited to skate through the woods 45 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
Experience the enchanting place to skate in the woods at Patinage en Foret in Lac-Des-Loups, Que.
Proof of vaccination and photo ID are required to access Patinage en Foret. The price is $ 18 for adults and $ 14 for children.
For more information, visit https://www.patinageenforet.com/en/.
ACTIVE TRANSPORT ON PARKWAY
Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be open for active transportation this weekend.
NCC closes part of Queen Elizabeth Driveway from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street for vehicles Saturday and Sunday between 6 p.m. 9 and 17.
For more information, visit the National Capital Commission’s website.
GATINEAU PARK
A winter wonderland awaits you in Gatineau Park this weekend.
You can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow cycling and winter hiking.
For more information and winter passes to access the park, visit https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/gatineau-parkhttps://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/gatineau-park
WINTER TRAILS IN OTTAWA
Over 100 kilometers of trails have been prepared in Ottawa for winter activities.
The National Capital Commission invites you to go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, cycling and walking. Admission is free.
Locations include the Mer Bleue Conservation Area and the Rideau Winter Trail along the Rideau River.
For information on winter trails in Ottawa, visit https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/groomed-multi-use-winter-trails
MOONEY’S BAY SKI CENTER
The Mooney’s Bay Ski Center at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility offers 5 miles of groomed cross-country trails, including lighted night skis.
For more information, visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/sports#mooneys-bay-ski-centre
PINHEY Forest trails
You can go on a winter hike on two trails in the Pinhey Forest in the city of Ottawa.
Year-round parking access available behind the Nepean Sportsplex.
For more information, visit https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/index.php?url=trails/view/pinhey-forest-trails
SKIING
Ski resorts are open across eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Visit each resort’s website for details.
OTTAWA LANDMANDSMARKED
The Ottawa Farmers Market Winter Market is open every Sunday in Lansdowne Park.
The market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Aberdeen Pavilion.
FRIDAY AT FOURTH
The National Arts Center presents Fridays at the Fourth with Joyce N’sana.
Enjoy a free Facebook Live concert with Joyce N’sana on Friday at 20.30
For more information, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/30327
The National Arts Center is closed this weekend due to the ongoing protest in downtown Ottawa.
OTTAWA FIRE VIRTUAL TOURS
The Ottawa Fire Service invites you to virtually visit two fire stations.
The service has teamed up with a local videographer to create two high-quality virtual station tours at Fire Station 53 in Orleans and Fire Station 73 in Vars.
The virtual station tours are in English with French subtitles.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx6dyMNVkLE for Station 53
For Station 73, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3hqBTnW29k
UNITING HISTORY HIKING
The First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada invites you to take a self-guided hike to reconciling history.
“Each point of interest is an opportunity to learn about the role that indigenous peoples and the federal government play in schools, and the lessons we can learn from history to address contemporary injustices that indigenous peoples are experiencing,” the community said.
For more information, visit https://fncaringsociety.com/reconciliation-walking-tours.
OMEGA PARK
Parc Omega is open in Montebello, Que.
For more information, visit https://www.parcomega.ca/en/.
FEED THE COOLERS
While out on a family winter hike, you can feed the chickadees.
You can find chickadees at Stony Swamp Conservation, Mud Lake Conservation and Mer Bleue.
For more information, visit https://ottawariverlifestyle.com/blogs/news/where-to-feed-chickadees-in-ottawa
.