Breathe in the Quiet Side of Ottawa
Tour description
Ottawa is more than monuments and government buildings. Just beyond the downtown rush lies a softer, greener side of the city, filled with birdsong, blooming gardens, and slow, quiet wonder.
Join me, Hawi, a local documentary photographer and passionate birder, on a guided nature walk that invites you to step away from the noise and into a more peaceful rhythm of the city. Whether you’re visiting or local, this tour offers a refreshing break from the crowds and concrete.
We begin at Dow’s Lake, where summer fills the air with the scent of wildflowers and butterflies trace colorful paths. Then, we follow the shaded stretch of the Rideau Canal, walking at an easy pace as we listen to the quiet sounds of water and wind.
Our next stop is the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, a vibrant habitat teeming with birds and pollinators. This is where we’ll settle in for most of our birdwatching. With a little patience (and a few tips from me), you might spot chickadees, finches, woodpeckers, warblers and sometimes even an owl or hawk overhead.
From there, we wander into the Central Experimental Farm Arboretum, a hidden gem filled with heritage trees, soft paths, and shady groves. Then, we round out our walk at the Ornamental Gardens and the Experimental Farm, where cultivated flowers meet wide open fields and, if we’re lucky, a peaceful encounter with cows grazing nearby.
This is more than a tour, it’s a sensory retreat. A space to slow down, learn to see differently, and connect with the wild beauty that quietly thrives within the city.
Bring your walking shoes, your curiosity, and your camera. Let’s explore Ottawa’s living landscape together, one bird, bloom, and breeze at a time.