Dows Lake Pavilion

A beautiful spot in Ottawa with a special place in my own story. This was the first place I ever went fishing in Canada, and it’s where I caught my first sunfish — a small moment, but one I’ve never forgotten. The pavilion area is peaceful, easy to walk around, and always feels welcoming, whether you’re here for a quiet morning by the water or just enjoying the view. A simple, memorable place that stays with you. Stopped by this evening and took a walk along the Rideau Canal Skateway — all 6.8 km of it open. Standing on the ice and watching people quietly skating by gave the pavilion a completely different feeling from summertime. The calm, open space, the soft sound of blades on ice, and the winter light made the whole area feel peaceful in a way you only get in Ottawa’s colder months. A simple moment, but a beautiful contrast to the busy, warm‑weather scene here.

These are for the Rideau Canal, and the pavilion as one of the many entry ways. Great location to access the "start" of the canal skate. Very good conditions, awesome Beavertail staff still cooking up great Beavertails ( I always get the Killaloe Sunrise, and this nights was one of the best ever). Pretty low numbers on the canal for a Saturday at 6.

We came early in the afternoon. No reservations needed or wait in line. For group rent, only 1 ID 💳(not including healthcard) was taken and we all paid together. The rent prices are per hour + taxes. They accept both card and cash. We wanted to try the pedal boat but the staff recommended that the boats were currently not at their best. We decided to rent a tandem kayaks and a solo kayak. 🛶 We signed a waiver📃, given a life vest each and then shown to our kayaks in a matter of minutes. No tutorial given, we just paddled away. 🙉😭👌🏼 _________ Despite the hot weather🌤☀️, there was breeze once you got on the water. Very peaceful activity. Kayaking was easier than expected but did not expect to get very wet 😭💦💦 Maybe because it was our first time, our legs were wet from the occasional splashing. Definitely plan extra clothes and proper foot wear. 👖👙👟

Dows Lake is such a beautiful spot in Ottawa! Whether you're out for a walk, renting a kayak is super convenient , or just grabbing a bite to eat with a view, it’s always a great experience. The scenery is stunning—especially in the spring with all the tulips or during sunset. Everything is well-maintained, and the atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing.

Review is related to kayak/canoe rentals The process of renting a kayak was very quick and no reservations were required. A $20 and an ID card are required as a deposit. Prices for the rentals match those on the website, and are paid at the conclusion of your paddling. We intended to use canoes but they had mentioned that due to weather conditions they were unavailable. However, you can see by the pictures the water was very calm. Make sure to take a peek in your kayak before entering as twice we were almost seated in a kayak that had been flooded with water at the bottom. The staff was very friendly and helped find a better kayak. Overall it hits the goal of offering a way to paddle out on the water in the city. Just make sure to call in to confirm the equipment you want is available.

Very scenic and peaceful. They rent kayaks during summer and skates during winter time for skating. It’s a great picnic spot with beautiful flower gardens and trees. Must visit when in Ottawa.

This is a very good place for a company get together. The buffet provided here is healthy and tasty. We rented the tables just facing the window. So the view is very nice. After lunch, I went to enjoy the tulips since it's just the best season.

Great experience kayaking. We didn’t sign the waiver online but it did not take us long before we were ready to go. That’s because they have alot of canoes, kayaks and boats to rent. They take $20 and driver’s license as a deposit and charge you once you are done and return the kayak/boat or canoe. Girls managing the pavilion were so kind, great customer service.

Dow's Lake is a man-made lake on the Rideau Canal. It's the site of many fun activities and there are several restaurants there with beautiful views of the water. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats/paddle boats in the summer. In May there's the Tulip Festival which is technically in Commissioner's Park, but this park surrounds Dow's Lake. In the winter when the lake freezes over, you can skate on it, and it's connected to the Rideau Canal, so you can skate for a pretty good distance. There are 3 restaurants at Dow's Lake. Over the years they have changed, but currently the restaurants are Lago, Umbrella Bar, and Mexi's (aka Mexicali Rosa's). There's a paid parking lot nearby ($3.50 per 30 minutes up to a maximum of $14), or street parking ($0.25 per 6 minutes) a bit further away, or free parking on residential streets in neighbouring Little Italy (3 hour limit as per by-laws).

Dow's Lake Pavilion is a short distance away from the airport and Ottawa's downtown core. I like that you can escape from your daily routine to this picturesque area without doing a road trip. There are canoes and pedal boats that you can rent. You are required to sign a waiver, wear a life jacket, and put down a $20 deposit. You can use cash, and debit and credit cards, except for American Express. Sadly, Amex doesn't seem to be as widely accepted as it used to be. There are lockers where you can store your belongings when you are on the water. I recommend coming with what you truly need. I parked in the lot across from the Pavilion. Parking is $3.50 for 30 minutes, to a maximum of $14. I paid by credit card, which was great. I didn't risk parking on the street, but I know that I can now. It's cheaper that way, but you do have to be cognizant of the time. You can also dine here after a fun time out on the water. We ate at Mexi's. You have the option of dining in the restaurant or sitting out on the patio. I missed the tulip festival. Perhaps I'll plan my vacation and take them in next time. (254)

Amazing spot for running/walking/picnics and more! Since moving to Ottawa, I've spent so much of my time here meeting up with friends and exercising and and loved living next to this gem. There are a few restaurants on the water which makes for a perfect spot for sunset cocktails! Otherwise, you can pick up food from one of the many restaurants on Preston and find a picnic bench to eat at. In this same area, there is a spot to rent canoes/kayaks/pedal boats and more. I haven't done this yet but the people I've seen on the water seem to be enjoying! It's a great place to go running and be close to nature. During my many runs I've seen lots of ducks, geese, ground hogs and more. Just be sure to watch your step as there is often a lot of poop on the trail (can't blame the cute geese!) I consider myself really lucky to live right by here!

I come here multiple times a year with my students or just for fun, but surprisingly, and despite the variety of options, I haven't tried anything other than the pedal boats! Upon arrival, you are equipped with a mandatory lifejacket, and sign a safety waiver. This may be daunting for some, but it's good to know that they put safety first! For the first hour of rental it is about $24, and then cheaper for any time following that. I've only ever done an hour, and have yet to master the navigating... one day! Best to come in pairs, so that you can balance the boat (and aren't alone if you get stranded lol). Also, if you aren't a fan of too much sun, they also have some deluxe versions with a fabric roof for extra sun protection. Really worth trying out if you're looking for something fun and outdoorsy to try in the capital!

Amazing experience! Got a groupon so it was much cheaper. But the only reason I give it a star off is because of the extremely rude man working there. Don't get me wrong, the other three employees there were really nice. Two females and one younger male were very friendly. Though, the blonde "gentleman" was really rude, especially towards my mom. He wasn't helping my mom to maneuver the kayak, nor was he aiding her in any way. She obviously needed assistance, and was struggling. He was rolling his eyes and being really hostile, and just stood there. Meanwhile, I was there doing all the work. My mom, boyfriend and I were very put off by his rude mannerism, though we had an awesome time. I'd definately recommend getting a groupon deal for kayaking, and bringing a friend, family member, or a date to join you. Great exercise too!

It's hard not to be a fan of Dow's Lake. A gathering spot for canoe and paddle boat enthusiasts in the summer, and a great starting point on the canal for skaters in the winter, this place is a hub for outdoorspeople. As mentioned, they rent canoes, paddle boats and kayaks here, but it's also a great spot to eat, with three venues (Lago, Malone's and BAJA Grill) that all have excellent views of the canal. If you're coming to rent out any of their equipment, get in line as soon as you can. Boats can sell out quite quickly, and on a nice day, lineups can be quite long. Make sure to bring sunscreen, a water bottle and someone who knows what they're doing! You do get lifejackets with your rental so no worries there. Prices are pretty great - $15 for paddle boats, $16 for canoes, and single person kayaks for the first hour, then $8 for each hour after that. Two person kayaks are $20 and another additional $8 per hour. Pro tip: be sure to keep your receipt and get them to validate it, as the only parking is in a paid lot across the street.

I love this park, as you can canoe peacefully along the water in summer, and in winter you can skate here! In summer, the tulip festival is also held here, and it is beautiful to watch the fireworks being set off from the edge of the water. Overall beautiful any time of the year!

Dow's Lake Pavilion offers many fun and healthy activities in the heart of Ottawa and their prices are actually very reasonable. In the winter, they're the first (or last) lag of the Rideau Canal Skateway. They offer skate, sleigh and snow shoe rentals. If you're an adult looking to skate for two hours, it will cost you $15 for skate rental, plus a $20 deposit with valid photo ID. To be honest, I'm not much of a skater, so I've never been very interested in the pavilion's winter offerings. In the summer, this is one of my favourite places to exercise, relax and enjoy Ottawa's pretty scenery. For $15 an hour ($8 for every additional hour) you and a friend can rent a canoe and leisurely paddle down the Rideau Canal. If you're looking for something more leisurely, rent a paddle boat ($13), go out into the lake, perhaps near the arboretum, and leisurely lay back in the sun and read a book or talk to your friends. Perhaps take a beer out there with you? They also rent kayaks (one person, tandem and sea), inline skates and bikes. The prices are amongst the best I've seen and the scenery and Ottawa experience is more than worth the cost.

I worked on the Rideau Canal as a Skate Patroller for a season, so we were constantly in the Dow's Lake Pavilion warming up and drinking hot chocolate when we reached that end of the canal. We mainly stayed around the skate sharpening area so that we could get back on the canal quickly if needed, but the staff were always friendly and welcomed us to hang around for a while. I love their slogan "... where the only thing we overlook is the lake". It's true, they have made the pavilion great for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the lake whether it be skating in the winter or doing water sports during the summer. It's also great to have restaurants here so after a long active day you can get something to eat (and drink!).

Came here to see tulips for the Tulip Festival, and loved the experience. There were more tulips in this park than the one at Major's Hill Park (the first one we went to). Park is clean, lots of visitors in the summer, and lots of things to do. Check this place out during the tulip festival. Lots of opportunities for pictures. Review 74 of 100

Dow's Lake is a huge favorite of residents and tourists alike, particularly in the summer and winter months. In the summer, it's really popular amongst boaters. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats, all for reasonable prices. They provide life jackets, and they're actually mandatory as far as I know, so don't worry if you're not a great swimmer or if you're out there with your kids. In the winter, this whole area turns into a skating rink, and is part of the famous Winterlude festival. They have sleigh rentals and skate rentals and sharpening close to the Pavillion on the ice. They have a few bars, restaurants, and grills at the Pavillion, so if you ever get tired of the heat or cold outside, these places are great for taking a food and drink break with a beautiful view.

I rented a kayak with my boyfriend during a Monday afternoon. There's a lot of paid parking right across the street. It's a maximum of 12$ and it's 3$ per half hour. The staff was not very accommodating. They seemed distracted and rushed, even though there were very few people. It was a little confusing at first, since no one told us where to go and what to do after we have our ID. We just stood there waiting to ask someone, but all the employees seemed too busy to notice us. Once we finally got our kayak, the outing was pretty fun. There was a nice breeze and there weren't a lot of people on the water. The water was pretty muggy, but the trip was still very nice, as the surrounding was very lush and green. Overall, it was a fun trip!

I love this place especially during the Tulip festival. It is beautiful for a walk or a picnic.

We rented canoes on Dow's Lake this Canada Day weekend. There were 6 of us, 3 of us to a canoe. The wait for the first canoe was approximately 45 minutes and the second followed soon after. Service was helpful and friendly. There appeared to be far more kayaks and paddleboats available so our wait would have been much shorter had we chosen them. The experience was reasonable but unfortunately the food options at the Pavillion - Lago's, Malone's and Guadala Harry's - leave much to be desired. The restaurants occupy prime real estate but are unfortunately quite unappealing or overpriced for what they offer. Rather than making the most of its captivating surrounds, they take the lazy approach relying on the constant stream of tourists and locals eager to take in a bit of nature in the middle of the city. Visited July 2014

we went on a saturday with a groupon deal. asked the femal staff beforehand whether they take groupon. she said yes, but will do it at the end. we rented the canoe and paddled for a bit over an hour. the water looked ok, but not very clean. there are styrofoams scattered around. the surprise came in the end when we return the canoes. it turned out that they donnot take groupon on weekends. we confronted the woman, but they wouldnt do anything. it is a very sneaky practice. will not go back.