Early Springtime in Canada

Canada’s capital, Ottawa, boasts a plethora of seasonal attractions, activities and small-town fun. This urban oasis offers countryside scenery and a vast landscape for outdoor exploration, as well as a fun cityscape.

Stay in the city and enjoy the endless options for dining, shopping and sightseeing. Be sure to rent a car so you can catch the tail end of maple syrup season in and around the city.

Where to Eat

Taste more than 100 types of poutine during the fourth-annual PoutineFest in Ottawa, Canada, April 26–29. A local favorite, poutine consists of French fries, cheese curds and brown gravy — and it’s worth the celebration. Enjoy exotic poutine competitions, eating contests, local brews and live entertainment during this free event.

Begin at Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush in Pakenham, Ontario. Just less than an hour west of downtown Ottawa, the mom-and-pop establishment is worth the trip. Enjoy a traditional sugar bush experience with an authentic, home-cooked cuisine.

Sink into a booth at Flapjack’s Canadian Diner and feel like a local. No rush to make the season cut-off at Flapjack’s, since it’s always maple syrup season at this beloved diner. Order milkshakes, bacon pancakes and any homemade pancake sandwich you can get your hands on — you won’t be disappointed.

What to Do

Hop on a horse-drawn sleigh through the forest and complete your classically Canadian afternoon. If you’re too full for more sugar, purchase some spa products for later in the Maple Shop — open through April 15.

Unwind after the long trip of eating, observing maple traditions and riding through the forest with a relaxing treatment at Holtz Spa. Opt for the Maple Treatment and enjoy the healing antioxidants and rich mineral naturally found in maple syrup. You’ll feel — and smell — amazing.