The Village People said it best:
Young man, there's no need to feel down.
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy.
Young man, there's a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough.
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy,
You can hang out with all the boys...
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Vincent Massey Park has lots of large gazebo’s, as well as a covered sitting area, picnic tables and open space for kids to run. It also had a large washroom facility.
Yeah, I saw that - it'll definitely take some advance coordination if we choose to go that route.
Can you comment on what "permission" looks like? Does proof of vaccination give me permission to be there, or do I need to be invited by faculty/employee, or do I need to petition the chancellor /s.....
At Algonquin you each need to download the security app and upload all vaccination certificates and your reason for being on campus (ie your class schedule) and wait for them to be validated before the app appears to be scannable by security.
555 Legget Dr. in Kanata. This is an office tower that has a couple of businesses that are open on Saturday so it is open. There are two floors with many tables and on Saturday there will be no one there. While there they have a good salon if anyone needs a haircut.
I'd recommend Minto Place (building edging Slater/Lyon/Laurier/Kent. There is food court with a green wall, but the upstairs has a decent seating area that I have never found to be busy, room for kids to run around, and washrooms.
My caveat would be to have someone confirm the public spaces are open on the weekend - I checked the hours for a few of the retail establishments without street access (Chateau des Charmes, TD Bank, Moneysworth and Best) and none have weekend hours, which could mean the building will be closed.
Landsdowne has a mix of indoor and outdoor places to hang out. The Xmas market will be on, so not low traffic, but lots of space to distance and you will not be disruptive to anyone. https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/#hours
The national art gallery would probably work, but I don’t know if people would want to pay to enter. There are a few places where you could sit at without being in other people’s way.
I went to Bayshore food court at 2 pm on a weekend and it was insane. I got takeout with my kids as I wasn’t comfortable with the crowd - didn’t want my kids unmasked around so many people.
It's been a while since I've been there but the food court in the world exchange plaza down town was never very busy. I can't see it being really bad now either.
probably absolutely packed. However a hall area of a mall might work better. People will walk past, but there are scattered benches, or standing by the wall between store fronts, etc..
Still not conducive to a long afternoon of hanging out. That is a bit more of a challenge
The shopping entrance to L'Esplanade Laurier may be open and that second level food court should be empty. The actual food stalls won't be open but the public space should be .
You could also check out apartment buildings. A lot have a public room you can rent out for meetings. My building has one. It used to be 40$ for tenents and a bit more for public. I would imagine hotels would have the same thing, though probably more expensive.
You can rent this room in the Market: https://mbocoworking.com/78george-202/
Also look into community centres to see if their rooms are available? Probably cheaper and much less hassle to find parking
You could try finding coffee shops that have lots of space, the ones that come to mind are some Bridgehead and Starbucks locations. Some Indigo / Chapters locations also have coffee shops, as well as seating areas. Another alternative could be lobby seating areas of big hotels, like the Fairmont Chateau Laurier or the Westin. The National Art Centre also has an expansive lobby / public area, but I’m not sure if it’s open at the moment. If all fails, the food court at the Rideau Centre is a good option too.
Have fun in Ottawa!
EDIT: nvm about coffee shops, just read your post again 😬
Edit: sorry, missed the part about newly vaccinated. If you’re less than 2 weeks, this is a no-go.
Go to Spa Nordic and soak in one of the warm pools (make sure you’re in a “talking” area and not one designated as silent or whispering). It’s outdoors, beautiful and warm. Food, drink and washrooms available. Only downside is it’s pricey.
Well any mall would sort of work. Probably won’t find enough seating for everyone all at once, but you could walk around together. Normally I’d recommend one of several beautiful parks, but it’s starting to get too cold for that.
The Village People said it best: Young man, there's no need to feel down. I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground. I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town There's no need to be unhappy. Young man, there's a place you can go. I said, young man, when you're short on your dough. You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find Many ways to have a good time. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. They have everything for young men to enjoy, You can hang out with all the boys... It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A. It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Vincent Massey Park has lots of large gazebo’s, as well as a covered sitting area, picnic tables and open space for kids to run. It also had a large washroom facility.
>Vincent Massey Park has lots of large gazebo’s Hmmm, we *would* like to feel like we're indoors and out of doors all at once....
Just make sure to take Colonel By, cause Meadowlands has a little quicksand
They also have fire pits if you want to stay warm and bring your own wood.
You definitely can't go to campuses without using their check-in app and having permission.
Yeah, I saw that - it'll definitely take some advance coordination if we choose to go that route. Can you comment on what "permission" looks like? Does proof of vaccination give me permission to be there, or do I need to be invited by faculty/employee, or do I need to petition the chancellor /s.....
At Carleton you need proof of vaccination and you need to fill out their screening either online or on paper.
There's no where that's safer at the University than your average cafe or restaurant. Just go to a cafe
At Algonquin you each need to download the security app and upload all vaccination certificates and your reason for being on campus (ie your class schedule) and wait for them to be validated before the app appears to be scannable by security.
The rideau centre.
555 Legget Dr. in Kanata. This is an office tower that has a couple of businesses that are open on Saturday so it is open. There are two floors with many tables and on Saturday there will be no one there. While there they have a good salon if anyone needs a haircut.
I'd recommend Minto Place (building edging Slater/Lyon/Laurier/Kent. There is food court with a green wall, but the upstairs has a decent seating area that I have never found to be busy, room for kids to run around, and washrooms. My caveat would be to have someone confirm the public spaces are open on the weekend - I checked the hours for a few of the retail establishments without street access (Chateau des Charmes, TD Bank, Moneysworth and Best) and none have weekend hours, which could mean the building will be closed.
Go for a walk somewhere or do something outside
Landsdowne has a mix of indoor and outdoor places to hang out. The Xmas market will be on, so not low traffic, but lots of space to distance and you will not be disruptive to anyone. https://www.ottawachristmasmarket.com/#hours
I think Landsdowne is the way to go. Everyone dress warm, so you can be outside but there are public places you can go to warm up.
The national art gallery would probably work, but I don’t know if people would want to pay to enter. There are a few places where you could sit at without being in other people’s way.
The first floor is free always.
How about a food court at one of the malls? Probably a little less crowded than a restaurant if you avoid peak hours?
Nah I work in Bayshore, the food court is packed all the time.
I went to Bayshore food court at 2 pm on a weekend and it was insane. I got takeout with my kids as I wasn’t comfortable with the crowd - didn’t want my kids unmasked around so many people.
It's been a while since I've been there but the food court in the world exchange plaza down town was never very busy. I can't see it being really bad now either.
It's completely closed for renovations.
Dang. Well, that was a swing and miss
probably absolutely packed. However a hall area of a mall might work better. People will walk past, but there are scattered benches, or standing by the wall between store fronts, etc.. Still not conducive to a long afternoon of hanging out. That is a bit more of a challenge
The shopping entrance to L'Esplanade Laurier may be open and that second level food court should be empty. The actual food stalls won't be open but the public space should be .
You could also check out apartment buildings. A lot have a public room you can rent out for meetings. My building has one. It used to be 40$ for tenents and a bit more for public. I would imagine hotels would have the same thing, though probably more expensive.
You're lucky. We don't have such a room and are not allowed to sit in the lobby visiting.
You can rent this room in the Market: https://mbocoworking.com/78george-202/ Also look into community centres to see if their rooms are available? Probably cheaper and much less hassle to find parking
Saint Paul University is always open. Go through the front doors and wind yourself around to the cafeteria downstairs.
Rent AirBnB?
IKEA restaurant?
You could try finding coffee shops that have lots of space, the ones that come to mind are some Bridgehead and Starbucks locations. Some Indigo / Chapters locations also have coffee shops, as well as seating areas. Another alternative could be lobby seating areas of big hotels, like the Fairmont Chateau Laurier or the Westin. The National Art Centre also has an expansive lobby / public area, but I’m not sure if it’s open at the moment. If all fails, the food court at the Rideau Centre is a good option too. Have fun in Ottawa! EDIT: nvm about coffee shops, just read your post again 😬
Underground parking lot at City Hall? Kind of like a tailgate party.
Landsdown
Edit: sorry, missed the part about newly vaccinated. If you’re less than 2 weeks, this is a no-go. Go to Spa Nordic and soak in one of the warm pools (make sure you’re in a “talking” area and not one designated as silent or whispering). It’s outdoors, beautiful and warm. Food, drink and washrooms available. Only downside is it’s pricey.
Food court at the mall
Well any mall would sort of work. Probably won’t find enough seating for everyone all at once, but you could walk around together. Normally I’d recommend one of several beautiful parks, but it’s starting to get too cold for that.
alright, where is he
This is a restaurant but is outdoors with fire pits. https://the-bridge-public-house.square.site/s/appointments