How to Turn an Ordinary Stroll in Vanier, Ottawa, Into a Quirky Getaway
As someone who loves strolling through new neighborhoods, I was delighted when I found out that my next destination, Vanier, was a very walkable part of town.
I wasn’t alone, however, since everyone and their dogs seemingly had the same idea. I swear I must’ve spotted (and petted) like ten different breeds just on Beechwood Avenue.
Then there was the Vanier Museopark. It may sound quite bougie in hindsight, but it got me into the rabbit hole of local history like my life depended on it.
The real plot twist of the day, though? Beechwood Cemetery. Forget being in an opening scene of a bad horror film, and say hello to a place of peace that’ll have you questioning your life choices.
Overall, Vanier is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get. But with this guide, you at least get a nice peek into the box.
Where is Vanier?
Vanier is located in the east end of Ottawa, bounded by Hemlock Road to the North, McArthur Avenue to the South, St. Laurent Boulevard to the East, and the Rideau River to the West.
How to Get to Vanier
By Car: Vanier is accessible from Downtown Ottawa via major roads like Ottawa 34/Rideau Street and St. Patrick Street.
By Bus: If coming from Downtown Ottawa, you can take the OC Transpo line 12, which starts at Queen/Metcalfe station, then ride it to Montreal/Lafontaine station in Vanier.
Things to Do in Vanier
Spend time at Don Gamble Center, St Laurent Park
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Address: 525 Coté St
Contact Number: +1 613-742-6767
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun: 6:00am – 11:00pm
Don Gamble Center at St Laurent Park is a nice local destination for recreational activities, whether you plan to enjoy some sports or just spend time with your family.
The community center has many different facilities in the vicinity. It’s a well-known spot to watch a hockey game in its skating rink, and there’s also an indoor pool to go for a nice swim.
It’s quite nice that they have a dedicated gym for basketball, which is always well-maintained. Even the locker rooms are of the same quality and are always clean.
Outside the main building is a spacious wading pool for the kids, with a shady pavilion on the side where you can sit down and relax. Some of the tables can be used for a picnic.
Just right behind the pavilion is a staircase that leads to two play structures. They kept the slides and other equipment simple, but more than enough for kids to have fun on.
The surrounding grounds of St Laurent Park are quite beautiful, and they’re especially aesthetic and worth visiting in autumn. The trees and bushes turn into orange and red hues, which is quite pleasing to the eye.
Learn about local history at Vanier Museopark
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Website
Address: 300 Pères-Blancs Ave 2nd Floor
Contact Number: +1 613-842-9871
Operating Hours:
- Tue – Sat: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Sun – Mon: CLOSED
If you’d like to find out about the local history of Vanier, then there’s no better place to be than at the Vanier Museopark.
This non-profit museum has been newly renovated, dedicating itself to the history of the Francophone community of the neighborhood. It tells the story of the milestones that Vanier has achieved.
One of its first permanent exhibitions is the “Vanier-sur-l’Outaouais, Today for Tomorrow” exhibit, which explores the transformation stages of the region and the notable figures who contributed to its development.
You’ll also find many sections and artifacts about the founding of Vanier, which used to be called Eastview. They describe the merging of the villages of Janeville, Clandeboye, and Clarkstown.
There are open-air exhibits displayed in the Richelieu Park grounds where the Museopark is situated. One example is “The Authors’ Path”, which is a trail dedicated to individuals who shaped Francophone literature in Ontario.
Stay active at the Rideau Sports Centre
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Website
Address: 1 Donald St
Contact Number: +1 613-749-6126
Operating Hours:
- Mon: 8:00am – 8:00pm
- Tue – Fri: 7:00am – 10:00pm
- Sat – Sun: 7:00am – 9:00pm
The Rideau Sports Centre is a great destination to have a fun time while staying fit. With its multiple sports facilities, you’ll easily spend hours breaking a sweat here.
They have a lot of courts available for tennis, pickleball, and padel, making them the largest racquet center in all of Ottawa. And the best part is, you don’t have to sign up for any membership.
They also offer indoor fitness classes to enhance your body and mind. With their certified instructors, you can train for strength at the gym or attend a restorative group yoga session.
After a nice game or workout, refuel at their dedicated restaurant space. Named “The Bridge Public House”, it offers classics like Fish and Chips and Cobb Salads, and handhelds like the Bridge Burger and BBQ Chicken Wrap.
The overall community is warm and welcoming at the center, no matter what skill level you’re at. This makes it a great and inclusive place for social gatherings and activities.
Read a good book at the Ottawa Public Library-Vanier
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Website
Address: 310 Pères-Blancs Ave, Vanier
Contact Number: +1 613-580-2940
Operating Hours:
- Tue – Wed: 10:00am – 8:30pm
- Thu – Fri: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
- Sat: 10:00am – 5:00pm
- Sun – Mon: CLOSED
Ottawa Public Library in Vanier is the perfect place for bookworms looking to pass the time while in the neighborhood.
This location is built on a beautiful two-storey heritage building just beside Richelieu Park, with many maple trees that give the place a tranquil vibe.
They’ve got many cozy sections with great selections of books and other reading materials. You can easily get lost while exploring the different genres they have to offer.
There’s even an area specifically made for children, which hosts storytime sessions on the weekends.
A nice bonus is the secondhand books section, where you can buy and sell pre-owned books of any type.
The staff members are always welcoming and ready to assist you in searching for your next book. They also have books that you can borrow for free each time you come.
Pay your respects at the Beechwood Cemetery
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Website
Address: 280 Beechwood Ave, Vanier
Contact Number: +1 866-990-9530
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Sat: 9:00am – 4:00pm
- Sun: CLOSED
While it may sound weird to add a cemetery to your itinerary, we found that Beechwood Cemetery offers peaceful surroundings and interesting local history.
The grounds take up a big portion of Vanier’s land area, with acres upon acres of picturesque landscapes and park-like features.
As Canada’s national cemetery, it’s home to notable figures like former Prime Minister Robert Borden, former Governor General Ramon Hnatyshyn, and lumber and railroad baron John R. Booth.
The cemetery also has memorials for members and veterans of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and Canadian Armed Forces.
Apart from the thousands of gravestones, walking through the winding pathways lined with flowerbeds makes it feel more like a botanical garden than a cemetery.
Where to Eat and Drink in Vanier
Le St. Laurent
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Website
Address: 460 St. Laurent Blvd
Contact Number: +1 613-421-1444
Operating Hours:
- Wed – Thu: 5:00pm – 9:30pm
- Fri – Sat: 5:00pm – 10:00pm
- Sun: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- Mon – Tue: CLOSED
Le St. Laurent is known for providing a great gastronomic experience with its French cuisine and penthouse-style dining.
The place is designed with a refined and elegant interior that overlooks the city, with comfortable seating and modern amenities that complement the food.
The Small Plates menu already offers a great selection of items, such as the Chicken Liver Mousse, Crab Croquette, and Miso Caramel Glazed Pork Belly.
Their Seared Scallops is one of their bestsellers, adorned with ingredients like cosmic crisp apple, sunchoke puree, and lobster and sunchoke foam.
Our personal favorite from their mains is the Steak & Frites, which is a hearty 7-oz serving of Angus Striploin steak that’s seasoned and grilled to perfection.
The Soca Kitchen
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Website
Address: 224 Beechwood Ave, Vanier
Contact Number: +1 613-695-9190
Operating Hours:
- Mon: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
- Tue – Fri: 11:30am – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- Sat: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
- Sun: 10:30am – 1:00pm
Right along Beechwood Avenue is The Soca Kitchen, a tavern-like restaurant cooking up appetizing Spanish cuisine for the local palate.
Upon entering, you’re greeted with a mix of warm-colored decor and European-style ambiance, making for quite a unique experience.
Their brunch menu is filled with solid options such as the Braised Chicken Taco Breakfast and the Caribbean Style Whole Fried Fish of the Day.
We particularly love their Bagel & Smoked Salmon combo, which comes with lemon, red onions, pickled slaw, and a side of crispy fries.
They also have an Oyster Bar, where you can order either a dozen or a half-dozen oysters, which are nicely accompanied by mignonette, orange horseradish, cocktail sauce, lime, and lemon.
We recommend finishing off your meal with one of their Torta De Queso Cheesecake. The pistachio cream balances the sweetness nicely, while the crumble adds a bit of texture.
Where to Stay in Vanier
Courtyard Ottawa East
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Website
Address: 200 Coventry Rd
Contact Number: +1 613-741-9862
Courtyard Ottawa East presents each guest with high-quality facilities, spacious rooms, and a great set of amenities.
The hotel is in an excellent location that’s far from congested and only minutes away from Vanier. It’s the perfect choice of accommodation if you plan to explore the neighborhood with ease.
The rooms are nicely maintained and give off a warm ambiance. The ceilings are higher than most hotel rooms we’ve seen, and there’s no lack of floor space even with two queen-size beds.
Even the 1-king guest room already measures 33 sqm and comes with a cozy living area to relax in.
Some of the amenities around the hotel include the well-equipped fitness center, indoor pool area, and on-site laundry station.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Ottawa
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Website
Address: 100 Coventry Rd
Contact Number: +1 613-741-2300
Hampton Inn lives up to the Hilton brand with its top-tier service, uniquely designed hotel rooms, and well-rounded amenities.
It’s located right next to major highways, such as Highway 417, and is near popular local spots like the Ottawa Stadium and the St. Laurent Shopping Centre.
They use a lot of nice-quality wood designs for the guestrooms, including the bed headboard, the TV table, and the sink base cabinet.
The whole layout feels quite compact, with the living area and kitchen countertop within reach of the bed.
Aside from the free breakfast, indoor pool, and gym access, you can also earn discounts and other benefits by being a Hilton Honors member.