Everyone has a different definition for the “end of summer.” Some see August 31 as the date everything changes. For others, it’s Labour Day or the first day of school. Purists point to the fall equinox, the date when day and night are equally long; in 2026, that happens on September 22. (I’m going with the equinox in this post, in the name of making summer last as long as possible.)
No matter how you define it, there’s no denying that summer’s end is rapidly approaching. But don’t despair! There’s still time to enjoy lots of quintessential summer pleasures. Which of these have you done this year—and which are still on your list?
1. Have a picnic
Late summer is the perfect time for a picnic, as the clouds of early summer bugs are largely gone and the weather isn’t so sweltering that your lemonade is warm before it even gets to the table. If you’re looking for inspiration, check my list of scenic picnic spots.
2. Swim in a lake or river
Sure, you can swim in an indoor pool year round, but there’s nothing quite like splashing under a bright blue sky outdoors. The NCC has done a bang-up job of opening new urban swimming spots, such as the NCC River House (pictured above). And here’s a list of beaches throughout Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais.
3. Go to a fair
Craving some cotton candy and a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl (hopefully not in that order)? Late summer offers so many fairs, in spots from Richmond and Shawville to Kingston and Picton (and many points in between).
4. Head out on a hike
Hit your favourite forest trail now! You’ll beat the fall leaf-peeping crowds and you probably won’t need to pack a bunch of layers. We’re truly spoiled for options—here are just a few of the many hiking destinations in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais.
5. Eat on a patio
Our region offers far too many outdoor terraces for me to list them here. However, I did discover a beautiful restaurant patio with superb food near Montreal earlier this year. And Ottawa Tourism has a great list of restaurant patios throughout the city, broken down by neighbourhood.
6. Paddle a canoe (or kayak, raft or standup paddleboard)
Haven’t dipped your paddle in the water yet? There’s still time! For whitewater rafting, OWL Rafting in Foresters Falls is offering outings until Monday, September 7; Ottawa City Rafting‘s season ends on Sunday, September 13. Parks Canada recommends September as one of the best times to paddle the Rideau Canal and has lots of tips. In Ottawa, you can rent kayaks and standup paddleboards from Escape Tours and Rentals until September 20.
7. Pitch a tent
Once the kids are back in school, campsites are noticeably less busy, especially on weekdays. Here are a few websites where you can book your spot to pitch your tent (or, in some cases, book a yurt, cabin or other accommodation).
- Gatineau Park
- Parks Canada
- Ontario Parks
- Parks of the St. Lawrence
- Sépaq (Québec parks)
8. Eat ice cream
Yes, I know you can eat ice cream at any time of year. But doesn’t it taste best outside in summer? Check out my huge list of local ice cream shops to find your next sweet dairy fix.
9. Go to an outdoor music festival
Just because you missed Bluesfest, the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Stewart Park Festival doesn’t mean you have to wait until next year to enjoy music outdoors. The Festival de montgolfières de Gatineau (September 2 to 6) has a packed schedule of concerts to complement its hot air balloons. The new RoadTrip Music Festival will be lighting up Springer Market Square in Kingston on Saturday, September 12. And Alabama Shakes—seen in the video above at a much larger venue—is among the many acts playing the CityFolk Festival at Ottawa’s RA Centre (September 16 to 20).
10. Read a book outside
Did you have visions of getting lost in a novel while relaxing in the sun this summer? And did that dream evaporate as one of the wettest summers on record drenched the region? Don’t fret; there’s still time to dive into a great book before fall winds chase us all indoors. Everyone’s tastes vary, but some of the books I’ve really enjoyed this year include A Good House by Bonnie Burnard, The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon and Recipe for a Good Life by Lesley Crewe. And the icing on the cake? They’re all Canadian!
So, how many of these have you done this summer? And did I miss any of your warm weather favourites? Leave me a comment and let me know.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
