Are you planning to visit Barrhaven and want to know about the best things to do there? If so then here we have shared more than 12 Best Things to Do in Barrhaven Ottawa.
Barrhaven is a small suburb of Ottawa that is located along the Rideau River. It used to be part of the Nepean city back until 2001 when it was amalgamated into the city of Ottawa. It is located about 17km(11 miles) southwest of the Capital of Canada.
If you are making a plan to visit this cute little town, then read this blog post to discover the Best Things to Do in Barrhaven.
Things to Do in Barrhaven
Explore the Rideau River
This is one of the best things that you can do while exploring the Barrhaven. The Rideau River forms the northern boundary of the suburb and makes it an ideal place for people who want to kayak, canoe, or swim in the water.
It’s also a great spot if you want to relax and chill in nature. You can either rent out a kayak or have your own, to explore the Rideau River.
Hike Some Trails
What can be more exciting than exploring the town? The Stonebridge is a 3.7-kilometer-long trail, perfect for walking, biking, or hiking in a calm natural environment. It’s an amazing place to walk your dog or have some quiet time alone with yourself.
If you walk a bit off the main path, you’ll see stunning views of the Jock River and might spot some local wildlife.
Explore the Canadian Museum of Nature
Interested in knowing about nature then head out straight to the Canadian Museum of Nature Research Station. The Museum has a lot of interactive exhibitions that tell you a lot about the local wildlife and vegetation of the region.
Explore the Marketplace plaza
Located in the middle of the town, Chapman Mills also known as the Marketplace Plaza is a massive shopping Center that has many stores, restaurants, and small businesses. The center comprises 20 buildings that have 66 stores, featuring a grocery store (Loblaws as its anchor tenant), prominent retailers (Winners, Walmart), a cinema (Cineplex), and also a variety of restaurants.
Try out Some Biking
Barrhaven has a well-connected and maintained network of pathways where you can safely enjoy biking without worrying about vehicle traffic. During a regular evening, you may find the paths busy with cyclists, dog walkers, and families enjoying their evening walks.
Some areas where these paths are prominently located include Cedarview Rd, Greenbank Rd, Jockvale Rd, and on both sides of the VIA Rail train tracks.
Scout the Barrhaven Farmers’ Market
Want to explore and enjoy some freshly produced in the town, then you need to visit the Barrhaven Farmers’ Market. Here you will find many street vendors selling freshly produced goods like fruits, vegetables, baked breads, and a lot more.
Barrhaven Special Outdoor Market operates from May to October, every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM while the regular one remains open year-round on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Get Active at the Movati Athletic Club
Barrhaven is home to several gyms and fitness centers. Movati Athletic Club is a fitness facility that provides a wide range of cardio and strength training equipment, and group fitness classes, which you can take till the time you are in the town.
Grab a Delicious Dessert
Looking for a place to have some delicious desserts, then head out straight to the Chocolat Favoris. Chocolat Favoris is a franchise from Quebec that is quite popular in the town. Menchies is another great spot to have some custom frozen yogurt.
Whether you are looking for a healthy meal, craving a nice burger, or want to try some international cuisine, the town has many awesome places (like Pi-Rho Grill, The Works, Five Guys, and a lot more) where you can easily find all these.
Explore the Barrhaven Art Gallery
Whether you are an art enthusiast or have a bit of interest in the Art Gallery, you definitely need to visit the Barrhaven Art Gallery. It has many art pieces showcasing the works of talented artists from the region. You can attend the exhibitions and participate in the workshops if you want to learn more about the Arts(displayed there) in detail.
Visit the Hog’s Back Falls
It’s probably the best place in Barrhaven Ontario if you want to witness the true beauty of Mother Earth’s creation. Hog’s Back Falls also known as Prince of Wales Falls, is a 60-foot waterfall and is located just north of Mooney’s Bay where the Rideau Canal splits from the Rideau River.
You won’t believe that the falls were created in the early 1800s as part of the construction of the Rideau Canal which means it’s an artificial waterfall.
Head out to Exhalo Spa
Exhalo is a full-service in Barrhaven that offers a variety of services, including halotherapy (dry salt therapy), facials, massages, waxing, sugaring, pedicures, manicures, and hair care. They also have a team of registered massage therapists and aestheticians who will take care of your body.
It is quite popular for using Organic products in their spa treatments. On top of that, all their Organic products are made with certified organic ingredients and are free of harmful chemicals.
Pay a Visit to Valleyview Little Animal Farm
It’s a family-friendly farm located in Nepean, Ontario. If you are traveling with your kids then it’s a great place to spend a day here, as there are a variety of animals(alpacas, zebras, goats, geese, and a lot more) to see and interact. It also has many play structures where kids can play and have fun.
It also has a fun and educational Creative Area, where kids can learn about animals and farming while they are playing.
Population of Barrhaven
The population of Barrhaven is around 108,000. It is based on the latest population estimates released by the City of Ottawa in mid-2023, which projected a population of 107,790 for Barrhaven by July 1st, 2023.
However, it’s important to note that the exact population of Barrhaven is not known because of the ongoing construction and development, making it extremely difficult to pinpoint the exact population.
What is Barrhaven known for?
Barrhaven is a suburb located in Ottawa, which is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, convenient amenities, and vibrant community spirit. It’s a perfect place where you can have a comfortable balance between access to natural beauty and urban amenities.
Being so close to Rideau River, it is a great place to enjoy water activities like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The Town also has efficient public transportation which allows people to easily commute.
Is Barrhaven a good place to live?
Yes, Barrhaven is a good place to live. It’s a safer place to live as it does not have that much of crime compared to other parts of Ottawa. Everything you need, like grocery stores and malls, is close by, which makes it a convenient place to live.
Getting to downtown Ottawa from Barrhaven is also very easy, you can either have your own vehicle or you can use the public transportation options. Lastly, there are a lot of parks, playgrounds, schools, and recreation centers which makes it a perfect place to raise your children.
How big is Barrhaven?
Barrhaven is 42.97 square kilometers (16.59 square miles) in size which makes it a fairly large suburb within the city of Ottawa. With a population of 103,234, it is the second-largest suburb in Ottawa and also one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada.
Is Barrhaven a rural area?
No, Barrhaven is definitely not a rural area. It’s a well-established suburb of Ottawa, with over 100,000 residents. It has all the amenities and infrastructure you’d expect from a developed area, like paved roads, a strong public transportation network, shopping malls, schools, and recreational facilities. So, you can’t say that Barrhaven is a rural area.
Final Thoughts: Best Things to Do in Barrhaven
Barrhaven is a family-friendly Suburb in Ottawa, which is known for its abundance of parks, schools, and recreational facilities. With low crime rates, convenient facilities, and efficient public transportation, it becomes a safe place to live near Ottawa.
Being so close to Rideau River, it’s a must-visit place if you love kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Plus the place is not that noisy which makes it a great spot to relax and chill out in nature.
So, what are you waiting for, pack your bag and head out for a drive to Barrhaven.
Have a Safe Journey!
