Dows Lake Pavilion

Pretty good place but huge lineups and service is also slow. But overall if you are in Ottawa your should go area is very beautiful all in middle of city and surrounded by amazing parks. Lake connects to the canal goes all the way upto Rideau canal.

Once a swamp, Dow's Lake was part of the Dow family's estate that was used in the construction of the Rideau canal (1826 - 1832). Lt Colonel By and his engineers directed work crews to dig into the swamp and created a large lake. This area serves as a water reservoir (slackwater pool) to adjust the canal's water levels so that boats could travel through the Rideau canal from the St Lawrence river/ Kingston to the Ottawa river.Dow's lake also serves as a beautiful place to play on the water with canoes/ paddle boats (rental office is at the pavillion) in the summer, as a scenic location to look at the tulips in Commissionaire's park in the spring, as a great starting place for a skate on the Rideau canal in the winter and you can dine upstairs in the pavillion's Mexican resturaunt all year round. On the second floor of the pavillion you can get a higher view of the beauty that surrounds the area. Check it outIf you like my reviews, photos or videos give a splashing good thumbs up.

Emergency transient moorage given delays in home marina opening. Eddy and the folks at Dows were awesome on all levels and made the launch / stay a blast. Awesome part of town as well for folks visiting - they won’t disappoint. Thx guys!!

Always an enjoyable experience. Nice restaurants with decent food and a beautiful view, lovely boardwalk, and any day on the water in a kayak, a canoe, or a pedal boat is a good day.

This is a very good place for a company get together. The buffet provided here is healthy and tasty. We rented the tables just facing the window. So the view is very nice. After lunch, I went to enjoy the tulips since it's just the best season.

a beautiful park where you can hike, cycle, family get-together, (pedal boat $24/hr and kayak $36/hr), but the only concern is the animal waste on the lakefront

Beautiful. I took a nice walk around Dows Lake. Lots of geese and different types of ducks. Lots of benches to stop and rest. Beautiful willow trees too! The only downside was the parking- cost me 10 dollars to park for an hour and a half walk. (Parking accepts cash, credit and visa)

One of the better scenic water places to experience in Ottawa when renting a paddle board, peddle-boat or kayak to check it out.

Very scenic and peaceful. They rent kayaks during summer and skates during winter time for skating. It’s a great picnic spot with beautiful flower gardens and trees. Must visit when in Ottawa.

I attended the Dow's Lake Pavilion for a conference. The facility is suited our needs, many tables of comfortable chairs. There was a projector and screen to work very well. Just be cautious if it's a bright day, makes it harder to see the projector screen. Lago Grill provided breakfast and lunch, all of which was very delicious. Would recommend this venue for a smaller gathering, function or conference.