Things to do in Ottawa

Things to do in  Ottawa

Canada’s cosmopolitan capital

As the capital of Canada, Ottawa offers a sense of the country as a whole. But, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Ottawa besides touring Parliament Hill. The city is filled with stunning Victorian architecture, a diverse art scene, and plentiful riverside parks and green spaces. The National Gallery of Canada is a classic must-visit option, but don’t miss a trip to the Grand Hall in the Canadian Museum of History to view totem poles, carvings, and other traditional belongings of the Pacific Coast Indigenous people.

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Top 15 attractions in Ottawa

#1

Ottawa Parliament Hill

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A concentrated cluster of grand government buildings overlooking the Ottawa River, Parliament Hill is the centerpiece of Downtown Ottawa. At the heart of the complex is Centre Block, a neo-Gothic riot of greening copper turrets, stone-carved gargoyles, and pointed arches built around a soaring central campanile (bell tower) known as the Peace Tower. Parliament Hill is not just a pretty sight; it’s also home to Canada’s most important democratic institutions, including the Library of Parliament and the chambers of the House of Commons and the Senate.More
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#2

Rideau Canal

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Built between 1826 and 1832 to offer secure passage for British ships from Montreal, the Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is an engineering masterpiece. It extends for 126 miles (202 kilometers) between Ottawa and Kingston. Ottawa’s most visited stretch lures boaters, cyclists, and strollers in summer, and ice skaters in winter.More
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#3

Gatineau

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Separated by the Ottawa River, Gatineau and Ottawa sit on different sides of the provincial boundary between Quebec and Ontario. Visitors to Canada’s capital often hop across to Gatineau, with the Canadian Museum of History and the 139-square-mile (361-square-kilometer Gatineau Park proving especially popular among tourists.  More
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#4

National Gallery of Canada (Musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada)

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Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, Ottawa’s glass-and-granite National Gallery of Canada (Musée des Beaux-Arts du Canada) showcases an exquisite art collection. As well as an extensive display of European and Canadian art including an assortment of indigenous artworks, the museum also houses the reconstructed 19th-century Rideau Street Convent Chapel.More
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#5

Rideau Hall

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In addition to being the governor general of Canada’s official residence and the meeting place for foreign dignitaries visiting Ottawa, Rideau Hall is a serene green space beloved by locals and travelers alike. The manicured grounds contain a vast lawn, rose garden, private greenhouse, and more than 10,000 trees—some planted by famous visitors.More
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#6

ByWard Market

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Ottawa’s historic food-focused ByWard Market houses hundreds of vendors hawking farm-raised meat, fresh produce, and arts and crafts. Hungry visitors and locals alike flock to this social and shopping hub, where takeout vendors sell ready-to-eat goodies and sit-down eateries offer prime seats for patrons to take in all the market action.More
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#7

Canadian Museum of Nature

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Explore the Great White North’s many wonders at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Set in a historic castle in Ottawa, this five-story museum focuses on the country’s natural history with a fossil gallery, a water gallery (where you can see a blue whale skeleton), mineral displays, and an array of other exhibits.More
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#8

Ottawa Locks

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The eight Ottawa Locks regulate the flow of the city’s signature Rideau Canal as it flows south from the Ottawa River. The hand-cranked locks provide a gradient of 24 meters (79 feet) on the canal, which runs for more than 124 miles (200 kilometers) from Ottawa to Kingston, a stunning example of 19th-century ingenuity and engineering.More
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#9

Gatineau Park

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Just across the river from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park—a 139-square-mile (361-square-kilometer) swath of lake and wood-dotted parkland—offers nature escapes near the city. With a vast network of hiking, cycling, and cross-country ski trails, as well as lakes, waterfalls, and swimming beaches, it’s a veritable outdoor playground.More
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#10

Canadian War Museum

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The Canadian War Museum is an architecturally unique building showcasing the history of Canada’s past conflicts. Honoring those who have served the country and putting focus on the topics of regeneration and building a better future, this Ottawa museum is home to themed exhibits, historical artifacts, military tools, weapons, and vehicles.More
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#11

Ottawa Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica

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Dating back to the 1840s, Ottawa Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica is the oldest church in Canada’s capital. The Gothic Revival structure is full of eye-catching design details, from its two shimmering, silver tin-covered steeples to the interior’s soaring vaults and star-studded blue ceiling.More
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#12

Canadian Museum of History

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Previously known as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, this cutting-edge museum—just five minutes from downtown Ottawa—underwent a name change and a significant overhaul between 2013 and 2017. The museum’s high-tech exhibitions now tell the history of Canada and its peoples, from the earliest human inhabitants to the present day.More
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#13

Royal Canadian Mint

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Housed in a castle-like structure, Canada’s original mint no longer produces currency for circulation—that now happens at Winnipeg’s Royal Canadian Mint. However the Ottawa facility is still functioning, churning out special-edition collector coins and precious metal bullion. Tours of the facility reveal the processes of coin-making.More
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#14

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

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Showcasing Canada’s aeronautical achievements, this large museum houses more than 130 aircraft. See a replica Silver Dart, the first airplane to fly in Canada, and a Canadarm, Canada’s contribution to the International Space Station, then strap yourself into the cockpit and experience the sensation of flight in the Redbird FMX flight simulator.More
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#15

Confederation Square

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Confederation Square is a triangular plaza between Wellington Street and Elgin Street in front of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The urban space was, together with the National War Memorial, officially completed around 1939. The giant granite memorial sits at the center of the square and was originally a tribute to the Canadians who fought in World War I but has since become a symbol of all Canadians serving in times of war.More
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Top activities in Ottawa

Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

Ottawa City Tour by Land and Water

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Ottawa Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

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Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa
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Original Haunted Walk of Ottawa

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Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise

Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise

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Ottawa Boat Cruise - Rideau Canal Cruise

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Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line
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Ottawa Highlights 3.5 Hour Bike Tour

Ottawa Highlights 3.5 Hour Bike Tour

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Canadian War Museum Admission

Canadian War Museum Admission

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Ottawa Small Group Night Tour with River Cruise + Light Show
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Ottawa Spring Tulip Festival Bike Tour

Ottawa Spring Tulip Festival Bike Tour

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2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour

2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour

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Self-Guided Biking in Ottawa-Gatineau

Self-Guided Biking in Ottawa-Gatineau

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Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW

Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW

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Cycling the Nation's Capital, self-guided

Cycling the Nation's Capital, self-guided

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Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer

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Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour

Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour

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Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City - Arrival Private Transfer

Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City - Arrival Private Transfer

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Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Ottawa

Private Photo Session with a Local Photographer in Ottawa

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Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa - Round-Trip Private Transfer

Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa - Round-Trip Private Transfer

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Vacation Photographer in Ottawa

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All about Ottawa

When to visit

Ottawa’s major tourist season is summer, thanks to its warm temperatures—which typically peak at an average of 79°F (26°C)—and events like its festive Canada Day celebrations on July 1, complete with fireworks and live performances, as well as the Ottawa Fringe Festival and Ottawa Jazz Festival. But don’t overlook winter when the city transforms into a snowy wonderland, complete with skating rinks, cross-country skiing, and the Winterlude festival.

Getting around

Ottawa is served by a robust public transportation network, including the O-Train light rail network (with two lines) and numerous buses. Just across the Ottawa River in Quebec, the Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) also operates various bus lines. The city can be accessed by the Ottawa International Airport and Ottawa train station. Ottawa’s various neighborhoods are relatively walkable, and local taxi companies offer another transit option.

Traveler tips

​​A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a marvel of engineering, and a worthy Ottawa attraction all year round, the Rideau Canal is an unmissable highlight of Canada’s capital. Opened in 1832 and linking Ottawa and Lake Ontario, the waterway still maintains a functioning lock system. In summer, canal boat cruises offer a relaxing sightseeing opportunity, and in winter the canal is host to the Rideau Canal Skateway, the world’s largest skating rink.

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People Also Ask

What is Ottawa best known for?

As Canada's capital, Ottawa is home to the seat of the Canadian government and known for its historic sites and landmarks. With up to three million visitors a year, Parliament Hill is Ottawa’s most famous attraction: Its complex of Gothic revival buildings is on the southern banks of the Ottawa River.

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Is there anything to do in Ottawa?

Yes. Visitors to Ottawa will find plenty to do. You can stroll around Parliament Hill; explore the historic ByWard Market area; paddle or skate on the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal; and visit the National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History, and Canadian War Museum.

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What can you do in Ottawa during winter?

Yes. Visitors to Ottawa will find plenty to do. You can stroll around Parliament Hill; explore the historic ByWard Market area; paddle or skate on the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal; and visit the National Gallery of Canada, Canadian Museum of History, and Canadian War Museum.

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What can you do in Ottawa for free?

In winter, when the Rideau Canal freezes over, Ottawa is home to the longest skating rink in the world—you can rent skates at booths along the skateway. There’s also a skating trail in Gatineau Park and at Lansdowne Pavilion. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also popular in the Greenbelt area.

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What is there to do in Ottawa for teenagers?

Most teenagers visiting Ottawa enjoy visiting the Big Locks where the Rideau Canal meets the Ottawa River; paddling or skating the Rideau Canal; exploring the Byward Market; and shopping at the Rideau Centre. The Canadian Museum of Nature, Aviation and Space Museum, and Science and Technology Museum all offer engaging exhibits.

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Is Ottawa worth visiting?

Yes. Ottawa is worth visiting. The city offers a rich blend of history, culture, nature, and wide-open public spaces. You can go from exploring world-class museums and historic parliament buildings to paddling or skating on the canal and hiking forested trails—all in just a few hours.

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