Rainy Day Activities Around Ottawa’s Original Downtown

A little rain doesn’t have to put a full pause on your plans. it actually could be the perfect excuse to explore more of Ottawa’s Original Downtown. From shopping and entertainment to cozy cafe’s and afternoon tea, there are so many ways to make the best out of a rainy day!

Spend The Day Shopping at CF Rideau Centre

Sometimes the best way to beat the rain is to stay inside and shop. CF Rideau Centre has everything you need to turn an afternoon into a day of browsing, shopping and discovering your new favourite outfit, all while staying warm and dry.

You can easily spend a few hours here exploring the mall. With so many stores, places to eat and grab a cute drink, you wont even have to worry about looking at the forecast. Best part is, you don’t even have to worry about running to your car in the rain. The underground parking garage has you covered… literally.

Get Competitive With Friends

Looking for something with a little more excitement? Ottawa’s Original Downtown has so many fun group activities for you to try out with friends or family.

TRAPPED Ottawa

Head over to TRAPPED Ottawa for a variety of escape rooms built for you to test your problem solving skills, and stay out of the rain. This is a great option when your looking for something that is interactive and fun. So grab your friends, family and your umbrella and run over to TRAPPED Ottawa.

Sandbox VR

Don’t even want to look at the rain? Sandbox VR is the perfect experience for you. Immerse yourself in a whole new world with your friends, and chose from a variety of games to play in. With a headset and headphones on, you will be having so much fun that you won’t even care what the weather is like outside.

Slow Down For A Cup Of Tea

Rainy weather practically calls for a cup of tea, and there is no better excuse to slow down for a cup of tea at Zoes’s.

Located inside the Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Zoe’s is the perfect place to sit back, relax and escape the rainy day. Settle in, warm up, enjoy a warm beverage, and take your time to catch up with friends while watching the rain from somewhere cozy.

Add Some Colour To A Gloomy Day

When the sky is dark and grey, add a little colour back in your day at the Ottawa Art Gallery.

Spend the afternoon wandering through the galleries and installations, taking in the exhibitions and discovering work from local Canadian artists. It is a great way to avoid the darkness of the day and add back some creativity and inspiration into your day.

A rainy forecast doesn’t need to ruin your day. From shopping to tea, Ottawa’s Original Downtown has plenty of ways to turn your frown upside down. So the next time the clouds roll in, grab that umbrella and head downtown for your new favourite way to spend a rainy day.