29 Best Things To Do in Ottawa in the Fall 2024

Are you planning to visit Ottawa in the fall?

If I had to choose, I’d say fall is the best season to be in Ottawa. There are plenty of unique things to do, and the comfy sweater weather is definitely an added bonus!

In order to make the most out of your fall trip, aim for a good mix of classic fall activities. Add a few things to do in nature, a visit to one of Ottawa’s fall festivals, and at least one spooky Halloween item to your itinerary! 

For travelers struggling with where to start, I want to help! 

I’m a local here in Ottawa, and I love being a tourist in my own city! 

Over the past few years, I’ve found countless ways to enjoy Ottawa, so this is a shortlist of the best fall things to do in Ottawa! 

1. Hang Out at a Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin patches have everything you love about fall! You can go on hay rides, explore corn mazes, and enjoy seasonal jams and candies. If you’re staying in a holiday home on your trip, it’s fun to grab a pumpkin to carve or make into your favorite pumpkin-flavored dessert.

Proulx Farm is one of the most popular places to visit in Ottawa in fall. Visitors love picking pumpkins with their family and going on their famous Skreamers haunted hay ride!

2. Go Apple Picking

Live out your cottagecore dreams picking apples this fall. Ottawa has plenty of orchards, but my favorite is Avonmore Berry Farm. They have some of the best-tasting apples, strawberries, and raspberries in the area!

While you’re here, grab some awesome jams at the on-farm bakery. There’s also a fun wagon ride you can hop on during the weekend.

3. Sip Wines and Ciders

Fall is a great time to unwind with some good wine! I recommend taking a wine tour to sample a variety of Ottawa’s best wines and ciders.

I don’t drink, but this Pontiac Wine & Cider Tour is one of the highest-rated tours and takes you to the best wineries in the Ottawa area. 

The tour includes the family-run Domaine de Pontiac and the rustic Vignoble les Collines, where you can sip on stellar wines while enjoying the view of Gatineau Hills.

4. Visit Upper Canada Village

If you’re looking for must-try fall activities near Ottawa, head to this living museum town! The 1800s village is about an hour’s drive from downtown Ottawa.

The village celebrates the fall season with produce fairs, horse-drawn rides, and seasonal treats. 

I love how everything feels old-timey and extra wholesome in Upper Canada Village! 

5. Check Out a Fall Fair

Add one of Ottawa’s fall fairs to your fall itinerary. You can play carnival games, watch demolition derbies, enjoy live music, and take home fresh local produce from the farmer’s markets.

Here are a few of the best annual fairs to check out this fall:

• Metcalfe Fair
• The Capital Fair
• Carp Fair

6. Picnic at Fall Rhapsody Ottawa

Ottawa’s Fall Rhapsody is a celebration of the rich fall colors that take over the city annually. 

You can enjoy the colors from just about any spot in the city, but if you’re looking for a particular scenic area for colorful photos, consider picking up some snacks and heading to Major’s Hill for a picnic. 

The view is the best in all of Ottawa, but I also enjoy the hikes and lakes in Gatineau Park! 

7. Cruise the Rideau Canal

Another way to enjoy the pretty fall colors is on a Rideau Canal cruise! This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the only 19th-century canal in North America that’s still operational today. 

You’ll learn more about this canal’s historical significance while enjoying the views of Ottawa from the river. 

Then, once the fall season ends, the Rideau Canal turns to ice and becomes the world’s longest ice skateway!

8. Visit a Maple Farm

Fall is a fun time to sample Canada’s favorite maple snacks! You’ll find a delicious selection of maple-based products all around the city, but if you’re looking for a unique experience, head to Proulx Farm.

Besides pure maple syrup, the farm shop offers maple butter, maple caramel, maple lollipops, maple cones, maple spices, and even cute maple gift sets you can get as souvenirs.

9. Sip Pumpkin Spice Lattes

As soon as the first leaves begin to change, you’ll find me out the door and looking for my Pumpkin Spice Latte fix. Nothing gets me in the mood for the cozy season more than a warm cup of creamy spiced coffee in hand!

These are a few of my favorite spots to grab a PSL in the city:

• Planet Coffee: I love that you can sip it in the cozy courtyard.
• Art-Is-In Bakery: makes their own pumpkin spice syrup!
• Little Jo Berry’s has a great selection of vegan pumpkin spice lattes.

10. Shop at ByWard Market’s Fall Stalls

I love walking around the ByWard Market food stalls to see what seasonal products I can pick up! You’ll find beautiful displays of local fruits and vegetables, homemade baked goods, jams, and pickles, among other goods.

The ByWard Night Market is also Ottawa’s best spot for street food, craft beers, and live music! 

11. Check Out Ottawa’s Best Breweries

Ottawa has a decent craft beer scene compared to nearby Canadian cities, and it’s worth visiting a couple if you’re into trying local beer! This capital city is home to a few award-winning local brews you can try on your own or with a guided brewery tour.

The best tour is the City Beers tour! 

I like that they take care of all transportation and take you to at least three (sometimes more) breweries throughout the Ottawa/Gatineau region!

12. Enjoy a Scenic Hike

There are plenty of scenic walking and hiking trails in and around Ottawa City with various difficulty levels. You can enjoy a leisurely 1 km stroll by the lake or tackle strenuous all-day hikes with more elevation. 

The other great thing about hiking is that it’s completely free! 

Gatineau Park has some of the best fall hikes near Ottawa, and while the scenery is nowhere near as majestic as hiking in British Columbia, it’s still beautiful! 

13. Go Ziplining

One of the most unique and exciting things to do in Canada involves traveling between provinces by zipline! 

This zipline travels between provinces from Québec to Ontario, which is such an epic way to enjoy the fall colors of Ottawa!

The 365-meter (1200 ft) zipline travels along the Ottawa-Gatineau border at 35 meters (120 ft) above sea level! Along the way, you’ll get an incredible birds-eye view of popular attractions like Parliament Hill, Downtown Gatineau, and Chaudière Falls. 

14. Get Up Close to Wildlife at Parc Omega

If you love animals, one of the best ways to get up close to Canadian wildlife is at Parc Omega. 

Parc Omega is a popular nature center located about an hour’s drive from downtown Ottawa and is full of boars, bears, wolves, and more.

Then grab some carrots and head to the drive-through safari, where you can feed elks and deer.

For the ultimate experience, stay in the park’s wolf cabins. They share a glass wall with the wolf observatory, giving you front-row seats to these majestic creatures during your stay.

15. Join the Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon

The Ottawa Fall Colours Marathon has a good mix of running events for different fitness levels, from Boston Marathon qualifiers to a cute 1K Turkey Trot for little ones.

The event is in the historic Cumberland Village. The area’s classic 1920s vibe and the season’s gorgeous fall colors make this a super scenic run!

16. Get an Aerial View of Ottawa’s Fall Foliage

For unforgettable views of the city’s changing colors, book a helicopter tour over Ottawa. 

I recommend the full 30-minute ride to enjoy panoramic views of Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, Gatineau Park, and Meech Lake.

Yes, it’s a bit of a splurge, but the experience is well worth it!

17. Get in the Halloween Mood at Saunders Farm

Saunders Farm’s Fright Fest is one of Ottawa’s best nighttime haunted attractions. The production quality is unreal!

You’ll have a few immersive experiences to choose from. Take a stroll through the Cemetery Scare Zone or explore the creepy Barn of Terror. The famous haunted hayride’s for you if you love a good jumpscare.

18. Get To Know Ottawa’s Haunted Side

Halloween is the perfect time to get to know Ottawa’s supernatural side. I recommend going on haunted walks to listen to the city’s scariest ghost stories. It’s one of my favorite Ottawa Falls things to do. 

You’ll see popular city stops like Fairmont Chateau Laurier and Rideau Canal from an entirely new perspective. The Carleton County Jail is a must-visit too!

19. Make Your Way to Pumpkinferno

Check out over 7,000 intricate hand-carved pumpkins at Upper Canada Village’s Pumpkinferno! 

It’s so cool to see the level of detail in the larger-than-life illuminated displays here. They also make great Instagram posts, so make sure your phone is fully charged! 

20. Relax at Nordik Spa

This Nordik Spa is perfect for a relaxing Ottawa fall getaway. Many people love to simply soak in their signature outdoor baths while enjoying the beautiful autumn views. But if you’re there for an anniversary trip/honeymoon and want the whole shebang, you can choose from an array of relaxing massages and healing treatments.

The dining options here are great, too! You can end the day with drinks at the beer garden or a fancy dinner at the onsite restaurant.

21. Bike Through the City

Ottawa is one of the best places in Canada to explore by bicycle, and it’s even better in the fall (since you won’t sweat profusely). 

I like this Ottawa Neighborhoods & Nature Bike Tour as you’ll bike along top attractions like the Canadian War Museum, National Arts Centre, and Rideau Canal. You’ll also cycle past city limits to see the Rideau Falls of Ottawa.

22. Catch a Candlelight Concert

What makes the Candlelight sessions unique is how surreal the venues look. The concerts are held in grand churches and are lit up entirely by candles, with thousands of candles filling the rows of the church.

Listen to the best of Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Adele, ABBA, Hans Zimmer, and more popular tunes performed by a string quartet. It’s such a magical experience!

23. Have a Brunch Date

Looking for a great place for brunch? You’ll find many awesome brunch spots in Ottawa to suit every budget.

These are my favorite brunch spots:

• Gezellig: This upscale restaurant is perfect for a fancy brunch. Try the Gezellig breakfast sandwich, a satisfying serving of buttermilk biscuit, smoked bacon, and fried egg.
• Chesterfields: This gastro pub is great for comfort food and only uses locally sourced ingredients. The Fun Guy Melt is my go-to!
• Wilf & Ada’s: I recommend this cozy little diner for a simple home-cooked brunch. You’ll find plenty of baked goods to choose from. Plus, the coffee is awesome!

24. Enjoy Ottawa’s Best Afternoon Tea 

Head to Fairmont Chateau Laurier for a fancy high-tea date with your significant other! The tea house treats guests to a beautiful selection of dainty snacks and your choice of loose-leaf steeped tea. Champagne is available as an add-on.

It’s fun to do in the fall as the pretty restaurant has towering windows to enjoy the autumn leaves.

25. Chill at Ottawa’s Tallest Rooftop Bar

Enjoy Ottawa’s fall colors from up high at Copper Spirits & Sights. 

Grab one of the cozy lounge seats on this rooftop patio and pick your favorites from their fun cocktail menu. For the best view, make sure you arrive slightly before sunset.

The bar is actually on the rooftop of Andaz Ottawa, known for its classy rooms tailored for couples on a romantic holiday.

Best Fall Events in Ottawa

Ottawa is known for hosting fun events to celebrate each season. There are plenty of specific Ottawa fall events between September and November, but here are some crowd favorites! 

26. Shop the One World Bazaar

This artisanal bazaar has a barn full of unique things from different countries and cultures around the world. 

You’ll find everything from clothing to jewelry to furniture. If you love bringing home one-of-a-kind pieces for your home, check out the pottery and sculptures section.

The bazaar runs for 7 weekends in the fall (typically the last weekend of September until the third weekend of November). For the rest of the year, you can shop their collection online.

27. Join the Day of the Dead Celebrations

In celebration of this Mexican tradition, the ByWard Market community gathers in late October to celebrate the Day of the Dead. 

The altar competition is very interesting to see in person, but you can also find awesome food stalls, mariachi performances, and folk dances at the festival. 

There’s even an artisanal market selling authentic Mexican crafts.

28. Feast at Orléans Ribfest & Poutine

Orléans Ribfest & Poutine is one of the best Ottawa events in September, celebrating ribs, poutines, and more! 

Come with an empty stomach and enjoy a plethora of savory food, like sticky ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and poutine dishes. There are also sweet treats like ice cream and churros available.

Check out the Bevvie Bar nearby for the best selection of craft beers, ciders, wines, and spirits.

29. Dance the Night Away at CityFolk

CityFolk brings in exciting live acts every year in September as part of its music festival line-up.

Past acts include Van Morrison, Lorde, and Bon Iver, but they don’t specialize in any particular genre. You’ll encounter everything from bluegrass to alt-rock.

With more than 30 indoor and outdoor performances to catch, the festival is very popular among locals and traveling music fans, so make sure to get your tickets early!

What Is Fall Like in Ottawa?

Fall in Ottawa, Canada, is known for crisp weather with some rain. The temperature averages between 9°C – 20°C (48°F – 68°F) in September and 3°C – 13°C (37°F – 55°F) in October. 

Ottawa tourism dips sharply after summer, making fall a good time to score great hotel rates.

Where to Stay in Ottawa

Hotels with balconies are perfect for an Ottawa trip in the fall. It allows you to fully enjoy Ottawa’s beautiful fall colors from the comfort of the room and get fresh air each morning. 

The ByWard Blue Inn is my top pick because it has a cozy balcony and views of the Parliament!

Alternatively, these are my top 3 picks for hotels to suit different budgets:

• Best Luxury Hotel In Ottawa: Fairmont Chateau Laurier
• Best Mid-Range Hotel In Ottawa: Delta Hotels 
• Best Budget Hotel In Ottawa: Ottawa Jail Hostel

Ottawa Fall FAQs

When Can You See Fall Colors in Ottawa?

October is the best time to see fall colors in Ottawa. You’ll see a sprinkle of colors in late September, and just like the rest of Canada in the fall, the autumn season peaks in October and then starts to fade out in early November.

What Are The Best Places To See Ottawa’s Fall Colors?

• Gatineau Park: Enjoy a hike here while taking in the awesome view.
• Ottawa River: I love the view from the river cruise.
• Rideau Canal: Enjoy a walk and enjoy the sights along the historic canal.
• Major’s Hill Park: This is a popular picnic spot during Fall Rhapsody.
• Parliament Hill: Check out the pretty fall colors from the city’s most popular attraction.

What Is There To Do in Ottawa in the Fall?

• Head to a pumpkin patch for hay rides, corn mazes, and pumpkin picking.
• Check out a fall fair for fresh local produce and carnival games.
• Enjoy the autumn colors on a Fall Rhapsody picnic.
• Go for a scenic hike.
• Check out the scary Halloween attractions at Saunders Farm.
• See the huge carved pumpkin installations at Pumpkinferno.

Is October a Good Time to Visit Ottawa?

October is a good time to visit Ottawa, especially if you want to enjoy the city’s fall colors and some fun fall events. It can also be a budget-friendly time to travel as it’s not as busy as the summer travel period.

Is Ottawa Cold in October?

Ottawa’s October weather is quite cold. The average highs are 13°C (55°F), while the average lows are 3°C (37°F). Pack layers (particularly jackets and scarves) that you can put on and take off as the temperatures change throughout the day.

Are 2 Days in Ottawa Enough?

Honestly, 2 days in Ottawa is not enough time to see the whole city. I recommend staying 3-5 days to enjoy a good mix of fun activities in Ottawa.

Ottawa in the Fall Conclusion

Ottawa is a highly underrated place in Canada to visit in the fall! 

It’s the best season to check out pumpkin patches, fall colors, spooky haunted houses, and other events. Plus, you can do it all while fueled by the city’s best pumpkin spice latte (try Planet Coffee!) and delicious local poutine.

Now that you’ve sorted everything to do in Ottawa this fall, the next step is to start nailing down your travel plans by reserving a room at one of the best places to stay in Ottawa!

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