For the summer of staycations, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore home. Sparks Street is an open-air pedestrian oasis that has plenty to keep you busy whether you want to see the sights, have a romantic getaway, relax and unwind, and more. Below are itineraries for the type of staycation you’re looking for based on your travel type. Mix them together to make your staycation even longer.
Win A Sparks Street Staycation
Now until August 24th, you can enter to win an amazing staycation package from Sparks Street. The prize package includes:
- 1-night stay at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel
- Breakfast for 2 at Creperie Rim
- Lunch for 2 at Brixton’s British Pub
- Dinner for 2 at Bier Markt
- Shopping at Winners and Canada’s Four Corners
- 2 bike tours from Escape Bicycle Tours
Enter to win a Sparks Street Staycation here.
Sparks Street Staycation Itineraries:
The Sight-Seeing Staycation
This staycation is all about taking time to see the beautiful sights the capital has to offer.
Start your day with a bowl or wrap at Freshii and enjoy it on their patio. Pop in next door and grab a coffee at Bridgehead before your adventure begins.
Activity: Make your way to Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals. Choose from a bike or e-scooter to get around town. They have self-guided maps to help guide your experience. Here are some attractions near Sparks Street you want to make sure you visit:
- Parliament Hill
- National War Memorial
- Ottawa Locks (continue to the bottom and you can go on the Ottawa River Pathway by the water)
- Major’s Hill Park
- Rideau Canal (you can continue to the Love Locks Bridge)
Make your way back to Sparks Street and grab dinner at Rabbit Hole. Make sure to get one of their wood-fired pizzas and a seat on their patio. Afterward, go for a golden hour photo walk on Sparks Street. This is the best spot in Ottawa to admire the architecture. You can learn more about the buildings here. Keep an eye out for the OTTAWA sign and make sure to get a photo.
The Couples Staycation
This staycation is all about enjoying fun activities with your partner.
Start your day off with coffee at the new Little Victories location. You’ll find it inside of Ottawa’s most beautiful buildings. Take your coffee to go and enjoy a walk down Sparks Street, making your way to Parliament Hill and then the Ottawa Locks.
Rent a bike or e-scooter from Escape Bicycle Rentals and Tours and make your way to the Love Locks bridge on the Rideau Canal. Add a love lock to the bridge with your partner 🙂
Make your way back to Sparks Street for lunch followed by popping into the shops. This could also be a good time to pop into True Bijoux or Howard Fine Jewellers. Ready to propose? Make sure to check out my guide to the best spots to propose in Ottawa first 😉
For dinner, head to one of Ottawa’s best restaurants, Riviera. This restaurant is inside an old bank and they have a great patio outside. After dinner head to a speakeasy for a cocktail. You’ll find Jackalope on Sparks Street. You’ll find this speakeasy in the basement of a 123-year-old building. Inside is an intimate space full of vintage decor. Click the Instagram post below for all the details on how to find it.
The Relax and Unwind Staycation
This staycation is also about being pampered and relaxed.
Start your day at Le Moulin De Provence with a pastry and coffee. Enjoy it inside their beautiful and bright cafe or take it to go to enjoy at a table on Sparks Street.
Then make your way to La Mode Hair and Salon to get your hair styled. Next up is visiting Ivonne Sanchez to get your nails done at their nail bar. Their talented team can make the nail inspo you saw on social media come to life. Ivonne Sanchez offers a wide range of services including eyelash extensions, nano brows, and more.
Head to Brixton’s British Pub for dinner and drinks with your new look. Get their sangria and pair it with the donair rolls and one of their mains. You can find lots of favourites here like burgers, quesadillas and wraps, and more.
Missing Travel Staycation
This staycation is all about traveling the world through Ottawa restaurants. Head to these restaurants for a slice of travel on Sparks Street:
- Le Moulin de Provence for a French pastry and coffee
- Creperie Rim
- Bier Markt for a German pretzel and beer
- Vie Bella Market & Deli for an Italian deli-style sandwich
- Brixton’s British Pub for fish n chips
- South Block Whisky Bar for some American bourbon or Irish whiskey
The Tourist Staycation
Enjoy all the unique activities and attractions that people from all of the world come to enjoy in the capital.
Fuel up for the day with breakfast at Nate’s. Enjoy breakfast classics on their patio and a nice view of Sparks Street.
After breakfast, make your way to Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals and sign up for one of their tours. For this Sparks Street staycation, I recommend their Ottawa Highlights Tour that will take you to main attractions like Parliament, Arboretum, Rideau Falls, and more.
Grab a quick bite at Le Moulin De Provence or Bridgehead and then pop into the shops. Stop by The Snow Goose and shop their collecting of Inuit and First Nation art.
Head for dinner at Bier Markt. They have a big patio with comfy seatings and tasty bites. Schedule a Haunted Walk tour for after dinner. You’ll be able to learn all about Ottawa’s eerie past and ghost stories.
The Dog-Lover Staycation
This staycation is all about spending some quality time with your pup.
Start your day with a walk around the Garden of Provinces and Territories. It’s such a peaceful park and perfect for taking some sights with your pup. From there you can head for a walk towards Major’s Hill Park and make sure to snap a photo of your pup in front of Parliament on the way.
Make your way to Sparks Street where you can grab a bite and also get some great photos of your pup on the street. Head to The Office Resto and Pub where you can enjoy some food and your pup can join you. They have lots of great apps and mains to choose from.
The Shopping Staycation
This staycation is all about browsing the shops and what you’ll find along the way.
Start your day with breakfast at Spin Kitchen & Bar. Enjoy their takes on breakfast classics like their spin eggs benedict or brioche french toast.
Next up, pop into the shops of Sparks Street:
- Browse jewellery at True Bijoux, Howard Fine Jewellers, Alyea’s Jewellers Ltd., and Dixon Jewellers
- You’ll find clothing at Morgante Menswear, À 2 prêt-à-porter, Bello Uomo and Winners.
- Shop watches at The Watch Store and shoes at The Shoe Box.
- Browse Inuit and First Nations art at The Snow Goose
- Search for souvenirs at Canada’s Four Corners and Parliament Souvenirs.
End your day with dinner at 3 Brewers and pair one of their flammekueches with a brew.
Make Your Staycation Longer
Add more time to your staycation and book a stay at the Ottawa Marriott. Do one staycation itinerary on your first day and then choose another for your second. It’s the perfect way to experience new experiences from home.
Make sure to enter to win a staycation from Sparks Street.
This post was sponsored by Sparks Street. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I hope you have as much fun exploring Sparks Street as I did. I would love to see your adventures. Feel free to tag me on social @littlemissottawa.
Julia started Little Miss Ottawa as a way to explore her hometown as a traveller would. She’s always planning her next adventure, whether it’s local or abroad. You’ll find her exploring with her camera in hand. She hopes Little Miss Ottawa helps bring you on new and fun adventures. Happy exploring :)
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