Nature’s Playground: A Guide to Ottawa’s Wesley Clover Parks
Welcome to the ultimate playground, outdoor explorers! Wesley Clover Parks offers unique touches that cater to anyone looking for an opportunity to indulge in nature’s offerings.
This includes camping, horse riding, hiking, and oh – did we mention that they also have exciting events to look out for?
Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or someone akin to Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap, Wesley Clover Parks extends an open invitation to anyone who wants a combination of fun and nature.
What to Do in Wesley Clover Parks
Get an adrenaline rush from cross-country skiing
Wesley Clover Parks offers riveting activities to its visitors. In the winter session, you can indulge in skiing trails that span over 18 kilometers, ensuring an enjoyable experience.
Because of the absence of any intense slopes or hills, it’s guaranteed to be perfect for any skill level.
The thought of skiing here just makes us excited for the next winter season! Race you there!
Appreciate the sights while biking, walking, or hiking
During the warmer months, Wesley Clover Parks transforms into a delightful venue for other modes of outdoor exploration: biking, walking, and hiking.
It’s a ‘choose your own adventure’ type of thing, with a number of trails to choose from. Even kids will enjoy their time here – proven and tested by our lovely guinea pigs (aka our kids).
Sign up for horse riding lessons
Here’s what Wesley Clover Parks is most famous for – fun equestrian activities anyone can partake in.
Haven’t ridden a horse before? They have horse riding lessons, which can be exhilarating as you go on.
However, expect a few bumps on the road if you’re a complete beginner.
On the other hand, if you’re a seasoned rider, they also accept sign-ups in your skill level. Who knows, maybe you’ll even go pro!
For steps on how to sign up for their horse riding lessons, be sure to give their website a visit.
Go camping
As we mentioned earlier in this article, you can also go camping at Wesley Clover Parks for the full experience. We highly recommend it to visitors and locals who want to escape from the bustling city without even stepping outside of it.
They have tons of convenient campsite amenities that will make your stay hassle-free like a laundromat, electricity and water, ice and firewood, and more.
It’s definitely a little more on the glamping side especially if you’re staying in the cabins.
Learn more about forests
Wesley Clover Parks isn’t just a destination for avid, nature lovers. They also took it upon themselves to educate the community on the natural environment and how to take care of it.
While this program is tailor-made for kids, even adults can learn a thing or two during this fun and educational process.
Catch equestrian tournaments
Wesley Clover Parks also hosts invigorating equestrian tournaments.
While one might think it’s fun seeing them on television, they’ll be surprised by just how much more dynamic they are in person.
It’s extremely enjoyable to witness majestic horses with their skillful riders, observing the fascinating connection between the two.
The dynamic between the equestrian and the horse was quite moving to witness in the flesh.
The 2024 tournament schedule is as follows: May 16 to 19 and 23 to 26, July 3 to 7 and 10 to 14, August 21 to 25, and September 12 to 15.
For complete information, take a look at their website.
Watch the light show
Commonly called the Magic of Lights, visitors also have the opportunity to catch a stunning drive-through light show covering around 2 kilometers.
The craziest part? We heard there are about 2 million lights installed, ensuring a captivating view for all.
It happens every holiday season, but for the exact dates, keep your eyes peeled on their website.
Look out for exciting events
Wesley Clover Parks hosts a lot of exciting events. In the past, there has been a car show, a dog parade, and a dinosaur exhibit.
They haven’t posted anything about the upcoming events this year, but you can always check their website for real-time updates.
Needless to say, we’re excited to see what they come up with!
Where to Stay in Ottawa For Wesley Clover Parks
Hyatt Place Ottawa – West
Address: 300 Moodie Dr, Ottawa, ON K2H 9G1, Canada
Phone: +1 613-702-9800
Pricing: $$
Located just a quick 6-minute drive from Wesley Clover Parks, Hyatt Place Ottawa West offers stylish and sophisticated rooms at a surprisingly average price point.
They also have sparkling amenities to make their guests’ stay memorable and convenient, including a fitness center, a pool, meeting facilities, and more. A huge plus is that they’re also pet-friendly.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Kanata
Address: 900 Great Lakes Ave, Kanata, ON K2K 0L4, Canada
Phone: +1 613-270-2050
Pricing: $$
With its simple, no-fuss rooms, Homewood Suites provides a stellar, contemporary ambiance with a focus on a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
They’ve also been highly praised for their consistency when it comes to keeping the spaces clean, which we’ve also noted during our stay.
Oh, and it’s just an 8-minute drive to Wesley Clover Parks with many eateries nearby. More on that later!
Days Inn by Wyndham Ottawa West
Address: 350 Moodie Dr, Ottawa, ON K2H 8G3, Canada
Phone: +1 613-777-8611
Pricing: $$
Days Inn is another great choice if you’re staying in the city for Wesley Clover Parks. A mere 7-minute drive will transport you into the exciting natural wonders of your destination.
Anyway, the rooms they offer at this accommodation are plain and basic – but we mean that in the best way. In fact, it has everything you need – nothing more, nothing less.
The staff is also commendable for the quality service they offer.
Wesley Clover Parks Campground
Address: 411 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON K2K 0J5, Canada
Phone: +1 613-828-6632
Want to experience Wesley Clover Parks the best way we know how? How about trying to stay in the vicinity, so that your adventure is just within arm’s length?
You have the option to bring your RV and haul a trailer. For the ultimate outdoor experience, you can also set up your own tent.
However, if you still want the convenience of staying in a hotel with the soothing ambiance the Wesley Clover Parks provides, you can also rent out one of their cabins.
Do note that their campgrounds are only available from May 3 to October 15.
Where to Eat in Ottawa Near Wesley Clover Parks
Cyranos
Address: 2039 Robertson Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 8R2, Canada
Phone: +1 613-721-0510
Pricing: $$
Offering delectable, well-curated Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist, Cyranos stands out as one of the top restaurants near Wesley Clover Parks. Surprisingly, most visitors (and even some locals) leave this place undiscovered.
‘Run, don’t walk’ as the kids are saying these days because you’d want to get your hands on their dishes pronto.
Their chicken parmesan exceeded our already high expectations from hearing many people rave about it. We also suggest ordering the prosciutto pizza.
Zolas
Address: 2194 Robertson Rd, Nepean, ON K2H 9J5, Canada
Phone: +1 613-721-0227
Pricing: $$
Craving a tasty Italian classic? We’re sure Zolas can whip you up something good.
They have a wide range of menu options, which can get pretty overwhelming considering it’s so tempting to try them all.
To save you the trouble, we rounded up all our all-time favorites to ensure you the best of the best. The top contenders among our team are the Atlantic salmon, chicken marsala, and the four cheese pizza.
Mandarin Restaurant
Address: 290 W Hunt Club Rd, Nepean, ON K2E 0B7, Canada
Phone: +1 613-228-2200
Pricing: $$
The Mandarin Restaurant is a thrilling location if you want to try all your Chinese favorites. Why, you say?
They offer a buffet type of dining experience with a delectable assortment of dishes, so there’s something here for everyone.
Here’s a tip: don’t miss out on the desserts. The mini waffle with blueberry topping and ice cream is, for the lack of a better term, orgasmic!
Turkish Kebab House
Address: 471 Terry Fox Dr Unit 120, Kanata, ON K2T 0A3, Canada
Phone: +1 819-919-6565
Pricing: $$
Turkish Kebab House is a one-stop shop for delectable and authentic Turkish delights. A short visit will instantly answer the question ‘Why are they so highly rated by their customers?’
Their urfa kebab almost wrote us an invitation for our return visit! We devoured the charcoal-grilled beef in a matter of minutes, that’s for sure.
Where to Grab Coffee Around Wesley Clover Parks
Morning Owl Kanata
Address: 1047 Canadian Shield Ave, Kanata, ON K2K 0H4, Canada
Phone: +1 613-518-0021
Pricing: $$
Extend your relaxing Wesley Clover Parks visit by taking a short trip to Morning Owl for a fresh cup of coffee. We love to emphasize how the ambiance here is good for the soul because of how cozy and inviting it is.
The flat white and iced coffee were the most memorable among their array of drinks. Oh, and make sure to try their dishes too while you’re at it.
The owl breakfast deserves a spot in the top tier with its exciting inclusions of eggs, fruit, toast, fries, and bacon or sausage. It’s definitely the breakfast of champions.
Art Haven Ceramic Cafe
Address: 200 Kennevale Dr #102, Ottawa, ON K2J 6B6, Canada
Phone: +1 613-823-6822
Pricing: $$
Art Haven is a lovely cafe that doubles as an enchanting gateway to the world of art. Get to sip on tasty drinks while trying out a hand in painting on ceramic or on canvas.
If you’re going to Wesley Clover Park to unwind or to do soul searching, this one should definitely be included in your itinerary.
Equator Coffee Kanata
Address: 5114 Kanata Ave. Unit 1&2, Ottawa, ON K2K 3K5, Canada
Phone: +1 613-592-2444
Pricing: $
Equator Coffee is a well-loved cafe chain, offering an enticing ambiance for its relaxed vibe. It’s definitely a great place to unwind, have a chat, and maybe even work on your laptop.
We were big fans of the chai latte because of its perfect balance of flavors.
Luna Crepes & Cafe
Address: 329 March Rd #110, Kanata, ON K2K 2E1, Canada
Phone: +1 613-254-5551
Pricing: $$
Luna Crepes & Cafe is a haven offering a short reprieve to anyone who needs it. The ambiance is comforting, but it’s on their patio where visitors can really indulge in that serene atmosphere.
Just outside its borders are verdant landscapes and lush trees that are especially enchanting during the summer.
Imagine taking all that view in while enjoying a cup of their tasty cappuccino. Surely, it will be a memorable visit for anyone!