BEST OF OTTAWA 2019: Neighbourhoods

After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have
a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer.
In this weekly summer series, we’ll share our picks with you – 
our top hotels, live music venues, local brews,
bands and more. Check, share and discuss
#OLMBest every week!

Downtown

Literally the center of everything, Downtown is the city’s prime tourism and shopping district. It is home to the Rideau Centre, ByWard Market, National Arts Centre, Rideau Canal Locks and, of course, Parliament – all within walking distance of each other. With the new LRT line, getting downtown is quick and easy and the area is bustling more now than it ever has. With new restaurants and cafés constantly popping up and the endless festivals and events happening along Sparks Street, Downtown is a great place to live or work.

Gloucester

Being located just a 10-minute drive away from the downtown core, Gloucester gives you the best of both worlds, and makes for a very easy commute in and out of town, whether you’re driving or taking the bus. Gloucester is a driver-friendly area where malls, restaurants and residential areas are evenly spread out, and there is enough parking lot space to go around. The neighbourhood’s main attraction is Gloucester Centre, a sizeable mall with many restaurants and shops.

The Glebe

Calm, cool and collected may be the very definition of The Glebe. Close to the downtown area and university campuses while still maintaining some distance, it strikes a rare balance between creating a relaxed vibe and still featuring a bustling main strip of Bank Street running right down the middle. The lucrative combination of urban and residential makes it a great fit for just about everyone. The area’s highlight event of the year comes in the form of the famous Great Glebe Garage Sale, a mecca for antiques collectors and kids looking to spend their allowances alike.

Centretown West

The home of Chinatown and Little Italy, this neighbourhood perfectly reflects Ottawa’s rich diversity. These traits are evident in everything from the different languages being spoken between friends to the presence of some of the city’s best restaurants. But hometown pride is taken to a whole new level when this diversity is celebrated through the large number of festivals in the area throughout the year. From Italian Week to the Asian Night Market, Centretown is exciting all year round.

Orléans

The name of Orléans can be attributed to the historical French ties of its founder, Théodore Besserer, and substantial francophone population. Once mainly rural, the eastern suburb started to be developed in the 60s and has maintained constant growth ever since. The expansion of many local commercial areas and the Place d’Orléans shopping mall has led to a boost in the construction of new condos and homes. Orléans is also the location of many recreational facilities, including multiple skating rinks and community centres, nature trails and Petrie Island.

Vanier

Vanier is quickly becoming a desirable spot for students and young families because of its relatively inexpensive housing prices and close proximity to Downtown. The neighbourhood, named after mid-twentieth century Governor General Georges Vanier, is home to many restaurants, bars and shops making it trendy, yet home-y. The neighbourhood is also home to Trille Des Bois Elementary School, the only public school in Ottawa that follows the Waldorf Education model–a holitistic, artistic hands-on style of teaching sought after by many parents. Another notable feature of Vanier is the gorgeous Grotte de Lourdes, an ornate outdoor Catholic shrine.

Rockcliffe Park

Rockcliffe Park is a small, but beautiful community near the centre of the city. You may be familiar with the area because it’s where Stornoway, the official house of the Opposition Leader, is located, but it has so much more to offer. The small neighbourhood, with a population of under 2,000 residents, is home to tons of green space, scenic lakes, and the Rockeries–a must-see rock garden that is maintained by the NCC. The neighbourhood is a designated Heritage Conservation District since it is one of the few surviving 19th century communities of its kind in North America.

Barrhaven

Barrhaven is one of Ottawa’s biggest suburbs with a growing population of over 85,000. The neighbourhood is popular with families who desire that suburb life rather than the busy city life of downtown. It is also a melting pot of culture – many new immigrants settle here giving the community a very rich, multicultural population. Barrhaven’s features include big shopping complexes, highly-rated public and Catholic schools, and the stunning Walter Baker Sports Centre which houses a library, public pool, weight gym, ice rick and more.

Sandy Hill

Sandy Hill is considered by many to be a student neighborhood, given its proximity to Ottawa U, mixed with a spattering of families and seniors. There is also a large francophone population. It’s mostly residential, but is also home to many embassies, Laurier House, the Ottawa outpost of Cordon Bleu, and the beautiful Strathcona Park. The disproportionate number of hills and the sandy soil gives the area its name. This land makeup is also the reason that the neighborhood lacks many tall office buildings or condos, giving it a cozier feel.

Westboro

Located in the west end of the city between Island Park and the Ottawa River, Westboro is chic and upscale. The expansive selection of boutiques, coffee shops and funky restaurants off Richmond Road have everything you could ever need. Another standout are the beautiful murals that decorate many of the commercial buildings. Mostly made up of individual homes, it’s a great choice for families. The neighborhood is clean and well-kept, close to several schools and a stone’s throw away from McKellar Park. You can even see the Gatineau Hills in the distance.