Free things to do in Ottawa

Free things to do in Ottawa

1. See

   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

2. See

   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)

3. See

   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

4. See

   National Gallery

   Photography, traditional and modern art from Canadian and international artists. Housed inside a glass building with a giant spider structure on the outside.

   $22 adult; Free admission Th after 5PM

5. See

   Rideau Hall

   The official residence of His Majesty King Charles III and his representative the Governor General of Canada. The grounds and the residence are open to the public for tours. Reservations are recommended during the low season (September 1 - April 30).

   Residence tour (without reservations): Apr 30-Jun 26: Sat Sun 10AM-4PM, Jun 27-Sep 5: 10AM-4PM daily (unguided open-house tours available Jul-Aug afternoons), Sep 6-Oct 30: Sat Sun noon-4PM. Advance reservations required for tours at any time from Nov-Apr, and weekdays May-Jun and Sep-6-Oct 30.·Free

6. See

   Royal Canadian Mint

   Canada's commemorative and collectable coinage is minted here (circulation coinage is minted in Winnipeg), as were the medals for the 2010 Olympics. Tours are available, and there is no charge if you only want to visit the boutique.

   10AM-5PM·Price varies depending on the age of person, group discount rates available

7. See

   Supreme Court of Canada

   Canada's highest court and the best example in Ottawa of Art Deco architecture. Its marble Grand Entrance Hall is particularly impressive. The visit includes a tour in the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada hearing room. The visits last about 30 minutes and are provided by law students hired at the Court. The Court is a 5-minute walk from Parliament. Tours are offered in French on the half hour and in English on the hour. No reservations are needed between May 1 and August 30. Visitor reservations are required between September 1 to April 30.

   Free

8. Do Not mapped

   Doors Open Ottawa

   Doors Open Ottawa, the second-largest Doors Open architectural event in North America, takes place during the first weekend in June. Over 100 buildings (many of which are normally closed to the public, such as embassies, official residences, museum storage buildings, and city infrastructure facilities) open their doors to the public, offering free admission to part or all of the premises. Most participating buildings also allow photography. While the event takes place Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM, not all buildings are open both days. It is a hybrid event, with virtual and physical visits. Reservations required at some participating buildings (including the US Embassy).

9. Do Not mapped

   Yoga on the Hill

   During the summer months, a free weekly yoga class is offered on Parliament Hill most Wednesdays beginning at noon. The class is very popular—sometimes attracting more than a thousand people—so it's recommended to arrive a bit early to claim a spot on the grass. Yoga mat recommended but optional; bring your own.

   Wed noon·free

10. See

    Ottawa Art Gallery

    Municipal art gallery.

    Tue Wed Sun 10AM-6PM, Thu-Sat 10AM-9PM (closed Mon)·Free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ottawa (CC BY-SA 4.0).