The Rideau Canal wasn't frozen yet in early January, but fear not! There is the Rink of Dreams -…read morean outdoor ice skating rink located in front of the City Hall, set with picnic tables, and a structure where you may change into your skates in the relative comfort of thawed fingers (open daily from 8 am to 11 pm). Ice skate rental and sharpening is available during certain hours. Admission is free. A BeaverTails Pastry shop hawks freshly made fried dough with an option of toppings (I highly recommend the maple spread for $5.75), and a short menu of beverages. They are closed Mondays & Tuesdays, open 4pm-10pm Wed - Fri, and noon - 10pm on weekends. Cash only. The ice is not the best (even after a run through by the zamboni), but it is a good sized rink, it is free, and the surroundings is pleasant enough. When it gets dark, they even light up the rink in pretty changing colors. Totally makes for a fun wintertime activity. My only warning is that I found it a bit dangerous making my way down to the rink from the changing structure with my skate shod feet - the ground wasn't level so I kept finding myself slipping on the snow crusted surface. I tried walking sideways, perpendicular to gravity as they teach you for skiing, and it kind of worked... though not completely. Need a bathroom? The City Hall is available with its facilities and you can warm up inside a bit while checking out their small art galleries - but no skates (on feet) allowed! Hours: open daily from 6 am to 11 pm, November to March, weather-permitting

As we enter gelid January, consider visiting the city's newest downtown attraction: the Rink of…read moreDreams. This is the rink's second season, and while it will never rival the Rockefeller Center rink, it's a very picturesque setting in the unique urban backdrop of City Hall's sparkling lights. Optimum vistas are omnipresent when the sun has set: - Parliament Hill is lit up with thousands of Christmas lights. The Peace Tower and the towers blaze with coloured spotlights. - Confederation Park, where nearly every tree is lit up. - Brillant blue lights around the National War Monument. - Chateau Laurier - Convention Centre - Lord Elgin Hotel The 5-year old in me, delights in the LED lit boards. A first-class move that goes great with the festive lighting on the City Hall grounds. The Rink of Dreams is for all people - young and old, and best of all it's completely gratuit!

Loved loved our evening here! My kids are begging to go back! The place is magical, we went around…read more4:30 so we can get both daylight and the lovely fairy lights.. the staff are very nice, I had an issue with my ticket and the guy at the front was super kind and said I trust you and let me in. There is a bonfire which adds warmth and lovely atmosphere. Everyone was happy and having fun! They have a confession stand, their hot chocolate was delicious.. we honestly had an awesome time and can't wait to come back!

What a surprise! This business opened up only a few months ago; this is their first year of…read moreoperation. And we just happened upon them by chance!! This is a privately owned and operated property and business, offering a place to experience nature out in the open on their skating trail!! Let's embrace winter! After enjoying skating, you can warm up around a campfire - of which there were 3 or 4 around the property - and enjoy a hot chocolate or other beverage and treat. There were a few strategically placed outhouses conveniently located around the entrance. There's plenty of parking. There's also a hockey rink on the site. You sit on bales of hay to put on your skates, or there are a few metal benches available if you prefer. It was slippery and a bit sketchy getting up and moving around in your skates in this area. There's an open area to skate on in between the entrance and the rink, which leads toward the trail entrance. There you can skate protected from the wind by the trees. As you follow the trail, there are lights overhead and the occasional spotlight so that you can see to skate as it gets dark. At one point, the trees open up to an area that marked the turnaround point. It was windy here, but there was another fire pit and a round about big enough to host a school dance! Keep in mind this is a business and therefore not subsidize nor is it free! Cost was $18 per adult; $12 for seniors (over 55 y o) Kudos to them for opening during a pandemic!! Also, since the convoy was blocking downtown, along with certain access points of the canal for skating, this was a good alternative, which just happens to be close to home for us. We had a great time!! Edited to add that I found an announcement from CTV news about Icelynd: OTTAWA News New outdoor skating rink opens in Stittsville with an assist from a former Senators player Published Jan. 14, 2022 7:43 p.m. ET By Tyler Fleming CTV News Ottawa Multi-Skilled Journalist Share this story: Icelynd Skating Trails is Stittsville's newest attraction which offers an intimate experience through the dense forest brush as well as a professionally maintained outdoor rink in Stittsville. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News)Icelynd Skating Trails is Stittsville's newest attraction which offers an intimate experience through the dense forest brush as well as a professionally maintained outdoor rink in Stittsville. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News) There is a new skating trail in the capital that promises to offer an intimate experience through a dense forest. With a former Ottawa Senator hockey player as part of the ownership, it's clear the ice will be perfect. Chris Neil has helped transform a patch of forest into a silky-smooth skateway, which winds through two kilometres of dense brush. Icelynd Skating Trails located at 6865 Fernbank Rd. in Stittsville, opened on Friday after years of planning and months of preparation. "We're excited that it's finally here and to see people coming through the door is awesome," says Neil, who has owned the vacant land for more than 15 years. "The skating trail is all lit up for night skating and hopefully in the next week or two we will have more trails open and all said and done we're hoping to have five kilometres." To maintain the vast skating network, there are three Zamboni's and the trail is professionally maintained. There is also a near-NHL-sized outdoor rink, which is available for groups to rent out at. "I love being on an ODR and to have the rink boards, the glass and have it all light up at I always had that vision." Neil said. Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, cost $18 for adults and $12 for kids and seniors. The cost to rent the ODR starts at $250 and the concession stands are cash-only. Icelynd Skating Trails is open Tuesday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

I have found this business originally on TripAdvisor while searching for some outdoor ice skating…read morerings. Lake of the Wolves or Lac-des-Loups is located short 45 min drive from Ottawa. The parking lot is a few minutes drive from the main road. In order to reach the ice skating trail thru the forest, you have to go thru the cabin. There, you are able to rent all equipment needed for ice skating or snowshoeing, change, use the restroom but also buy some hot soup, beverages and snacks. Thru the cabin you can access 3 km ice skating trail in the middle of the forest. We visited the ice skating trail at noon, but there is also evening ice skating available. It was quite magical experience and we really enjoyed it.

My group and I had a fantastic time on the Riveroak skating and snowshoeing trails! I went…read moresnowshoeing, and everything was so nice and pristine. The lodge itself was also so cozy and has a cool rustic feel. There was a good selection of snacks and beverages for after the snowshoeing / skating, as well as a nice warm heat stove. The staff were so friendly and made sure we had a good time. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience the best of Ottawa winters!

From the owner: RiverOak Skating Trail is an enchanting frozen pathway through orchards, meadows, and forests. Full…read moreof activities and winter fun for everyone! RiverOak Skating Trails are located in the beautiful countryside just 30 minutes from downtown Ottawa, Orleans & Barrhaven. Want to impress your date with a torchlit Friday night under the stars? Looking for a fun adventure to do with the family on a Sunday afternoon? Need some new ideas for weekday activities with the kids? Come enjoy the great outdoors at RiverOak Skating Trail and experience the best winter has to offer by skating through orchards, meadows and forests. Bring your hockey sticks and pucks to play around on some of our outdoor rinks. Or try out our snowshoe trails! ​Our flexible hours in the daytime, evenings and on weekends are sure to suit your schedule.

There's a stupid rule Whare if ur not skating u have to pay still and that's on week days so…read morerecommend to go there on a weekend so it's fine

Horrible!! So small, way too loud music, terrible staff, the roller skates smell like sweaty feet…read more(I doubt they even clean them). I went to a birthday party and some kids forgot to bring their helmets, so the staff went up to them and said "GET OFF THE RINK" but guess what? They don't rent helmets!! So they couldn't skate! It was so hot and we all wanted water but the vending machine was broken! So the girls went to the bathroom, but the water was hot so we couldn't drink it. A lot of us were stopping because it was our first time rollerblading but the staff came up to us and said "YOU CANT STOP" so we had to get off the rink! The people there kept skating really fast in front of us and we kept falling because they bumped into us!! I saw a girl that kept falling and a staff went up to her and said " if you're really bad at roller skating you shouldn't be on the rink" like excuse me?!? Just a horrible place

If you are a proud dog owner, off-leash dogs are allowed at this neighbourhood park. The playground…read morerecently got a makeover and I believe there will be a splash pad for kids this summer. If the rating was based solely on the dog park side of things, I would drop it a couple of stars. The greenery & upkeep of the open dog play area (south side) are on the poor side. There is fencing on the south and east sides. The dogs and their owners bump it at least one star. It's not a very busy park. Overall the dogs and their owners are a friendly, happy bunch. You get to know everyone relatively quickly. The poopiness of the park is pretty good, but I keep an eye out where I am stepping. People who take their dogs to the park tend to scoop-da-poop. My kids are looking forward to the new splash pad opening. A couple of years ago, Fairlea Park was transformed into a natural playground in addition to the existing ball diamond, play structure and basketball court. The kids play area is in the north side of the park. In the winter months, boards go up for an ultra Canadian experience: outdoor hockey.

I live just on the outskirts of the park here, and have been bringing my dog to this area for the…read morepast year we have had her. One thing I must mention about the previous Review is that the review describes the park, but the pictures seem to be from another park a short walk up the road. One thing I MUST bring to peoples attention about this park, has really nothing to do with the park itself, but the people living in the surrounding area. Since getting our dog, and wondering if we could run her off-leash in the park behind us, we have triple checked with the City of Ottawa website, checked numerous blogs and sites showing where the off-leash areas around us are, and spoken to many other dog owners in the area. That said, NO ONE who lives in the area who does not own a dog, believes it is an off-leash area. There are no notifications pointing one way or another as to whether you need to leash your dog in the area, and it has led to a couple confrontations. Our dog is VERY friendly, and will run up to anyone in hopes of getting some attention. She is also big (45 pounds, but big to people who don't like dogs) and she comes running up at you. She never barks, growls, or the like, just running up with a big dopey grin and gets in your personal space (we've been working on correcting this behaviour, but she forgets as soon as she learns). For other dog owners, this is not a problem, they have come to realize a happy approach versus an intimidating one, and needless to say, if she were to show ANY signs of aggression, we would not let her off-leash in the first place. As soon as she does this though, to people who are terrified of 45 lbs of tongue and fur wanting to be pet, the threats of calling by-law begin, the "put your F'n dog on a leash" begins, the "this is NOT an off-leash area!" begins, and frankly, you can't really point out the facts to these people, cause they don't care. The mere saying hello by something that isn't human, or in some ethnic cases "down right demonic" is enough that they basically come at you with everything short of "your dog will be in the electric chair by weeks end, dagnabit!". Beyond that though? Great park, friendly people, friendly other dogs, and a great community to meet new people (2 and 4 legged) and have a great time...just don't let your dogs move past the area which would be confined by leash if anyone living in the area happens to stroll right through the middle of it. And By-Law or City of Ottawa, PUT UP A SIGN!

We have visited the canal for many years but this was our first time trying the ice bike…read moreexperience, and unfortunately, it will be our last. Renting from Capital Skates turned out to be an incredibly frustrating and frankly unsafe experience. The primary issue is the equipment maintenance: the tires on these "ice bikes" appear to be completely worn down and are clearly not fit for a natural ice surface. With absolutely zero traction, the rear tire just spins in place, leaving you drifting helplessly rather than actually cycling. This lack of grip makes steering nearly impossible; I spent most of the ride fighting a massive lag in responsiveness that nearly sent me veering into the canal edge multiple times. The mechanical failures didn't stop there, as the gear shifter took nearly 15 seconds to actually engage after being moved, making any kind of momentum impossible to maintain. To make matters worse, the business model feels designed to capitalize on their monopoly on the canal. You are forced into a rigid two-hour rental--no more and no less--which is a steep commitment for equipment this poorly maintained at nearly $60 per bike. We attempted to call the business to address these concerns, but the line went to a voicemail that hasn't even been set up. It's a shame that such an iconic Canadian landmark is served by a vendor that seems to have given up on basic maintenance. Save your money and your nerves--stick to traditional skates.

Wow! What a cool and unique experience! I learned how to skate as a child but am not a pro. I'm…read morenot very good at stopping, as an adult I usually stick to near the edge and run into the boards to stop, but after planning a trip to Ottawa during winter and hearing about this place I knew I needed to try it, and I am so excited I did. I was a little nervous not being a good skater, and having read some reviews that the ice is full of holes and not well surfaced, and that during Winterlude (when we were visiting) it gets crazy I was a little nervous, but I was glad to find that I had no problems. True the ice isn't perfect, that should be anticipated when on an outdoor rink, but it was still an enjoyable experience despite not being a confident skater myself. I went slowly and was able to make it through even rocky areas by holding my husbands hand. I went on Saturday during Winterlude and on Family day and both days were very busy, lots and lots of people on the ice, but that didn't take away from the experience. Faster and better skaters were able to go around me and other slower skaters and they were respectful of those of us who weren't as skilled. If you aren't a skater at all, you should still come and enjoy this cool place! My husband is not a skater and he walked in his boots the entire open length of the canal. I walked it one day and skated it the other day we visited. We also watched lots of others enjoy the space in the same way. I was also nervous about the ice conditions after watching them change between good, fair and poor in the week leading up to our visit. The day I walked the canal it was listed as "very good" and it seemed like it was. The day that I skated it was listed as "fair" and I found it not bad at all. There were certainly areas where the ice was bumpy and some holes but overall even as a weaker skater it was good, so don't let the ice conditions scare you, if you are here in winter give it a try! You can even buy beavertails and other food while still on your skates! Getting on the ice is free, and there are different entrances that have benches, bathrooms, food places, fire pits, places to hang out and so much more! Such a cool and unique experience, plan a trip out to Ottawa in winter ASAP!

Enjoyed playing shinny here, good place to visit to enjoy playing. Hopefully coming back to play…read moreagain because the facilities are great. Ice is in perfect condition, locker rooms are clean and tidy and there's plenty more the Sportsplex has to offer. Overall terrific experience, wouldn't change anything about this place whatsoever.

The Neapean Sportsplex is a multi-purpose facility, with services and lessons for swimming,…read morecycling, and other fitness and recreational activities. They have a lot of programs for people of all ages, children and seniors in particular. I actually didn't come here for anything fitness-related. I worked here for one day for a company that was holding a giant warehouse sale for one weekend only. The next day, I just came with my family for the sale itself. It was held in one really large room that seemed like some type of auditorium or gym, as it was really huge and cold, with the concrete tile floor. It hurt to stand on it for a long time, but then again, that's because I was standing in one spot. If this was, indeed, a kind of gymnasium, the floor would be perfect for running around and the cooler temperature would be a great advantage when you're working up a sweat.