This summer, Airbnb named the Glebe one of the ten trendiest neighbourhoods in Canada, placing Ottawa's urban enclave alongside Toronto's Kensington Market, Montreal's Golden Square Mile and Vancouver's Hastings-Sunrise. It's the kind of recognition locals have quietly understood for years, and it points to something bigger about how we travel now.
Airbnb reports that across the country, short-term bookings in these trendy neighbourhoods are up nearly 180 per cent year over year. Travellers are no longer only choosing a place to stay; they're choosing a place to spend time in. Somewhere walkable, charming and established. Whether you're planning a trip to Ottawa or you're a local who's been meaning to rediscover your own backyard, consider this your official nudge to stay in the Glebe, especially as the city celebrates its bicentennial birthday.
A sense of place
Ottawa Airbnb host Sean put it perfectly, when interviewed by Airbnb: guests can "experience the energy of Lansdowne, explore local restaurants and shops, and walk along the Rideau Canal, all while staying in a neighbourhood that feels welcoming and connected." That's the Glebe in a sentence: walkable, friendly and packed with local vibes. Great coffee, incredible food and one-of-a-kind shops set among quiet residential streets and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, only a short stroll away.
Bank Street, the heart of the city
Bank Street is the Glebe's main artery and is built almost entirely of independent business, with over 60% of Glebe businesses being locally owned. Browse the shelves at Octopus Books, relax with soothing lavender products at Provence en Couleur, or dig through the crates at Compact Music. Stop for a coffee at Little Victories, recently ranked among the best coffee shops in the world, enjoy something sweet at Ichiban Bakery or something savoury at Ramen Isshin, one of Ottawa’s top rated ramen spot.
And that's barely scratching the surface. For every restaurant, boutique and hidden gem on the street, the Glebe BIA directory is the easiest way to plan your route.
There's always something happening at Lansdowne
Lansdowne Park anchors the south end of the Glebe with a year-round event calendar. Catch the Ottawa REDBLACKS (football), Ottawa BlackJacks (basketball), Ottawa 67's (hockey) and soccer clubs Atletico Ottawa and Rapid FC.
Weekly events like the 613 Flea Market and the Ottawa Farmers' Market pop up between games, alongside seasonal highlights such as the Panda Games, Ottawa Christmas Market, and Whisky Wonderland. Standout events are already on the horizon: the famous Australian children's group, The Wiggles wrap up August, and thousands of athletes and visitors will convene at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in the Glebe in September. Make sure to check their website for more details.
Green space at your leisure
While the Glebe boasts one of Ottawa’s most charming main streets, it also offers unique access to the unmissable Rideau Canal, acting as the eastern and southern boundaries of the neighbourhood. During the summer it is perfect for walking, cycling and paddling; in the winter it becomes the world's largest skating rink, tracing the edge of the Glebe. The outdoors here aren’t a side attraction; these activities are woven into daily life.
Despite these must-see landmarks, there's room to slow down, too. The Glebe is one of Ottawa's most dog friendly neighbourhoods, with large dog parks for your four-legged family members and quiet spaces like Brown's Inlet and Patterson Creek that are made for an afternoon with a blanket and a good book. Make sure to swing by Il Negozio Nicastro for all your picnic supplies.
Timing your visit
The Glebe is the heartbeat of Ottawa and a neighbourhood unto itself but undeniably connected to the rhythm of the city in all four seasons. A stay in the Glebe in the spring would be incomplete without taking in the legendary Great Glebe Garage and Sidewalk Sale in May. Locals and visitors flock to the Glebe in the thousands to bargain hunt along Bank Street to support Glebe businesses at the Sidewalk Sale or to find that perfect treasure in the neighbourhood along the Avenues During the summer months, the Glebe is ideally located to access all the major festivals: The Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Ottawa BluesFest, Escapade Music Festival and so much more!
Holidays in the Glebe are magical too. The Glebe BIA’s annual Glebe Spree runs from November till the end of December, rewarding shoppers with surprise AnyDay Prize gift cards and four grand prizes of $2500, while Glebe Glimmer adds to the holiday magic with late night shopping and festive delights.
The calendar changes often, so the Glebe BIA's social channels and event page are the best way to see what's on while you're in town.
Spending a day here does more than you'd think
Downtowns and mainstreets are having a moment and not by accident. This August, IDA Canada is marking Downtown Month with the theme “Embrace Downtowns”, which is a great reminder of the role that downtown neighbourhoods like the Glebe play. As IDA Canada Chair Paul McKinnon puts it, "Downtowns and mainstreets are at the heart of community life here in Canada... an opportunity to recognize the value of supporting the local businesses, workers and public spaces that help their communities thrive."
When you visit a neighbourhood like the Glebe, your money stays close to home. Airbnb's figures show the typical guest in Canada spends over $300 a day, with nearly half of that going straight into the neighbourhood they're staying in. Most host recommendations are local, and more than half of travellers say they wouldn't have discovered the local charm without staying nearby.
Come see what the buzz is about
The Glebe rewards the kind of travel more of us are after: local, walkable and unhurried. Give it a full day, or a weekend if you can. Browse Bank Street, walk the canal, find a patio and see what's on at Lansdowne. Chances are you'll be planning your next visit before you've left.
Plan your visit and see everything that's happening at intheglebe.ca, and follow along @intheglebe on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok.
Written by Yash Thapa, Project Coordinator at the Glebe BIA. Yash covers events, marketing and all the good things happening along Bank Street.
Reach the team at info@intheglebe.ca
