With Christmas just around the corner and the new year following a weeks later, I am starting to look ahead to 2025. Specifically, I'm thinking about any travel I might do. My folks are in their mid-eighties now, so most of my travel time/budget will be down to Arizona to spend time with them, but I would like to plan a side-quest or two next year.
Top on my list is the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is 4.8 miles (7.8 kilometers) in length, which makes it the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink. It is generally opened from mid January to mid March, the exact date being weather dependent. The canal passes most of the famous tourist spots in the city like the Parliament building & downtown Ottawa.
Skating is free and, weather permitting, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! That means NIGHT SKATING :D
The canal does not open for skating until the ice reaches a thickness of 12 inches (30 cm). There is an ice crew that is constantly monitoring and cleaning up the ice. The canal has over 30 access points with some of those having facilities like restrooms and warming huts.
There are food and drink vendors that set up on the skateway, looks like mostly coffee and warm drinks xD
It takes about ~2 hours to skate the entire 4.8 mile length. This would be awesome, might have to take a cab back though ;)
I don't know if I can make it out this season but I am trying to make it happen. I wonder if 
