Accessible Ottawa: A Guide to a Perfect Day for All

By: Maddie and Sam

Whether you’re new to Ottawa or just feeling like being a tourist for the day, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite wheelchair-accessible spaces and places in the city for our take on the perfect day in Ottawa.

A Wheelchair-Friendly Breakfast Spot

Les Moulins Lafayette – Ottawa

1000 Wellington St. West, unit 103

Hours: Tues-Sun 8am-3pm, Closed Mondays

Cost: $-$$

A beautiful French bakery located in the heart of Hintonburg, Les Moulins Lafayette, is the perfect place to start your day. With a wide range of coffees, teas, sandwiches, and pastries, there truly is something for everyone. The French baguette will remind you of sleepy mornings spent wandering the streets of Paris, and they even sell frozen croissant dough, ideal for baking at home and impressing your in-laws.

Accessibility Info: 

Although the main entrance has four stairs, there is clear signage that leads to an accessible entrance with automatic doors on the left side of the building. Once inside, there is plenty of space to manoeuvre, with pastries and breads showcased at an appropriate height for viewing while seated. The bathroom is spacious, with an automatic door to enter. There are two grab bars located beside the toilet.

Enjoy the Outdoors: Ottawa’s Accessible Pathways

Rideau Canal Pathway

Lansdowne to the Dominion Arboretum

1525 Princess Patricia Way, Ottawa, ON – Arboretum, Ottawa, ON,  

Cost: Free

If you’re looking for a place to get out into nature, the river path along the Rideau Canal is a beautiful way to get some exercise and explore the city. Our favourite route starts at Lansdowne and heads past Dows’ Lake into the Dominion Arboretum. Keep your eye out for wildlife, like this Great Blue Heron, who likes to frequent the marshier areas of the river.

Accessibility Info:

The main path along the canal is paved, with a smooth rolling surface ideal for wheelchair users. The Dominion Arboretum has a variety of connecting paths, some paved and some packed with gravel or dirt. Note that the Dominion Arboretum is located on a large hill, so if you stray far from the canal, you might be going into uphill territory! We weren’t able to find any accessible public toilets within the grounds of the Arboretum; however, Lansdowne has many businesses with accessible washrooms, like Whole Foods Market. Lansdowne also has multiple paid accessible parking spots, both above and below ground.

Exploring Science and Innovation

The Canada Museum of Science and Technology

1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON K1G 5A3

Cost: $$, Free from 4-5pm everyday

The Canada Museum of Science and Technology is a great museum for people of all ages interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Head over to Exploratek to build, create, and explore different hands-on STEM concepts, or check out our favourite exhibit, Into the Great Outdoors, which features different disabled athletes and their adaptive technology, helping them to get out into nature.

Accessibility Info:

With a Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification of Gold, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is paving the way for accessible museum interpretation. From adapted museum experiences, such as lowered panels for reading, accessible seating during their live shows, and objects located at an accessible height, to a ceiling lift and an adult change table in one of their bathrooms, we were super impressed by the clear commitment to universal design located throughout the museum. There are multiple accessible parking spots out front.

An All-Inclusive Dining Experience

CRAFT Beer Market Ottawa

975 Bank St, Ottawa, ON

Cost: $$, All day Happy Hour on Sundays

After a long day of exploring the city, the CRAFT Beer Market at Lansdowne is a great place to unwind, people-watch, and sample some local brews. They have an extensive menu featuring vegan and vegetarian options, as well as crowd-pleasers like their Brew-Masters Chicken Sandwich and their AC Burger. Even better, Sundays feature Happy Hour deals all day long!

Accessibility Info: 

CRAFT Beer Market features automatic doors with barrier-free access at their main entrance on Bank Street. Inside, there are several low tables on the main floor, as well as a ramp to access the low tables on the various other levels throughout the restaurant. The washrooms are accessible, with automatic doors and one accessible stall in each. There is paid accessible parking both above and below ground. Unfortunately, they do not validate parking.

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Header image (Ottawa sign) via Jacob Meissner / Unsplash

Maddie and Sam are an interabled couple living in Ottawa. They love exploring new places together and are always on the lookout for cool spots that put accessibility first. When not teaching or coaching in the community, they can be found chilling at home with their cat Virgo and dog Mae or drinking Romeo Sours with friends at Giulia, their favourite restaurant.

Follow them on Instagram: @accessible.ottawa