Looking for the best March Break activities in Ottawa? Look no further than your own backyard. The Glebe is serving up a full week of family fun, from live sports at Lansdowne to café crawls on Bank Street and everything in between.
🛍️Shop, Browse & Discover
Bank Street is your March Break playground. With over 400 businesses, the Glebe BIA represents one of Ottawa’s most unique retail corridors. Spend a morning hopping between boutiques — from cute apparel and toys for the kids at Shoe Plus Shoe, to eclectic home décor and gifting treasures at Hokum, and artisan goods from Il Negozio Nicastro. Kids and parents alike will love the variety. Don’t miss the specialty craft shops and art galleries that invite you to slow down and explore.
🍕Eat Well, Eat Local
Fuel the family adventure with the Glebe’s diverse dining scene. Grab a morning coffee and pastry at Little Victories, then settle in for a leisurely lunch at one of Bank Street’s farm-to-table restaurants, like Wild Oat Bakery. For a casual dinner, Chipotle keeps the whole crew happy and it’s always best to follow up with a warm fresh cookie from Insomnia Cookies.
🏒Live at Lansdowne Park
Snag tickets to the Ottawa 67’s game versus the Oshawa Generals at TD Place on March 18th. Live junior hockey is affordable, energetic, and a fantastic March Break outing for families. If you’re a musical family, come out and enjoy The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on March 20th. Lansdowne Park itself is worth exploring, the outdoor plaza, weekend local markets, and a Cineplex to entertain cinephiles of all ages..
🌿Outdoor Exploration
March in Ottawa means the first hints of spring are in the air. Take the family for a walk along the Rideau Canal and Patterson Creek, binoculars in hand for a birdwatching adventure. Grab a fun drink from Beandigen Cafe to accompany you! If you love to browse fun finds, go to the 613Flea at the Aberdeen Pavilion on Saturday, or the Farmer’s Market on Sunday. The Glebe is perfectly positioned between the canal and Bank Street, making it easy to mix outdoor time with indoor warmth whenever needed.
🎨Arts, Culture & Creativity
The Glebe’s arts scene is a hidden gem. Visit de Montingy Contemporary, Jaya Krishnan Arts, and look out for local murals and street art that dot the neighbourhood. For a rainy afternoon, the neighbourhood’s bookstores like Octopus Books, or Evermore Booktique (which opens on March 20), and craft shops are perfect for a quiet browse.
Keep young hands busy at 4Cats Art Studio which is offering March Break drop-in programs and camp for the full week. Painting, clay, creativity – hands-on art is endlessly engaging for young kids and produces a keepsake to bring home. They also run all-ages sessions, so parents can join in too.
If you’re looking early, you can register your child to March Break Camp at GNAG where they can let their imagination soar, explore fun outdoor activities, and learn about themselves. If they’re all booked up, no worries, simply set up a fun craft at home using supplies from The Papery.
Creativity is baked into the Glebe’s identity; let it inspire your family too.
🗺️Plan Your Visit
The Glebe is easily accessible via Bank Street from downtown Ottawa. Parking is available throughout the neighbourhood, and it’s a short transit ride from the core. The best way to experience the Glebe? Slow down, wander Bank Street, linger over coffee, and chat with local shopkeepers. This is a neighbourhood you savour, and March Break is the perfect time to do just that.
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