Take the Long Way Into Fall: How to Spend Labour Day Weekend Downtown
- Community
- Shopping
- See & Do
- Food & Drink
August 25, 2026 / 1 minute read
Labour Day weekend arrives with September already underway. Summer isn’t quite over, but the pace is about to change. School is starting, work is picking back up and suddenly the calendar looks a lot busier.
So before the routine fully kicks in, take your time.
Whether you’re spending the long weekend in Ottawa or looking for a reason to explore downtown a little differently, here are a few ways to make the most of the extra day.
See Downtown Through a Visitor’s Eyes
You don’t have to be from out of town to play tourist.
Start around Parliament Hill and make your way through downtown, taking in the landmarks, architecture and public art along the way. On Sparks Street, stop at Canadiana Block, where 13 vibrant ground murals bring the landscapes of Canada’s provinces and territories to life.
It’s an easy addition to a downtown walk and a great way to see something new, even if you’ve walked the street a hundred times.
Make a Little Time for Shopping
A long weekend is a good time to browse without an agenda.
Take a wander through downtown and look for something you wouldn’t find just anywhere. On Sparks Street, Canada’s Four Corners and Snow Goose are both worth a stop for authentic Canadian goods, artwork, gifts and unique pieces.
Come looking for a souvenir. Leave with something you actually want to keep.
Take Your Time Over Lunch
Give yourself permission to make lunch last a little longer.
Find a downtown restaurant, grab a patio table if the weather is cooperating and settle in. There’s no need to rush through a long weekend lunch, especially when there are plenty of places to continue exploring afterwards.
Whether you’re after a quick bite between plans or somewhere to settle in for a leisurely meal, downtown has plenty of options to choose from.
Make the Most of Patio Season
September doesn’t mean patio season is over.
Take advantage of the warm days while they’re here and find a spot outside for a coffee, cocktail, lunch or dinner. With patios throughout downtown, it’s easy to work some fresh air into your plans and squeeze a little more summer into the long weekend.
Leave Some Room for the Unexpected
The best long weekends don’t always need an itinerary.
Maybe you find a new café. Maybe you wander into a shop you’ve never noticed before. Maybe lunch turns into drinks, or a quick walk turns into an entire afternoon downtown.
Leave some room in the day for plans to change. Downtown is easy to explore on foot, so you can always decide what’s next when you get there.
One More Day to Take Your Time
Labour Day weekend may mark the unofficial shift into fall, but there’s no reason to rush into it.
Take the long way downtown. Spend a little more time outside. Explore somewhere new. Stay for one more drink. And enjoy having an extra day with nowhere you need to be.
That’s a pretty good way to start September.
