I was lucky enough to get away for a one night solo escape to Ottawa from the GTA to get an advance look at a new exhibit at the Museum of Nature. My goal when travelling is always to leave as small a footprint as possible (without being too strict about it) and because I was solo on this trip, I was able to stick to my own ideals of what sustainable travel should look like. 

Getting to Ottawa the eco-friendly way

The most eco-friendly option for travel to Ottawa from anywhere in Canada is the Via Rail train. Your best bet cost-wise is to look well in advance in your travel dates for good deals ($90 one way or under $200 for a roundtrip is a decent deal from Toronto, for example). That being said, the public transit system in Ottawa is not the best. When I am travelling with my family, including my three kids, we usually drive (and our travel experience looks a lot different from this solo trip). 

Getting around Ottawa

While their public transit may not be the best, Ottawa is a very bike-friendly city. From April to October, it's a sure bet that cycling will comfortably get you where you need to go. For my visit (a rainy day) I opted for Uber Green (a Tesla) to transport me from the train station to my hotel, where I could very easily get around on foot for the rest of my stay. 

Where to stay - sustainable Ottawa hotel (downtown)

ARC the hotel - for downtown visits

One huge plus for ARC the hotel is its walkability to major Ottawa attractions like Parliament, the Museum of Nature, Elgin street and more. It's easy to get around on foot once you're there, but I would say it's definitely designed with business travellers in mind. On my trip, it suited my purposes perfectly. But if I was travelling with my kids, I'd opt for a more kid-friendly hotel. 

They do have some sustainable initiatives that check some boxes for me.

Energy Efficiency: The hotel uses energy-efficient lighting and appliances to reduce energy consumption. This includes LED lighting and energy-saving HVAC systems.

Water Conservation: The ARC Hotel has installed low-flow fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens to minimize water usage.

Waste Reduction: The hotel has a comprehensive recycling program in place. They also minimize single-use plastics by providing refillable toiletries.

Sustainable Sourcing: The hotel sources local and sustainable products for its restaurant and bar. This includes using locally grown produce and sustainably sourced seafood. (Note: I personally think some more vegan options would be great here to push them over the edge sustainability wise). 

Green Building Practices: The ARC Hotel incorporates green building practices in its design and maintenance. This includes using eco-friendly materials and ensuring proper insulation to reduce energy loss.

Eco-friendly activities in Ottawa

Ottawa is a city that is full of outdoor activities, eco-friendly entertainment and inspiring nature-based exhibitions.

If you really want to be wowed, the Canadian Museum of Nature is not only located in a stunning building (an old castle!) it's full of the wonders of nature. It's also home to a new exhibit called Rewilding, which is truly inspiring and a good reminder why we aim to opt for sustainable choices in our daily lives. 

Where to eat in Ottawa

For a quick slice: PiCo

For the best coffee: Bridgehead

For the coziest veg-friendly pub fare: Manx Pub

For vegan goodies, including some excellent meal options: Little Joberries

For an iconic Canadian treat: Beaver Tails

A big thanks to Ottawa Tourism for supporting my request for eco-friendly accommodation and sponsoring my stay at the ARC hotel. All opinions are 100 percent my own, and I only recommend things that I would choose for myself.