Were you impressed by the 10 Things to do in Ottawa for Under $10 that we shared with you a couple months back? Well, if you’re on an even tighter budget, don’t fret because we’ve found some more Ottawa fun for you, all for no more than $5! Who said that having fun and eating well needs to cost an arm and a leg?
Brick Toast and Tea at Hangout ($3.99 – $5)
Hangout is an adorable cafe located on Somerset, in the heart of the city’s Chinatown, that has a menu full of sweet goodies for $5 and under! They offer everything from iced bubble tea, hot teas, smoothies and slushies, but what they’re most known for is their mouth watering $5 brick toast. This decadent treat, popular in Japan and Taiwan, consists of a thick slice of brioche or white bread topped with various toppings such as condensed milk, caramel, chocolate sauce, almonds and custard. Trust us, it is just as indulgent and amazing as it sounds. They also deliver, so if you prefer to stay in, you can still treat yourself. $5 well spent if you ask us!
Thrifty Shopping at Plato’s Closet ($1 – $5, select items)
Do you ever want to add something new to your wardrobe, but feel guilty spending money on luxurious, designer pieces? Well you’re in luck! Plato’s Closet, located in the Chapman Mills Marketplace in Barrhaven, is truly a gem in the city. This second-hand store sells high-quality clothing and accessories for a fraction of the retail price. Most are in such good condition, you’d never know they’re second-hand! Depending on the time you go, you can find an array of small accessories and clothing items like rings, necklaces, scarves, shorts and tank tops, as well as unused makeup from brands like NYX and Quo, for $5 or less. They also have the most addictive Instagram feed and are about to open a new location at St. Laurent, so it’s pretty hard not to get obsessed.
Hot Dogs and Ice Cream at Lois N’ Frimas ($2 – $4)
Lois N’ Frimas is an Ottawa staple, but sometimes we forget about it as so many new ice cream joints open up throughout the city! This cute takeout window, located right next to the Beavertails on the corner of George and William in the ByWard Market, has been serving delicious hot dogs, ice cream and slushies to the community for over 30 years and they’ve maintained low prices consistently. For just $3, you can get not one, but TWO yummy hot dogs. If you’re craving something sweet, their famous chocolate and vanilla swirl soft-serve is around $4 a cone. This is a summer must!
$5 Drop-in Fitness Classes at Pure Yoga and Inner Soul ($5)
If you’re a fitness junkie, or just want to try something new without the commitment of an expensive gym membership, try out one of the city’s many $5 drop-in classes! If you’re up for some yoga, Pure Yoga offers $5 Karma Power and Karma Flow classes on a weekly basis that are open to anyone, no matter your skill level. If you’re into both cycling and yoga, check out Inner Soul! On Fridays, all their classes, which include hot yoga sessions, indoor cycling and more, are just $5!
Outdoor Summer Movie Nights (Capital Pop-Up Cinema) (Free – $5)
One of our fave things about summers in Ottawa is all the outdoor movie screenings! Our friends over at Capital Pop-Up Cinema have mastered the art of the pop-up movie experience. Every summer, Capital Pop-Up hosts a series of outdoor movie screenings at various locations throughout the city. Best part? The screenings are absolutely free! So just grab some friends, and enjoy a fun, community movie night. If you’re feeling a little peckish or want to be extra comfy, popcorn is available for only $2 a bag and big, comfy bean bags are available to rent for the evening for just $5. The 2018 season kicks off tonight on Sparks Street with a screening of the musical-comedy hit Pitch Perfect, so don’t miss out!
