The Perfect Weekend in the Glebe: A Neighbourhood Guide

The Glebe is one of Ottawa's most walkable, liveable, and genuinely enjoyable neighbourhoods to spend a weekend in. Whether you live here or you're making the trip from across the city — or across the country — this itinerary will help you get the most out of 48 hours in one of Ottawa's best urban villages.

Saturday Morning

Start early. Head to Kettlemans Bagel on Bank Street for a wood-fired Montreal-style bagel and coffee. This Ottawa institution is open 24 hours and the bagels are best fresh from the oven. Take your breakfast to go and walk down to Patterson Creek Park for a morning stroll along the creek.

From Patterson Creek, it's an easy walk south to the Rideau Canal. In winter, lace up your skates — the canal is one of Ottawa's signature winter experiences and the Glebe provides direct access. In summer, rent a bike from one of the nearby Cyclefiesta stands and explore the canal pathway.

Saturday Afternoon

Lansdowne Park is the natural afternoon destination. Depending on the season and the schedule, there may be a RedBlacks game at TD Place, a farmers' market, a concert, or a public event in the park grounds. Even with nothing scheduled, Lansdowne is a pleasant place to walk around — the Aberdeen Pavilion heritage building is worth seeing up close.

Browse Bank Street in the afternoon. The Glebe's main strip has excellent independent shops: bookstores, clothing boutiques, gift shops, and specialty food retailers. The Glebe Business Improvement Area has done a strong job supporting local retail, and the variety of shops is a genuine draw.

Saturday Evening

Dinner at Union Local 613 or Brassica — book ahead for either. Both are Bank Street institutions and weekend evenings fill up fast. If you can't get a reservation, the bar at Union Local 613 often has space for walk-ins.

After dinner, explore the neighbourhood's quieter residential streets. The Glebe's Victorian and Edwardian brick homes are beautiful at night when the streetlights are on, and the area around Patterson Creek is particularly atmospheric.

Sunday Morning

The classic Sunday morning in the Glebe involves brunch and a long walk. Brassica's weekend brunch is exceptional and draws a devoted crowd — arrive by 10 a.m. or expect a wait. The Table Community Food Centre also runs Sunday programming that's worth checking out.

After brunch, loop through the residential streets south of Bank Street toward the canal. The architecture here — large brick homes on tree-lined streets — is some of Ottawa's finest residential streetscape. It's easy to spend an hour just walking and looking.

Sunday Afternoon

Check what's on at the Aberdeen Pavilion or Lansdowne Park. Sunday afternoons at Lansdowne often have programming — markets, family events, live music in season. If there's nothing on, the canal pathway back toward downtown makes for a beautiful closing walk.

Practical Weekend Tips

• Getting there: The Glebe is well-served by OC Transpo. Driving and parking is manageable off-peak.
• Walking: The neighbourhood is compact and walkable. You won't need a car on-site.
• Seasonal highlights: Canal skating in winter (January–February); Glebe Garage Sale in late May; summer concerts at Lansdowne.

The Glebe rewards slow exploration. Don't rush — this is a neighbourhood built for lingering.