One of Westboro's biggest selling points is sitting right on the Ottawa River — and the neighbourhood takes full advantage of that location. Whether you're into cycling, swimming, winter cross-country skiing, or just a sunset walk with a coffee in hand, the outdoor options here are hard to beat in a city as green as Ottawa.
Westboro Beach
Westboro Beach is the neighbourhood's crown jewel. A sandy stretch right on the Ottawa River, it gets genuinely busy on warm summer days — and rightly so. Families with kids, young adults lounging with books, dogs splashing in the shallows. The water is clean enough to swim in during most of the summer, and the views across the river to Gatineau are exceptional. In winter, the beach becomes a quiet spot for riverside walks when the rest of the city is head-down against the cold. No fees, no fuss, just a great piece of public space.
Ottawa River Pathway
The Ottawa River Pathway is one of the best multi-use paths in the country, and Westboro sits right on it. In summer, it's packed with cyclists, joggers, and inline skaters heading east toward downtown or west toward Britannia. In winter, the pathway becomes a groomed cross-country ski trail — the National Capital Commission maintains it beautifully, and it's free to use. The views of the river through the trees at dusk in any season are something you won't get tired of.
Andrew Haydon Park
A short ride or drive west along the river, Andrew Haydon Park is a larger green space with sports fields, picnic areas, and more river frontage. It hosts the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival each summer and a range of community events. It's a good option when Westboro Beach gets crowded and you want more space to spread out.
Dovercourt Recreation Centre
For when the weather doesn't cooperate, Dovercourt Recreation Centre is the neighbourhood's indoor hub. Drop-in swimming, skating, fitness classes, and a gym make it a reliable option year-round. The pool is particularly popular — affordable, well-maintained, and accessible to the whole community.
Year-Round Options
What makes Westboro's outdoor scene stand out is how well it translates across seasons. The beach in summer, the groomed ski trail in winter, the pathway for cycling in spring and fall — it's genuinely usable 12 months a year. Pack layers in the shoulder seasons and you'll find the river pathway almost meditative when it's quiet.
If you're new to the neighbourhood, start at Westboro Beach and walk east along the river pathway. You'll understand quickly why people move here and never leave.
