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Sunset

Golden Hour at the Hill

Grab a sweet treat, catch the last light on the Parliament skyline, and wind down with a drink.

Best time: sunsetAbout 120 min

Timeline

  1. 15:15

    BeaverTails

    Pick up a BeaverTail pastry. The fried dough is best eaten warm, so grab one early and find a spot on the walk to enjoy it while it is still fresh.

  2. 16:00

    Parliament Hill

    Walk up to Parliament Hill. Use the time to explore the grounds and find a vantage point facing west. The Gothic revival architecture looks striking in the fading light.

  3. 16:45

    Parliament Hill

    Watch the sun set over the Ottawa River. The sky will turn pink and orange behind the Centre Block. This is the peak moment for the view.

  4. 17:15

    D'Arcy McGee's

    Head to D'Arcy McGee's for a drink. The lively Irish pub offers a warm contrast to the evening chill, with impressive architecture and a good selection of food if you are still hungry.

Local tip

The walk from Parliament Hill to D'Arcy McGee's is about 12 minutes. If you prefer a quieter end to the evening, Prohibition Public House is a slightly longer walk but offers craft beers and a seasonal menu in a cozy setting.

Check before you go

  • BeaverTails closes at 20:00 on weekdays and Sundays, and 23:00 on Thursdays, 24:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • D'Arcy McGee's is open from 11:30 until 22:00 on weekdays and Sundays, 23:00 on Thursdays, and 24:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Sunset times vary by season: check specific dates for exact timing, but the golden hour always precedes the event.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Ottawa (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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