This summer, the NCC invites you to explore the Capital Cottage through a bucket list of 13 experiences. Discover iconic places, hidden gems and must‑see spots, and make the most of the season.
Visit bucket list locations throughout the summer for a chance to win great prizes.
Contest open from June 24 to September 16, 2026.
How it works
- Browse the bucket list below.
- Visit sites in person and scan the QR code to check off bucket list items (QR code locations marked on the interactive map below).
- Upon checking off at least 3 items, a form will appear on screen to enter the draw for the Experience the Capital gift basket.
- If you’re one of the first 100 people to check off all the items, a form will appear on screen to receive a limited‑edition Capital Cottage sticker.
Be sure to use the same phone for every scan so your progress is saved on your device. Avoid clearing your cache, as your checked-off items will be lost and cannot be recovered.
QR codes interactive map
Bucket list
1. Feel the breeze during Weekend Bikedays
Nothing says summer vacation like a scenic ride on a car-free parkway during NCC Weekend Bikedays.
2. Wander through Mackenzie King Estate
Mackenzie King Estate is the Capital’s OG cottage. Hop on our free NCC shuttle for that hair-in-the-wind vibe on your way there.
3. Take the plunge at the NCC River House
Cool off with a swim or get a few laps in the free, accessible and enclosed swimming area at the NCC River House.
4. Cool down at Dow’s Lake
Nothing says cottage summer like chilling by the lake. Dip your toes or take a swim from the Dow’s Lake dock and enjoy an ice‑cold drink by the water at our animated patio — now open even longer.
5. New! East Wharf Dock
This new dock offers a fresh perspective on the shoreline — and has ice cream! If you squint, you will see another new dock in front of the Canadian Museum of History.
6. Coming soon! Canadian Museum of History Dock
Nothing beats sitting down by the dock and enjoying some panoramic views of Parliament. If you squint, you will see another new dock near the Rideau Canal locks.
7. Make your own adventure on the water
Explore the shorelines your way: Paddle at your pace or hop on an Ottawa River Cruise. Gatineau Park has three boat launches.
8. Take in the sunset (or sunrise) at Kìwekì Point
Spend a moment at Kìwekì Point and take in the scenic river views (some would say it’s the best lookout in the region — we won’t argue).
9. A vibrant place: Westboro Beach
Treat yourself to a day full of activities at the recently renovated Westboro Beach. Explore the new lookouts, playground, café and restaurant! Top it off with some sunbathing by the beach. Life is better with your feet in the sand!
10. Gatineau Park beaches: Fun in the sun
Whether you’re a fan of cool Canadian lake swimming, playing pick-up volleyball or just laying down on a towel, the Gatineau Park beaches hit just right. It’s never been easier to get that lakeside feeling.
11. Soak up patio season
Patios are everywhere in our urban parks and waterfront sites. Don’t miss the food and the views from the popular NCC Bistros, the NCC River House, Westboro Beach and more!
12. Explore the Capital Pathway
There are over 200 kilometres of multi-use pathways in the Capital. From strolling behind Parliament to using the Chief William Commanda Bridge, the Capital Pathway makes it easy for you to enjoy the Capital cottage experience.
13. Get that island feel
The Chaudière Bridge is surrounded by many small island parks that can be explored in a single visit. They offer stunning views of the Ottawa River and are the perfect destination for anyone looking to enjoy the riverfront.
Not sure where to start? Explore one of five curated itineraries, designed specifically to help you experience the best of the Capital, your way.
Prizes
Experience the Capital gift basket
Curated with local flavour and thoughtful surprises, this prize is a celebration of the places, moments and memories that make the Capital special.
Two winners drawn at random at the end of the season, from all eligible participants.
Limited‑edition Capital Cottage sticker
A small reminder of every great memory you made this summer. If you win this limited-edition sticker, you truly experienced everything the Capital has to offer!
Offered to the first 100 eligible participants.
Thank you to our partners: Bar Lakeside at Dow's Lake, Café & Bistro, operated by Bytown Catering, Camp Fortune, Expeditions Wakefield, Hog's Back Grill and Bistro, Maison du vélo, Maison O'Brien, the Marina operator at Dow’s Lake Pavilion, NCC Bistro at Remic Rapids Park, Ottawa Boat Cruise and The Grand Pizzeria.
Rules and regulations
This contest is open to residents of Canada who are 16 years of age or older at the time they enter the contest.
If a participant has not reached 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent for the participant to enter the contest. In such cases, all references to the “participant” or “winner” refer to that individual’s parent or legal guardian.
Employees, representatives or agents of the NCC or of any of the NCC’s prize-donating partners, as well as anyone who resides with these persons, are not eligible to participate in the contest.
No purchase is necessary to enter this contest.
To be eligible for the Experience the Capital gift basket draw, participants must complete and submit the entry form by September 16, 2026 at 11:59 pm EDT. The form will appear on the bucket list page once the participant has checked off three items on the list. Participants must submit their name and a valid email address where they can be contacted if they’re drawn as a winner. They must also correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question.
To qualify for the limited‑edition Capital Cottage sticker, participants must complete all required items on the bucket list and submit the related form. The form will appear automatically for the first 100 participants who check off all items on the list. Participants must submit their name and a valid Canadian mailing address the NCC can mail the sticker to. They must also correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question.
One entry per person, per form.
Prizes must be accepted as awarded and may not be exchanged or transferred.
Experience the Capital gift basket
Two participants, drawn at random from all eligible participants, will receive one Experience the Capital gift basket including:*
Gift basket A
- A family package (two adults and two children) including a Rideau Canal cruise and an Ottawa River cruise with Ottawa Boat Cruise
- $150 gift certificate redeemable at The Grand Pizzeria at Westboro Beach
- Voucher for two (up to $50) redeemable at NCC Bistro at Remic Rapids Park
- Gift certificate redeemable at the Marina operator at Dow’s Lake Pavilion
Gift basket B
- A package for two including admissions to the mountain coaster, the aerial park and the peak to peak ziplines at Camp Fortune, in Gatineau Park
- An afternoon tea experience for two at Adèle at Maison O'Brien, in Gatineau Park (valued at $140)
- Voucher for two (up to $50) redeemable at Café & Bistro, operated by Bytown Catering, at the NCC River House
- Day bike rental for two redeemable at the Maison du vélo (valued at $40)
* Gift basket contents are subject to change without notice based on availability.
The gift basket must be picked up in person at the NCC offices in downtown Ottawa, at the dates and times set by the NCC. Delivery will not be provided.
Winners are responsible for all additional costs associated with claiming or using the prize that are not expressly included above, including, without limitation, transportation and shipping costs. If any portion of the prize cannot be used for reasons beyond the NCC’s control, no compensation, substitution or reimbursement will be provided.
Limited-edition Capital Cottage sticker
The first 100 eligible participants to complete the full bucket list will each receive one limited‑edition Capital Cottage sticker.
Stickers will only be mailed to Canadian residents at a valid Canadian mailing address.
Experience the Capital gift basket
Two winners will be selected by random draw from among all eligible participants who enter the contest in accordance with these contest rules by the submission deadline. The NCC will draw winners in Ottawa on September 17, 2026. Selected participants will be notified on the same day using the email address provided in the form prompted on the bucket list page.
Limited-edition Capital Cottage sticker
The 100 eligible participants to complete the full bucket list and enter the contest in accordance with these contest rules will each win one limited‑edition Capital Cottage sticker.
To be awarded a prize, selected participants must fulfill the following requirements.
Experience the Capital gift basket
The participant must respond to the prize email notification sent by the NCC by September 28, 2026, at 3 pm (EDT).
The participant must confirm their eligibility and confirm prize pick-up arrangements at the NCC offices in Ottawa, as requested by an NCC representative.
Limited-edition Capital Cottage sticker
The participant must provide the NCC with a valid Canadian mailing address by September 16 at 11:59 pm (EDT) for the prize to be mailed. Failure to comply with any of the foregoing conditions or any other condition in these contest rules and regulations will result in the disqualification of the selected participant. In the event of disqualification, an alternate participant may, at the NCC’s discretion, be selected in accordance with these rules and regulations.
The odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible participants who enter the contest in accordance with these contest rules and regulations.
The NCC reserves the right to disqualify any individual attempting to enter the contest using means that do not comply with these contest rules and regulations or that are unfair to other participants, including but not limited to the use of automated equipment to enter the contest, bots, hacking or other similar methods.
The NCC further reserves the right to disqualify any entry that is offensive or defamatory. Any such entry may may be reported to the proper legal authorities, where appropriate.
Winners of the gift basket will be contacted via the email address provided in the form appearing on the bucket list page. If a selected winner does not respond to the NCC email by September 28, 2026, at 3 pm (EDT), the NCC reserves the right to select an alternate winner, in accordance with these rules and regulations.
Winners of the sticker will be notified on screen upon eligibility, and only the first 100 participants to complete the full bucket list will be prompted to provide a Canadian mailing address.
The prize must be accepted as awarded, with no guarantee, and cannot be exchanged, exchanged for money, transferred to another person or combined with any other offer. The NCC reserves the right, without restriction, to replace the prize with a prize of equal or greater value.
By participating in this contest, all participants accept these rules and regulations and agree to abide by any decision rendered by the NCC, which is final and without appeal.
By participating in this contest, participants acknowledge and agree to the following:
Participants release and hold harmless the NCC from any and all liability associated with this contest.
Participants are knowingly providing their information to the NCC.
The NCC is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete or misdirected contest entries.
The NCC is not responsible for any printing or typographical errors contained in any document related to this contest.
The NCC and its employees, agents, consultants, directors, partners, suppliers and representatives are released from all liability related to the malfunction of any computer component, application or communication line; the loss or absence of the communication network; or any transmissions that are faulty, incomplete, incomprehensible or deleted by any computer or network that could impede or limit the possibility of any person participating in this contest, and are also released from all liability for any damage or loss that could result directly or indirectly, all or in part, from the downloading of any Internet page or application or from the transmission of any information related to entering this contest.
The NCC is not liable for any failure of the website during the promotion; for any problems or technical malfunction of a telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, access providers, computer equipment or software; or for the failure of any email, online or Internet entry to be received by the NCC. In addition, the NCC is not liable for any technical problem, any traffic congestion on the Internet or on any website, or any combination of such issues, including any injury or damage to the participant’s or any other person’s computer or property related to or resulting from playing or downloading any material in the promotion. The NCC reserves the right, at its discretion, to cancel or suspend this contest should a virus, bug or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the NCC corrupt the security or proper administration of the contest.
By participating in this contest, any participant selected to be awarded the prizes described absolves the NCC, and anyone for whom the NCC is responsible, of all liability for any damage they, or anyone, may suffer as a result of accepting or using the prize.
Personal information provided on this form is collected by the National Capital Commission (NCC) under the authority section 10(2) of the National Capital Act. The personal information will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility to enter the contest and communicating with winners to arrange prize delivery. The personal information provided may be disclosed to NCC employees and, where applicable, prize-donating partners for the purposes of administering the contest and delivering prizes to winners. Personal information may be used for other purposes, including research, statistics, contest evaluation and reporting. With consent, the information may also be used to establish mailing lists to inform participants of future events or to contact individuals to seek views on issues of mutual interest.
Failure to complete the form in full may result in your entry being deemed ineligible and your disqualification from the contest. The Privacy Act gives individuals the right of access and correction of their personal information. If you are not satisfied how the NCC handles your personal information, you may file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. The collection, use, disclosure and retention of your personal information is further described in the NCC’s Personal Information Bank – Outreach Activities PSU 938.
Any litigation respecting the conduct or organization of a publicity contest may be submitted to the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux for a ruling. Any litigation respecting the awarding of a prize may be submitted to the Régie only for the purpose of helping the parties reach a settlement.