Insider tips on how to save on entertainment in Ottawa
11 Minute Read
Are you planning an Ontario road trip this year? Don't miss out on a visit to the capital city of Ottawa - rich in history, mouthwatering restaurants, thrilling activities and beautiful scenery. Plus, if you're a CAA Member you can save big on outdoor attractions, sporting events, museum visits and more.
Go rafting down the Ottawa River, challenge your family to a game of paint ball, cheer on the home team and immerse yourself in larger-than-life exhibitions, among many other exciting entertainment options in Ottawa. Here is how to spend an action-packed weekend in Ottawa and save money during your stay.
Activities
Escape Tours and Rentals
Explore the capital city on two wheels and soak in breathtaking sights with bicycle tours and rentals. Ottawa has a vibrant biking culture, with almost 1000 kilometres of multi-use pathways, dedicated bike lanes and off-road routes so your day of cycling is simple to navigate.
Conveniently located downtown Ottawa, Escape Tours and Rentals offers a variety of options for you to have a biking adventure. Join a small group guided tour, book a self-guided scavenger hunt tour or rent a bike so you can explore on your own.
The Ottawa Express Bike Tour, for example, is a two-hour, 12-kilometre guided experience that will lead you through picturesque parks and neighbourhoods to major attractions in the city. Guided tours go up from a couple hours to multi-day options, so you’ll find a fun package that suits you. Traverse the city at your own pace by renting a bike for four hours, up to two weeks. There are multiple types of bikes to choose from, including tandem bike rentals to try a new experience with your bestie.
Looking for a more unique way to enjoy Ottawa’s nature and downtown landmarks? Escape also has paddle boards (SUPs) and kayaks for rent at Jacques Cartier Park. You can paddle along the Ottawa River, floating past Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Parliament, and other notable buildings as you soak up the sun.
Use your CAA Membership with code ESCAPECAA1024 when booking with Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals to receive a 10% discount.
Marked Adventure Park
eclipse_images | iStock
An ultimate day of play awaits you and your family at Marked Adventure Park, filled with many outdoor games. Your kids will thank you for a day of excitement, no matter their age and interests.
Anyone over the age of 14 can go axe throwing, and those over 10 can swing in the batting cage, play disco golf, compete at archery tag, or battle it out on the paintball course. If you have younger ones, there is a low-impact paintball for those 7 and up, an obstacle course, plus laser combat for ages 5 and older. All ages can join in on water gun fights and relax by a crackling campfire.
Choose the activity that works for your group’s size and age to enjoy a day totally immersed in the adventure park experiences. You can skip time in line by completing the online waiver, then check in and grab the required gear.
From learning new skills to bonding with friends, you won’t want to miss out on an adventure park day. You’ll be using high-quality equipment as you drum up some healthy competition or work as a team while creating everlasting memories and getting some exercise in the process.
Enjoy an action-packed day full of activities at Marked Adventure Park and save 15% using promo code CAADISCOUNT with your CAA Membership.
OWL Rafting
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3idkLpANO9/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8b37775f-febb-4ad4-a879-31562b2c08ab
You can raft world-class rapids right here on the Ottawa River with OWL Rafting. Navigate the river route that is right for you and your level of thrill-seeking, from a low-intensity channel ideal for families to high-intensity whitewater rafting for adventurers who don't mind being tossed from the raft. Medium-intensity rapids provide the full whitewater experience of paddling through the rushing water, with less likelihood of falling out.
tend your river adventure by adding an overnight stay at OWL Resort, where you can book a glamping tent, rustic cabin, cabana stay or campsite. Before or after your rafting trip, you can relax on the private beach, play a game of volleyball or frisbee golf, play lawn games including horseshoes, warm up in the sauna, grab a treat at the café and get cozy by a campfire. Many rafting packages include a BBQ meal, a pontoon river cruise, and use of the onsite facilities. Multi-day packages offer additional meals.
With a CAA Membership you can enjoy these experiences at a discounted rate – get 10% off whitewater packages and trips through OWL Rafting.
Sports
Ottawa REDBLACKS
Cheer on the home team as the Ottawa REDBLACKS compete at TD Place Stadium. June is the official kick-off to football season, so get out your best red and black outfit to watch them play on select Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays into October. Plaid attire is always highly encouraged.
sawing wood in celebration in the endzone. When buying tickets, the only other thing you need to consider is which side of the Northside versus Southside rivalry you’re on.
Purchase Ottawa REDBLACKS tickets online with your CAA Membership and enjoy up to a 30% discount, plus you’ll also save 10% on merchandise.
Ottawa Titans
Tim Austen | Ottawa Titans
Plan an evening (or afternoon) out in Ottawa that's sure to hit it out of the park and cheer on the local baseball team the Ottawa Titans. As you watch the game, keep your eyes open to see Cappy the mascot and enjoy some stadium snacks.
Throughout the season, fireworks displays are scheduled so enjoy the sparkling show after the game. There are also giveaways and contests during the season and family events and activities where you may find bouncing castles and games. Find souvenirs at the Titans Team Store.
Join the Titans on June 28, 2024, for a pre-Canada Day event with fireworks as well as on August 22 for the Bark in the Park event when you can bring your pup to the game. CAA will be at both events handing out free popcorn, plus treats for dogs at the August 22 game.
Having a CAA Membership has many perks, including a discount of up to 30% on tickets for Ottawa Titans games.
Ottawa Senators
Andr Ringuette | NHLI
Rep that red, white and gold for a hockey night in Ottawa. As one of the first NHL hockey teams, the original Ottawa Senators were founded in 1883 before folding, only to return in the 90s after a 50-year hiatus. Whether you're new to the cheering section or a long-time member of the Sens Army, you can head to the Canadian Tire Centre and enjoy the many aspects of a home game.
Watch the home team battle it out on the ice, while enjoying pump up music between periods and eating game night classics such as poutine, pizza or a foot long. Say hi to the mascot Spartacat if you see him and check out the Sens store for a souvenir.
The regular hockey season typically hits the ice from October to April each year, giving fans ample opportunity to root for the home team.
Score big with your CAA Membership and save on home game tickets to watch the Ottawa Senators play. You can also save 10% on Sens merchandise.
Ottawa 67's
Soak in the lively environment at Lansdowne Park and cheer on Ottawa's OHL home team at TD Place. From autumn to spring, you can enjoy hockey nights in the city when the Ottawa 67's hit the ice.
Wear your favourite red and black jersey to support the team as you indulge in classic arena foods like hotdogs, poutine, nachos and ice cream.
Take a win before you even get to the game and save 10% off Ottawa 67’s home game tickets and merchandise when you have a CAA Membership.
Ottawa Blackjacks
Make your next evening out a slam dunk. Basketball fans can let their excitement build and enjoy a game this spring and summer in Ottawa. The Ottawa Blackjacks are part of the CEBL league and play at TD Place Arena, so you can immerse yourself in the fun environment of Lansdowne pre- and post-game.
The team’s mission is to bring world-class sports entertainment to the capital city, as they showcase talented basketball players.
Enjoy a discount on your next basketball game in the city as CAA Members save 20% on tickets for June 15, July 4, July 18, July 20 and July 29, 2024, to see the Ottawa Blackjacks, and save 10% on merchandise.
Atletico Ottawa
Feel the energy radiating off the pitch and from the stands around you as you cheer on Ottawa’s soccer team, Atlético Ottawa. Enjoy the sounds of chants from fellow fans as well as drums and megaphones cheering to excite the crowd. The soccer season runs from April to October so you’re sure to find a sunny day where you can go watch a match. Experience the perks of the Lansdowne area before and after the game at TD Place stadium. You can also look forward to themed events like Beach Party on July 7, 2024, and La Fiesta on August 31, 2024.
Soccer game ticket prices are more affordable than some other sporting events, so it’s easier to support the home team with the entire family.
Plus, you’ll save money with a CAA Membership as Members receive a 20% discount on Atlético Ottawa home game tickets (excluding April 20 and September 29, 2024).
Museums
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Ingenium
One of Ottawa's national museums, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is one of three Ingenium museums in the city that highlight Canada's contributions to technology and innovation and how they shape our everyday lives. Discover Canadian inventions that have changed the world as you watch live science experiments, engage in interactive displays and admire familiar artifacts.
While you’re in the Sound By Design exhibit, don’t miss a visit to the Quiet Cube where you’ll feel a silence like never before as well as playing DJ on a large interactive record. Step back in time and admire the grand steam locomotives, one of the original museum exhibition pieces, in addition to the Crazy Kitchen. Keep an eye out for hitchBot Robot located in Artifacts Alley, which literally hitchhiked across the country in 2014. There’s a children’s innovation zone for the little ones, along with other exhibitions and events that you should check out. Keep reading for member discount information!
Save money on your next museum adventure with your CAA Membership and save 25% on single admission tickets at the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Ingenium
Focusing on Canada's eras of and advancements in aviation, from its beginnings in 1909 to today, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is full of larger-than-life aircraft and is located on a former military air base. The museum is filled with more than 130 aircraft and artifacts related to early aviation in Canada, the First World War, early transportation, commercial flights, the Cold War and more. You'll be in awe as you explore the Main Exhibition Hall, finding interactive exhibits and flight simulators among the many planes.
Learn about life in space as well as some of Canada’s otherworldly achievements like satellites that connect us to robotics which keep the International Space Station (ISS) working safely. Have you ever wondered what the ISS is like? The Life in Orbit exhibition helps you discover what it would be like to live in space as you learn how it operates through the eyes of astronauts. Make sure to check out the Canadarm and REX Rover during your visit.
Did you know CAA Members save 25% on single admission tickets at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum?
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
Ingenium
Tour a working farm in the middle of the city by visiting Canada Agriculture and Food Museum. Learn about the stories of where your food comes from as well as the history of agricultural innovation in Canada as you check out working farm animals, engaging exhibitions and interactive demonstrations.
You won’t want to miss visiting the herd of dairy cows where you’ll find Holstein dairy cows and heritage breeds like Canadienne dairy cows. This working herd produced 373,694 litres of milk between January and November 2022 for example, which is given to dairy farmers to process and dispense to grocery stores. You’ll find other animals including horses, pigs, goats and chickens, among others.
Check the schedule of activities in the Demonstration Kitchen so you know when to swing by to discover and sample a new featured recipe. The featured meals and treats are seasonal, rotating each month or so, with bilingual demonstrations so you can try the recipe at home. Typically, there are both sweet and savoury options to try. Have fun exploring.
Save money on your next museum adventure with your CAA Membership and save 25% on single admission tickets at Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Megan Johnson | CAA North East Ontario
Surround yourself with the wonders of nature as you explore exhibitions full of Canada's wildlife at the Canadian Museum of Nature. You'll learn about topics from the past to present, including dinosaurs and climate change. Walk through history in the many permanent exhibitions featuring fossils, a collection of birds, Canada's Arctic, giant mammals, water creatures and more.
Make sure to visit special exhibitions while they’re still on. The touring exhibition, Bug Adventure, showcases vibrant, giant displays that immerse you in the world of bugs. Running from March 15 to October 14, 2024, you will find interactive surprises around each corner, such as immersive bug chambers. Learn about these creatures’ superpowers like speedy flight, camouflage and more.
CAA Members save 15% on single admission tickets as well as museum memberships to the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Save big while adventuring through Ottawa
With discounts on select hotels, transportation and restaurants, as a CAA Member you can start saving before you even get into the capital city. In addition to the many attractions and events listed above, there are other Rewards partners where you can discover savings no matter where you travel this year.
