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Rideau Canal
Best time to visit
In winter from January to February, the skating season on the canal is at its best. In summer, the banks invite you to go for walks and boat trips in pleasant temperatures.
Budget tips
Entry to the canal and the ice rink is free. You can rent skates from around 15 CAD per day; mulled wine and waffles cost 5-8 CAD.
Recommended for
Active travelers and skating fans, History enthusiasts, Photography enthusiasts, Families with children
Plan your visit
1-2 hours on foot, 3-4 hours by boat or skates
About
Quick facts: The 202-kilometer-long waterway connects Ottawa with Kingston and overcomes 47 locks. Completed in 1832, it is the oldest continuously operated canal in North America.
Highlights: Every winter, 7.8 kilometers of the canal transform into the world's largest natural ice rink, attracting over one million visitors. The idea originated in the 1970s when a local businessman started a small skate rental service, and from that grew a unique urban winter tradition.
Insider tips
- Early in the morning during the week, you will have the ice rink almost all to yourself.
- The best photos are taken at sunset at Dornsby Lock with a view of the Parliament Building.
- Dress in layers and pack warm gloves; it gets windy on the ice.
- A walk along the staircase of locks at Parliament Hill showcases the impressive engineering of the canal.
Practical info
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