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Claire Whitmore
After 12 years of covering Ottawa, Claire Whitmore has learned that a packed festival schedule doesn't guarantee a good weekend, a long lineup doesn't guarantee good food, and the most interesting thing happening in town isn't always the one with the biggest advertising budget. As Senior Community Editor at 613 Times, she covers the events, attractions, local businesses, and experiences that give Ottawa its character. She's interested in what makes a place worth visiting, what makes an event worth leaving the house for, and why some neighbourhood favourites outlast the latest big thing. She has also learned to approach the words “something for everyone” with healthy suspicion.
Ottawa Kayak Rental (2026): 16 Places to Rent Kayaks, Canoes and Paddleboards Near the Capital
This Ottawa kayak rental guide covers 16 picks, from Philippe Lake and La Pêche Lake in Gatineau Park to Rideau Canal shuttles, Ottawa River tours and paddleboard delivery, plus where to launch and rent winter gear.
Waterfalls Near Ottawa (2026): 16 Falls, Hikes and Swim Spots From Luskville to Hidden Quebec Cascades
These waterfalls near Ottawa cover 16 picks, from the Luskville Falls Trail and Carbide Willson Ruins in Gatineau Park to Blakeney Park, Parc des Chutes Coulonge and swim-friendly Waber Falls, with trail and season tips.
Little Miss Ottawa-Style Day Trips (2026): 16 Cute Towns, Bakeries and Fall Farms Near Ottawa
This Little Miss Ottawa-style guide covers 16 cute towns, bakeries and fall farms near Ottawa, from Almonte's chocolate factory and Merrickville's blockhouse to Chelsea's cafés and Saunders Farm's PumpkinFest.
Road Trip From Ottawa (2026): 16 Stops From 45-Minute Day Trips to the East Coast
This road trip from Ottawa guide covers 16 stops, from Almonte, Perth and the Thousand Islands to Québec City, Hopewell Rocks, Green Gables and Peggy's Cove, with drive times and seasons for every one.
Northern Lights in Ottawa (2026): 16 Places to See the Aurora, Plus How to Read Tonight’s Forecast
This guide to northern lights in Ottawa covers 16 viewing spots, from Shirley's Bay and Constance Bay to the North Frontenac Dark Sky Preserve, plus how to read Space Weather Canada and NOAA forecasts before you drive.
Eagles Nest Lookout (2026): Calabogie’s Cliff-Top Hike Plus 15 Things to Do Nearby
This Eagles Nest Lookout guide covers the 1.5 km climb to Calabogie's 120-metre cliff, parking and winter tips, plus 15 nearby picks from rock climbing and the Manitou Mountain Trail to Calabogie Brewing.
Things to Do in Wakefield, Quebec (2026): 16 Picks From the Covered Bridge to Forest Skating
These things to do in Wakefield cover 16 picks in the Gatineau Hills village, from the covered bridge and the Wakefield Mill spa to live music at the Black Sheep Inn, horseback rides and forest ice skating in winter.
Hikes in Ottawa (2026): 16 Trails From Bog Boardwalks to Gatineau Park Lookouts
This guide to hikes in Ottawa covers 16 trails, from the Mer Bleue boardwalk and Mud Lake to King Mountain, Luskville Falls and Pink Lake in Gatineau Park, with distances, difficulty ratings and dog rules for each.
Things to Do in Almonte, Ontario (2026): 16 Waterfalls, Mills, Shops and Christmas Events Worth the Drive
These things to do in Almonte cover 16 picks across the Mississippi Mills town, from the Riverwalk, Grand Falls and Mill of Kintail to Hummingbird Chocolate, the Saturday farmers' market and Light Up the Night in December.
Sunset Ottawa (2026): 16 Best Places to Watch the Sunset, Plus Sunset Times and Twilight Explained
This sunset Ottawa guide maps 16 places to watch the sun go down, from Kìwekì Point and Major's Hill Park to Britannia and Westboro beaches, plus how sunset and sunrise times change through the year.