Want to know what’s going on in Canada’s capital? This seasonal podcast has got you covered! On this podcast you will find information about what’s up with Ottawa, including past episodes to cover each season. If you have a specific need, niche or story idea that isn’t covered here, please contact the Travel Media team.
As winter fades, Ottawa comes alive with vibrant spring experiences, from maple syrup traditions to cultural festivals and family friendly adventures. Here is your guide to making the most of Ottawa for media and travelers when visiting the Canadian Capital.
Maple Syrup Season: Sweet Spring Traditions
Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm
Located about 30 minutes east of downtown Ottawa, Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm offers a full maple season experience on weekends from February 28 to April 12. Admission includes access to the heritage sugar shack, tractor rides, the animal barn, walking trails and a family activity centre. The Pancake House is also open for visitors looking to enjoy a traditional pancake breakfast and classic sugar bush treats.
Step back in time at the Log Farm, a pioneer style working farm located in the Nepean area just west of downtown Ottawa. Visitors can meet farm animals, enjoy taffy on snow, take wagon rides, collect maple sap and see how maple syrup is made. There are play areas for children and self guided tours of the farmhouse that showcase what family life looked like in the 1860s. A farm shop is also open on site. The sugar bush season runs on weekends from February 28 to March 29, with additional dates during Ontario’s March Break. Capacity is limited by time slot and reservations are recommended.
Fulton’s Sugar Bush and Maple Shop
Located in Pakenham, Ontario, just under an hour west of downtown Ottawa, Fulton’s Sugar Bush and Maple Shop sits on a 400 acre rural property and is run by a local family. The farm is open daily from February 28 to April 19. Visitors can enjoy sleigh rides, maple taffy and other seasonal activities. Entrance fees per vehicle apply to certain activities. Outdoor trails are also available with a pass, and the maple shop offers a wide variety of maple products including culinary items, spa products and goods from other local businesses.
Located less than an hour from downtown Ottawa in Montebello, Québec, Parc Omega is a large wildlife park that focuses on Canadian animals. During the winter season, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, snow tubing, horse drawn sleigh rides and other outdoor activities. The park’s sugar shack is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. beginning February 14 and offers maple taffy, a special sugar shack menu and maple products for purchase.
Less than five kilometres from downtown Ottawa, the Vanier Sugar Shack is the only operating sugar shack in an urban setting in Canada. Located within a 17.5 acre maple sugar bush, the Vanier Museopark continues a maple syrup tradition established in the neighbourhood by the White Fathers around 1939. The sugar shack offers food prepared with products from local producers in a setting that blends historic charm with modern touches. It is open from February 15 to April 19 without reservations on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with group reservations available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Signature Spring Event
Each May, Ottawa welcomes one of its most iconic spring events. The Canadian Tulip Festival features large scale tulip displays along Dow’s Lake and the Ottawa River pathway. The festival celebrates the historic gift of tulips from the Netherlands to Canada and remains one of the capital’s most photographed and beloved seasonal attractions.
Food and Drink Experiences
CiderFest crossover events at Saunders Farm bring together seasonal cider tastings with outdoor entertainment and activities.
Outdoor programming is also returning to ByWard Market and Sparks Street, with pop up markets, street activations and seasonal food experiences expected throughout the spring.
Food tours across Ottawa offer visitors and locals the opportunity to explore the city’s culinary scene through guided tastings and neighbourhood discoveries.
March Break and Family Fun
March Break offers families a range of indoor and outdoor experiences across the city.
Local malls will be hosting family oriented programming and activities throughout the break.
Escape Manor offers immersive escape room experiences with creative themed challenges that are perfect for groups and families looking for interactive entertainment.
The Diefenbunker, Canada’s Cold War Museum, also offers a unique escape room experience set within its historic underground bunker, combining puzzles with a fascinating piece of Canadian history.
Looking Ahead
Ottawa is also preparing for milestone celebrations tied to the city’s 200th anniversary, with new events and programming announcements continuing to roll out throughout the season.
As spring arrives, outdoor programming across the city will continue to expand, offering even more opportunities to explore Ottawa’s cultural events, food experiences and seasonal traditions.
