Ottawa, Canada: travel guide
Canada's capital of Parliament Hill, museums and a skating canal
Canada's national capital on the Ottawa River, home to Parliament Hill, national museums and the Rideau Canal.
About Ottawa
Ottawa is Canada's capital, set where the Ottawa River meets the Rideau Canal, and it is a city of museums, parkland and political landmarks. Parliament Hill, with its Gothic Revival towers, is the obvious starting point, and the riverside views from the grounds are worth the stop.
Things to do in Ottawa lean towards culture. The National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian Museum of Nature are all within easy reach, and ByWard Market is the place for a lunch break among food stalls and cafes. The Rideau Canal is a pleasant path for walkers and cyclists in warmer months.
Ottawa suits families and museum-minded travellers. Late spring through early autumn is the comfortable time to visit, while winter is cold but offers skating and festivals.
- Country
- Canada
- Currency
- CAD
- Time zone
- America/Toronto
- Nearest airport
- YOW
Last updated
Top places to visit in Ottawa
Parliament Hill
government-landmark · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
public-market · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
unesco-waterway · 4.8 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
history-museum · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
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
art-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
natural-history · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
military-museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
science-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
aviation-museum · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
National aviation collection with over 130 aircraft spanning bush planes, WWII fighters, and space exhibits, at the Rockcliffe airfield.
Rideau Hall
official-residence · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
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
urban-park · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
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
cold-war-bunker · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Ottawa
Airport: Ottawa (YOW)
Getting around
- Bus
- Ride Hail
- Walking
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
Frequently asked questions about Ottawa
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Ottawa?
- The highest-rated places in our Ottawa guide are Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian War Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
- Where should I stay in Ottawa?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Ottawa: Downtown / Parliament, ByWard Market, Centretown.
- How do I get around Ottawa?
- Ways to get around Ottawa covered in our guide: City bus, Ride-hailing app, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Ottawa?
- Scams reported to us for Ottawa include Aggressive panhandling near tourist areas; Overpriced unofficial parking. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Ottawa?
- The nearest airport to Ottawa has the code YOW.