Top places to visit in Ottawa

• Parliament Hill

  Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h

  Gothic Revival seat of Canada's federal government overlooking the Ottawa River; free guided tours of Centre Block (under restoration) and the summer Changing of the Guard ceremony on the front lawn.

• ByWard Market

  Market · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h

  One of Canada's oldest and largest public markets, a lively district of food stalls, farmers' produce, restaurants, pubs, and nightlife just east of Parliament Hill.

• Rideau Canal

  Heritage · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h

  UNESCO World Heritage waterway running through the heart of Ottawa; a boat cruise route in summer and the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink (the Rideau Canal Skateway) in winter.

• Canadian Museum of History

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry CAD 22

  Canada's most-visited museum, across the river in Gatineau, Quebec; famed for its curved Douglas Cardinal architecture, the Grand Hall of West Coast totem poles, and the Canadian History Hall.

• National Gallery of Canada

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 20

  Canada's premier art museum, housed in a glass-and-granite building by Moshe Safdie; renowned for Canadian and Indigenous art and Louise Bourgeois's giant spider sculpture "Maman" out front.

• Canadian Museum of Nature

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 22

  National natural history museum in a castle-like 1905 heritage building (the "Victoria Memorial Museum"); dinosaur, mammal, bird, and a popular blue-whale skeleton gallery.

• Canadian War Museum

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 22

  National museum of military history on LeBreton Flats, with immersive galleries spanning early conflicts to peacekeeping and the striking Regeneration Hall.

• Canada Science and Technology Museum

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 18

  Hands-on national museum of science and technology with interactive exhibits, a steam locomotive collection, and the popular Crazy Kitchen.

• Canada Aviation and Space Museum

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 18

  National aviation collection with over 130 aircraft spanning bush planes, WWII fighters, and space exhibits, at the Rockcliffe airfield.

• Rideau Hall

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h

  Official residence of the Governor General of Canada, set in 79 acres of gardens; free guided tours of the state rooms and grounds open to the public.

• Major's Hill Park

  Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h

  Ottawa's first park, perched above the Rideau Canal locks with sweeping views of Parliament Hill, the river, and the Alexandra Bridge; a prime spot for festivals and Canada Day.

• Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum

  Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 16

  A vast four-storey underground bunker built in 1959 to shelter the government in a nuclear attack, now a National Historic Site and museum in Carp, west of Ottawa.

Things to do

• Rideau Canal Skateway Skating Winter Sports · 2 h
• Ottawa River Sightseeing Boat Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h · from CAD 42 per person
• Parliament Hill Guided Tour Guided Tour · 1 h
• ByWard Market Food Walking Tour Food Tour · 2.5 h · from CAD 75 per person
• Gatineau Park Hiking Day Trip Hiking · 6 h · from CAD 95 per person
• Haunted Walk of Ottawa Ghost Tour Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from CAD 30 per person
• Rideau Canal Bike Tour Cycling · 2.5 h · from CAD 55 per person
• Winterlude Festival Experience Festival · 3 h · from CAD 25 per person

Day trips and tours

• Ottawa City Highlights Full-Day Tour 7 h · from CAD 110
• Gatineau Park & Fall Colours Day Trip 8 h · from CAD 130

Where to stay in Ottawa

• Downtown / Parliament about CAD 280 per night

  The civic and business core around Wellington and Elgin streets, walkable to Parliament Hill, the Rideau Canal, and the main museums.

• ByWard Market about CAD 250 per night

  Ottawa's liveliest district packed with restaurants, bars, the public market, and nightlife — great for foodies and young travellers.

• Centretown about CAD 190 per night

  A quieter, more residential area just south of downtown around Bank and Elgin streets, with cafes, pubs, and good value accommodation.

Hotels

• Fairmont Château Laurier 5-star · CAD 350 to CAD 700 per night
• ARC The.Hotel 4-star · CAD 200 to CAD 360 per night
• The Westin Ottawa 4-star · CAD 250 to CAD 450 per night
• Lord Elgin Hotel 4-star · CAD 180 to CAD 320 per night
• Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market 4-star · CAD 220 to CAD 400 per night
• Auberge des Arts B&B 3-star · CAD 120 to CAD 180 per night

Where to eat

• BeaverTails (ByWard Market) Dessert, Canadian, Snacks · about CAD 8 per person
• Zak's Diner Diner, American, Comfort · about CAD 22 per person
• Shawarma Palace Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Shawarma · about CAD 15 per person
• Sansotei Ramen Japanese, Ramen, Noodles · about CAD 20 per person
• Pho Bo Ga La Vietnamese, Pho, Noodles · about CAD 16 per person
• El Camino Mexican, Tacos, Latin · about CAD 35 per person
• Play Food & Wine Canadian, Contemporary, Small Plates · about CAD 55 per person
• Riviera Canadian, Contemporary, Cocktail Bar · about CAD 90 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Aggressive panhandling near tourist areas

  ByWard Market and Rideau Street

  Some individuals persistently ask for money near bars and the market late at night, occasionally following tourists a short distance.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking; stick to well-lit busy streets at night. Generally harmless but can feel intimidating.

• Overpriced unofficial parking

  Downtown near Parliament and the canal during festivals

  During Canada Day, Winterlude, and tulip festival, some lots and individuals charge inflated flat rates or direct cars to non-existent spots.

  How to avoid it: Use official City of Ottawa or reputable garage lots and confirm the rate before parking; consider transit on event days.

More in Canada

• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Banff
• Niagara Falls
• Quebec City