Every neighbourhood has its public face and its private one. Westboro's Richmond Road gets all the attention — and rightly so — but the parts of the neighbourhood that locals actually treasure are usually a few blocks off the main drag. Here's what you find when you look a little harder.
The Residential Streets South of Richmond
Most people come to Westboro for the restaurants and shops on Richmond Road, but the real character of the neighbourhood lives on the streets south of it. Hilson Avenue, Sherwood Drive, and the web of tree-lined streets between them are among the most beautiful residential blocks in Ottawa. The housing stock is a mix of well-preserved older homes, thoughtful infill, and the occasional heritage property — all under a canopy of mature trees that make summer walks feel like something out of a different era. If you want to understand why people pay what they pay to live here, walk a few blocks south of Richmond.
Weeknight Sunsets at the Beach
Westboro Beach on a summer weekend is genuinely great, but it's also crowded. The real secret is the weeknight sunset. On any Tuesday or Wednesday evening in July or August, show up at the beach around 7:30pm and you'll find a fraction of the weekend crowd and a completely different atmosphere. Bring something from Farm Boy, sit on the grass above the beach, and watch the sky go orange over the Gatineau Hills. It doesn't get much better than this in Ottawa.
BIA Pop-Up Markets
The Westboro BIA runs pop-up markets and street events throughout the warmer months that are worth knowing about. They tend to draw local makers, food vendors, and community performers — the kind of small-scale neighbourhood event that feels like a genuine community moment rather than a corporate production. Follow the Westboro BIA on social media and you'll rarely miss a good one.
Dovercourt Drop-In Swimming
Dovercourt Recreation Centre is known to locals as an underrated gem. The drop-in swimming schedule is accessible, the fees are reasonable, and the pool is well-maintained. On a hot summer afternoon when Westboro Beach is packed, Dovercourt's pool is often quiet — one of those neighbourhood facts that doesn't travel far beyond the locals who use it.
Off-Season Pathway Walks
The Ottawa River Pathway in winter and the shoulder seasons is a different experience entirely from the summer rush. Fewer people, better views of the river through bare trees, and the kind of contemplative quiet that's hard to find in a city. On a clear January afternoon, the walk from Westboro Beach east toward the Champlain Bridge is genuinely beautiful. Dress for it and you'll understand why people cross-country ski this path by the hundreds.
The Real Secret
The thing locals know about Westboro that doesn't make it into any guide is simpler than any specific spot: the neighbourhood is just genuinely pleasant to exist in. The scale is right, the transit is good, the food is excellent, and the river is always there. Sometimes the hidden gem is the neighbourhood itself.
