The neighbourhood got its start in the late nineteenth century, when flyers were published proclaiming ‘Move to Westboro,’ and offering prospective residents ‘views of the Laurentian Mountains.’ This slightly creative name for the distant geological formation along the Eardley escarpment is now better known as the Gatineau Hills. The Gatineau Hills can be seen across the Ottawa River.  

Westboro is a thriving community with a lively street scene. Several condominium projects are encouraging densification and have brought more people to the neighbourhood. The village features murals painted by a local artist. The neighbourhood also boasts a concentration of outdoors and sport stores including Mountain Equipment Co-op, Vancouver-based trendy lululemon athletica, Bushtukah, The Expedition Shoppe and Trailhead and is close to cycling trails and whitewater rapids in the Ottawa River. Boutiques, restaurants and coffee shops on Richmond Road have helped turn Westboro into a trendy neighbourhood. 

The neighbourhood is served by two OC Transpo stations: Westboro and Dominion, as well as Route 2, which provides frequent local service along Richmond Road.

Westfest, a free Canadian arts and music festival, is held every year during the second weekend in June, and features a variety of local and national performers. 

Sub-neighbourhoods

Westboro encompasses a large part of the western part of Ottawa, and many smaller sub-neighbourhoods. Including the core Westboro village located north of Richmond Road, there exists the following sub-neighbourhoods: 

Carlingwood

Hampton Park

Highland Park

Laurentian View

McKellar Park

McKellar Heights

Westboro Beach

Woodroffe North