March in Ottawa is a month of transition, winter holding on with one hand, spring tugging with the other. But that in-between quality is exactly what makes it interesting. Here's a look at the best things to do in the capital this month.
Cultural Highlights
The National Gallery of Canada has a strong showing this month, with its major contemporary exhibition in full swing and free admission on Thursday evenings. If you haven't been since the fall, it's well worth a fresh visit.
The Ottawa Chamber Music Society is mid-season and hosting several concerts at Dominion-Chalmers Centre, a venue whose acoustics alone are worth the price of admission. Check their calendar for dates throughout the month.
The Ottawa Little Theatre and the Great Canadian Theatre Company both have productions running through March. GCTC in particular has built a strong local following for its community-focused programming.
Outdoor and Active
Gatineau Park is in its most transitional state, cross-country ski trails are closing down while the main hiking routes open up. The P10 and Pink Lake Trail are reliably accessible by mid-March. Sugarbushes in the Ottawa Valley are in full operation through the end of the month; Farm Way Ottawa and Sugarhill Farm are both worth the short drive.
The Rideau Canal's skating season is officially over (typically by mid-March), but the pathway along the canal opens up for walking and eventually cycling as temperatures improve.
Food and Drink
Several new restaurant openings have livened up the Ottawa food scene this month, including a new kitchen in Hintonburg and expanded patio plans from several Wellington West mainstays. The Ottawa Restaurant Week (if scheduled) offers a chance to try tasting menus at reduced prices, check the Ottawa Tourism calendar for current listings.
Neighbourhood Picks
Westboro's Broadview Avenue strip is worth a wander on any dry March day. The independent shops, coffee spots, and restaurants there capture what Ottawa does best: liveable, local, and distinctly non-corporate.
Source: Kitchissippi Times
