Last Updated: May 2026
Bayshore Shopping Centre is the west-end Ottawa mall that quietly out-performs Rideau Centre on parking, family amenities, and tenant variety—even if downtown locals love to skip it. Sitting at 100 Bayshore Drive in Nepean, it’s been a fixture of west Ottawa retail since 1973, anchored by major banks, big-box co-tenants, a strong food court, and Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa. The 2026 mall has over 200 stores across roughly 1.1 million square feet, more than 4,000 free parking spaces, and a future LRT connection that will reshape access by 2027-2028.
This guide maps Bayshore the way a regular shopper actually uses it: which entrance gets you closest to which stores, when the food court is busiest, what the cinema costs after HST and concessions, where the family washrooms are, and how the mall compares with Ottawa’s other major shopping centres (Rideau Centre, Carlingwood, St. Laurent, and Tanger Outlets). Whether you’re a tourist looking for a rainy-day shopping detour, a Kanata family escaping suburban strip plazas, or a coworking professional needing a tech-store run between meetings, knowing Bayshore’s layout saves time.
A reality check before you visit: weekends after 12pm are crowded. The mall fills with Kanata, Bells Corners, and Crystal Beach families plus cross-river Gatineau visitors. Saturday afternoon parking can hit 90% capacity during peak holiday season. The Cineplex matinee crowd compounds it. Best visit windows: Mon-Thu 10am-12pm, Sun 11am-1pm, weeknights after 7pm. Holiday hours expand significantly—late-night Friday and Saturday shopping until 9-10pm during November-December.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Bayshore Shopping Centre at 100 Bayshore Drive in Nepean has 200+ stores, over 4,000 free parking spaces, anchor tenants including Hudson’s Bay (status uncertain post-2025), Sport Chek, Best Buy, Indigo, plus Cineplex Cinemas. Best parking entrance: Door 7 near food court. OC Transpo: Bayshore Station with major bus terminal. Future LRT: Stage 2 west extension expected 2027-2028.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Address | 100 Bayshore Drive, Ottawa, ON K2B 8C1 |
| 🏬 Total stores | 200+ |
| 🅿️ Parking | 4,000+ free spaces |
| 🎬 Cinema | Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa Bayshore |
| 🚌 Transit | OC Transpo Bayshore Station |
| 🚇 Future LRT | Stage 2 west, ~2027-2028 |
| ⏰ Typical hours | Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 11am-6pm |
| 🎄 Holiday hours | Extended Nov-Dec to 10pm Fri/Sat |
| 🛒 Best entrance for parking | Door 7 (food court side) |
| 🏛️ Owner | Ivanhoé Cambridge / RioCan partnership |
Bayshore Overview: West-End Mall Anchor
Bayshore Shopping Centre’s modernised entrance and parking structure serve over 4,000 vehicles daily during peak shopping seasons.
Bayshore Shopping Centre opened in 1973 and has expanded multiple times—most significantly the 2008 renovation that added the modernised glass-front facade, food court reconstruction, and updated tenant mix. The mall sits at the western edge of Nepean, where the Queensway (Highway 417) meets Bayshore Drive, making it accessible to Kanata, Bells Corners, Crystal Beach, and Stittsville commuters. It also serves cross-river Gatineau visitors who prefer west-side malls over crossing into ByWard.
The mall’s strength is breadth, not boutique flavour. You won’t find Atelier-tier indie boutiques. You will find every major chain Canadian shoppers expect: Apple, Sephora, Lululemon, H&M, Zara, Old Navy, Indigo, Best Buy, Sport Chek. For a typical family shopping run—back-to-school, holiday gifts, coworking attire, tech repairs, beauty supplies—Bayshore handles it in one stop with free parking.
Comparison with other Ottawa malls: Rideau Centre wins on transit (Rideau O-Train Station) and downtown food access. Carlingwood Mall is older and smaller, better for quiet weekday browsing. St. Laurent Centre competes directly with Bayshore but has weaker tenant mix in 2026. Tanger Outlets in Kanata wins on outlet pricing but loses on tenant variety. Bayshore wins on parking + tenant breadth + cinema combo for west-end families.
Ownership, Size, and History
Bayshore’s main corridor connects anchor stores at each end with food court, cinema, and major chain retailers running through the centre.
Owner: Ivanhoé Cambridge / RioCan partnership. Size: roughly 1.1 million square feet. Total stores: 200+. Year opened: 1973. Last major renovation: 2008 (food court rebuild, glass facade, modernised tenant zones). Recent tenant changes: Hudson’s Bay status post-2025 should be confirmed at the mall directory. Several smaller fashion chains have rotated in/out 2023-2025 as Canadian retail consolidates.
The 2008 renovation transformed Bayshore from a dated 1970s mall into something competitive with Rideau Centre’s 2016 expansion. Higher ceilings, brighter common areas, faster food-court flow, expanded family amenities. Subsequent 2018-2020 updates added EV charging in the parking structure and accessibility improvements (additional ramps, family washrooms, sensory-friendly hours during select periods).
Hours and Holiday Rules
Standard hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 10am-9pm
- Sunday: 11am-6pm
Holiday extended hours (typical late November-December):
- Friday-Saturday: 10am-10pm
- Boxing Day (Dec 26): 8am-9pm (early opening; expect crowds)
- New Year’s Eve: 10am-5pm
- New Year’s Day: typically closed
Holidays mall is closed: Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, sometimes Family Day in February (verify with mall directory).
Individual stores may operate shorter hours than the mall—anchor stores often close 30 min before mall closing, while restaurants in the food court frequently open earlier and close later.
Anchor Stores & Large-Format Tenants
Bayshore’s anchor stores include Hudson’s Bay (status verify), Sport Chek, Best Buy, Indigo, and large fashion tenants.
Anchor / large-format tenants (verify current 2026 status at the mall directory):
- Hudson’s Bay (status uncertain post-2025—Hudson’s Bay Company underwent significant restructuring; Bayshore location should be confirmed)
- Sport Chek — sports apparel and equipment, west wing
- Best Buy — electronics, near Cineplex entrance
- Indigo — books and lifestyle, central corridor
- Winners — discount fashion
- HomeSense — home goods and furniture
- Old Navy — family fashion
Major chain retailers spread across the mall:
- Apple Store — central corridor (verify current status; some Apple Stores closed during 2024-2025)
- Sephora — beauty, near Hudson’s Bay zone
- Lululemon — athleisure, central corridor
- Zara, H&M, Aritzia — fast fashion / contemporary
- Banana Republic, J.Crew, Gap — mid-range fashion
- Bath & Body Works — beauty
- Microsoft Store (verify status), Telus, Bell, Rogers — tech/wireless
Bayshore Food Court & Dining
Bayshore’s food court anchors family dining with chain options and family-friendly seating expanded in the 2008 renovation.
The Bayshore food court anchors family dining at the mall. Located in the central corridor (Door 7 entrance is the closest exterior parking), it offers ~15-20 chain options that rotate periodically. Typical 2026 lineup includes:
- A&W, McDonald’s, Wendy’s — burgers
- Mr. Sub, Subway — sandwiches
- Manchu Wok, Edo Japan — Asian
- Pizza Pizza, Mucho Burrito — pizza/Mexican
- New York Fries — fries specialist
- Cinnabon, Tim Hortons — desserts/coffee
Pricing: combo meals $10-$15. Add 13% HST = $11.30-$16.95 all-in. Family of four lunch averages $50-$70 all-in.
Sit-down dining inside or attached to the mall:
- The Keg (near mall) — steakhouse, full service
- Boston Pizza — family casual (verify location)
- Earls (nearby) — contemporary casual
For more dining options outside the mall, see our best buffet restaurants for Mandarin Hunt Club nearby, and best brunch in Ottawa for weekend pre-shopping options.
Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa Bayshore
Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa Bayshore offers UltraAVX, IMAX, and standard auditoriums with full concession service.
Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa Bayshore operates as the west-end multi-format cinema. Auditorium types:
- Standard screens (~$13-$15 adult)
- UltraAVX (~$17-$19 adult)
- IMAX (~$19-$22 adult)
- D-BOX motion (premium)
HST math on a $15 standard ticket = $16.95 all-in. UltraAVX at $18 = $20.34. IMAX at $21 = $23.73.
Concessions: popcorn $7-$10, drinks $6-$8. Family of four with snacks easily hits $80-$100 for an evening movie.
CineClub membership (~$10/month) gets one free ticket per month plus discount perks.
Best for: family weekends, opening-weekend blockbusters, date nights after dinner. Not for: indie or repertory cinema (try Mayfair Theatre or ByTowne for that).
Services: Guest Services, Banks, Repairs, Errands
Bayshore’s guest services counter handles lost-and-found, stroller rentals, and accessibility support.
Guest Services Desk is centrally located near the food court entrance—stop here for:
- Stroller rentals (typically $5-$10 deposit, returned at exit)
- Wheelchair availability (free with deposit)
- Lost and found
- Mall directory and printed maps
- Wi-Fi password (free guest network)
- Gift cards
Banks: TD, BMO, Scotiabank, RBC branches operate inside or near the mall. Most have ATMs. Several stand-alone ATMs in the corridors (Interac and bank-network).
Phone repair: uBreakiFix (verify current location), local independent kiosks. Cell carriers: Bell, Rogers, Telus, Freedom Mobile have storefronts.
Postal services: Canada Post outlet inside Shoppers Drug Mart. Currency exchange: ICE Currency or VBCE counter (verify location).
Dry cleaning, key cutting, watch repair: rotating kiosk services. Smaller errands get done while waiting for movie or food.
Bayshore Parking: Strategy Guide
Bayshore’s 4,000+ free parking spaces are split across surface lots and the parking structure on the east side.
Total capacity: 4,000+ spaces (free). Structure parking covers the east side (closer to Sport Chek, Indigo, food court). Surface lots wrap the west and south sides.
Best entrances by destination:
- Door 7 (south side, food court): quick lunch trips, kid-friendly washroom
- Door 3 (Hudson’s Bay end): anchor store + Sephora, Lululemon, Aritzia
- Door 6 (Cineplex side): movie nights, Best Buy, Apple
- Door 1 (north end, near transit): transit users, accessibility ramps
EV charging: several stations in the parking structure (Tesla destination + Level 2). Free during shopping—no separate fee published.
Peak times:
- Saturday 12-3pm: structure fills first; surface lots are last resort
- Sunday 1-3pm: similar pattern
- Boxing Day (Dec 26): 90%+ capacity by 10am, expect 20+ min queue
- Black Friday weekend: avoid before 11am or after 6pm
Pro tip: The east structure exits onto Bayshore Drive directly. Use it for fast escape during peak times. Surface lot exits face the Queensway and can back up.
OC Transpo Bayshore Station & Future LRT
OC Transpo’s Bayshore Station serves multiple bus routes plus the future Stage 2 LRT extension expected 2027-2028.
Bayshore Station is a major OC Transpo terminal with:
- Route 61 (Bayshore-Carlingwood-downtown express)
- Route 62 (Bayshore-Tunney’s Pasture)
- Route 63 (Bayshore-Kanata)
- Multiple feeder routes connecting Crystal Beach, Bells Corners, and Kanata
Future LRT Stage 2 west extension is expected to bring O-Train service to Bayshore by approximately 2027-2028. The LRT will dramatically improve transit access from downtown and reshape mall traffic patterns.
Walking distance to mall: Bayshore Station is connected to the mall via covered pedestrian access. Accessibility: wheelchair-friendly station design, ramps and elevators.
Accessibility & Family Amenities
Bayshore offers family washrooms, wheelchair rentals, sensory-friendly hours, and stroller-accessible corridors.
Family washrooms at three locations: near food court, near Cineplex entrance, and near Hudson’s Bay anchor zone. All include changing tables.
Sensory-friendly hours (autism-friendly) typically run select Sunday mornings 10-11am with reduced lighting and sound—check the mall events calendar for current schedule.
Stroller and wheelchair rentals available at Guest Services. Accessibility features:
- Wide corridors throughout
- Multiple elevators (parking structure to mall, between mall levels)
- Automatic doors at all entrances
- Low-counter checkout zones at most retailers
- Accessible washrooms in every food court area
Kids play area in central corridor (verify current status). Often used for free family events during weekends.
Best Stores at Bayshore By Category
Bayshore’s tenant lineup covers tech, fashion, beauty, kids, and gifts—match the visit to your shopping goal for fastest results.
Best for tech and electronics: Best Buy is the obvious anchor for laptops, TVs, headphones, gaming consoles, and home audio. The Apple Store (verify current status) handles iPhone, MacBook, iPad, and AppleCare service. Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Freedom Mobile have storefronts for cellular plans and device repairs. uBreakiFix or local independent kiosks handle out-of-warranty phone repair.
Best for women’s fashion: Aritzia, Zara, Banana Republic, J.Crew, H&M, and Lululemon cover the contemporary mid-range. Sephora and Bath & Body Works cover beauty. For higher-end pieces, Hudson’s Bay anchored historically (verify 2026 status). Winners and HomeSense provide discount fashion alternatives if budget matters.
Best for men’s fashion: Banana Republic, Gap, J.Crew, Suit Supply (verify status), Indochino (verify status), Sport Chek (athleisure and outdoor), Hudson’s Bay (verify status). For specifically Canadian brands, Roots and Canada Goose may have storefronts depending on current tenant rotation.
Best for kids and family: Old Navy, H&M Kids, Indigo (books and toys), Disney Store (verify current status), Build-A-Bear Workshop. The food court plus kids’ play area plus stroller rentals make Bayshore one of the most family-friendly Ottawa malls for full-day visits.
Best for beauty: Sephora is the anchor. MAC, Kiehl’s, and other brand-direct stores supplement. Shoppers Drug Mart inside the mall covers drugstore beauty plus prescription pickup. Sally Beauty handles hair products. The combination beats most standalone Ottawa beauty supply runs.
Best for gifts: Indigo for books, journals, and lifestyle gifts. Apple Store for tech gifts. Sephora for beauty gift sets (especially during November-December gift-set season). Bath & Body Works for affordable mass-gift options. Lush (verify current status) for handmade soap gifts.
Best for sports and outdoor: Sport Chek is the largest tenant for sports apparel, ski equipment (rotating seasonal), running shoes, hockey gear, and team apparel. Lululemon supplements with athleisure. The Bay (verify) historically carried outdoor gear; Sport Chek is the safer answer in 2026.
Mall Events: Santa, Easter Bunny, Kids Programming
Santa visits typically run mid-November through Christmas Eve. Photos are professional service ($25-$50/photo package). Reservation system through the mall events page avoids long queues.
Easter Bunny visits run two-three weekends before Easter Sunday.
Spring/summer events: Mother’s Day promotions, Father’s Day events, back-to-school programming. Halloween: indoor trick-or-treat afternoon for kids.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday: extended hours, special promotions, doorbuster specials at major anchor stores.
Comparison: Bayshore vs Other Ottawa Malls
| Mall | Location | Stores | Parking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayshore | Nepean (west) | 200+ | 4,000+ free | West-end families, cinema combo |
| CF Rideau Centre | Downtown | 180+ | Paid garage | Transit access, downtown hotels |
| Carlingwood Mall | Carlingwood | 100+ | Free | Quiet weekday browsing, seniors |
| St. Laurent Centre | East | 200+ | Free | East-end residents, weaker tenant mix in 2026 |
| Tanger Outlets | Kanata | 80+ | Free | Outlet pricing, tourists |
| Place d’Orléans | Orleans | 130+ | Free | East-end families |
Bayshore wins on: parking + tenant breadth + cinema. Rideau Centre wins on: transit + downtown food + tourism. Tanger wins on: outlet pricing. Carlingwood wins on: weekday quiet.
Local Tips From Bayshore Regulars
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Park at the structure (east side) before 11am to guarantee spots. After noon Saturday, surface lots are your only option.
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Door 7 (food court) is the best lazy entrance—closest to lunch, washrooms, and Cineplex.
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Cineplex matinees (~$10-$13 before 6pm) save 20-30% versus evening prices. Pair with food court for the cheapest mall-day combo.
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Boxing Day requires arrival before 9am if you want the structure parking. After 11am, you’re queuing.
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Hudson’s Bay status verification matters—post-2025 restructuring has created uncertainty. Check the mall directory before driving over for a Bay-specific errand.
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EV charging is free during shopping but spots fill fast on weekends. Arrive early or use mobile app to check availability.
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The Keg attached to the mall is a strong date night anchor—reservation recommended for weekends.
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Bayshore Station bus connections make the mall genuinely transit-accessible from Crystal Beach, Kanata, and downtown via Route 61.
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Sensory-friendly hours are a real benefit for families with autism or sensory sensitivities. Check the events calendar for next dates.
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Reddit r/ottawa is the best non-promotional source for current tenant changes, store closures, and recent renovations. Search “Bayshore” before assuming this list is current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many stores does Bayshore Shopping Centre have?
Over 200 stores spread across roughly 1.1 million square feet. Tenants include anchor stores, fashion chains, beauty, electronics, food court, services, and Cineplex Cinemas.
Q: Is Bayshore parking free?
Yes. Over 4,000 free parking spaces including the east-side parking structure and surrounding surface lots. EV charging is also free during shopping hours.
Q: What time does Bayshore open?
Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Holiday hours extend to 10pm Friday-Saturday from late November through December. Closed Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.
Q: What’s the best entrance for parking?
Door 7 (south side, food court entrance) offers the easiest access to lunch, family washrooms, and the cinema. Door 6 (east, Cineplex side) is fastest for movie nights. Door 3 (Hudson’s Bay end) for anchor store visits.
Q: How do I get to Bayshore on transit?
OC Transpo Bayshore Station is connected to the mall via covered pedestrian access. Major bus routes 61, 62, and 63 plus feeder routes serve Crystal Beach, Kanata, Bells Corners, and downtown via Tunney’s Pasture. Future LRT Stage 2 extension will reach Bayshore approximately 2027-2028.
Q: Does Bayshore have a movie theatre?
Yes. Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa Bayshore operates with standard, UltraAVX, IMAX, and D-BOX motion auditoriums. Adult tickets $13-$22 depending on format, plus 13% HST.
Q: When is Bayshore busiest?
Saturday 12-3pm and Sunday 1-3pm during normal periods. Boxing Day (December 26) is by far the busiest single day—90%+ parking capacity by 10am. Black Friday weekend also peaks heavily.
Q: Is Bayshore family-friendly?
Yes. Family washrooms at three locations, wheelchair and stroller rentals at Guest Services, wide corridors, automatic doors, kids events including Santa visits, Easter Bunny, and indoor Halloween trick-or-treat.
Q: Is Hudson’s Bay still at Bayshore?
Hudson’s Bay Company underwent restructuring in 2025—status of the Bayshore location should be verified on the official mall directory before visiting. Several Hudson’s Bay locations across Canada closed during the restructuring.
Q: Are there sit-down restaurants at Bayshore?
The Keg is attached or directly nearby. The food court covers ~15-20 chain options. For sit-down dining beyond the mall, best date night restaurants and buffet restaurants cover west-end options including Mandarin Hunt Club.
Final Thoughts: Is Bayshore Worth the Drive?
For west-end Ottawa, Kanata, Bells Corners, Stittsville, and Gatineau-side residents, Bayshore is the obvious answer for one-stop family shopping with cinema and food court combo. Free parking, 200+ stores, Cineplex, and full service amenities beat downtown shopping when you don’t need transit access.
For downtown Ottawa residents, Bayshore makes sense for specific tenant runs (electronics at Best Buy, sports gear at Sport Chek, kids fashion at Old Navy) where Rideau Centre’s selection is weaker, or for a family movie + dinner combo that downtown can’t match on parking convenience.
Three numbers to remember: 200+ stores, 4,000+ free parking spaces, HST + concessions push movie costs to $80-$100 for a family of four. Plan around peak weekend times and Boxing Day, and Bayshore handles most West Ottawa shopping needs efficiently.
For other Ottawa shopping experiences, see our Westboro complete guide for boutique shopping, and best rooftop bars Ottawa for evening alternatives. For downtown hotel stays, Rideau Centre is closer to most lodging.
Sources: Bayshore Shopping Centre official site, Cineplex Cinemas Ottawa Bayshore, OC Transpo Bayshore Station, CRA Ontario HST.
