Winterlude is an Ottawa winter festival held each over three weekends in February each year. Couples can enjoy winter activities such as ice skating, check out ice and snow sculptures, and take part in the Taste of Winterlude before and during the festival. This event allows visitors and locals to enjoy special discounts, menu selections and fine dining at Ottawa restaurants.
The intimate cafes, a variety of restaurants and fun nightspots on Preston Street are great for couples in Ottawa. Home to Ottawa's Little Italy, Preston Street is not only about Italian food. Restaurants, taverns, pubs, comedy clubs and the Great Canadian Theatre Company are also located on Preston Street, and dining options range from Italian specialties to international cuisine including Indian, Chinese and Japanese restaurants.
Couples who enjoy the outdoors should visit Gatineau Park, an area located just northwest of Ottawa. During winter, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and downhill skiing are popular activities. When the weather warms up, couples can try canoeing, swimming, hiking, biking or picnicking. Overnight accommodation and camping is also available throughout the year in Gatineau Park.
Stretching over 11 days, the Ottawa Bluesfest is one of the biggest music festivals in North America. The festival is held each July and attracts big names from both music and comedy. Bob Dylan, James Brown and The White Stripes have performed in past years, and the event continues to attract artists from different musical genres each year. In addition to top-name musical acts, couples can enjoy food, handcrafted beers and an artisan's village with clothes, jewelry and handcrafted items.
Many spas in Ottawa feature relaxing and romantic treatments for couples. Holtz is a day spa in Ottawa and offers pedicures, manicures, massages, skin care, organic treatments and more for individuals to enjoy, while the gourmet spa experiences are perfect for couples. The Couples Retreat package includes a hot oil massage, reflexology, a head and scalp massage, and a wash and style from the spa hair salon. Finally, couples can enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner at the spa's Sante Restaurant and Art Gallery with wine pairings included at each course.
Holtz Spa
45 Rideau St.
Ottawa, Ontario
K1N 5W8
877-241-8889
holtzspa.com
Canoe, paddle boats
