Little Italy – Ottawa’s Italian Cultural District

The O-Train runs along Carling Avenue, offering residents easy access to Carleton University, Mooney’s Bay, and Greenboro Station. From Bayview Station, you can connect to OC Transpo buses or the LRT to travel through downtown Ottawa towards Blair Station or Tunney’s Pasture, ensuring seamless commutes.

Little Italy is conveniently close to major institutions such as the Civic Hospital, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Natural Resources Canada, and the Geological Survey of Canada. Students at Carleton University can take the O-Train directly to campus, while University of Ottawa students can connect via Bayview Station and the LRT.

The area is renowned for its iconic dining spots like Pub Italia and Art-Is-In Bakery. Across from Preston Street lies Dow’s Lake, where you can enjoy waterfront dining on the pier or rent paddle boats to explore the lake during warmer months.

Every June, Little Italy comes alive with Italian Week, featuring street festivals, delicious food vendors, car shows, and races. In spring, the Canadian Tulip Festival decorates the area with stunning tulip displays throughout nearby parks.

For outdoor fun in the summer, visit the splash pads at Plouffe Park (930 Somerset Street) or Primrose Park (179 Primrose Avenue). If you prefer swimming, Chaudière Pool at 68 Elm Street offers an outdoor pool for residents to enjoy. Opening dates vary based on maintenance or weather conditions.

Little Italy also caters to active lifestyles with numerous fitness studios and gyms, including Greco, Top Shape Fitness Studio, Wefit, Yogatown, Beaver Boxing Club, Studio X Ottawa Inc, and CrossFit Bytown.