Leave Toronto in the morning for the roughly 450-kilometre drive to Ottawa via Highway 401 east and Highway 416 north. Plan on about 4½–5 hours of driving, plus breaks and possible traffic near Toronto or Ottawa; check conditions before setting out and allow extra time so the day doesn’t feel rushed. If you’re staying near 200 Coventry Road, confirm whether your accommodation can hold your bags or offer early parking—otherwise, ask about the easiest drop-off and parking arrangements before you arrive.
Keep the schedule flexible for the celebration of life at Saint-Vincent Hospital (Bruyère), in the Mechanicsville area. Confirm the service location and visitor or parking instructions directly with the hospital or family; time with loved ones may matter more than fitting in anything else. When you’re ready for a meal, Pho Bo Ga LA on Somerset Street West is a relaxed choice for pho and other Vietnamese comfort food. Budget about C$15–25 per person and an hour to eat; check the day’s hours before heading over, and use a taxi or rideshare if you’d rather not deal with parking.
If a little fresh air would feel welcome, take an optional, unhurried 30–45-minute walk through Confederation Park downtown. It’s an easy place to pause after a full day, with the National War Memorial nearby; keep the stroll gentle and skip it if family time or rest is what you need.
Start at Cora Breakfast and Lunch on Ogilvie Road, a short drive from 200 Coventry Road. Give yourself about an hour for a generous breakfast; budget roughly C$15–25 per person, and check the location’s opening hours before heading over. Then drive downtown to the Canadian Museum of Nature for an easy-paced visit of about 1½–2 hours. Weekday hours are generally daytime, but confirm the schedule and admission price for October 1; paid parking is available nearby, though arriving earlier makes it easier to find a spot.
Head to The Whalesbone on Elgin Street for seafood lunch, allowing 1–1½ hours and roughly C$30–60 per person. It’s a convenient downtown stop before the long drive, but check its Thursday lunch service and book ahead if you’re on a tight schedule. From the museum, it’s a short drive or taxi ride; leave a little time for parking around Elgin.
After lunch, set off for Toronto via Highway 416 south to Highway 401 west. Allow about 4½–5 hours of driving, plus a break, and check traffic before leaving—Ottawa and Toronto rush-hour delays can add time. If you can, depart early enough to avoid the worst of the afternoon congestion; fuel and rest stops are easy to find along the 401.
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