From Rockefeller Center to Wollman Rink, New York City has some of the most famous ice skating rinks on Earth. But there’s a rink that lies far beyond the five boroughs that’s famous for something as well: being the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the world. In Ottawa, Canada, winter temperatures transform the Rideau Canal into a nearly five-mile-long skating path, creating a frozen roadway that offers an entirely different kind of winter adventure.
Tucked between Parliament Hill and historic stone buildings, the Rideau Canal looks like any other waterway for most of the year, but once frozen over it turns into something entirely different. When conditions are right, this UNESCO World Heritage Site becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway, a massive stretch of natural ice that locals use the way New Yorkers use the subway: for commuting, coffee runs, and everything in between.
And yes–you can skate the whole thing in one go!
Just a short flight from NYC (and perfect for a winter weekend getaway), the Rideau Canal Skateway feels like an entire highway made of ice.
🧊 What Is the Rideau Canal Skateway?
Each and every winter, when temperatures stay cold enough, a long stretch of the Rideau Canal in downtown Ottawa transforms into an official skating route.
- The skateway typically runs for about 4.8 miles
- The total skating surface is large enough to be considered the world’s largest outdoor ice rink
- Instead of looping in circles, you’re literally gliding through the city
Locals lace up before work, kids get pulled on sleds, and visitors rent skates to spend hours cruising from one end to the other–stopping at snack huts along the way for hot chocolate and iconic Canadian treats!
Think: instead of circling the same sculpture at Rockefeller, you’re skating past bridges, historic architecture, snow-covered trees, and twinkling lights as far as the eye can see.
⛸️ What It’s Like to Skate the World’s Largest Outdoor Rink
Imagine swapping a crowded Midtown ice loop for a frozen avenue of glassy ice that just…keeps on going. On a typical day along the Rideau Canal Skateway, you’ll see:
- Locals commuting on skates with backpacks and briefcases
- Families pushing strollers and kids bundled up in snowsuits
- Pop-up huts selling hot cocoa, coffee, and pastries
- Rest areas on the ice where you can sit, warm up, or adjust your skates
Even more, you can choose your own skating adventure:
- Short spin – hop on at one access point, skate a short distance, and turn around
- Full canal ride – attempt the full length for a mini winter marathon
- Snack-to-snack route – skate from one food hut to another just like a bar hop…only colder and cuter
Because it’s an open-air canal, the scenery constantly changes around you, from Parliament Hill views to quiet snow-dusted stretches that feel surprisingly peaceful for a buzzing city.
🥐 What to Eat On (And Along) the Ice
Just like NYC’s rinks have their hot chocolate stands and nearby restaurants, the Rideau Canal Skateway has its own delicious selection of snacks–many right on the ice. Depending on the year and conditions, you’ll usually find:
- BeaverTails, which are fried, flat, donut-like pastries brushed with butter and topped with cinnamon sugar, chocolate, or other sweet toppings
- Steamy hot chocolate and coffee to warm you up between laps
- Savory snacks like poutine or soup
A typical winter day might look like: skate a half a mile, grab a BeaverTail, skate another half a mile, stop for hot cocoa, repeat.
🧣 What New Yorkers Should Know Before Visiting
If you’re planning a winter escape from NYC to skate the world’s largest outdoor rink, here are a few things to keep in mind:
The Season Depends on the Weather
Being the Rideau Canal Skateway is entirely dependent on temperatures, it usually opens sometime in mid-winter once the ice is thick and safe enough. In milder seasons, however, the opening window can be shorter or occasionally disrupted.
Before you plan a trip specifically to skate the canal, it’s smart to check the official skateway status for up-to-date conditions and opening dates.
You Don’t Need to Bring Skates
Skate rentals are typically available near major access points. You can also rent sleds for kids or for those who don’t want to skate the entire time.
What You DO Need to Bring is Warm Clothing
Warm, waterproof clothing is more important than high-performance ice skates. Think: thermal layers, thick socks, scarves, and gloves.
🏙️ What Else to Do in Ottawa on a Winter Weekend
If you’re traveling all the way from New York, you’ll want to make a full winter weekend out of it! Beyond the canal, you can:
- Visit Parliament Hill for sweeping city and river views
- Explore the ByWard Market, a historic district packed with restaurants, bars, and boutiques
- Duck into the National Gallery of Canada or Canadian Museum of History to warm up between outdoor adventures
- Try more Canadian classics like poutine, maple-infused treats, and local craft beer
With the city wrapped in snow and lights, it has the cozy, storybook charm of a European winter capital, just with a lot more ice beneath your feet.
❤️ Why It’s Worth the Trip for New Yorkers
If you’ve already done Rockefeller, Bryant Park, and every winter village in the tri-state area, the Rideau Canal Skateway is a rare chance to check off a true bucket-list winter experience.
New York City might be the center of the holiday universe, but for one unforgettable winter escape, the biggest rink of all is waiting a few hundred miles to the north, ready to turn your next cold-weather getaway into one long, gliding adventure.
How to Get There From NYC
Ottawa might sound like a far away land, but it’s actually pretty straightforward to reach from New York City.
- ✈️ By Plane (the fastest option) – you can typically find nonstop flights from NYC-area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) to Ottawa International Airport (YOW) in under 2 hours
- 🚆 By Train (scenic route with a stopover) – take Amtrak from NYC to Montreal or Toronto, both of which offer scenic routes along the Hudson River and through upstate New York. From there, connect to a VIA Rail Canada train that continues on to Ottawa
- 🚙 By Car (road trip style) – driving from NYC to Ottawa takes roughly 7-8 hours, depending on the route and border crossing. You can easily add stops in the Adirondacks, Lake George, or Montreal if you want to break up the trip