If you’re looking for the perfect fall getaway filled with outdoor adventure, cool urban fun and an amazing culinary scene, then Ottawa is your spot. Walk down pathways lined with golden leaves, take amazing fall pics of Iconic building surrounded by pops of red, indulge your inner foodie, and explore harvest season fun with these fun things to do in Ottawa in the fall.

1. Fall Hiking in Gatineau Park

One of the best places to go fall hiking hear Ottawa is Gatineau Park. Located a short drive from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park becomes ablaze with colour in the fall season, and has over 200km of hiking trails to choose from.

If you’re looking for an easy hike and beautiful fall pics, head to the beautiful Mackenzie King Estate. Explore 100-year-old historical ruins, then head down the easy Waterfall or Lauriault trails. For a more challenging hike, head to the King Mountain Trail, following the Eardley Escarpment 300m up to an epic viewpoint overlooking the surrounding countryside. The Pink Lake Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park, and with its looped trail surrounded the turquoise Pink lake, and multiple boardwalks and lookouts, it's a great spot to spend a fall afternoon.

*It’s important to note that Gatineau Park has various road restrictions during the fall season:

Ways to access Gatineau Park in the fall:

By car – Wednesday 8am-dusk, every other day of the week, noon-dusk
FREE Gatineau Park Shuttle Bus – Operates 6 days/week (no Wednesday service), and makes stops at top attractions in the park. The shuttle runs until October 3rd, 2025
By bike or on foot – Access is available at all times

2. Explore the Fall Colours by Bike

Ottawa is an amazing city to explore by bike, and a fall bike ride along the city’s Capital Pathway system will never disappoint. Strap on your helmet and take the Rideau Canal Pathway from downtown to Dow’s Lake, or continue further all the way to Mooney’s Bay and Hog’s Back Falls. Alternatively take the Ottawa River pathway east or west for kilometers of smooth riding past popular attractions, fun patios, and beautiful greenspace.

If you don’t have your own bike you can easily rent one in downtown Ottawa from Rent-a-Bike, or Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals.

3. Go Fall Leaf Viewing in City Parks

Ottawa has some great urban parks and pathways right in the city, perfect places for a fall stroll. The Dominion Arboretum located alongside Dow’s Lake is perhaps the best place in the city in terms of variety of trees and pathways to explore. Spend an afternoon exploring on foot or by bike, or pack some snacks for a picnic in the fall leaves.

Vincent Massey Park, located along the Rideau River just south of downtown Ottawa has some amazing opportunities for leaf viewing, with its mature hardwood forest and large picnic area. Take the trail south from the park and hike up to Hog’s Back Falls and check out one of Ottawa’s coolest waterfalls surrounded by fall colours.

If you’re short on time or in the downtown core, Major’s Hill Park is also another great spot for fall colours. With iconic building like Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier as the perfect backdrops, this popular urban park is a must-visit.

4. Get Cozy in a Local Coffee Shop or Café

When the crips fall air has you hankering for a hot drink, stop at one of Ottawa’s coffee shops or unique cafés to warm up. Grab a pumpkin spice latté at Little Victories Coffee, or get cozy with a hot chocolate and a book at Black Squirrel Books, one of Ottawa’s last independent book stores.

5. Catch the Golden Tamaracks at Mer Bleue Bog

Mer Bleu Bog boardwalk trail Ottawa in fall

If you’re visiting Ottawa in late October or early November, you’re in for a treat. Mer Bleue Bog, surrounded by its extensive tamarack forest, and spectacular boardwalks, turns a brilliant gold every year in late fall. Meander down the 1.2km trail, stop to learn more about the unique bog ecosystem and enjoy fall’s final show.

6. Indulge in Fall Treats at an Ottawa Bakery

No fall foodie adventure is complete without a stop at one of Ottawa’s best bakeries. Devour a crispy pickle melt or towering kronut at Art-is-bakery, or get a box of French pastries and festive fall cookies at Moulin en Provence.

7. Snap Epic Fall Pics from Scenic Lookouts

Have you even visited Ottawa if you don’t have a perfect fall pic? Take a short walk from Major’s Hill Park to the newly opened Kìwekì Point for panoramic views of the Ottawa River and Parliament Hill. Another amazing lookout point is the Summer Pavillion, located directly behind Parliament Hill, where you can view the fall colours sweeping across Major’s Hill Park. If you venture across the Alexandra Bridge to Gatineau, the view from the Canadian Museum History is perhaps the best in the city.

8. Paddle Down the Rideau Canal

Paddling down the Rideau Canal in the fall is must for anyone who loves being on the water. Bring your own boat,or rent a canoe or kayak at Dow’s Lake, and take a leisurely paddle around the lake surrounded by changing leaves, or explore the entire length of the canal all the way to Parliament.

9. Fly Over the Fall Colours with Ottawa Aviation Adventures

Get a unique bird’s eye view of the fall colours from a vintage WACO UPF-7 open cockpit biplane with Ottawa Aviation Adventures. Choose from a fall flightseeing tour around downtown Ottawa, over the Ottawa countryside, or both, and see the beautiful fall colours from above. Flights are from 10-35 minutes in length and depart from the Ottawa West Location at the Carp Airport.

*Flights from the Canada Aviation and Space Museum are currently unavailable for fall 2025

10. Treat Yourself to a Hearty Brunch

A hearty brunch is always a great way to start a fall day, and Ottawa’s best brunch spots have you covered! Enjoy a high-end boozy brunch at Gezzelig located in a converted 1950’s bank building, or get comfy at the King Eddy in the ByWard Market and chow down on brunch classics.

11. Grab a Drink on a Patio

Patio season is Ottawa does not end in the summer! With three-season and all-season patios all over the city, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the last sun rays of the season. Bring a sweater and dine al-fresco in the heart of the ByWard Market, or enjoy a cocktail on a rooftop patio overlooking the city.

12. Pick up Fall Produce, Décor, and Local Goods at a Farmers’ Market

If you’re looking to pick up fall décor, harvest season produce, fresh flowers or locally made goods, make a stop at one of Ottawa’s cool farmers’ markets. Choose from the Lansdowne Farmers’ Market (Sundays), the ByWard Market Farmers’ Market, or the Parkdale Public Market which also hosts a fun night market every Wednesday until October 8th, 2025.

13. Take a Fall Boat Ride on the Rideau Canal or Ottawa River

A boat cruise down the Ottawa River or Rideau Canal are fantastic ways to experience Ottawa in the fall. Take a 1.5hr cruise down the Ottawa River with Ottawa Boat Cruise on the Paula-D, departing from both the Ottawa and Gatineau sides of the River. Alternatively explore the famous Rideau Canal with Rideau Canal Boat Cruise offers daily tours of the canal on their 100% Ekeau certified all-electric passenger boat.

14. Zipline Over Fall Foliage or Take a Chairlift Ride at Camp Fortune

Chairlift ride Camp Fortune Gatineau Park Ottawa in fall

Located in Gatineau Park, Camp Fortune has some great fall activities, both fast and slow. Take a zip down the newest and longest zipline in the Ottawa region spans a whopping 4,487 ft, on the Peak to Peak Ziplines. Alternatively hop on a scenic chairlift ride and enjoy a relaxing ride through the stunning fall foliage, weekends and Thanksgiving Monday until October 19th, 2025.

15. Pick Your Own Apples at an Apple Orchard near Ottawa

September and October mark apple picking season, and there’s no better way to enjoy a fall day than at a local apple orchard. Hop in the car for a short drive out of the city and handpick your own bag, basket or bushel at family-owned farms all throughout the region

16. Enjoy Country Fun at a Fall Farm or Pumpkin Patch

The Ottawa region is an agricultural mecca, and if you love fall farms and all things pumpkin, then the capital region is the place to be. Visit Saunders Farm and challenge yourself in one of their giant hedge mazes, pick your own pumpkins, and make a stop at their cider house serving tasty ciders made with locally grown apples. If you have the kids in tow, Proulx Maple & Berry Farm has a wide range of fall activities for kids during Pumpkinfest including a corn maze, wagon rides, outdoors play park, petting farm, and of course pumpkins.

17. Discover the Eerie Side of Ottawa on a Haunted Walk

If you love the paranormal and all things spooky, then the Haunted Walk is for you. Take a guided tour at dusk and visit haunted landmarks around the city, learn about Ottawa’s supernatural past, and get chills with creepy ghost stories highlighting the darker side of the city. Tours range from 75-120min in length and are open to those of all ages – minus a few extra scary tours with age minimums.

18. Test Your Nerve at a Haunted Halloween Attraction

Put on your brown pants and test your nerve at one of Ottawa’s terrifying haunted experiences this fall. Grab your bravest friends and head to sKreamers at Prouxl Farm, Aces of Terror at Cannamore Orchard or Fright Fest at Saunders farm and get ready to scream on haunted hayrides, spooky labyrinths and fog mazes and haunted attractions that will have you running back to the car.

19. Relax and Unwind at an Ottawa Spa

Rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit this fall at one of Ottawa’s best spas. Treat yourself to luxurious body treatments at Holtz Spa, relax in the amazing outdoor pools of Nordik Spa Village, or detox in the unique Himalayan Salt Room at Kōena Spa. If you’re looking for a specialty treatment, choose a spa specializing in isolation floating pods, cryo tanks, reiki and holistic treatments, or a traditional Japanese-style head spa.

20. Search for Treasures at Ottawa’s Antique Stores

If you’re looking for some cool treasures to match those fall colours, then go on a fall antiquing adventure in Ottawa. Search for unique collectables and antique furniture at Ottawa’s best antique stores like Yardley’s antiques or the Ottawa antique market in Old Ottawa South, or shop for a cause at High Jinx, where proceeds from the shop help to support to those in the community.