For the Trendy

Why are we not surprised that Tank Action Flotation Spa recently set up shop in Westboro? Think of their flotation tanks as very large, enclosed bathtubs filled with super-salty water heated to skin temperature — it feels as if you’re floating in nothingness. The point is to “turn on, tune in, drop out.”
1663 Carling Ave.

For the Splashy

The city has seriously upped its game in the splash-pad department (cynics might point out that they’re cheaper to build than community pools, but let’s not grumble on a hot day). Brewer Park is home to a two-level splash-pad extravaganza that boasts upwards of 30 water jets, dumping buckets, a slide, and even a few water cannons. For parents, there’s lots of shady seating under mature trees. For a comprehensive roundup of local splash pads, check out Ottawa Splash Pads compiled by a splash-pad-obsessed local family.
Brewer Park, 100 Brewer Way

For the Spa Junkie

Relaxation destination extraordinaire, Nordik Spa-Nature continues to expand. Opening this July is Banyä, a new building centred around a Russian sauna and boasting a relaxation and meditation area, as well as an exfoliation and yoga room. Also new this summer: outdoor massage rooms. The sounds of birds and the wind rustling in the trees sure beats piped-in ambient music!
16, ch. Nordik, Old Chelsea

For Man’s Best Friend

Release the hounds! Catching frisbees is a fine distraction most afternoons, but an all-canine pool party? That’s special. The city’s wading pools are off limits for 99 percent of the summer, but every year a select few outdoor pools and wading areas let the dogs run wild just before they close for the season. Last year, three locations hosted BYO Dog events. Since these types of happenings tend to get confirmed fairly last-minute, call in late July to see how plans are progressing. Reid Park Wading Pool (40 Reid Ave.) and Westboro Wading Pool (411 Dovercourt Ave.) both hosted on-leash splashfests last August. Bearbrook Pool in Blackburn Hamlet (2679 Innes Rd.) held the wildest bash, an off-leash party last September.

For the Driven

Is your idea of chillaxing pounding up and down the pool? Two of the city’s pristine new indoor pools offer pretty much all-day lane swims geared towards the endurance junkie. Check out Richcraft Recreation Complex (4101 Innovation Dr.) in Kanata. (Until June 30, weekday lane swims run 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; July 4–Aug. 28, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) For south enders, Minto Recreation Complex in Barrhaven (3500 Cambrian Rd.) offers about six hours of lane swimming spread out over the course of each weekday (check the schedule for full details) and is one of the few pools that runs a summertime high-intensity aqua-fitness program known as Aqua Boot Camp (July 6–Aug. 31).