Ottawa

24 Sussex

The official residence of the Prime Minister of Canada. While you cannot enter the building, you can look through the fence from the outside.

Ahora Mexican Cuisine

A good little Mexican canteen. It serves up mains, zippy margaritas, and drinks imported from Mexico.

11:30AM to 10PM

Atlético Ottawa

Replacing the city's former Ottawa Fury FC is this club owned by Spanish soccer giants Atlético Madrid. Unlike Fury FC, which played at the second level of US soccer (the USL Championship), Atlético Ottawa plays in the domestic Canadian Premier League.

Bank Street Promenade

Great mix of stores ranging from chain restaurants to specialty shops. District extends from Wellington St to Gladstone Ave.

Bank of Canada Currency Museum

A collection of historic and current currencies from Canada and around the world, history of Bank of Canada and the application of interest rate in the society and economy.

Thu-Mon 10AM-5PM·Free

BeaverTails

Try the tasty BeaverTail, a fried-dough pastry associated with Ottawa, although a number of places claim to have created it. It's available in sweet and savoury versions, topped with cinnamon, sugar, icing sugar, etc. In the winter, many places will offer it on the canal. During the summer, the only places downtown to offer it are in the Byward Market on George St., and a small counter in a corner of the Canadian Museum of History. There are a variety of toppings and the taste of the beaver tail stands out more with the classic sugar & cinnamon. However, the locals' favourite is the Killaloe Sunrise, a topping of cinnamon sugar and lemon juice.

Sun-Wed 10AM-8PM, Thu 10AM-11PM, Fri Sat 10AM-midnight

Beckta

Excellent modern restaurant with a variety of tastes centred on locally available foods. Also features an extensive wine list.

ByWard Market

Among other things, this is a farmer's market; in summer, stalls selling fresh produce and flowers line the streets, and maple syrup bought at the farmer's market costs half the price of the same bottle sold at souvenir shops elsewhere in the Byward Market or anywhere else in the city. It is also a craft and tourist market with a range of shops and the city's busiest entertainment district with restaurants, pubs, bars and many street performers. Interesting to see it first during the day (when it's a shopping destination) and then in the evening (when it's a nightlife destination).

Bytown Museum

A small museum at the foot of Parliament Hill with a focus on Ottawa's early history.

Victoria Day weekend-Thanksgiving Day: Fri-Wed 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-9PM. Rest of year: Tue-Sun 11AM-4PM·$5 adults, $4 seniors/students/youth, $2 children 5-12

Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

A working animal farm in the city. You can visit animal barns, see various demonstrations and exhibitions, and ride on a horse-drawn wagon. The museum also has a playground and picnic area. It is very popular with young children and a welcome change of pace for kids who have seen enough history after visiting some of the other sights.

Exhibitions: 9AM-5PM daily late Feb-late Nov. Animal barns: 9AM-5PM daily all year·$7 adults, $6 students/seniors, $4 children 3-14, $16 families (2 adults and 3 children), free for children under 3. Seniors free on Tuesday. Admission to animal barns is by donation during time of year when the exhibitions are closed

Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Former RCAF base with civilian and military aircraft ranging from pre-World War I to modern, including 1920s-1940s bush planes, war planes from both World Wars and the Cold War, surviving components of the 1950s' Avro Arrow interceptor and Space Shuttle Endeavor's Canadarm, a Canadian-built robotic arm. Guided tours, boutique.

Wed-Mon 10AM to 5PM, closed Tuesdays·$15, student/seniors $13, Youth (ages 3-17) $10

Canadian Museum of Nature

Galleries of fossils, mammals, birds and geology among others. Free admission Thursdays after 4PM and all day Canada Day (July 1st).

Wed Fri-Sun 10AM-4PM; Thu 10AM-7PM. Open on some holiday Mondays·$17 adult (general admission), $15 senior/student, $13 child (3-12)

Canadian War Museum

The museum presents Canada's involvement in armed conflict beginning with battles between the French and British, through to the World Wars, Korea, and the country's current involvement in NATO and UN operations.

Sep–Jun: Mon–Wed Fri–Sun 9:30AM–5PM, Thu 9:30AM–8PM; Jun–Sep: Mon–Wed Fri–Sun 9:30AM–6PM, Thu 9:30AM–8PM·$22 for adults. Free on Th after 5PM, and Jul 1, Sep 30, Nov 11

Carleton University Art Gallery

Art exhibitions and educational events to explore and activate the ideas that shape contemporary society.

Tue-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun noon-5PM (closed Mon)·Free

Chez Lucien

Pleasant bistro and bar, serving pub fare including excellent burgers and fries. A good selection of microbrew beers.

11AM-2AM, daily except holidays

Coconut Lagoon

Coconut Lagoon serves Kerala cuisine, subtly different from other South Indian styles (although people kept asking for Butter Chicken so it's on the menu as well). The restaurant's executive chef and owner Joe Thottungal took the silver medal at the Canadian Culinary Championships in 2017, and the gold medal at the Gold Medal Plates Culinary Competition 2016. There are vegan-friendly dishes on the menu. The restaurant is re-opening in August 2022.

Commissioners Park

Located adjacent to Dows Lake, where you can rent boats, it features the Festival of Tulips in May. In summer, there are a number of flower beds with flowers arranged by colour in attractive patterns.

Confederation Park

Downtown park, designated as a National Historic Site of Canada, featuring a fountain, totem pole, statues.

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

A museum village featuring buildings from the early 20th century including a railway station.

D'Arcy McGee's

Lively Irish pub. Beautiful architecture with impressive food selection.

Sun-Wed 11:30AM-10PM, Thu 11:30AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11:30-midnight

Di Rienzo

This little deli tucked away in Little Italy, a secret known to many locals, is famous for the best and freshest deli sandwiches in the city for $5 (taxes included). During the week the lineup can stretch outside the packed little store, but they are arguably the fastest sandwich makers anywhere so don't worry about a long wait. There is also another newer location run by the family at Meadowlands Drive and Fisher Avenue.

Mon-Fri 7:30AM-9PM, Sat Sun 8AM-7PM

Diefenbunker — Canada's Cold War Museum

Built to protect the government from nuclear attack, this once-secret bunker is now a museum and National Historic Site of Canada. "Diefenbunker" is a play on "Diefenbaker", the Canadian prime minister in the 1950s who authorized the construction of the facility. In addition to preserving and promoting Canada's Cold War history, the museum offers a variety of visitor programs and services. You can learn, play or shop as you discover the bunker's secrets and relive the experience of the Cold War. Guided tours by reservation only. If you do not have access to a vehicle and are willing to do a 50 minute bus ride plus pay a $30 taxi, you can # take the OcTranpo #95 or #97; # Transfer to the #93 at Lincoln Fields; # Get off at the Legget / Ad. 515 stop; # Walk 3 minutes to Brookstreet Hotel; # Take a taxi to the Diefenbunker.

Self-guided tours 11AM-4PM daily·$14 adults, $13 seniors, $10 students, $8 youth 6-18, $40 families (2 adults plus 3 youth), free for children 5 and under

Dominion Tavern

Simple beers and some pool: picture your friend's basement apartment, even serving 40s of beer (a 40-ounce glass).

11AM-2AM daily

Elgin Street Diner

A popular 24-hour diner. One of its specialties is the ESD (Elgin Street Diner) Poutine (though true Quebecers should probably abstain). Generally, poutine is French fries, served with cheese curds and gravy on top; they have several versions including the addition of caramelized onions and bacon, Montreal smoked meat, Philly steak, a four cheese blend or Chili. The substitution of mashed potatoes fried with onions and seasoning (called their home fries), or onion rings instead of regular French fries is also an option. Expect the adventure to set you back $16–21 depending on toppings. The diner's hamburgers/cheeseburgers are significantly better than typical fast food fare, and breakfast is served 24/7 365 days a year with no exception. The breakfast menu includes Kettleman's bagels.

Always open

Flora Hall Brewing

Brewery and restaurant, with an extensive kitchen menu and full bar

Mon-Thu 4-11PM, Fri 4PM-midnightk Sat noon-midnight, Sun noon-11PM

GigSpace

A more intimate jazz and blues venue, away from Downtown's beaten path.

Gitanes

French-inspired restaurant that uses local ingredients. Great wines and creative cocktails. Gitanes also has sister restaurant across the street, Gitanes Burger, with amazing burgers.

Govinda's Restaurant

offers a simple vegan buffet. The best cheap eats in town. Operated by ISCKON (Hare Krishna movement).

Mon-Fri 5–8PM, Sun yoga festival 5–8PM·$5-7 per person

Hartwell's Lockstation

Picturesque lock station within a park along the Rideau Canal. One could walk across the locks and continue north to Dows Lake near Carling O-Train station, or northwest to the Canada Agriculture Museum.

Heart & Crown

Irish Village, Peter Devine's

Ottawa's largest pub complex, forming a maze of busy bars and restaurants. Including the eponymous Irish Village (loud, lots of live music) and The Heart and Crown. The fish and chips has a generous serving of fish.

11AM-2AM daily