Sparks Street Mall
Filed under Shopping
Located a block from Parliament Hill, the Sparks Street Mall is Ottawa’s only outdoor pedestrian mall. The street is completely shut off to vehicles, allowing people to enjoy the outdoors while visiting the many shops, or watching the many events that take place there.
There are a number of places to shop, including jewellery shops, a book shop, souvenir shops, clothing shops, and more. The department store Zellers has a smaller store. The posh Holt Renfrew also has a large shop on Spark Street.
If you get hungry, there are a number of places to eat, including places serving pub food, traditional English fair, a deli, and well, it wouldn’t be Canada if there weren’t a Tim Hortons.
The Sparks Street Mall is notable for holding many events. In the summer there are often live concerts. The Busker Festival is always very popular.
You can find out more about the Sparks Street Mall on their website.
Rideau Centre
Filed under Shopping
The Rideau Centre is Ottawa’s main shopping center in the downtown area. There are 180 stores there, and there will be something for everyone, from posh designer clothing stores to a dollar store. For eating, there is a food court for fast food fare. You can also choose a restaurant or an English style pub. There is a small cinema with three movies showing.
The Rideau Centre is located at 50 Rideau Street. It’s telephone number is (613) 236-6565. (Paid) parking is available at the center, with entrances on Nicholas Street and Daly Avenue.
The Rideau Center is open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., on Saturdays, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The center is open every day of the year except for Christmas, New Year’s and Easter - on most holidays it is the only place in the city that is open. You can find out more about the center on its website.
Byward Market
Filed under Shopping
The Byward Market is a small, trendy neighbourhood in the heart of the downtown core of Ottawa.
On weekends, there is a farmer’s market there and people from across the city flock there to buy fresh produce that is regionally grown and sold at very competitive prices.
The Byward Market also contains a number of specialty shops that sell items that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else in Ottawa.
In the evening, the Byward market is the place to hang out in Ottawa, with some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and clubs.
Byward Market is located just north of the Rideau Centre. The Byward Market Business Improvement Area has a website with more information that you can visit.