As many know, Ottawa is not just a political hub but also a sprawling, limestone-clad movie set where history and romance collide. For fans of the short film Magic on Set, the city is the heartbeat of the story. From the birthplace of local legend Shane Hollander (um, yes) to the flickering gaslights of Sparks Street, the capital offers a cinematic texture that feels both grand and intimately cozy.
I recently visited the filming locations of Magic on Set to retrace the journey of lead characters Sarah (Melinda Shankar) and David (Chad Connell). The trail begins at the Fairmont Château Laurier, Ottawa’s “Grand Castle.” Built in 1912, its turrets and French Renaissance architecture have hosted everyone from Nelson Mandela to Carrie Fisher. In Magic on Set, this is where Sarah’s professional world tilts; amid the glow of the CHEO Trees of Hope, she realizes her holiday mojo has vanished. Standing in the lobby beneath the heavy crystal chandeliers, you can feel the weight of a hundred years of stories. For the ultimate fan experience, a dramatic descent down the marble stairs in a red gown is mandatory.
As the sun sets, the magic shifts to Lansdowne, home of the Ottawa Christmas Market. The air smells of pine needles and woodsmoke, framing the real-life location of the Cookie Cabin. The towering Aberdeen Pavilion, a Victorian-era marvel built in 1898, looms over the skating court like a silent sentinel of Ottawa’s sporting past. Whether you’re gliding—or stumbling, if you’re me—across the ice or grabbing a stuffed treat from Cookies by Kat, the setting captures that rare, sparkling rom-com atmosphere where every snowflake feels choreographed.
The film’s emotional climax finds its home at the Canadian Museum of Nature. By day, the museum offers a look at the ancient world, from dinosaur skeletons to the delicate Butterflies in Flight exhibit. By night, the space belongs to the museum’s glowing moon sculpture. It is here, suspended in the soft lunar light of the Queen’s Lantern glass tower, that Sarah and David share their most vulnerable moment. The location perfectly mirrors the film’s theme: finding light and connection in the vast, quiet spaces of the heart.
Ottawa’s status as a filmmaker’s paradise stems from its unique ability to masquerade as almost any Western city while maintaining a distinct, historic soul. A director can film a high-stakes political thriller against the gothic grandeur of Parliament Hill, a charming European-style romance within the limestone corridors of the Château Laurier, or a gritty urban drama in the industrial-chic corners of the ByWard Market. By preserving its 19th-century heritage alongside modern glass towers, the city offers a time-travel quality that allows productions to skip expensive soundstages in favour of authentic, lived-in locations that breathe life into every frame.
For those looking to recreate the “date night that almost was,” a visit to Riviera is essential—some of the best dishes I’ve ever had. Sarah and David may have missed their reservation, but you shouldn’t. Housed in a former bank building from 1869, the space features soaring 25-foot ceilings and marble-and-travertine walls. Its crown jewel is the 80-foot-long brass bar, awarded Best Restaurant Bar in Canada in 2025, and the drinks are truly one of a kind. It’s a see-and-be-seen spot where politicos and visiting NHL stars mingle, making it the city’s most romantic destination for a sophisticated cocktail or a plate of lobster spaghetti.
No Magic on Set tour is complete without a stop at the flagship BeaverTails stand in the ByWard Market. Since 1978, these cinnamon-dusted pastries have been the city’s unofficial signature. Like Sarah, you’ll find the Killaloe Sunrise is the best option. And before you call it a night, follow the locals to a late-night shawarma joint—a rite of passage that proves Ottawa has as much flavour as it does flair. With the most shawarma restaurants per capita in the world, you really can’t go wrong.
Whether you’re chasing the ghost of a cinematic meet-cute at Little Victories or raising a glass at Riviera, you’re participating in a story much larger than any single production. Ottawa’s true magic on set lies in its ability to make every visitor feel like the lead in their own story. —Marriska Fernandes
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