When it comes to travelling, most of us can’t wait to bring back a few souvenirs to remember our trip! Enjoy the shops and boutiques as you wander through the neighbourhoods of Canada’s capital or explore a shopping experience such as CF Rideau Centre.

Neighbourhoods

ByWard Market
This neighbourhood is arguably one of the most famous attractions in Ottawa, including an outdoor public market, quality restaurants and great shopping. The ByWard Market district sits just east of Parliament Hill and is marked by vendors selling fresh produce, and a diverse selection of places to drink, dine, people watch and shop. Outdoor vendors are an integral part of the ByWard Market experience—you’ll find them outside, no matter the weather! “The Market” will surely add to your Ottawa experience. Don’t forget to grab a hot pastry treat from BeaverTails during your visit!

Some stores you’ll find here include:

• Envied Boutique – Travelling the world to bring unique collections to Ottawa women
• Milk Shop – Attention-grabbing labels, creating the place to find urban wear that’s playful and bold
• Poised – Elegant and extravagant professional, evening, and gown attire for women
• Roadtrip – Fun and fashionable clothing, accessories, and jewellery for men and women from top labels and the best indie brands
• Schad + SchadBlu – Offering the hottest brands and collections in clothing, footwear and accessories from Europe, Los Angeles, New York City and Canada
• Workshop Studio + Boutique – Showcasing the work of talented women in Ottawa and beyond offering a wide selection of items including handbags, accessories, clothing, home accessories, giftware, and more

Sparks Street
This open-air pedestrian street, Canada’s oldest, is just one block south of Parliament Hill. It is one of Ottawa’s must-see heritage streets and it attracts a great number of visitors each year. Not only is the location ideal for those who are visiting the city, but it also has plenty of shops to explore.

Some stores you’ll find here include:

• Morgante Menswear – The latest in European Fashion and designer shoes for men
• True Bijoux – Unique fine, faux and vintage jewellery

The Glebe
Just south of the downtown bustle (and a short walk from the Rideau Canal), the Glebe is a tight-knit community that makes you feel as if you walked into your new home. As you roam the streets, you will find unique shops (from fashion to rare books, vinyl and collectables), restaurants, and beautiful Victorian homes. Don’t forget to take a break at one of their specialty coffee shops for a latte, cappuccino, Americano, or take home a bag of freshly roasted beans, including fair trade and organic.

Some stores you’ll find here include:

• Delilah – Canadian and European women’s wear
• Fab Baby Gear – Fun clothing and accessories for your little one that are eco-friendly, healthy and stylish
• Glebe Trotters – From rugged Blundstones to delicate heels
• Pom Pom Boutique – Unique clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories for women
• The Papery – Gorgeous cards, from wedding invitations to Japanese art paper

Wellington West (Hintonburg)
Just a 5-minute drive west of Parliament Hill is the Wellington West neighbourhood, which includes Hintonburg. This neighbourhood is one of Ottawa’s fastest growing, quickly becoming the cool place to be. Chef-owned restaurants bump up next to galleries that are down the street from bakeries and quirky shops.

Some stores you’ll find here include:

• Bread By Us – Artisanal bread bakery, creating organic sourdough breads
• Fabgear 64 – Rock star-esque clothing for men that include Cuban shirts and Panama hats
• Heavens to Betsy – 1950s inspired store offering vintage everything, from hats to home décor items
• Isobel’s Cupcakes – Wide variety of gourmet cupcakes and cookies (100% nut free)
• Suzy Q Doughnuts – Gourmet specialty doughnuts that use fresh local ingredients
• AMHStyle – High-end consignment pieces and designer labels at reduced prices
• Bija Bijoux – Hand-selected jewellery created by Canadian and international designers
• Victoire – Wide assortment of accessories, shoes, and clothing that transforms from the office to the lounge
• Emulsify – Finest olive oils and balsamic vinegars from the likes of Morocco, Italy, and Greece

Westboro Village
Head just a little farther west and you’ve made it to Westboro. Urbane and diversified, Westboro is littered with great outdoor gear stores, coffee shops, yoga studios, and more.

Some stores you’ll find here include:

• Brachic – Undergarment shopping with styles ranging from 28 to 46 bands, and A through N cups
• Bushtukah – Provides all your biking, running, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, clothing, and triathlon needs.
• Green Tea Eco Fashion – Local designers craft their clothing, from cocktail dresses to organic cosmetics, from natural materials
• Lululemon Athletica – Technical athletic apparel for yoga, running, dancing, etc.
• Magpie Jewellery – Fine jewellery from designers across Canada and around the world
• There are other great shopping areas in Ottawa such as Bank Street Promenade that runs south from Parliament Hill along Bank Street in downtown Ottawa.

Shopping Malls

CF Rideau Centre
Those who are looking for a shopping mall in the heart of the city will find exactly what they need at CF Rideau Centre. This massive indoor mall with 180 leading international and local retailers (and counting!) is perfect for visitors who want the big names in fashion, beauty and entertainment. With a total investment of $360M, renovations and expansion efforts are taking place until 2016.

• Current stores include: Forever 21, Aritzia, Sephora, Zara (to expand to 30,000 square feet to include women, men, children and home departments), Nespresso, Coach, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Michael Kors, Bose, Magpie Jewellery, Harry Rosen, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, Pink, J. Crew, Purdy’s Chocolates, Bath & Body Works, EXPRESS, David’s Tea, and many more.
• Coming soon!: Simons, Lush, Massimo Dutti, Nordstrom, etc.

Bayshore Shopping Centre
Bayshore Shopping Centre is another one of Ottawa’s premier indoor shopping destinations located in the Nepean neighbourhood in the west end of Ottawa. In May 2012, Ivanhoe Cambridge announced a $200M investment in Bayshore, boosting the centre’s retail area by 300,000 square feet. Scheduled for completion in 2015, this major redevelopment and expansion will allow for additional retailers.

• Recent retail additions: EXPRESS, Victoria’s Secret & Pink, H&M, Michael Hill, Browns Shoes, MAC Cosmetics, Aritzia, Zara, Ben Moss, Pandora, Forever 21 etc.

East Ottawa also includes two major shopping malls – St. Laurent Shopping Centre located on St. Laurent Boulevard (just a 10-minute drive from downtown Ottawa), and Place d’Orléans, located just off Highway 174 at Place d’Orléans Drive and St-Joseph Boulevard (just a 15-minute drive from downtown Ottawa).