Can you even believe it's already almost summer again? The return of sunny afternoons, long days, and green grass is enough to put a smile on your face and pep you up.
We all want to make the most of the beautiful weather and spend some time outside. Only a short drive from Ottawa, there are plenty of amazing summertime activities to enjoy. Flower festivals, hiking adventures, and fun road trips to nearby gems are only a slice of the good life awaiting us just outside the capital.
To help you have the best summer ever, here are 12 spontaneous day trips from Ottawa you need to go on!
READ MORE: Canada’s largest Waterpark Just Outside Of Ottawa Is Officially Reopening This June
Restoration Hardware Café
Distance from Ottawa: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Inside Toronto's Yorkdale Mall you'll find the stunning RH Café. The entire courtyard café is filled with chandeliers that will make you feel like you're dining in Paris. Order a cappuccino and enjoy a delicious lunch while you take in the gorgeous decor.
Oshawa Peony Festival
Distance from Ottawa: 3 hours and 49 minutes
Stop and smell the peonies at the 15th annual Oshawa Peony Festival, taking place June 15 and 16. This free event will feature over 300 types of gorgeous peonies. Drive over to Oshawa for the day to enjoy the lovely blooms, artisans, live music, food, gardening seminars, and more happening during this beautiful festival.
Montreal Botanical Garden
Distance from Ottawa: 2 hours and 19 minutes
Spring is one of the best times to visit the Montreal Botanical Garden as you can spend the afternoon strolling through all the exquisite flowers. While here, make sure to visit all the blooming cherry blossom trees covered in soft pink blossoms.
Nordik Spa-Nature
Distance from Ottawa: 20 minutes
As the largest spa in North America, Chelsea's Nordik Spa-Nature is the perfect day trip when you want to indulge in ultimate relaxation. Spend the day in the various hot tubs and saunas before cooling off in the plunge pool.
Jabulani Vineyard & Winery
Distance from Ottawa: 36 minutes
Just outside of Ottawa, you can visit this gorgeous winery and sample several of their wines. Starting in late spring, you can schedule a wine tasting and tour of the vineyards.
Terre Bleu Lavender Farm
Distance from Ottawa: 5 hours
If you love the smell of lavender, you need to visit Terre Bleu as of June 1. On the farm, there are thousands of lavender plants that bloom each year, and you can buy delicious homemade lavender ice cream.
Old Montreal
Distance from Ottawa: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Old Montreal feels like you've magically entered Europe with its cobblestone streets and gorgeous architecture. For the perfect day, make sure to get a bird's-eye view of the city atop the gigantic Ferris wheel and relax at Bota Bota, a floating boat spa.
Prince Edward County
Distance from Ottawa: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Prince Edward County is the perfect destination to visit wineries and sample some extraordinary wine. In addition to enjoying a nice glass of vino, there are plenty of springtime events happening, such as County Terroir which features new spring wines, a lilac festival, and a pop music festival!
Parc Oméga
Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour
A visit to Parc Oméga is certain to fill you with joy. At this wildlife park, you can see plenty of beautiful animals like wolves, bears, and buffalo, and even feed some of them (such as deer and elk) carrots!
Dark Sky Viewing Area
Distance from Ottawa: 2 hours
Escape the city and stargaze at the Dark Sky Viewing Area. Make sure to bring your camera or a telescope to enjoy the gorgeous view of the night sky.
Algonquin Provincial Park
Distance from Ottawa: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Spend some time outdoors, hiking and canoeing at the stunning Algonquin Provincial Park. There are plenty of trails to explore with fantastic lookouts, along with numerous lakes.
Wakefield
@sarahhx10Distance from Ottawa: 35 minutes
Wakefield is a super charming town in Quebec that you need to visit! Here, you can explore all the great little boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants in town. You can also relax at the Wakefield Inn Spa, which has a hot tub boasting an awesome view of the falls.