With another week of the stay-at-home order under our belts, it’s time once again to look at ideas for things we can enjoy at home or very close to it. From a virtual version of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend (one that lasts all month!) to an expanded version of NCC Sunday Bikedays, Mother’s Day gifts from Ottawa and Kingston artisans, and birdwatching webinars, all kinds of diversions await you over the next week or so. Here are just a few ideas for keeping boredom at bay.
Enjoy car-free parkways
The National Capital Commission is greatly expanding its popular Sunday Bikedays program this year. Now called Weekend Bikedays, the initiative will run on both Saturdays and Sundays, from May 1 to October 11. Major parkways throughout the city will be closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, skateboarders, inline skaters, baby strollers—just about any form of non-motorized transport, really. The project covers specific stretches of the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway, the George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and the Queen Elizabeth Driveway, at various times of day; it’s all a bit complicated, so check the linked website for details.
In addition, the stretch of Queen Elizabeth Driveway from Fifth Avenue to Somerset Street West will be closed to traffic seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, from May 3 to June 30; Colonel By Drive from basically Rideau Street to Bronson Avenue will be closed to vehicles 24 hours a day from July 2 to September 6; and all Gatineau Park parkways will be closed to vehicles except for Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays after 1pm. Got that? Like I say, it’s complicated.
Do some Mother’s Day shopping
Mother’s Day is really early this year—Sunday, May 9—so you don’t have much time to get your gift shopping done, especially if you’re ordering online for delivery! If you’d like to support shops and artisans in Kingston, Visit Kingston has rounded up a list of cool gifts from the city’s makers, including bathrobes, candles, jewellery and greeting cards. And here in Ottawa, the online Ottawa Artisans Store has lots of Mother’s Day ideas.
Catch an online show
Online shows you can enjoy this weekend include two performances in the Encore Ottawa series on Friday, April 8: one by Ottawa art-pop band Pony Girl at 8pm, followed by Afro-Caribbean emcee DJ and producer Seiiizi at 8:30pm. Courtesy of the National Arts Centre, you can enjoy a free concert by pianist-composer Kris Davis on Friday at 8pm, and a ticketed show by Senegal-born Élage Diouf on Saturday at 8pm.
Plan to cast a line in the St. Lawrence River
Abu Garcia, a fishing equipment maker, recently dubbed the St. Lawrence River the top fishing destination in the United States. Since fish don’t exactly recognize international boundaries, I have to assume that the angling is pretty good on our side of the river, too. If you’d like to try your luck in these waters, Cornwall Tourism has a fish-and-stay hotel promotion running from May 1 until October 31. (Remember, until the stay-at-home order is lifted, don’t venture beyond your community. With luck, restrictions will be eased later this year, so you could always start dreaming about or planning your fishing vacation now.)
Go birdwatching
Here’s something you can do literally in your own backyard! Ottawa Tourism has published a great guide to some of the birds you’re most likely to see in our region, from cardinals and blue jays to chickadees and woodpeckers. In the last month, I’ve spotted two pileated woodpeckers in Ottawa—one in New Edinburgh and the other at Britannia Park—but couldn’t grab a photo anywhere near as clear and nice as the one above.
Also, this year, the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory in Prince Edward County is taking its Spring Birding Festival virtual for the first time. Throughout May, you can sign up for birding webinars and enjoy other online activities. The website has lots of suggestions for birding fun with kids, too.
Run a virtual version of the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
Sure, it’s not possible to run the usual huge marathon with thousands of runners right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still work toward your personal best while raising money for a good cause! This year, the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend isn’t just a weekend—it runs from May 1 to May 30. Register and you can make up your own route, walk or run (even indoors), and record your time on a smartphone app. You’ll get all the usual swag, like a medal and a big, and you can buy race shirts and more. And if you don’t live in Ottawa, you can still participate while staying in your own community!
Visit the Ottawa Farmers’ Market
The Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Lansdowne Park moves outdoors this Sunday, May 2, with 55 vendors on hand selling veggies, bread, maple syrup, hot sauce, cheese, soup, meat and much more. Don’t forget to bring your mask—you’ll still need to wear it when you’re within the market boundaries. The market will be open from 9am to 3pm.
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2 comments
Birds Canada is also a great source of birding news and activities. Links to birding surveys hat we can participate in either without leaving home or as we do whatever bit of travelling we can.
Great recommendation, David–thanks!