Liam SmithThe Central Experimental Farm is basically Ottawa’s unexpected slice of country, right in the city. Here, you’ll see lush gardens, a variety of crops being tested (it’s like science, but make it green and leafy), and animals—you can actually meet them up close!
But it’s not only a place for green thumbs and animal lovers. It’s perfect for those chill days when you just want to loaf around on a picnic blanket or take the slow lane on your bike and not have the city buzz messing with your vibe.
Everyone’s welcome to take a breather here, from the stressed-out office crowd to the curious tourists.
- Things to Know
- Where is the Central Experimental Farm?
- How to Get to the Central Experimental Farm
- Best Time to Go to Central Experimental Farm
- What to Do and See in Central Experimental Farm
- Where to Eat and Drink in Central Experimental Farm
- Where to Stay near Central Experimental Farm
- FAQs about the Central Experimental Farm
Things to Know
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Contact: +1 613-759-1982
Ticket Prices:
- Free entry
Where is the Central Experimental Farm?
The Central Experimental Farm is smack dab in the heart of Ottawa, specifically at 960 Carling Avenue. Just so you know, it’s not hiding in some far-off corner of the city—I mean, it’s pretty much in plain sight if you know where you’re looking.
It’s sandwiched between the buzz of downtown and the laid-back vibes of the Ottawa River. So, whether you’re coming from the high-speed lanes of city life or cruising by the river, you can’t miss it.
How to Get to the Central Experimental Farm
Closest subway stop: To get to the Central Experimental Farm, you’ll want to catch O-Train’s Line 2 and hop off at the Carling stop. From there, you’re practically at the farm’s doorstep.
Closest bus stop: The buses have got your back too! You can catch either the 6, 85, or 101 bus, and they’ll drop you off so close that you can practically smell the flowers from the seats.
Best Time to Go to Central Experimental Farm
Visiting the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa is a treat for the senses at any time, but if you’re looking for something extra special, plan your trip during the late springs and summers.
This period not only showcases the gardens in full bloom but also aligns with various festivals and events hosted on the grounds, such as the popular Friends of the Farm Annual Plant Sale, typically held in May.
This event is a perfect time to see the farm buzzing with activities and colourful displays.
What to Do and See in Central Experimental Farm
Explore rare plants in the Tropical Greenhouse
– Media credit: rebeccarowsellfilm
Address: Maple Drive
Phone: N/A
Pricing: Free entry
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 4 PM
One of the highlights at the Central Experimental Farm has to be the Tropical Greenhouse, a balmy oasis teeming with plants that thrive in the heat.
As you explore this botanical treasure trove, you’ll be surrounded by an impressive biodiversity not native to Canada, from the lush, oversized leaves of banana trees to the striking blooms of the bird-of-paradise flower.
The climate-controlled environment makes it a year-round destination for plant lovers and those looking for a tropical escape during Ottawa’s cooler months.
Marvel at the blooms in the Ornamental Gardens
Address: 75 National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway
Phone: +1 613 230 3276
Pricing: Free entry
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 9 PM
The Ornamental Gardens, a historical feature of the farm dating back over a century, are a horticulturalist’s dream. They showcase a collection of perennials, annuals, and shrubs that are a source of inspiration for gardeners and a feast for photographers.
Garden sections are carefully themed, ranging from rock gardens with alpine plants to more formal arrangements designed to demonstrate the use of flowers and greenery to enhance urban spaces. Also, each corner here is meticulously maintained.
Furthermore, in the summer, you can watch for the bumblebees that have made the gardens their bustling ground, and during early fall, the asters and chrysanthemums take centre stage, offering late-season pops of colour.
Discover farming at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
– Media credit: agfoodmuseum
Address: 901 Prince of Wales Dr.
Phone: +1 613 991 3044
Pricing:
- Adult – $14.50
- Senior (ages 60+), Students – $12.25
- Youth (Ages 3 to 17) – $12.25
- Child (ages 2 and under) – Free
- Family (6 person – max. of 2 adults) – $40.50
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is a dive into the heart of Canadian farming and food production. You can expect to see a whole lot of farm animals – we’re talking cows, pigs, sheep, and more.
Plus, there are interactive exhibits that show you the ins and outs of agricultural science, food processing, and the importance of sustainability in farming. And hey, don’t miss the daily milking demonstration; it’s something both kids and adults find pretty cool.
You may also keep an eye out for the seasonal workshops and activities too. They usually have something fun and educational going on, whether it’s about making cheese or planting seeds.
Walk among trees in the Dominion Arboretum
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Address: Arboretum
Phone: +1 613 759 1982
Pricing: Free entry
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
The Dominion Arboretum covers a sprawling 64 acres of land and offers a living library of over 2,400 varieties of trees and shrubs. It’s a favourite spot for a leisurely walk, a jog, a picnic, or simply sitting on a bench to read.
As you stroll through, you’ll encounter not just regional species but also plants from all corners of the globe. For those with a keen interest in dendrology, educational markers provide information about the specimens you’re viewing.
Seasonal highlights include the cherry blossoms in spring, which draw crowds for their fleeting beauty, and the fall foliage that makes the arboretum a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours.
See wildlife thrive in the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
– Media credit: fletcher.wildlife.garden
Address: 865 Prince of Wales Dr.
Phone: +1 613 234 6767
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Open 24 hours
For a close encounter with nature’s resilience and adaptability, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden is the place to be. It’s a project aimed at developing and demonstrating wildlife-friendly gardening techniques.
This dynamic and interactive space provides insights into creating and maintaining different habitats for wildlife within urban areas.
The garden features various specialised sections, such as the Backyard Garden, which mimics an urban garden aimed at attracting local wildlife. Moreover, the Amphibian Pond is another highlight, especially in spring, when it’s bustling with frogs.
Where to Eat and Drink in Central Experimental Farm
Pub Italia
– Media credit: pub_italia
Address: 434 Preston St.
Phone: +1 613 232 2326
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 1 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 12 AM
Good to know: Ideal for casual gatherings
At Pub Italia, you can find yourself smack in the middle of a fusion between a cosy Italian trattoria and a friendly Irish pub. They boast a legendary beer bible that’s crammed with a dizzying array of beers from every corner you can think of.
The food lineup is a carb haven with an array of pizzas and pastas, alongside nachos, meatballs, and mussels that’ll challenge your self-control.
Make sure you keep an eye on the décor too; the place is decked out with fun nun and monk themes that add to the character of the pub, where you can kick back with a pint and feel right at home.
The Green Door Restaurant & Bakery
– Media credit: thegreendoorrestaurant
Address: 198 Main St.
Phone: +1 613 234 9597
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 9 PM
Good to know: Great for family meals, casual dining, and health-conscious eaters
You really need to hit up The Green Door Restaurant & Bakery over on Main Street if you’re into the whole organic and plant-based thing.
They offer a buffet setup that serves up fresh, seasonal dishes with enough variety to convert even the most dedicated carnivores.
The desserts are a highlight, with options like fruit crisp, cakes, cheesecakes, pies, cookies and truffles. The atmosphere here is just like grabbing a laid-back lunch at a friend’s—who just happens to cook up a storm.
Vittoria Trattoria
– Media credit: vittoria_trattoria
Address: 3625 Rivergate Way
Phone: +1 613 731 8959
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Good to know: Ideal for romantic dinners, special celebrations
Vittoria Trattoria, located at Rivergate Way, is your ticket to an Italian dining experience with a view that’s hard to beat. They’ve got an extensive and impressive wine list, along with plates of pasta like Bolognese, gorgonzola, and fettuccine with smoked salmon..
Aside from pasta, they also have a variety of pizza, antipasti, and steaks. It’s the kind of place that adds an elegant touch to an evening out, with views that complement your meal perfectly.
Aroma Meze
– Media credit: aroma.meze
Address: 239 Nepean St.
Phone: +1 613 421 0504
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Tuesday – 4:30 PM to 9 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 11:30 AM to 2 PM, 4:30 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 4:30 PM to 10 PM
Good to know: Great for social gatherings, interactive dining
Aroma Meze on Nepean Street is where you’ll want to go for a Greek dish and Mediterranean small plate dining adventure.
The meze is packed with flavours big enough to transport you to the Mediterranean with every bite, including smoked salmon crisps, shrimp gnocchi, ouzo shrimp, fish tacos, and octapodaki (char-grilled octopus).
Alongside these delicious bites, they offer a thoughtfully selected wine list to complete the shared dining experience. The setting is ideal for those looking for an intimate dining space that feels like a quick trip to warmer shores.
Union Local 613
– Media credit: pizzuti22
Address: 315 Somerset St., W.
Phone: +1 613 231 1010
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 3 PM to 10 PM
- Wednesday and Thursday – 3 PM to 12 AM
- Friday – 3 PM to 2 AM
- Saturday – 5 PM to 2 AM
Good to know: Great for families
And you can’t talk about the best spots around without giving a nod to Union Local 613. They deliver big on comfort with dishes like ox tongue, duck wings, fried chicken, bone in pork chop, BBQ chicken, and more.
Their drink game is strong, serving up creative cocktails, whiskies and craft beers. The southern charm is dialled up with a speakeasy atmosphere that invites curiosity and whispers of a hidden bar within the space—it’s all part of the fun.
Where to Stay near Central Experimental Farm
The Westin Ottawa
– Media credit: thewestinottawa
Address: 11 Colonel By Dr.
Phone: +1 613 560 7000
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Check-in time – 3 PM
- Check-out time – 12 PM
The Westin Ottawa is where you’ll get this killer view of the city and the Rideau Canal, especially if you snag a room up high. It’s basically your front-row seat to Ottawa’s beauty without even needing to leave your bed.
Amenities here are top-notch, which include an indoor pool and a fitness centre to sweat out the poutine calories from last night. They even have a business centre, which, let’s be real, might not excite everyone, but it’s clutch for those on the work grind.
What’s more, from here, there’s direct access to the Rideau Centre Shopping Mall too, so you can shop without even stepping outside. Now, don’t skip on checking out the Shore Club restaurant inside, which is a standout for seafood and steaks.
Courtyard Ottawa East
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Address: 200 Coventry Rd.
Phone: +1 613-741-9862
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Check-in time – 4 PM
- Check-out time – 11 AM
Courtyard Ottawa East offers rooms that are super spacious, giving you enough room to do a happy dance (or just sprawl out with all your stuff). Amenity-wise, there’s free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, and an indoor pool that’s pretty much a must-visit.
They’ve also got this fun little market for grabbing snacks, because who doesn’t get midnight cravings, eh? And if you’re rolling in with a car, parking is a breeze, which is a gem in a city where parking can be a headache.
Moreover, the hotel’s close to some neat spots outside the usual tourist trail—think cool local eateries and parks.
Ottawa Marriott Hotel
– Media credit: ottawamarriot
Address: 100 Kent St.
Phone: +1 613-238-1122
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Check-in time – 3 PM
- Check-out time – 12 PM
The Ottawa Marriott Hotel is like that friend who’s got everything a tad bit sorted out more than everyone else. The view from here gives you a bit of a wow moment every time you look out the window.
Also here, you get to play with an array of goodies, like an indoor pool that’s a splash hit for every age, a fitness centre, and a kids’ playroom that’s gold for families. There’s also this cool game room—think of it as your adult arcade with a more sophisticated twist.
But hold up, there’s something else that’s pretty cool—their revolving rooftop restaurant. It’s like getting a 360-degree tour of Ottawa while munching on some seriously good food.
Hilton Garden Inn
– Media credit: hiltons_ottawa_downtown
Address: 361 Queen St.
Phone: +1 613-234-6363
Pricing: $$
Operating hours:
- Check-in time – 4 PM
- Check-out time – 12 PM
The Hilton Garden Inn provides a comfortable and uncomplicated accommodation option. Aside from comfy rooms, you can also enjoy the WiFi, as well as the 24-hour fitness centre if you like to maintain your exercise routines while travelling.
Featuring their in-house Tulip Bar and Restaurant, the hotel offers a lovely spot to unwind with either a meal or a drink. Additionally, the hotel caters to late-night snackers or those with odd-hour cravings by having a pantry accessible around the clock.
One of the key attractions of this hotel is its prime location, nestled just a short walk from iconic landmarks such as Parliament Hill and Byward Market, along with an array of shopping options.
Lord Elgin Hotel
– Media credit: thelordelginhotel
Address: 100 Elgin St.
Phone: 1 613-235-3333
Pricing: $-$$
Operating hours:
- Check-in time – 3PM
- Check-out time – 12 PM
The Lord Elgin Hotel is pretty much an Ottawa staple, and for good reason. Its brick and mortar tell tales of the past, giving off this old-school, classy vibe that’s hard to find elsewhere.
And it’s smack dab in the middle of everything. Another big plus is Starbucks right on-site, which is perfect for those of us who can’t start the day without a decent cup of Joe.
For amenities, they’ve got Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, and a fitness centre. For those driving in, parking is available, though it’s worth noting that it comes with a fee.
