Ottawa Shopping Guide
Best Shops, Malls in the Canadian Capital – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Oct 14, 2009
Ottawa shops range from the historic ByWard Market where produce and artisans tempt year-round visitors to mega shopping malls where national and international retailers offer great variety. Whether shopping for shoes or souvenirs, an Ottawa shopping excursion will deliver the goods.
Ottawa Shopping at Downtown Shops
A few hours spent shopping in Ottawa can nicely bookend a museum visit, a tour of Parliament Hill, or stroll along the Rideau Canal. As a gathering place for the nation Ottawa shops offer a unique array of artisan goods, Canadiana clothing, and many Canada-themed souvenirs. Downtown Ottawa features pedestrian malls, shopping centers, and world-class markets:
- ByWard Market, downtown Ottawa, mainly between York, William, George, and Byward streets, 613-562-3325. Within an easy walking distance from Parliament Hill, a farmers' market, eateries and artisans occupy the bulk of the ByWard Market district. Established in 1826 by the builder of the Rideau Canal, John By, the market has long been an important gathering point for the city. Ottawa shoppers will appreciate the diversity of browsing handmade jewelry, designer clothing, hats and accessories, or gifts while enjoying a portable snack or coffee at a local café.
- Sparks Street Mall, Sparks St., 613-230-0984. From Elgin Street to Kent Street, shoppers can enjoy the car-free-zone of Sparks Street Mall. Amble along Sparks and discover rare stamps, First Nations art pieces, and classic Canadian souvenirs all in the same strip.
- Bank Street Promenade, Bank Street, Ottawa; 613-232-6255. Stretching from Wellington Street near Parliament Hill to Gladstone Avenue, the Bank Street Promenade offers one of the most extensive Ottawa shopping experiences. It’s a marathon: 500 business over 15 city blocks. The history is a less prominent than at ByWard Market and there are more cars than at the Sparks Street Mall, but Bank Street compensates with lots of diverse shopping opportunities as well as entertainment and dining options. For a mid-shopping fuel-up, stop in for an organic , fair-trade coffee at Bridgehead Coffee House. There are two locations on Bank Street: at Albert Street, and at Gilmour Street.
Shopping Centers, Ottawa
There are many shopping malls in Ottawa where shoppers can visit favorite stores and escape the winter winds or summer heat. While the Rideau Centre is located downtown, shopping centers outside the downtown area offer additional shopping opportunities.
- Rideau Centre, 50 Rideau St., Ottawa, 613-236-6565. Anchored by the The Bay and Sears department stores, the Rideau Centre delivers a usual but convenient mall experience to Ottawa shoppers. Favorite goods range from gadgets at the Apple store to underwear at Calvin Klein and women’s fashion at Michael Kors.
- Bayshore Shopping Centre, 100 Bayshore Drive, Ottawa (near the junction of highways 416 and 417), 613-829-7491. Department stores include The Bay, Zellers, and Winners, while smaller clothing shops add lots of diversity. All-told, this three-level Ottawa shopping mall includes more than 150 services, restaurants, and shops.
- Billings Bridge Shopping Centre, 2277 Riverside Drive East, Ottawa, 613-733-2595. Although this Ottawa shopping center houses many of the same shops found in other Ottawa shopping malls, it notes its BOMA-recognized environmental standards as unique.
While the majority of these Ottawa shops are located within the downtown area, the latter two shopping malls will required transport to access. Check with OC Transpo, 613-741-4390, for current routing to the shopping centers.
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