How to have the best bachelorette weekend in Ottawa: An itinerary

Day 1: Brunch, spa and a night on the town

Properly prepare yourself for the weekend’s festivities with brunch fit for a queen (or soon to be bride and her babes!). Make a reservation at Mati in Ottawa’s Little Italy neighbourhood for mouthwatering Mediterranean cuisine or try Gezellig in the trendy Westboro area for its full variety of brunch eats.

Once you’re properly nourished for the day, head to one of the region’s two incredible Nordic-style spas, Nordik Spa-Nature and Kōena Spa, complete with thermal baths, treatments and scented saunas. You and your girl gang deserve some R & R! Hoping to stay in the city? Uppliva Sauna & Steam is located right in the heart of the Westboro neighbourhood.

Once you’re relaxed, you’re ready to go… out for a night on the town that is! Get dressed up and go dancing. For casual live music, check out Heart & Crown in the ByWard Market or in Little Italy. If the girls love EDM, head to Berlin or City at Night. Or go to Rabbit Hole on Sparks Street for dinner, pop upstairs for a speakeasy experience and then head back down to the main area to dance the night away. For upscale lounge and cocktails try Charlotte on Elgin Street, Stolen Goods Cocktail Bar on Sparks Street, or Nan’s Parlour and Apothecary Lounge in the ByWard Market.

Day 2: High tea, manicures and wine

Have you ever enjoyed a high tea experience? Zoe’s, located inside the iconic, castle-like Fairmont Château Laurier, offers an elegant afternoon tea service you need to try. Afternoon tea treats include buttermilk scones, goat cheese tarts and smoked salmon croissants. Enjoy these decadent eats alongside tea, coffee or something even stronger, like champagne and mimosas.

Continue to pamper yourselves by getting a mani and pedi at one of Ottawa’s many nail salons! Phi Beauty Bar and Lilac Nails & Spa on Bank Street offer impeccable service in convenient locations. If you’re in the Little Italy area, check out Plush Beauty Lounge. This spacious spot can seat all the girls, and the best part is you can sit back, relax and order a bottle of wine.

Once your nails are sparkling show them off! Head to KIN Vineyards, where you can sip on a variety of wines and enjoy the most incredible sunsets. If the bachelorette weekend is taking place during KIN Vineyard’s off season, head over to the amazing National Arts Centre (NAC), Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts! With concerts, ballets, theatrical performances and more, your girl friends are sure to have the best time! Don’t forget to visit Elgin 1 for a pre- or post-performance drink.

Day 3: Drag brunch, wellness and dinner

Take your brunch experience up a notch with a drag brunch! On the last Sunday of every month, head to The Vanitea Room in Chinatown to see some of Ottawa’s best queens perform their dazzling lip synch and dance routines. Brunch and drag… there really is no better combo!

Detox from the weekend’s festivities with a fun group workout. Drop into a hot yoga class at Pure Yoga on Bank Street or in Westboro, or Elevate Yoga on Elgin Street. Or challenge yourself to a Pilates class at REFORM Health & Fitness, Framework By Lagree or Glebe Pilates, all of which are sure to make you feel the burn.

Head right back into the shenanigans with a ride on the Thursty Pedaler—Ottawa’s very own pedal tavern! With two locations, one in the Glebe and one in Hintonburg, you can explore the trendy neighbourhoods while enjoying beer from some of the best pubs in the city!

Finish the bachelorette weekend the right way with a fancy dinner! Ottawa is lucky to be home to 8 of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. Indulge in Canadian contemporary cuisine at the upscale Riviera restaurant. Or sample multiple Italian-inspired dishes at the charming North & Navy or Cantina Gia restaurants.