Between the Rideau Canal and Elgin Street, in the middle of Ottawa: a few metres from the canal, a few blocks from the National Arts Centre, ten minutes from the University of Ottawa, and a walk from everything downtown.
On foot — or by bike or LRT, for the few places past an easy walk. Walking times are estimated from the map.
“A few metres from the door, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In winter it becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway — lace up at the end of the street; the rest of the year, its paths are for walking, running and cycling.”
“A few blocks away — close enough that a night of music, theatre or dance can be decided over dinner.”
“A small park a couple of minutes from the door.”
“The pedestrian bridge over the canal at the end of Somerset Street, with a view north to Parliament. It leads to the University of Ottawa and its LRT station.”
“One of Ontario's oldest high schools, in a stone building a few minutes away on foot. Check the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for current boundaries and programs.”
“Big old trees and benches in the shade, just off Elgin.”
“A playground for the kids and a basketball court, a few minutes from the door.”
“An Ottawa roaster on Elgin Street, the neighbourhood's main street of cafés, restaurants and shops.”
“A classic diner on Elgin, booths and all.”
“A local roaster, a few doors down from Bridgehead.”
“The whole neighbourhood's backyard — a community centre with a gym and a pool, an outdoor rink when it's cold enough, and a fenced dog run next door.”
“A small independent bookshop on Elgin.”
“A classic Elgin Street pub, with a patio for summer evenings.”
“Cross the footbridge and you're on the Confederation Line — downtown in a stop or two, and the rest of the city without a car.”
“The neighbourhood elementary school, a walk from the door. Check the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board's school locator for current boundaries.”
“Oysters and seafood on Elgin.”
“A gym just off Elgin.”
“The nearest full grocery store, on foot.”
“Across the canal by the Corktown Footbridge — the main campus is a ten-minute walk from the door.”
“The downtown YMCA.”
“Downtown's shopping centre, a walk away — no parking to find.”
“École élémentaire publique Francojeunesse — a public French-language elementary school across the canal, near the University of Ottawa. Grades 1 to 6 are at 119 Osgoode Street, kindergarten at 339 Wilbrod Street. Check the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO) for admission and boundaries.”
“Parliament and the offices downtown are a walk from the door. Working downtown means no commute.”
“A walk straight down the canal path to the city's farmers' market.”
“TD Place Stadium, a Whole Foods and a Cineplex, a short bike ride down the canal.”
Coffee, groceries, parks, schools, and the places a buyer asks about first. Tap a card or a pin for the details.
What a day can look like when everything is a walk.
The gym at the Jack Purcell Community Centre is seven minutes away on foot, Elgin Fitness ten, and the YMCA twelve.
In winter, lace up at the end of the street: the skateway runs along the canal to downtown.
The rest of the year, Parliament and the offices downtown are under twenty minutes on foot. No traffic, no parking.
The University of Ottawa is a ten-minute walk, over the Corktown Footbridge.
Cafés and restaurants, a few minutes from the door.
Lisgar Collegiate is about five minutes away on foot and Francojeunesse about fifteen; Lycée Claudel is 12 minutes by LRT.
Farm Boy on Metcalfe Street is a short walk.
A few blocks away: decide over dinner, and walk home after the show.
The canal sets the rhythm here: a skating rink, then a path lined with tulips, then a long green walk, then a tunnel of autumn colour.
When the ice is thick enough, the canal becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway, a few steps from the door. Winterlude brings the whole city out to it in February.
The groups, the year's events, and a few practical tips.
The volunteer association for this part of town. It speaks up on planning, streets and parks, puts out a newsletter, and is leading the push to make the Golden Triangle a heritage conservation district.
November 15 to April 1
When 7 cm of snow or more is forecast, the city calls an overnight parking ban (7 pm to 7 am) so the plows can get through. Sign up for the alerts and tell your guests: the tow trucks are quick.
July 1
Downtown fills up and the streets around Parliament close to cars. Everything is a walk from here, so the car can stay in the garage.
The French international school, 12 minutes away by LRT.
May
Spring arrives all at once along the canal. A walk down the water from here leads to Commissioners Park at Dow's Lake, where the beds are at their best.
The skateway only opens when the ice is thick enough, and some stretches can close while others stay open. The NCC posts the conditions every day.
A Saturday in late May
The Glebe, just south of here, turns into one enormous yard sale. Go early, bring cash, and don't plan on driving through.
Late January to mid-February
Three weekends when the whole city comes out to the canal, which is at the end of the street.
The best way to know if this is your house is to stand on the porch, walk to the canal, and get a coffee on Elgin. We'd love to show you around.
