How to plan a Skateway date
Plan a date on the Rideau Canal Skateway: when it opens, rentals, warm stops and what to do if the ice is not ready.
Read the guideDating in Ottawa
Meet Ottawa singles on both sides of the river
Canal skates, museum afternoons and Gatineau Park walks, plus a calm, simple way to meet people in Ottawa and Gatineau.
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Neighbourhoods of Ottawa
ByWard MarketMeet under the giant spider outside the National Gallery.CentretownSkate the Rideau Canal Skateway after work.The GlebeSunday at the Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne.Little ItalyWalk the Arboretum and look out over Dow's Lake.New EdinburghWander the grounds of Rideau Hall.Gatineau (Hull)Cross the river to the Canadian Museum of History.
Date ideas
First dates around Ottawa
Ideas our editors checked this month, with the source for each.
Second dates in the Gatineau Hills
Which Gatineau Park walks and lookouts suit a second date? Short trails, lookouts and tips for planning safely.
Read the guide
Museum dates in the capital
Which national museums make the best dates in Ottawa and Gatineau? Free evenings, views and easy places to meet.
Read the guideOut and about
Where singles meet here
- Conversation groups at the Ottawa Public LibraryThe Main branch on Metcalfe Street runs a free French conversation group, and other branches hold English conversation groups. Practising a language with the same people each week is a natural way to make friends.
- Cross-country skiing in Gatineau ParkThe park has one of the largest ski trail networks in North America, with clubs and events like the Gatineau Loppet. Shelters on the trails are friendly places to stop and chat.
- Sundays at the Lansdowne farmers' marketThe Ottawa Farmers' Market runs every Sunday all year. Going regularly means you start to see the same faces and chat with growers and neighbours.
What’s on
Coming up
- January to early March: Rideau Canal SkatewayThe free Skateway usually opens in January and runs into early March, weather permitting. Check the NCC's ice conditions before planning a date.
- Late January to mid February: WinterludeWinterlude 2027 runs from 29 January to 15 February, with ice sculptures and a snow playground in Ottawa and Gatineau. Most activities are free.
- May: Canadian Tulip FestivalHundreds of thousands of tulips bloom at Commissioners Park by Dow's Lake over about ten days in May. Entry to the site is free, and 2027 dates are still to be announced.
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VerifiedPriya, 29ByWard Market
VerifiedMatt, 35Centretown
Photo checkedAmélie, 38The Glebe
VerifiedJustin, 29Little Italy
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In shortJust Ottawa Dating is a local dating site and capital guide for singles in Ottawa and Gatineau, with date ideas from the Rideau Canal to Gatineau Park. Every photo is checked by a person, and members who pass an ID check get a Verified badge. Joining and browsing are free.
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Is Ottawa a good place to be single?
It can be. The city is calm, outdoorsy and full of people who moved here for work and want to meet others. Joining a club or group helps a lot.
What are fun date ideas in Ottawa in winter?
Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway, go to Winterlude, ski in Gatineau Park or spend a Thursday evening at the Museum of History.