The holiday season is in full swing, and the stores Downtown Ottawa can make your holiday shopping a little easier this year.

Downtown Ottawa is home to many locally owned shops and businesses that offer plenty of variety for you to easily find the perfect gifts for loved ones. Exploring the shops downtown will allow you to experience Ottawa’s best offerings and support the small business community.

LaSalle Street and Main Street are two of Downtown Ottawa’s main attractions, and they contain a wide range of stores for every kind of shopper. If you enjoy handmade goods, Avant Garden should be at the top of your visiting list. The store features crafts, jewelry and artwork made and designed by local artisans. Chic & Unique is another shop to check out if you’re interested in handmade items, especially custom-designed jewelry and handbags. The small boutique is also known for its selection of high-quality, moderately priced clothing and fashion accessories. Bell’s Clothing is a specialty men’s attire store, and it’s the perfect stopping spot for men looking for nice holiday attire or anyone in search of a gift for the guy in their life.

In addition to clothing shops and craft stores, Ottawa’s independent bookstore, Book Mouse, is another place to explore while shopping. While the bookstore is best known for its children’s and teen selections, the store has books of all genres so you can find a good read for all of your bookworm friends. Book Mouse also has magazines, greeting cards and toys you can pair with the books.

While you’re shopping downtown, be sure to take some time and enjoy some of the area’s best food and drinks. Coffee shops like Jeremiah Joe Coffee and Café on Main are the perfect places to stop for a quick cup of your favorite warm drink. You can also finish your shopping trip with dinner at Bianchi’s Pizza, The Red Dog Grill, R Grotto Ristorante or one of Ottawa’s other delicious restaurants.

With a variety of shops and restaurants, Downtown Ottawa is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Gather your friends for a shopping day and explore the city, grab a bite to eat and check off items on your holiday shopping list.