Year-Round Activities
This section lists activities that span the whole year (or most of the year).
Listings in this section are divided into categories based on activity types or themes, and may include self-guided walking tours and guided walking tours, points of architectural interest around the capital, museums and galleries, and sporting and recreational activities.
Sports and Recreation
Public Swimming at City of Ottawa Indoor Pools
Public Skating at City of Ottawa Arenas
YM/YWCA Mini Port at Place D'Orléans
Ottawa Critical Mass Bike Ride 
| Name: | Public swimming at City of Ottawa Indoor Swimming Pools |
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| Location: | Various, see Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dates: | Various, see website | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Times: | Various, see website |
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| Description: |
The City of Ottawa offers Standard Category public swims at the following indoor facilities, year-round. Swims in the Standard category are frugal ($10 or less for a family of four). Standard swim prices: Family admission (maximum 2 adults)$1.85 per person (tots 2 and under get in for free).
Almost Frugal: The City of Ottawa also offers Leisure category public swimming year-round at the following facilities. Leisure swim prices: $2.80 per person, tots 2 and under get in for free.
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| Website: | http://ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/facilities/pools_en.html#indeast schedules/index_en.html |
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| Activity number: | 40026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Name: | Public Skating at City of Ottawa arenas |
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| Description: |
City arenas offer public skating, family skating sessions, adult skating sessions, 50+ skating sessions and pick up hockey for adults. Schedules vary by arena. All arenas offer skating from October 1 to March 31; some arenas offer skating year-round. See website for details. Check individual arena listings prior to going as schedules are subject to change. Public skating fees are $6.25/family (2 adults, 2 children). |
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| Website: | List of City of Ottawa Arenas: http://ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/skating/index_en.html Search Public Skating Schedules: http://ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/skating/index_en.html |
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| Activity number: | 40027 |
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| Name: | Geocaching |
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| Description: |
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game. It requires a GPS unit, which can be pricey, but once you have one you can enjoy countless hours of fun for next to no cost. The pastime involves using GPS coordinates to find hidden containers, called geocaches, and then logging your finds online. The containers contain a logbook for you to sign, and sometimes a small, inexpensive prize. Each time you take something from a geocache, you should leave something behind for the next person. Geocache coordinates can be found at a number of websites, the most prominent one being www.geocaching.com. Basic membership to geocaching.com is free and lets you search for nearby geocaches using your postal code. |
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| Website: | Ottawa Geocaching Website: http://www.ottawageocaching.com Ontario Geocaching Association: http://www.ontgeocaching.com |
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| Activity number: | 40028 |
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| Name: | YM/YWCA Mini Port at Place D'Orléans |
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| Description: |
This play area for kids is great when you or the kids need a break from shopping; it can also be a great outing on its own if you combine it with a bus ride to the mall. Access to the play area is free; you must supervise your child while he or she plays. The Mini Port was recently renovated and re-opened at the beginning of December 2009. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am to 8 pm Sun 11 am - 5 pm The Mini Port also offers Play Care between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for children ages 2 to 7. The cost for this Drop and Shop program varies by the half-hour from $3 for a 1/2-hour up to $12 for 3 hours of care. |
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| Website: | www.placedorleans.com Information on the Mini Port can be found under the Guest Services link. |
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| Activity number: | 40034 |
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| Name: | Ottawa Critical Mass Bike Ride (For Grown-ups) |
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| Location: | Meet at Confederation Park (Elgin and Laurier) |
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| Dates: | Last Friday of each month, year-round |
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| Times: | Meet at 5:30 p.m., ride leaves at 6 p.m. |
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| Description: | Critical mass is a community bike ride to advocate a bike friendly transportation system. |
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| Website: | http://ottawacriticalmass.blogspot.com/ or visit their Facebook page (Critial Mass Ottawa) |
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| Event number: | 50001 |
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| Name: | Maplelawn Garden (For Grown-ups) |
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| Location: | 529 Richmond Rd. |
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| Dates: | Year-round |
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| Description: | Maplelawn was designated a national historic site in 1989, partly due to its exceptionally well preserved walled garden which is always open without charge for quiet enjoyment. |
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| Website: | http://www.maplelawn.ca/index.html |
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| Event number: | 50003 |
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| Name: | First Thursday Story Swap (For Grown-ups) |
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| Location: | Library and Archives of Canada, 395 Wellington St. Room 156 |
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| Dates: | First Thursday of each month, year-round |
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| Times: | 7p.m. to 9:30 p.m. |
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| Description: | A story swap/open stage hosted by the Ottawa Storytellers. Come tell a story or just listen. |
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| Website: | http://www.ottawastorytellers.ca/openStage.htm |
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| Event number: | 50004 |
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Frugal Favorite
Fan Favorite
Almost Frugal
For Grown-Ups