Exploring Sparks Street Ottawa Tourist Traps That Are Worth the Hype
Even though I’ve lived in Ottawa for several years, Sparks Street remains one of my favorite places to explore. There’s always something new waiting around the corner—whether it’s an art installation, live performance, or food stall.
When my friends and I were going out for drinks, we stumbled across a pop-up cinema right by the street, which was completely free. We ended up watching the film, and we came back every single week for movie night for the rest of the summer.
If you’re looking for fun and exciting things to do in downtown Ottawa, Sparks Street is the perfect destination. I’ll show you a glimpse of what it has to offer in the guide below.
Where is Sparks Street?
Located in downtown Ottawa, Sparks Street runs from Elgin to Street in the East to Bronson Avenue in the West. It’s three minutes away from Parliament Hill on foot.
About Sparks Street
Image credit:sparks_street
Website: https://www.sparkslive.com/
Location: 56 Sparks Street
Phone: +16132300984
Sparks Street is the first pedestrian promenade in Ottawa. Given its location, it serves as a perfect starting point for exploring Ottawa’s landmarks, including Parliament Hill, the National War Memorial, and the ByWard Market.
You’ll find plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment options so there’s never a dull moment.
Throughout the year, you can attend various festivals, enjoy street performances, watch art installations, and catch live music performances. Although it can be pretty touristy, it’s still worth exploring.
Best Things to Do in Sparks Street
1. Sign up for a walking tour
Image credit: ottawatourism
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, you should go on a walking tour of Sparks Street at least once in your life. It’s a great opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and discover hidden gems along the way.
While there are a variety of guided tours, my favorite is The Haunted Walk. You’ll go around the downtown area at night, exploring the most haunted spots while listening to hair-raising stories of the supernatural.
2. Go on an immersive tour of the Parliament
Another exciting activity on Sparks Street is the Immersive Parliament Experience. It’s a 360-degree multimedia attraction, which transports you to the Central Block’s historic spaces.
Aside from taking you on the virtual tour, the experience will delve into the history, art, and role of the Parliament. It takes 45 minutes, so plan your day accordingly.
Although tickets are free, you’ll have to sign up in advance. Not to worry, they host multiple tours throughout the day for seven days a week.
3. Watch a pop-up cinema
Image credit: sparks_street
During summer, Sparks Street transforms into an outdoor cinema. You can watch public screenings of classic and contemporary films—for free!
These outdoor movie nights are perfect for families, friends, or couples looking to enjoy a relaxed evening under the stars.
Don’t forget to bring a chair, or you can rent one on-site for $5. You can grab popcorn from the stalls, but I prefer to pack my own snacks.
Just remember: no alcohol!
4. Admire the art installations
Image credit: sparks_street
Plenty of art installations, permanent and temporary, are on display year-round in Sparks Street. You’ll see large statures decorating the streets and photo exhibits adorning the sides of many historic buildings.
One of the most famous monuments you’ll find is Lord Stanley’s Gift at the eastern end. Designed by Linda Covit, Bao-Chau Ngyuyen, and NORR, it’s a massive piece you can walk through and interact with.
Must-Attend Events in Sparks Street
Buskerfest
Image credit: sparks_street
Date: Last week of August to September
Buskerfest transforms Sparks Street into an outdoor stage for some of the world’s most talented street performers. Expect to see magicians, acrobats, fire-breathers, and other extraordinary acts as they entertain crowds with awe-inspiring performances.
Performances are fun, free, and family-friendly, so what’s not to love? It even takes place over several days, so you have plenty of opportunity to watch the shows.
Ribfest
Image credit: sparks_street
Date: Last week of May to June
Another summer event you can look forward to is the Ribfest. Throughout the festival, food trucks and other pop-up shops will serve delicious ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and all sorts of mouth-watering meats.
It’s always a busy event so come early to avoid the long lines and to secure a table. If all the tables are full, try going to a restaurant as some will allow you to eat on their patio with a purchase of a beer.
Winterlude
Image credit: sparks_street
Date: First week to mid-February
Winterlude is an annual winter festival celebrated across Ottawa, including Sparks Street. You’ll see art installations, ice sculptures, and live music performances.
Food stalls will also line the street, serving hot chocolate and freshly baked pastries so you can warm up while you walk around. You can also find a bench and huddle around the outdoor heaters to stay warm.
Where to Eat
Riviera
Image credit: dineriviera
Website: https://dineriviera.com/
Location: 62 Sparks St.
Opening hours:
- Sun-Wed, 5 PM to 10 PM
- Thu-Sat, 5 PM to 11 PM
Phone: +16132336262
Must-have: Steak Frites
Riviera is an upscale spot serving craft cocktails and elevated comfort foods, such as mushrooms on toast with black truffled and steak frites with bordelaise sauce. It’s the perfect venue for a romantic date or an intimate celebration.
It’s also a great sport for after-hours drinks because of its extensive liquor collection, which includes wines, classic cocktails, and other spirits.
Bier Markt
Image credit: thebiermarktottawa
Website: https://www.thebiermarkt.com/en/locations/on/ottawa/156-sparks-st
Location: 156 Sparks St.
Opening hours:
- Mon, 11:30 AM to 10 PM
- Tue-Fri, 11:30 AM to 11 PM
- Sat, 12 PM to 11 PM
- Sun, 12 PM to 10 PM
Phone: +16137807575
Must-have: Schnitzels
If you’re in the mood for something more casual, Bier Markt is a great option. They offer craft beers from around the world, which perfectly pair with their hearty pub fare—fresh oysters, pasta, schnitzels, and flatbreads to name a few.
What makes it stand out is its selection of rotating beers on tap. Every time I visit, there’s something new and exciting to try.
3 Brasseurs
Image credit: 3brasseurssparks
Website: http://www.les3brasseurs.ca/
Location: 240 Sparks St.
Opening hours:
- Mon, 11 AM to 10 PM
- Tue-Thu, 11 AM to 11 PM
- Fri, 11 AM to 12 AM
- Sat, 11:30 AM to 12 AM
- Sun, 11:30 AM to 10 PM
Phone: +16133808140
Must-have: Pretzels with beer
Another excellent spot for beer is 3 Brewers, a microbrewery that serves up house-made craft brews alongside comfort foods.
Although they’re known for their booze, they have several non-alcoholic options. They have mocktails, mai tais, fruity iced teas, and other refreshing beverages.
Here, the outdoor patio is the best place to enjoy a cold one because you see all the festivities unfold from a comfy spot.
Where to Shop
The Snow Goose Gallery
Image credit: thesnowgooseltd
Website: http://snowgoose.ca/
Location: 83 Sparks St.
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +16132322213
The Snow Goose is known for selling art made by Inuit and First Nations Artists. If you’re looking for interesting pieces for your home, this is a great place to shop.
They have jewelry, paintings, wooden carvings, and other trinkets. You can even buy dinnerware sets like plates, salad servers, napkin rings, and bowls—all hand-carved with indigenous motifs.
Canada’s Four Corners
Image credit: sparks_street
Website: https://www.canadasfourcorners.ca/
Location: 93 Sparks St.
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +16132332322
Nestled right on the corner of Sparks Street and Metcalfe, Canada’s Four Corners is your go-to for unique souvenirs. They have the usual t-shirts, mugs, and plushies, ideal for travelers who want to remember their travels in Ottawa.
But if you’re looking for something more meaningful, they have artwork, wooden carvings, and sculptures, which you can display at home.
True Bijoux
Image credit: truebijoux
Website: https://truebijoux.ca/
Location: 206 Sparks St.
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 10 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +16132322229
True Bijoux offers an exquisite selection of fine jewelry, including engagement rings, custom pieces, and vintage collections. They also have simple everyday pieces that you can wear no matter the occasion.
What I do like about this shop is that they have special collections. The Thomas X Haribo is one of the latest, featuring cute gummy charms on bracelets, necklaces, and rings.