Discover Ottawa's Best Date Ideas

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Best Date Ideas In Ottawa

Welcome to hookupcloud.com, the site with the best date ideas in Canada! We have all Ottawa's best date ideas, from the Rideau Canal to to the war museum! Did you think you couldn't get higher than Parliament Hill in Ottawa TONIGHT? Well, we have some ideas below that are pure heaven. Stick with hookupcloud and pretty soon you will be finding yourself on a amazing date in Ottawa -- just keep on scrolling and reading to see how to go about it!

The seat of the Canadian government, Ottawa has everything a lot of other cities don't, from historic buildings to classy eateries famous the world over. Whatever you want to do, you can do it here, so keep on reading to see the best places to go for a great date in Ottawa! Classic walks and scenic routes await you. If you want an LGBT hang, or a fancy wine and dine spot, we have your back there, as well. But before we explore the date options of this great city, it is time to take a brief look at the...

History Of The Ottawa Dating Scene

You just can't write a history of the 1700s to 1900s dating scene of this city, and beyond, without mentioning the creation of the Rideau Canal, which was formative in the ensuing capitalization of the city as the seat of the entire nation's government, plus instrumental in the growth of the lumber industry, as well as making possible all the connections with American and European people who brought so much of their cultures to the nation itself. The Parliament buildings dominate the downtown sector, which itself is a hotpot of eclectic neighbourhoods which grew over time to house many exciting date venues. Nowadays, the canal, which was once such a big pull on the dating circuit, is the centre of the Winterlude festival which lures masterful ice-crafters to sculpt wondrous shapes from the frigid, lifeless wastes. The festival draws people from all over the country, and it remains the hub of many date options at this time of the year.

Best Times To Go Out

You might think, from the look of stately and staid little Ottawa, that this town doesn't know how to party, but baby were you ever wrong. Take a look downtown on a Friday or Saturday night and you will see that this is a party town extraordinaire. But who said anything about parties? A date in Ottawa means romance, and it means fine dining and walks through the beautiful city, if it means anything at all (which of course it does). So when you plan a date in Ottawa, you should really be looking at restaurant opening times, which typically range from 11 am to 2 pm and then 5 pm to 11 pm, or later at the weekend -- often fine dining places will keep their doors open till at least 1 am on a Friday and a Saturday. Other than that, the museums keep to office hours, and the outside world closes at around midnight (just kidding, the outside world opens whenever you step out into it). Have a happy date night, whatever the time of day!

Date Ideas In Ottawa: Directory

The Rideau Canal is one of the best things to go and take a look at with a special someone -- and if you can do that, then you can call it a date! Other date night staples, such as the world famous Canadian War Museum, also made our final cut -- but don't take our word for it, carry on reading to discover why these places and many, many more besides are just right for you and your date in glorious Ottawa!

Rideau Canal

Type

Canal

Space

Famous waterway

Crowd

All ages

Address

Beckwith St. S., Smiths Falls, ON, K7A 2A8

Website

Rideau Canal

Any Notes

Paid parking can be found nearby

Brief Description

If you want to have a date in a pretty part of Ottawa (okay, okay -- it's all pretty) then you are not going to be able to avoid the Rideau Canal -- but then, why would you want to? Dotted with restaurants and cafes, bistros and bars, the Rideau is a wealth of date ideas, with such delights as fishing, wildlife spotting, walks in the parks, hiking in the countryside itself, couples cycling, canoeing (and canoodling), date tours, and so much more. If you get bored of messing about by the water (but why would you?) then there are more things to distract and entertain your lucky date, such as shopping, museum going, fine dining an more besides. It has been said that the Rideau is the lifeline of Ottawa, and it is easy to see why, with so many date venues along its historic banks that if you can't find somewhere to have a special day or night with your loved one then we don't know where you can!

Vittoria Trattoria

Type

Restaurant

Space

Resto with lots of seating

Crowd

Typically college and 30s, plus middle aged and over

Address

35 William St, Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z9

Website

Vittoria Trattoria

Any Notes

Paid parking can be found near the venue

Brief Description

If you thought you could get away with having a date in Ottawa and not going to a fancy restaurant then you thought wrong! There are many, many places to choose from, but this is one of our faves. With a truly enormous and very well researched great wine menu, there are also culinary delights awaiting yo. These include many sea food options, such as the ever present mussels, as well as the obligatory pasta dishes that you may have come to expect from an Italian restaurant, all of which can be bulked up with accompanying bread and dips, as well as a whole host of mouth watering salads. If that doesn't satisfy after a long day of walking through the city then we don't know what will! Give this place a go if you are thinking of having a really memorable and very romantic date in a relaxed but ever so fancy venue.

Canadian War Museum

Type

War museum

Space

Large museum on the banks of the river

Crowd

All ages!

Address

1 Vimy Pl, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M8

Website

Canadian War Museum

Any Notes

Open 9:30 am to 8 pm most days

Brief Description

If you or someone you are related to is from Canada, then the Canadian War Museum is an absolute must see. With military exhibits galore, this pace is a real blast from the past, with more war artifacts on show than you can shake a bayonet at. If you want to see something of how this great nation was built and defended then the Canadian War Museum should be on everyone's list of things to see and do in the city of Ottawa. There is enough on display here to be able to captivate you and your date for a few hours, and given its position it is also very close to a lot of the very best eateries in town. Definitely worth a shot -- uh, we mean, worth a go. Add the Canadian War Museum to your list of must see museums, and you and your date will be in for an historical treat!

National Gallery of Canada

Type

Art gallery

Space

Large art museum

Crowd

All ages

Address

380 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N4

Website

National Gallery of Canada

Any Notes

Open 9:30 am to 8 pm during the week

Brief Description

All the art, all in one place. That is the motto of this place -- okay, it isn't really, but it should be. Why? Because there is so much on display here that you might wonder why any ever goes to any of the other art museums in the world. It's not just great, it is also OLD -- and we mean, really old. Set up way back in 1880, the National Gallery of Canada is one of Canada's longest standing galleries of national importance in Canada that is still going as a gallery today in this country. If you know your art, especially your Canadian art, you will be excited to see some vey fine and famous examples here. There are few things that art lovers love more than art, but if there is, then it is more art, so if you or your lover are lovers of art, then you will almost certainly want to go and check out this amazing collection as part of your big date in Ottawa.

Parliament Hill

Type

Building complex

Space

Complex of government buildings

Crowd

All ages, but mostly college to middle aged

Address

Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4

Website

Parliament Hill

Any Notes

open 8:30 am to 6 pm weekdays; plenty of public transport nearby

Brief Description

There is no escaping this neo-Gothic complex of building thats rises from the surrounding streets like an avenging complex of legislative buildings housing the governmental offices of the Canadian government. It is not just staplers and photocopiers that you will be looking at, though -- there are also wall mounted artworks, as well as fine grounds, including several plants, and if you are lucky and get here at the right time (check the website), there are also tours. If you and your date want to stand right at the heart of power where the Head of State resides -- go to Buckingham Palace! But if you want to stand at the heart of the Canadian government, then come and stand right about... here, at Wellington Street. A nice idea for a quirky sort of date that could include dinner at a lovely restaurant, or perhaps a few drinks somewhere. Great for photo opportunities, and very popular with the tourists. It truly is an astounding set of buildings, and you don't have to go inside if you don't want to -- they look beautiful from the street, too.

Irene's Pub Restaurant

Type

Gastropub

Space

Bustling pub resto with music

Crowd

College age and up

Address

885 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W4

Website

Irene's Pub Restaurant

Any Notes

Some parking, open 11:30 am to 2 am

Brief Description

What sort of date ideas guide would this be if there was not at least one decent pub on the list? A pretty poor one, that's what sort! For this reason, and because not everyone likes skulking around in museums all day while trailing after someone they barely know, all with the faint hope of a kiss and a sweaty hand to hold, we have included the very popular Irene's Pub Restaurant. Want a whiskey? You have come to the right place. Fancy some live music to nod along to while your date yells in your ear about something or other they did once while they were at university? Come no further than Irene's Pub Restaurant. Great pub grub and thirst quenching drinks to boot, this place will keep you cozy and warm during the long winter months -- not that we recommend you stay at the pub THAT long, but then again, why not?

The Lookout Bar

Type

Gay bar

Space

Bar with stage and seating

Crowd

College age and up

Address

41 York St, 2nd floor, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7

Website

The Lookout Bar

Any Notes

Open 2 pm to 2 am

Brief Description

This is one of the places we were talking about that stays open long into the small hours, and what is more, it is also one of the best LGBT friendly places in the whole of the city. Cocktails move like nobody's business in this very lively bar, and there are also recurring drag shows and karaoke nights so you and your date can dance the night away, clap along and have a laugh, and sing a few show tunes while you canoodle at one of the many tables.

Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro

Type

Bar and bistro

Space

Small bar with cozy vibe

Crowd

College age and up, mostly 30s plus

Address

54 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5T1

Website

Vineyards Wine Bar & Bistro

Any Notes

Open 4 pm to 11 pm most nights

Brief Description

If you like your steaks and sea food in a basement, then we have just the cave like venue for you. It is intimate (read: pretty mini) and has a well thought out range of wines and super Euro dishes. The great thing about a small venue is that it makes for an instant intimate ambiance that is so hard to find in a larger date spot. The underground vibe here makes for a romantic date that both of you will remember for years to come, and the food is really top notch. Steaks and sea food are the order of the day, and are reasonably priced, too.

Chateau Lafayette (The Laff)

Type

Resto with music

Space

Music venue with restaurant and bar

Crowd

Young adults and older

Address

42 York St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S6

Website

Chateau Lafayette (The Laff)

Any Notes

Open 11 am to 2 am; overflow paid parking nearby

Brief Description

This is a true gem in the crown of this city's date scene, and a historical one as well; the building can be traced back to 1849, when it was built to keep weather out and people in. Ever since then, people have been going in and out, most of them on dates, but a fair few of them simply going about their daily business of running a business -- at the moment, that business is the business of running a great bistro that features live music, food, drink, board game fun, and a vibrant and yet laid back vibe. A great little date venue that deserves to go on your list.

Discover The Most Exciting Canadian Date Spots At Hookupcloud.com

Well, bon voyage, Ottawa, it has been a real blast, and we here at hookupcloud.com enjoyed researching the very places to go on a date in this great city. Did you enjoy our date ideas for Ottawa? If you had a lovely time with a special someone in this top Canadian date destination, why not bookmark this page on hookupcloud.com for easy access to all the great date goodness we have packed inside for all you lovers and dreamers in lovely Ottawa City!

Still shopping around for a some sweet date tips for beautiful Ottawa? Check Yelp for some extra Ottawa date ideas.

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