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Ottawa

    • What's happening in Ottawa this weekend: Feb. 11-13

    Skaters enjoy the rink at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2020. Skaters enjoy the rink at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2020.
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    CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at activities and events happening in Ottawa, eastern Ontario and western Quebec during the weekend leading up to Valentine's Day.

    Several businesses, museums and streets in the downtown core remain closed due to the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration.

    Also, check the COVID-19 restrictions in effect in each province before heading out this weekend. 

    A full list of Quebec restrictions can be found here. A full list of Ontario restrictions can be found here.

    RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY

    The Rideau Canal Skateway remains temporarily closed due to the mild weather.

    Monitor the National Capital Commission's website for details on reopening.

    MUSEUMS

    The Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada remain closed due to the ongoing demonstration in downtown Ottawa.

    For information on each museum in the region, visit the websites.

    The Ottawa Arts Court is also closed this weekend due to the demonstration.

    SKATING

    Three of Ottawa's four outdoor refrigerated skating rinks are open for skating.

    Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall

    • Closed until further notice

    Lansdowne Park Skating Court

    • Daily: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

    Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink

    • Daily: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

    Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink

    Residents must book reservations at ottawa.ca/skating to skate at the four rinks during peak periods.

    For a list of outdoor rinks in the city of Ottawa, visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/skating/outdoor-rinks.

    OUTDOOR RINKS ACROSS THE REGION

    Gatineau has 82 outdoor rinks available. For more information, visit Gatineau's website

    The city of Kingston's Springer Market Square Rink is open. For information on other rinks in Kingston, visit the city's website

    ICELYND SKATING TRAILS

    Former Ottawa Senators forward Chris Neil and friends invite you to skate on Ottawa's newest skating rink and trail in the west end.

    Icelynd Skating Trails and Outdoor Skating Rink is located on Fernbank Road, just minutes outside of Stittsville.

    Skate through the trails in the forest this weekend. Passes must be purchased in advance.

    For more information, visit icelynd.com.

    Icelynd Skating Trails is Stittsville’s newest attraction which offers an intimate experience through the dense forest brush as well as a professionally maintained outdoor rink in Stittsville. (Tyler Fleming / CTV News)

    RIVEROAK – NATURE'S PLAYGROUND

    Skate through an orchard, forest and meadows at RiverOak Winter Trails on York's Corners Road in Ottawa.

    If you don't want to skate, RiverOak also provides snowshoe and hiking trails.

    For more information, visit https://www.riveroak.ca/skating.

    THE LITTLE PENGUIN TRAIL

    Little Penguin Trail is an outdoor skating rink built on the Touraine Golf Club.

    Located just 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa on Chemin Tache in Gatineau, enjoy skating on over 5 kilometres of icy path in the middle of nature.

    A daily pass starts at $15.

    For more information, visit https://thelittlepenguintrail.com/

    The map at the Little Penguin Trail in Gatineau, Que., showing the different loops and paths skaters can take. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

    COUNTRYSIDE ADVENTURES

    Countryside Adventures offers you a three kilometre skate through the woods.

    There's also three kilometres of snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, along with a tubing hill.

    Countryside Adventures is located at 16495 Sixth Rd. in Moose Creek, 45 minutes north of downtown Ottawa.

    For more information, visit https://www.countrysideadventures.ca/.

    Scott Anderson heads onto the three-kilometre skating trail at Countryside Adventures in Moose Creek, Ont. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)

    PATINAGE EN FORET

    You're invited to skate through the forest 45 minutes from downtown Ottawa.

    Discover the enchanting site of skating in the forest at Patinage en Foret in Lac-Des-Loups, Que.

    Proof of vaccination and photo ID is required to access Patinage en Foret. The cost is $18 for adults and $14 for kids.

    For more information, visit https://www.patinageenforet.com/en/.

    Monica Bourque, left, skates with daughter Katherine Rupay, 5, and sister Lisa Bourque at Patinage en Foret, or Skating Through the Forest, in Lac des Loups, Quebec, on Friday, Jan. 26, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

    GATINEAU PARK

    You can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow biking and winter hiking in Gatineau Park this weekend.

    For more information and winter passes to access the park, visit https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/gatineau-parkhttps://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/gatineau-park

    David Hetherington cross-country skis on the morning of Christmas Eve at Gatineau Park near Chelsea, Quebec, on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. Despite the sun, a -31 C wind chill was expected in the region Tuesday morning and a frostbite advisory was issued by Ottawa Pulic Health. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

    WINTER TRAILS IN OTTAWA

    Over 100 kilometres of trails are groomed in Ottawa for winter recreational activities.

    The National Capital Commission invites you to get out cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking and walking. Access is free.

    Locations include the Mer Bleue conservation area and the Rideau Winter Trail along the Rideau River.

    For information on winter trails in Ottawa, visit https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/groomed-multi-use-winter-trails

    Skiers enjoy the Rideau Winter Trail along the Rideau River. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

    MOONEY'S BAY SKI CENTRE

    The Mooney's Bay Ski Centre at Terry Fox Athletic Facility features 5 kilometres of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, including lit trails for night skiing.

    For more information, visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/sports#mooneys-bay-ski-centre

    PINHEY FOREST TRAILS

    You can go for a winter hike on two trails in the Pinhey Forest in the city of Ottawa.

    Year-round parking access available behind the Nepean Sportsplex.

    For more information, visit https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/index.php?url=trails/view/pinhey-forest-trails

    SKIING

    Ski resorts are open across eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Visit each resort's website for details.

    SWIMMING

    Ottawa's indoor swimming pools are open.

    For information on swim times and reservations, visit https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/swimming#public-swimming.

    OTTAWA FARMERS' MARKET

    The Ottawa Farmers Market Winter Market is open every Sunday at Lansdowne Park.

    The market is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Aberdeen Pavilion.

    CAPITAL WEDDING SHOW

    Walk down the aisles to plan your dream wedding this weekend at the Capital Wedding Show.

    The show runs Saturday and Sunday at the Infinity Convention Centre.

    For more information, visit https://www.capitalweddingshow.com/. All guests aged 12 and older must provide proof of vaccination to enter.

    FRIDAYS AT THE FOURTH

    The National Arts Centre invites you to enjoy Fridays at the Fourth with Clerel.

    The free Facebook Live show begins at 8:30 p.m.

    For more information, visit https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/30349.

    The National Arts Centre remains closed for in-person shows due to the ongoing demonstration downtown.

    OTTAWA WINTER JAZZ FESTIVAL

    The Ottawa Winter Jazz Fest presents "From the Vault Series", featuring online concerts.

    The vault is open until Feb. 13.

    For information on shows and tickets, visit https://ottawajazzfestival.com/.

    OTTAWA FIRE VIRTUAL TOURS

    The Ottawa Fire Service is inviting you to tour two fire stations virtually.

    The service has teamed up with a local videographer to create two high-quality virtual station tours of Fire Station 53 in Orleans and Fire Station 73 in Vars.

    The virtual station tours are in English with French subtitles.

    For Station 53, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx6dyMNVkLE

    For Station 73, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3hqBTnW29k

    PARC OMEGA

    Parc Omega is open in Montebello, Que.

    For more information, visit https://www.parcomega.ca/en/.

    FEED THE CHICKADEES

    While out for a family winter hike, feed the chickadees.

    You can find chickadees at Stony Swamp Conservation, Mud Lake Conservation and Mer Bleue.

    For more information, visit https://ottawariverlifestyle.com/blogs/news/where-to-feed-chickadees-in-ottawa

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