Free
Rideau Canal pathways
Paths follow the canal from the locks below Parliament south to Dows Lake. In winter, the Rideau Canal Skateway opens when the ice allows.
Ottawa Valley, Ontario
Ottawa
Canada's capital on the Ottawa River: a canal you can skate in winter, national museums, the ByWard Market, and the hills of Gatineau Park just across the bridge.
Photo: Parliament Hill above the Ottawa River, Óðinn, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Canada's capital is best seen on foot. Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the Rideau Canal are all within walking distance. The canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs right through downtown.
Cross the bridge to Gatineau, Quebec, where the Canadian Museum of History looks back at Parliament. Gatineau Park's lookouts and lakes are about 20 minutes beyond. You get a capital city and a wild park in one trip.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Gatineau Park and Champlain Lookout
Hills, lakes and trails in Quebec, with a famous lookout over the Ottawa Valley. Some lots charge for parking.
Free
Mer Bleue Bog
A boardwalk across an ancient peat bog east of the city, part of the Greenbelt.
Free
Hog's Back Falls
Waterfalls on the Rideau River beside the canal locks, in a city park.
Free
Dominion Arboretum
Gardens and trees beside Dows Lake and the canal at the Central Experimental Farm.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Parliament Hill grounds
The lawns and Gothic Revival buildings above the river. Free guided tours run in the current chambers; book ahead.
Free
Changing of the Guard
A summer ceremony on Parliament Hill's lawn, in the mornings.
Free
Rideau Hall grounds
The governor general's residence, with gardens open to visitors.
Paid
National Gallery of Canada
Canada's national art museum, with a giant spider sculpture outside.
Paid
Canadian Museum of History
Across the river in Gatineau, with the Grand Hall of Pacific Coast totem poles.
Paid
Canada Aviation and Space Museum
A big hangar of historic aircraft at the old Rockcliffe airfield.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Free
ByWard Market
One of Canada's oldest markets, with outdoor stalls, food shops and patios.
Free
Winterlude and the Tulip Festival
Winterlude fills February with ice sculptures and skating; the Canadian Tulip Festival colours May. Check dates.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Rideau Canal and Ottawa River cruise
Sightseeing cruises from downtown.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Lady Dive amphibus
A bus tour that drives into the Ottawa River.
Parliament of Canada guided tour
Free guided tours of the current chambers; book ahead.
The Haunted Walk of Ottawa
Evening ghost-story walking tours.
Part of our Ottawa and the Rideau guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- There are more national museums than one day can hold.
- The Hill, the market and the canal are as good in the evening as in the day.
- Gatineau Park's lookouts and lakes make a perfect second morning.
Nearby and worth the drive
Kingstonabout 2 h · Guide ↗
Fort Henry and the Thousand Islands.
Chelsea and Wakefieldabout 20 min · Guide ↗Gatineau Park lookouts, Pink Lake and two park villages.
Ready-made trips with Ottawa
Good to know
- Tourism: ottawatourism.ca.
- Parliament tours: free, booked online at visit.parl.ca. Centre Block is closed for a long renovation.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Parliament Hill above the Ottawa River, Óðinn, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Photo: The Rideau Canal locks in downtown Ottawa, Mhsheikholeslami, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Fall colour from Champlain Lookout, Gatineau Park, cjuneau, CC BY 2.0