Proudly representing one of the most diverse districts in Ottawa, Lower Town is a neighbourhood located in the Rideau-Vanier Ward, just east of the downtown core. Geographically, it is bound by Rideau Street to the south, Sussex Drive and Ottawa River to the north, the Rideau Canal to the west, and the Rideau River to the east. While the north and east ends of the neighbourhood are primarily residential, the southwestern portion is occupied by the historic Byward Market, home to a multitude of boutiques, local restaurants, and entertainment opportunities. The Rideau Centre is located just outside the Lower Town District to the south, and is known to be the city’s number one shopping destination. Surrounding Lower Town to the northeast, residents will find a number of parklands lining the scenic Rideau River, including both Stanley Park and Strathcona Park.
The city of Ottawa is served by OC Transpo, offering a number of local bus routes that take passengers to and from all major areas of the city, with accessible door-to-door transit available for those in need. The Ottawa Hospital is located approximately 6 km from the neighbourhood, however several smaller clinics and pharmacies reside within the Lower Town district.