Culture in Canada’s capital
A flight from Thunder Bay to Ottawa will land you in a city buzzing with culture, nature, history and art.
Any resident from Thunder Bay knows that Canada is a natural beauty. Dive in deeper and learn more about the North’s true natural beauty at The Canadian Museum of Nature. The whole family will find fun among Canada’s original collection of dinosaur fossils, special exhibitions and guided tours.
Take a quick bus ride north through Centretown to gawk at the gorgeous neo-gothic architecture of Parliament Hill and get a birds eye view of the city from the Peace Tower. Along the way, you’ll find the grounds dotted with sculptures of historical Canadian figures. Take a daily-guided tour to answer all your burning questions or opt out to explore solo.
Even the restaurants in Ottawa are full of history. Dine in some of Ottawa’s oldest rustic and romantic log taverns that serve up seasonal menus using delectable local ingredients. Catch some live entertainment where you can laugh, cheer and dance to some year-round events.
There will be plenty of other chances to dance as Parliament Hill and the rest of Ottawa play host to a wide variety of longstanding cultural festivals every year. Choose between Ottawa’s Jazz Festival, Ottawa International Animation Fest, and the One World Film Festival.
When Ottawa isn’t talking history and politics, the city boasts a modern twist. Up-and-coming neighbourhoods are growing with an array of restaurants, shops and hotels leaving you with so many things to do in Ottawa.
You’ll find new, trendy and diverse cuisine throughout the city, which is one of Ontario’s designated culinary destinations. Exploring Ottawa’s edible offerings is easy with public transportation, walkable neighbourhoods and bike paths.
Don’t forget dessert! BeaverTails pastries are popular Canada-wide, but when it comes to truly enjoying this sweet treat, there’s no place like home. Try one in the city of its birth.
For your next getaway, elect to fly Porter from Thunder Bay to Ottawa!
Westboro
Good food and good fun
Founded in the late 19th-century, Westboro was originally cottage country. Today, the area is still a peaceful escape from the city centre but also attracts visitors with its one-of-a-kind boutiques, coffee houses, galleries, gelato spots and hundreds of shops and restaurants mainly along Richmond Street.
To Ottawa residents, vibrant and trendy Westboro is one of the city’s most desirable places to live. This walkable neighbourhood is a 10-minute drive from Parliament on Ottawa’s west end along the Ottawa River.
Westboro has a taste of the urban with street art by local artists and is known for its growing and supportive arts community. Westfest, an annual three-day music and arts festival also supports the arts scene and lets Canadian artists and performers take centre stage with contemporary dance, spoken word and more.
For more summer fun, try Westboro Beach. Visitors can take a dip in the lake, soak up some sun, or watch it set from the Westboro Beach Café, with its outdoor bar and live music all summer long.
Back on dry land, there’s nothing dry about this neighbourhood. An upscale and desirable area still vibrant and trendy, Westboro’s culinary scene boasts friendly service and memorable meals by award-winning chefs. Keep an eye out for top culinary destinations as evidenced by hungry lineups spilling out into the street.
Whispers Pub & Eatery prides itself on being Westboro’s “friendly neighbourhood pub.” Warm, cozy and rustic, this local favourite features casual dining, two floors, lounges, patios and live music. Plus, you’ll get a side of history with your meal in this early 20th-century building.
Westboro serves up a delicious array of food, from friendly pubs to world class cuisine. When you fly from Thunder Bay to Ottawa come and see what’s making this west end neighbourhood so wildly popular.
The Glebe
Historic and hip
Whether you want to shop on Bank Street or smell what’s cooking at some of Ottawa’s best restaurants, The Glebe is sure to have what you’re looking for.
The hip and trendy area attracts a lot of visitors to this cultural hotspot, but The Glebe also has a rich history. Built in the early 1800s, The Glebe has played host to national exhibitions and historical sporting victories.
If you’re a good sport, get out on the ice at the Rideau Canal, which borders most the of The Glebe. The largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world, tons of Ottawa residents use the canal as their daily winter commute.
Back in the centre of the neighbourhood, cozy up and cash out along Bank Street with record shops, spas, yoga studios, cafés and restaurants. This central street also hosts a number of music and street festivals throughout the year.
If you’ve worked up an appetite from all of that exploring, you’re in luck. The Glebe is Ottawa’s foodie heaven, famous for both adventurous dishes and traditional hearty meals. From fine dining to casual pubs, you’re sure to satisfy your appetite with this neighbourhood’s authentic international offerings.
In addition to a flourishing culinary scene, The Glebe also has a healthy helping of historical sites like Lansdowne Park and Aberdeen Pavilion. Lansdowne Park is almost a city by itself with gardens, farmers markets, a massive music venue, courtyards and more.
Over many years, the Glebe has grown from an outer suburb into a central and essential part of Ottawa. With its vibrantly coloured storefronts, historic parks, and an array of dining and shopping options, The Glebe is a cultural hotspot worth discovering. When you fly from Thunder Bay to Ottawa, be sure to hit up this historical and hip neighbourhood.
How to get to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in departures, near security checkpoint A.
Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT) is about 5 km / 3 mi from downtown Thunder Bay.
Transportation to Thunder Bay International Airport (YQT)
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Taxis from downtown cost about $30 CAD. Car service costs about $85 CAD.
Several hotels offer complimentary shuttle bus service to the airport.
Take the Thunder Bay Transit 3 Memorial / Airport bus to the airport stop. The fare is $2.65 CAD.
Thunder Bay International Airport Parking
Driving to Thunder Bay International Airport? The airport provides 100 short term spaces at $3.25 per hour and 50 cents for each additional 10 minutes, and 400 long term spaces at $14 per day or $98 per week.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Ottawa Airport Transportation to Downtown
There are many options for transportation to downtown Ottawa from Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
The quick trip is about 10 km / 6 mi from the airport to downtown Ottawa.
Transportation
Uber and Lyft pickup is available at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. To find your ride, exit on the Arrivals level and head to the rideshare pickup zone at Pillars 11 and 12. Fares from YOW to downtown Ottawa start at $22.
Car rental services are available in the Parkade, across the street from the passenger terminal of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW).
Take the OC Transpo 97 Airport / Bayshore and Bells bus from the pick-up spot outside the arrivals area. The fare is $3.50 CAD.
Taxis to downtown Ottawa cost about $35 CAD. Car service costs about $90 CAD.
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Parking
Driving to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport? There are two main parking options at Ottawa Airport with convenient access to all terminals.
The Parkade is close to the terminal with rates of $5 for every 30 minutes with a daily maximum of $24. The Parkade also offers BIZ Park on Level 3, which includes a dedicated parking area with guaranteed space and easy in-and-out access. Rates are $10 for the first hour and a $28 flat rate for 24 hours.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
